Merchant Sales Podcast
This weekly podcast is a collaboration between The Green Sheet and CCSalesPro.com, offering insights for independent sales organizations and agents looking to build their merchant portfolio. It covers strategies for selling merchant services and features interviews with industry experts. The podcast aims to help listeners grow their business in the payment processing space.
Episodes
The Evolution of the ISO: From Payments to Fintech
What does it take to build a successful payments business in today’s market? James Shepherd sits down with Chris Sandifer, CEO and founder of Peak Pay, to discuss why ISOs need to evolve beyond simply selling payment processing and start thinking like fintech companies. They cover building merchant stickiness through technology and service, adding business financing and consumer finance, processor
The Square Reseller Opportunity: Technology, Agents & the Future of Payments
James Shepherd sits down with Mike Collins, Head of the Reseller Channel at Square, for an in-depth conversation about the rapidly evolving role of technology in the agent and ISO channel. They discuss the Square Reseller Program, the build-vs-buy decision for ISOs, how agents can expand their sales opportunities, what successful Square resellers are doing differently, and the importance of techno
Selling Your Payments Portfolio: From Valuation to Closing
In Part 2 of this two-part series, James Shepherd and Lane Gordon of 733Park take a deeper look at what happens when an agent or ISO decides to sell their payments portfolio. They break down right of first refusal, why approaching a single buyer may leave money on the table, how competing buyers and market conditions can affect an offer, and what buyers look for during due diligence. They also dis
Selling Your Payments Portfolio: Valuation & Deal Terms
What makes a payments portfolio valuable—and what should agents and ISOs understand before selling? In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd sits down with Lane Gordon, CEO of 733Park, to break down the process of selling a portfolio of merchant accounts and residual income.
They discuss the key factors that influence valuation, including revenue attrition, merchant concentra
Winning More Business in the POS Industry
In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd sits down with Roman Vanegas from The POS Cloud to explore how agents and ISOs can overcome two major point-of-sale challenges: managing installations and support, and securing processing business when merchants want to keep their existing system.
They discuss processor-agnostic integrations, outsourced hardware deployment, implementa
Why Merchant Sales Needs a New Business Model
Why is merchant sales so difficult—and could giving software away actually make it easier and more profitable? In this episode, James Shepard breaks down why traditional merchant sales has become a numbers game, why disruptive products create a much easier path to the sale, and how free software can lower customer acquisition costs while increasing payment processing revenue. He also explores how
Why ISOs and Agents Need to Pay Attention to Stablecoins
Blockchain and crypto may still feel complicated or distant to many merchant services professionals—but that could be changing quickly. In this episode, James Shepherd sits down with Eric Brown of BlockWyre to break down what ISOs, agents, processors, and acquirers need to understand about blockchain, Bitcoin, and the growing role of stablecoins in payments.
The conversation goes beyond the hype
The Old ISO Model Is Dying. What Comes Next?
The merchant services industry is changing fast. ISOs are becoming ISVs, software companies are moving deeper into payments, and the traditional model of selling a merchant account and a terminal is no longer enough.
In this episode, James Shepherd sits down with Tim McWeeney of Ingenico to discuss the convergence of payments, software, and technology—and what that means for the future of the ind
Inside Square’s Reseller Strategy
What happens when one of the biggest names in payments decides to build a serious reseller channel? James Shepherd gets the answer directly from Mike Collins, who heads up Square’s reseller division.
They discuss why Square believes ISOs and agents can help it move further into the middle market, where Square sees significant opportunity. Mike also explains how the reseller experience works, from
AI vs. The Payments Industry
In this episode, James Shepherd sits down with Allen Kopelman, CEO and co-founder of Nationwide Payment Systems, for an in-depth look at the rapidly growing threat of identity theft and merchant fraud—and how AI is making these scams more sophisticated.
Allen explains how scammers are using stolen identities, manipulated documents, fake websites, and business profiles to open merchant accounts an
The New Merchant Sales Playbook
Merchant services has changed—and if you're still leading with rates and payment processing, you're already behind. In this episode, James sits down with Steve Trovillo, President of Cygnus Payments, to discuss why software, AI, and vertical specialization are redefining success for agents and ISOs.
They explore how top-performing sales professionals are shifting from selling commodities to solvi
The New Rules of Chargeback Prevention
In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James sits down with Mark Wagner, CEO of Disputifier, to discuss how new card brand initiatives like Mastercard's Scam Merchant Monitoring Program (SMMP) and Visa's VAMP are changing the way ISOs, acquirers, and merchants approach fraud prevention and chargeback management. Beyond breaking down the latest rule changes, they explore practical strategie
The Future of the Payments Ecosystem
In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James sits down with payments industry veteran and consultant Ken Musante to explore how the payments ecosystem is evolving. From processor cost structures and software platforms to reseller programs, integrated banking, AI, and the growing influence of companies like Square, Stripe, and Clover, they discuss the trends reshaping the industry and what
Classic Sales Tactics That Still Work
This week’s Merchant Sales Podcast is a special throwback episode. While on vacation, James revisited one of his favorite sales training recordings from nearly a decade ago—back when he was personally walking into businesses every day and building a portfolio of more than 700 merchant accounts.
In this short but practical episode, James shares timeless field sales techniques for approaching busin
Building Smarter Partnerships in Payments
In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd is joined by James Huber, Partner at Global Legal Law Firm, for a practical discussion on the legal and strategic decisions that shape a successful payments business. From ISV partnerships and embedded payments to raising capital, protecting residuals, negotiating investor agreements, and planning for acquisitions, they share real-world
The New Playbook for B2B Payments
In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James sits down with Ron Halversen, President of Clarity Ventures, to discuss what it really takes to win enterprise and B2B payment opportunities. From ERP integrations and payment automation to faster cash flow, operational efficiencies, and lower processing costs, Ron explains how ISOs can solve meaningful business problems instead of competing sol
The Missing Piece in High-Ticket Payments
In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James sits down with Bob Lovinger, Founder and CEO of FlexxBuy and CEO of Coach Financing, to discuss why consumer financing remains one of the biggest untapped opportunities for agents, ISOs, and software providers. From coaching programs and professional services to home improvement and medical practices, Bob explains how financing can help merchant
How AI Is Transforming Merchant Portfolios
In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James sits down with Sebastian Builes Jinete, CEO of Arcum, to discuss how AI and payments data are transforming the way ISOs, acquirers, and processors manage their portfolios. From merchant activation and retention to win-back campaigns and partner monitoring, Sebastian shares how actionable intelligence can help organizations maximize revenue and m
Building Business Value in the AI Era
In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James sits down with Lane Gordon, CEO of 733Park, to discuss how AI is reshaping software, payments, and business valuations. From merchant portfolios and SaaS models to vertical software strategies and acquisition trends, Lane shares what buyers are looking for today—and what business owners should be thinking about if they hope to build long-term va
How Tap on Phone Is Changing Merchant Payments
Tap on Phone has been one of the most talked-about innovations in payments, but many agents still aren't offering it to merchants. In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James sits down with Vlad Sadovskiy, CEO of Netevia, to discuss why Tap on Phone is gaining momentum, the challenges behind bringing it to market, and how ISOs can use it to compete more effectively in a Square-dominated s
The PayFac Opportunity
Traditional ISO models often leave agents waiting on approvals, relying on multiple systems, and giving up control throughout the merchant lifecycle. In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James sits down with Simon Kemp to discuss the growing opportunity around PayFac for ISOs and how new models are helping bridge the gap between traditional ISO relationships and full payment facilitation
How Payment Processing Works
In this replay episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd revisits one of our foundational conversations: What is payment processing? James delivers a straightforward, easy-to-understand explanation of how credit card processing works, covering the basics of authorization and settlement, along with the roles of processors, acquirers, and merchant accounts.
Whether you're new to payment
How to Reduce Fraud Without Losing Sales
Fraud prevention used to be about stopping bad transactions—but today, it’s about maximizing revenue without blocking good customers. In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James sits down with Stuart Mann of Accertify to break down how fraud strategy has evolved, from simple rule-based systems to AI-driven models that analyze behavior, device data, and user intent.
They explore how merc
How ISOs Stay Competitive in Today’s Market
The payments landscape is changing fast—and many ISOs are struggling to keep up. In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James sits down with Ben Griefer, COO of Maverick Payments, to break down what it really takes to stay competitive today, from choosing the right upstream partners to balancing risk, operations, and sales focus.
They dive into the tradeoffs between going direct vs partn
The Rewards Strategy Changing Payment Sales
In a market where pricing and equipment have become completely commoditized, agents are struggling to stand out and win deals. In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James sits down with Jeff Moskowitz, CEO of Tuzo Rewards, to explore a different approach—using rewards to shift the conversation away from price and toward value.
They break down how agents can use rewards to create better
Selling Bigger Merchants: What Actually Works
Most agents are stuck competing for small accounts where pricing is everything—but enterprise deals play by a completely different set of rules. In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James sits down with Jerry Gialanella of Fort Point Payments to break down what it really takes to win larger merchants, from shifting your mindset to focusing on real business problems instead of basis point
The B2B Payments Opportunity
Most agents are focused on saturated markets like retail and restaurants—but the real opportunity may be in B2B. In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James sits down with Russ Hayes and Mike Hayes to break down how ISOs and agents can tap into manufacturers, distributors, and contractors to unlock larger deals and long-term growth.
They discuss why integrated invoice and ACH solutions
From SMB to Enterprise Sales
Most agents get stuck competing for the same small accounts, fighting over price in crowded verticals like restaurants and retail. In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James sits down with Josh Holden to break down what it really takes to move upmarket—targeting larger businesses, focusing on specific verticals, and building a strategy that actually scales.
They dive into hiring strate
The Future of ACH and Instant Payments
ACH has long been a frustrating part of payments — slow settlement, complex onboarding, and limited control. In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd sits down with Will Messina, CEO of GrailPay, to break down how modern infrastructure is transforming ACH. They discuss why legacy ACH has struggled for decades, how better risk modeling enables faster funding, and what it takes
The Processor-Agnostic POS Opportunity
In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd talks with Satheesh Kanchi, founder and CEO of OneHubPOS, about the growing opportunity for ISOs and agents to offer a processor-agnostic, white-label POS solution. They discuss how OneHub is approaching restaurant and specialty retail verticals, what makes a unified POS platform different from fragmented app-based systems, and why flex
New Payment Trends Reshaping the Industry
In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd explores some of the biggest developments shaping the payments landscape today. He discusses the rapid growth of digital wallets like Apple Pay, increasing merchant acceptance of cryptocurrency, and new payment frameworks emerging for cross-border transactions. He also highlights an important reality in payments: technology may evolve q
The High-Risk Payments Opportunity
High-risk merchants represent one of the biggest, and most misunderstood, opportunities in merchant services.
In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd speaks with Julie Franke, owner of Electronic Merchant Services, about what really defines a high-risk merchant account and how agents can succeed in this specialized segment of the industry. They break down the different types
The ISO-to-ISV Transition
The payments industry is shifting, and for ISOs, the future increasingly belongs to software.
In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd sits down with David Robinson, CEO of MyDevTeam, to discuss how payment companies and agents can transition from traditional processing models into software-driven businesses. They break down what it really takes to build technology, how ISOs
The Future of Interchange Optimization
Interchange fees are one of the largest — and most misunderstood — costs in merchant services. But new changes from Visa are reshaping how optimization works and creating new opportunities for payment professionals.
In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd speaks with Jeremy Layton, CEO of Verisave, about interchange optimization, Visa’s new Commercial Enhanced Data Program (
Real-Time Payments (RTP): The Future of Instant Money Movement
Real-time payments are already transforming how money moves, but most payment professionals still don’t understand the opportunity.
In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd and Patti Murphy sit down with Jim Colassano, Senior Vice President at The Clearing House, to break down the RTP (Real-Time Payments) network and why instant money movement could reshape merchant settlemen
What Payments Leaders Are Really Preparing for in 2026
Where is the payments industry really headed as we move toward 2026?
In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd sits down with Greg Myers, host of the Leaders in Payments podcast, to break down the biggest trends payments leaders are watching—from AI and agentic commerce to embedded finance and evolving ISO strategies.
The conversation cuts through the hype to focus on what’s
Partnerships, Tech, and the Future of the ISO
In this week’s episode, James sits down with Ben Ross of Green PayTech for a candid discussion on what it really takes to build and scale a payments business in today’s market. They dig into partnership strategy, technology alignment, and why integrated payments are no longer optional for anyone serious about long-term growth.
Later in the episode, Patti Murphy returns with Today in Payments, cov
The Hard Truth About Scaling in Payments
In this episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd sits down with Jaron Rice for a candid, unfiltered conversation about growth, control, and the realities of scaling in the payments industry. Jaron shares his personal journey from building a book, registering directly, experimenting with scale, and ultimately redefining what success actually looks like in today’s market.
They break do
Payroll: The Overlooked Residual Revenue Stream
Payroll is one of the most overlooked revenue opportunities for payment professionals. In this episode, James Shepherd talks with Evan Perdikouris, President of Nexroll, about how payroll fits naturally alongside payments and how agents can generate new residual income without becoming payroll experts. They break down the economics, the best merchant targets, and simple referral strategies that de
ISO to SaaS: The Strategic Shift
In this episode, James Shepherd sits down with Blake Wilson for a behind-the-scenes conversation on a rare evolution in merchant services - an ISO scaling the traditional agent channel while simultaneously transforming into a SaaS and technology company. They dig into what it really takes to choose a vertical, build or buy software the right way, and execute integrated partnerships without losing
Scaling the 1099 Agent Channel for 2026
In this week’s episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd sits down with Chris Del Grande, payments entrepreneur and ISO operator, for an in-the-weeds conversation on scaling merchant portfolios through the 1099 agent model. They break down what it really takes to grow at scale - where agents struggle, how ISOs can better support them, and why the 1099 channel remains one of the biggest
Strategic Partnerships That Drive ISO Growth in 2026
As the industry shifts gears into a new year, James Shepherd sits down with Allan Noe for a timely conversation focused on growth, goal setting, and building the right partnerships to scale an ISO. Allan brings deep experience helping payments businesses grow through strategic relationships - including associations, bank referral programs, and other partnership-driven models that create long-term
Rethinking the Agent Model for 2026
As the payments industry looks toward 2026, many agents and ISOs are realizing the traditional agent model is under pressure. In this episode, James Shepherd sits down with Keith Sampson for an honest conversation about burnout, goal setting, and why chasing high splits often leads to unsustainable businesses. Keith shares lessons from building and exiting companies, navigating personal and profes
Choosing the Right Vertical for 2026
In this week’s episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd sits down with Juan Ortiz for a motivating and strategy-packed conversation on setting goals for 2026 and choosing the right vertical. Juan shares practical guidance for agents and ISOs on how to focus, niche down, and build a plan that actually drives measurable growth in the coming year. Together, they dig into the challenges r
How ISOs Can Stay Ahead of Industry Change
In this week’s episode, James Shepherd sits down with Allen Kopelman, CEO of Nationwide Payment Systems and host of the B2B Vault podcast, for a wide-ranging discussion on the biggest shifts reshaping merchant services today. From the Visa/Mastercard settlement and VAMP chargeback rules to the growing pressure on ISOs to own their tech stack, Allen shares what he’s seeing firsthand — and why agent
Avoiding the Most Common Agent Mistakes
In this week’s episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd welcomes back Steven Morris for a direct and practical conversation about the mistakes agents commonly make when entering the merchant services industry. Steven shares real-world insights from the front lines, what slows agents down, what causes deals to fall through, and how new reps can build a stronger foundation for long-term
What is Payment Processing?
In this episode, James Shepherd delivers a straightforward, easy-to-understand explanation of what credit card processing is and how it works, from the basics of authorization and settlement to the role of processors, acquirers, and merchant accounts.
Whether you're new to payments or need a refresher, this is the perfect foundational guide to help you understand the moving parts behind every tra
High Risk Processing with Full Stack Payments / TCG | Live Event Recap
In this week’s episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd shares a replay from a recent live event with partners at TCG, diving deep into today’s high-risk landscape—and why VAMP is creating massive disruption for Shopify merchants.
James breaks down what high-risk accounts really are, how VAMP is triggering holds and shutdowns across Shopify, and why this shift is driving a surge of m
Vertical vs General Solution Strategy
As the payments landscape continues to evolve, how should ISOs, agents, and software providers approach 2026—by going all-in on vertical-specific solutions or by refining generalized offerings that can serve a wider market?
In this solo episode, James Shepherd shares hard-earned insights from his experience running both CCStorage, a vertical-specific solution, and Stackably, a more generalized te
Financing Point of Sale Hardware (with Leasing)
This week on the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd revisits a topic many thought was long gone — leasing. With today’s advanced and often expensive POS hardware, leasing is once again becoming a smart tool for ISOs and agents to close deals and increase adoption.
James sits down with Robert Ensminger to discuss modern leasing strategies, real-world use cases, and how to position leasing as p
Selling Field Service Merchants | Live Event Recap
Don’t miss the replay of our live event where James Shepherd, Jon Shirey, and Gabe Pinchev introduced a powerful new opportunity for agents and ISOs: reselling FieldPulse through the Full Stack Payments app.
You’ll see how FieldPulse helps contractors in industries like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical manage scheduling, invoicing, and payments—all in one simple platform. With full dual pricing sup
Behind the Scenes: Building Strategic Vertical Partnerships
In this week’s episode, James Shepherd takes listeners behind the curtain of a new strategic partnership between Netevia and Stackably—a collaboration designed to target three highly specific verticals through custom-built technology and focused marketing.
James is joined by Ben Shirey, who leads Stackably, and Isail Flores from Netevia, who brings more than a decade of experience working in thes
Unlock Enterprise Restaurant Deals with Micros | Live Event Recap
Don’t miss the replay of our live event where I sat down with Jon Shirey, CEO of Full Stack Payments, and Greg Olesnycky, Founder & CEO of Micros Restaurant Systems, to unveil a powerful new partnership built for the enterprise restaurant space.
In this session, we explored how agents can now access high-volume and multi-location restaurant accounts that were previously out of reach—and how to tu
Stackably - The Future of Merchant Sales | Live Event Recap
Don’t miss the replay of our live event where James Shepherd, Jon Shirey, and Ben Shirey introduced Stackably—a new brand built to help agents win and retain more merchant accounts.
You’ll get a first look at Payment Stack, a simple, all-in-one solution with free hardware, software, dual pricing, and native apps for both merchants and their customers. It’s the first of many feature sets designed
Stablecoin Payments, B2B Shifts & POS Sales Strategies
Stablecoin is more than hype—it’s creating real opportunities in high-risk and e-commerce. In this episode, James Shepherd sits down with Stan Pacovsky of Payment Servers to explore how stablecoin payments are being applied today and what the future could look like.
Then, Patti Murphy joins James for Today in Payments with insights on the latest industry shifts, including changes in B2B transacti
Processor-Agnostic Software vs. Processor-Owned Platforms
Should software be processor-agnostic, or is there an advantage when processors own and operate the technology? In this episode, James Shepherd sits down with longtime industry expert Allen Kopelman to unpack the differences, tradeoffs, and future of payments software. They explore how these models impact agents, ISOs, and merchants—and what’s really driving the debate behind the scenes.
Plus, do
Bridging ISOs and ISVs in Integrated Payments
Integrated payments are reshaping the industry, but success looks very different depending on whether you’re an ISV or an ISO. This week, James Shepherd sits down with Ashley Willson, a consultant who works with both software companies and ISOs, to share her unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in integrated payments. With experience on both sides of the equation, Ashley offers p
White Label Consumer Financing for ISOs & Agents
Consumer financing has become a critical offering for merchants—and an opportunity for ISOs, agents, and ISVs to differentiate. In this week’s episode, James Shepherd interviews Bob Lovinger from FlexBuy to explore their white label consumer financing solution and recent acquisition of Koalafi’s coaching finance division. Learn how FlexBuy helps merchants provide access to capital, increase conver
Scaling an ISO to 600+ MIDs Per Month
What does it really take to build an ISO capable of boarding 600+ new merchant accounts every month? In this week’s episode, James Shepherd sits down with Dustin Magaziner of PayBright to explore the strategies, systems, and mindset behind scaling an ISO to that level. From operational challenges to growth tactics, Dustin shares a behind-the-scenes look at what’s working today in the industry.
Th
How to Get Merchants Their Money Faster
Ever wondered what it takes to move from a retail ISO to a wholesale ISO—or what a Payfac actually is? In this week’s episode, James Shepherd sits down with Kyle Morgan to unpack the mechanics of payments behind the scenes. Learn why faster funding for merchants comes at a cost, how the flow of funds works, and the differences between wholesale ISOs and Payfacs.
Then, James is joined by Patti Mur
6 Reasons ISOs and ISVs Don't Work Well Together
It is no secret that ISOs are looking for integrated payments partnerships, while ISVs want access to payments industry distribution, but so far, these partnerships have not lived up to the hype. In this week's episode, James Shepherd shares the 6 reasons why ISOs and ISVs have not worked well together so far and what both sides can do about it. Then, James is joined by Patti Murphy for a Today in
Maximizing Your Time at Industry Events
Are industry conferences worth your time and money? In this episode, James Shepherd sits down with John Newton, chief organizer of the Western States Acquirers Association (WSAA), to talk about how to decide whether to attend, the value of sponsoring versus being an attendee, and proven strategies to maximize networking opportunities. James also shares why some of his best deals and connections ha
The Bitcoin Conversation: What’s Next for Crypto in Payments?
As stablecoins gain traction, it’s time to revisit the role of Bitcoin in the payments industry. This week, James Shepherd and Patti Murphy sit down with Jason Keil of Polaris Payments for a timely conversation about where Bitcoin is headed, how new legislation could influence adoption, and what payment professionals should expect over the next 12 to 24 months.
Then, Rich Norton shares some quick
Boarding High-Risk Merchants & Navigating Industry Shifts
High-risk merchant accounts are one of the most challenging areas in payments. In this week’s episode, James Shepherd interviews Jerry Gialanella from Fort Point Payments to break down what it really takes to get high-risk deals approved, the pitfalls to avoid, and how their team gets it done.
Afterward, Rich Norton shares actionable sales tips from the field, and Patti Murphy joins James for Tod
Inside an ISV’s Payments Journey
What’s it really like for a vertical software company to integrate payments? In this week’s episode, James Shepherd sits down with Derek Henmi, founder of Vino—a platform built specifically for wineries and a partner of Full Stack Payments. They discuss the realities of software development, integrating with Dejavoo, and navigating the world of payments from an ISV’s perspective. If you want to un
Understanding Visa VAMP and the Future of Chargebacks
Chargebacks are evolving—and if you’re selling merchant services, underwriting accounts, or handling compliance, you need to be ahead of the curve. In this episode, James Shepherd interviews Scott Adams, one of the industry’s leading experts on chargeback management and Visa’s new VAMP program. Scott offers a clear breakdown of what VAMP means for ISOs, processors, and merchants, and how to prepar
The Future of Integrated Payments & Industry Disruption
This week’s episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. James Shepherd kicks things off with Vlad Sadovskiy of Netevia to discuss the future of integrated payments, the evolution of Clover, and a new capital raise for Full Stack Payments through Netevia Financial. Learn more about that funding announcement here: https://fullstackpayments.com/capital-funding
Vlad also shares a fun behin
Financial Strategy for Growth in Payments
Your P&L should be more than a spreadsheet—it should be a tool for growth. In this episode, James Shepherd sits down with a fractional CFO who works with top payments companies to break down how to get your financials in order, raise capital, and prepare your business for acquisition or expansion. Whether you’re building toward a valuation event or just want clearer insight into your revenue, this
Empower Your Agents with Vertical Specific Solutions | Live Event Recap
In this live event, James Shepherd and Jon Shirey, CEO of Full Stack Payments, unveiled the brand-new Full Stack Payments ISO Program — a game-changing opportunity for ISOs who want to empower their sub-agents with vertical-specific software solutions and Full Stack’s full suite of integration and support.
We broke down exactly how ISOs can plug into our network of ISV partnerships, provide real
Avoiding Agent Pitfalls and Building a Real Business
Too many merchant sales agents treat this industry like a side hustle—and end up paying the price. In this week’s episode, James Shepherd sits down with Ben Ross, COO of Green Payments, to unpack the biggest mistakes agents make when choosing a partner, signing agreements, and scaling their business. From dangerous contract terms to misunderstood comp plans, they break down how to avoid common tra
From Demo to Deal: Bundling Software & Payments
Selling payments is changing—and software is leading the way. In this week’s episode, James Shepherd sits down with Rob Kyle from the Full Stack Payments team to break down the real-world sales process of bundling payments and vertical-specific software. From handling demos to coordinating handoffs with ISVs, James and Rob share insights on how to close deals in today’s integrated environment. If
How to Grow from Agent to ISO
What does it really take to grow from an individual agent into a full-blown ISO? This week, James Shepherd sits down with industry veteran Gus Torres to hear his journey—from working the streets to running his own ISO. Gus shares practical insights, mindset tips, and how his partnership with Netevia helped scale his operation. Then, stick around for the Today in Payments segment, where James and P
Closing Big Merchants & Software Deals
This week’s episode features a replay of a live event with Brian Fitzgerald, EVP of ISV and Enterprise Partnerships at Full Stack Payments. James Shepherd interviews Brian about what it really takes to close large merchant accounts and build successful ISV partnerships. Learn how Full Stack supports agents with implementation, integrations, and lifetime vested residuals. Then, stick around for the
Turning Processing Volume into Merchant Rewards
What if merchants could earn reward points just for processing payments? This week, James Shepherd welcomes back Jeff Moskowitz to explore a creative twist on merchant services—credit card processing rewards. From luxury travel to high-end merchandise, learn how this unique program is gaining traction and helping agents stand out in a crowded market. Then, James and Patti Murphy dive into a packed
Earn Residuals from Automated Invoicing | Live Event Recap
Complex payment flows are one of the biggest challenges in B2B sales—but they also offer some of the best opportunities. In this episode, James Shepherd shares a replay of his live interview with Denis Lunev, CEO of DepositFix, to break down how CRM and payments integrations can help you land merchants with ERP systems, HubSpot, QuickBooks, and more. Learn how tools like DepositFix simplify these
Why ACH Still Matters in Modern Payments
ACH doesn’t always get the spotlight, but it plays a vital role in the payments ecosystem. This week, James Shepherd sits down with Tommy Chipman of Payliance to unpack the power and potential of ACH—why it still matters, where it's headed, and how it fits into the broader payments landscape. From crypto to PayFacs, Tommy shares a wide range of insights from his diverse industry background. Plus,
Unlock Recurring Revenue w/Nonprofit Fundraising & Payments | Live Event Recap
Nonprofits may not be the flashiest vertical—but they represent a massive, often overlooked opportunity in payments. In this week’s episode, James Shepherd shares a replay of his live interview with the CEO of GiveHub to explore how modern payment solutions are transforming the nonprofit space. Plus, hear how Full Stack Payments is stepping in with a mobile-first integration to make giving easier.
Is Payments Eating Software?
We often hear that software is eating payments—but what if it’s the other way around? This week, James Shepherd sits down with Dustin Magaziner of PayBright to explore how payments companies and ISOs are uniquely positioned to form strategic partnerships with software providers. They dive into a recent deal and share predictions for where the industry is headed. Then, Rich Norton delivers another
What Compliant Surcharging Really Looks Like
Surcharging remains a hot topic in payments, but what does a compliant program actually look like in the field? This week, James Shepherd speaks with frontline expert, Alexander Alvarez, who’s actively setting up compliant surcharge programs for merchants. Get a behind-the-scenes look at what’s working, what’s not, and how agents can navigate the compliance landscape. Then, enjoy some timely sales
Click to Agree Merchant Apps
In this week's episode, James interviews Josh Elkes, CEO at Harbour, an innovative eSign and ClickWrap provider that is already an approved vendor with Esquire bank, providing ISOs with streamlined contract management and approval. Stick around for sales tips from Rich Norton.
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