No doubt, times are tough. It seems like every day brings new challenges and not just new additional challenges, but novel challenges that we really haven’t dealt with in the past. With […]

As business owners (or even if we are not owners but are leaders in our organization), we often off-handedly say that we, “…take responsibility” for the things that happen in our company. […]

The conversation regarding “remote teams” was gaining attention even prior to COVID but the frequency and intensity of this conversation has definitely amped up recently. In a recent survey by Gallup, 59% […]

2020 was rough for many. One of the things that made it so tough was that much of what happened to us — and to our families, friends, and our businesses — […]

For many, 2020 has been a year full of unexpected challenges, and even surprises that I am not sure anyone would call fun or even, welcome. In 2020, business owners, especially, have […]

VUCA environments are those which are volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. Many of us who’ve attended business school or participated in some type of leadership or organizational development training, have likely heard […]

Very often, the things that challenge us as individuals and as business owners, can be beyond our control. Sometimes, however, we can be our own worst enemy, creating for ourselves the very […]

Every business owner will face challenges from time to time. Really, it’s even fair to say that every business owner does face challenges quite often. After all, 2020 alone, has been a […]

Recently, we discussed the importance of goals—goal setting and the roadmap to achieving those goals—to our personal and professional success. But what is more important—the goals, the process, or the outcome? We […]

When you start each day, do you begin with a plan or do you just get up and start moving? What about when you take a trip? Do you start with a […]

Many of us business owners pride ourselves in being innovative personally, and within our company and teams.  Often, our offices may even clearly and prominently put this on display — showing that […]

As business owners and individuals, we all have core values that define us and shape what we believe, what we decide to do, and the actions we take. As individuals. As persons. […]

Any time the words “work” and “remote” are used together, some people instantly wonder if it’s really possible to get the same level of work – and goals accomplished – when teams […]

Today’s “remote working” can feel like a strange, somewhat out-of-body-and-mind, experience for the traditional worker and boss alike. Especially as a business owner or manager, if it’s not something you’re accustomed to […]

Not to long ago, it was considered “a good idea” to ensure your website was protected with a security seal—giving you that https:// in front of your domain. Today, it’s vital. Without […]

These are unusual times for sure. And whether you find your business short-staffed, overworked, or simply just navigating new waters, it’s undeniable that having the highest productivity level possible is more important […]

First, let’s be clear… this is not one of those “feel-good but little-substance” articles trying to pretend that the COVID-19 shutdown and economic crisis isn’t crushing the hopes and dreams of many […]

With shelter-in-place and required business closing orders expiring in many cities and states, a lot of business owners are finding they are left with more questions than answers. In the best of […]

Sometimes as a business owner, we can find ourselves in circumstances or facing situations where it can be tough to keep going. Or even feel like you can keep going. It shouldn’t […]

As business owners, we likely understand — at least from a theoretical perspective — the importance of perseverance to our business success. And while we might find perseverance hard to come by […]

Right now, more Americans — perhaps even more workers globally — are working from home than ever before. While the option to work remotely or telecommute has become more common for many […]

While owning a business always has some degree of challenges, it is much easier to fulfill that responsibility with enthusiasm, motivation, and courage when times are “good.” And by good, we don’t […]

Many business owners report that they only thought they knew what stress was before they started their own company.   When you launch your business, you now only have your personal stress […]

Potential scam affecting merchants during COVID-19 crisis Helping business owners is always our top priority, whether you are our client or not. It’s during times like these that we see an uptick […]

Today, it’s of no surprise — or even doubt — that business owners will face and have to deal with risks of almost every form and fashion. Of course, right now, many […]

A few years ago, Admiral William McRaven started quite the viral buzz when he came out on video elaborating on an assertion made in his book “Make Your Bed: Little Things That […]

A lot of lip service goes into creating a “fun, positive, empowering (etc…)” corporate culture. Nearly every business leader today — from the small business owner to the C-suite, Directors, and Managers […]

By 2021, video is expected to represent 82% of all web traffic.   Think about that… 82% of ALL web traffic will be to-and-from video. Add to that the statistic that says […]

If you’re like most business owners, you’ve probably spent at least part of the new year planning how to grow your business in 2020. Among the many strategies and tactics you’ve likely […]

If you had the choice, would you rather hire someone who already seems to, “know it all” or someone who might be a little lower on the knowledge/skill tree but who seems […]

Routine. Boring? Or is having a daily routine necessary for business success? A lot of people are under the idea that “visionaries” – a category in which many entrepreneurs fall – abhor […]

There’s a popular quote from Charles Swindoll, “Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it.”   Everyone — every person — will invariably encounter […]

We recently discussed the importance of resilience for entrepreneurs and business owners. In fact, the degree of resilience these business leaders are able to practice might even be one of the most […]

Recently, we talked about the importance of understanding business data and how the data we have, find, track, and explore becomes what is known as key performance indicators regarding the health (and […]

“Data —a lot is never enough, but a little is too much.”   Did that sound strange? Probably. But it’s really a truth in today’s business world. See… data comprehension is key. […]

  For business owners, experiencing or feeling a certain level of “uncertainty” is a fairly normal or common thing. After all, most of the decisions we face as business owners might have […]

Microsoft recently performed a study, steeped in significant analysis of a ton of data, to determine the, “…ideal number of hours for leaders to work.”   An article in Inc. magazine on […]

Ethics. Very rarely does a single word bring up so many different connotations, definitions, and even, applications.   Yet, are “ethics” really so subjective that so many people have so many different […]

Recently, we discussed ethics in business and organizations. We clarified what “ethics” mean and specifically, what ethics and ethical behavior mean to — and in — a business. But what if your […]

Innovation in your business or organization can’t be your sole responsibility. Sure, maybe at first it might work if you are the sole innovator.   Over time, however, this is not sustainable. […]

  Innovation… some would say it’s the key to business growth.   After all, one of the biggest elements of business success is widely acknowledged to be the ability to see a […]

  Being successful in today’s world has a lot to do with determination and perseverance. With both of those key factors in play, along with a bit of help from the connections […]

Seeking help and guidance from a mentor is a strong business move for any business owner. Especially if you are a new business owner, having access to a collaborative partner, their well-built […]

Organization is critical… not only for your success as a business owner, but also for the basic operation of your business.   Being well-organized not only benefits you, but also your employees […]

Business owners take on a role of balancing numerous roles and tasks, which must be done efficiently and effectively. It’s more-than-easy for the to-do list of a business owner to become exceptionally […]

Time management—it can either be a business owner’s secret weapon if done well or downfall if done poorly, or not at all. Simply put, our time is limited and thus, we must […]

Do More. Be More. Get More Done. It seems that is constantly and consistently what is expected of us as business owners, partners, and parents. Yet, we only have so much time, […]

It’s no doubt that business owners and employees alike are feeling pretty “maxed out” today. Between work demands, family demands, and well… LIFE demands, it can feel like we are always chasing […]

As children, most all of us were creative to some extent. Usually, this creativity was driven not by a desire to be an “artist,” but rather to explore the unknown and embrace […]

Meetings are a “must” no matter what industry you are in and no matter what you “do” for a living. Yet, many people believe meetings are unnecessary or an intrusion, leading to […]

It’s hard to believe we’re already almost two months into the new year. It seems like 2019 just began and here we are – at the literal middle of Q1. As business […]

You’ve probably heard, thought and talked about “credibility” more than a few times in your life. But have you REALLY thought about—your credibility, the credibility of your business and what both mean […]

Listening… it seems like such a simple thing to do. Yet, “not listening” is one of the biggest reasons that relationships fail. This is true whether those relationships are personal or professional […]

As business owners, one day we come to realize the saying, “The customer is always right,” is not always the case. Of course, it’s important to help your customers the best you […]

We make decisions every day, from very simple to very complex. Some of the simpler decisions, like how many sugars to put in your coffee, are often made without hesitation or without […]

Networking doesn’t have a default or a manual to guide you on your journey. You must create your own path—discovering and refining what works best for you. Your preference may be in-person […]

“Black Friday” is a holiday that takes place the day after Thanksgiving every year, and has been known to be the biggest shopping day of the year as well. With Christmas, the […]

You might have heard the saying at some point in your career, “If you want to be successful, find someone who is already doing – or has already accomplished – what you […]

Would you – should you – consider letting a robot do your hiring?Well, maybe not just any old robot. But… We are living in the age of technology, so why wouldn’t we […]

GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation. The GDPR originated in Europe, by the European Commission. Its goal was to get businesses “…to prepare and become fit” for the era of technology. […]

A tribe is a group of people that surround you, giving you encouragement and support, while you follow your dreams. In business, as Seth Godin outlined in his best-selling book “Tribes,” it […]

The workforce is the most disrupted in this decade than it has ever been. Businesses have the opportunity to change very rapidly with the help of technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud […]

Every startup founder constantly has money on their mind. Do we have enough? Do I need to raise more? How far can I take my business with this amount? Funding is a […]

Time is at a premium for nearly everyone. It might even be one of our most valuable resources we “own”—personally and professionally. Today, society and even work, seems to operate on a […]

Ever feel like your day is decision, after decision, after decision? And then even MORE decisions? As business owners, leaders, and even managers, we can’t avoid decisions. They are a critical part […]

As a business owner, you’ve likely been told over and over that you MUST have a list. And you MUST send emails to them frequently. And you MUST keep this up consistently. […]

Corporate culture is the character and personality of your organization. It is also the “summary” of a company’s values, traditions, interactions, behaviors and attitudes. Additionally, generally speaking, corporate culture needs to be […]

Any successful business owner will likely tell you that a big part of how they got to where they are now, is due of the people who have helped along the way. […]

“It’s all about who you know.” No doubt, networking can really have its perks. Recently, we discussed how beneficial networking can be to your business growth. Yet, some people seem to get […]

Making important decisions regarding your business and career can be a bit stressful. The number of options regarding pricing, marketing, product development, suppliers, and distribution channels is enough to add on a […]

What is a “hack?” Well, the first thing that probably comes to mind when you hear that word might be the mysterious bad guy… sitting in the dark behind his keyboard and […]

Employee burnout. It’s becoming a very real problem in the U.S. today. It can result in higher stress levels and thus, even health problems associated with stress. Furthermore, employee burnout can be […]

A business credit score tells lenders how likely your business is to repay them in a timely fashion. If you have a business credit card for your company, you probably have business […]

If you’re a business owner who sales things – goods or services – online, you’ve likely been frustrated by shopping cart abandonment at one time or another. And if you don’t know […]

Maybe you’ve heard the term “geofencing?” Maybe not. If you haven’t, you will. And if you have, you might not have any idea what it is. While we definitely can’t really delve […]

Undoubtedly, connected devices – devices held by individuals and connected to the Internet for some form or function – make life more convenient. The number of connected devices continues to climb each […]

It’s a new year! A perfect time for small business owners to take advantage of the time-honored tradition long-practiced by individuals far and wide—the new making (and hopefully, keeping) of new year’s […]

In the general sense, bitcoin is a cryptocurrency beginning to be used by more and more online businesses worldwide.  Bitcoin isn’t bound by any geographic constraint and proponents say it can cross […]

Tis the season to make sales! There’s excitement in the air this time of year, especially for merchants, gearing up to break last year’s sales record. The holidays bring eleventh-hour sales that […]

For many businesses and retailers, Thanksgiving is mostly about Black Friday and the start of the holiday shopping and spending season. This isn’t surprising of course, and totally understandable, since some companies […]

There seems to be no shortage of crises in the world today, many of which have every single detail played out in the media nearly 24/7. This can make crisis management even […]

With consultative selling – or a consultative sales approach – the needs of the customer come first. That’s why it’s also often called “needs-based selling.” This is in contrast to a traditional […]

The EMV credit card – the “chip credit card” – has now been around for two years. Maybe you’re wondering what “EMV” stands for? If so, let’s clear that up. It’s the […]

Trust. It’s vital to the success of any relationship—your personal relationships and the relationship you have with your customers and potential customers. Similarly, just as trust must be established, built, and grown […]

Perhaps one of the most important elements of a successful business is a top-tier team. Of course, it’s also critical to first realize that your team is made up of all those […]

Do you ever wonder how much money you lose – or are delayed in receiving – due to credit card numbers changing or cards expiring? Of course, it’s unavoidable, right? People frequently […]

“Fake news!” Today, it seems to be the common cry when people don’t like what is being written or said in the news. However, it’s true that there seems to be more […]

Becoming the victim of fraud is one of the worst things that can happen to a company. First, you experience the loss of income from the fraud. Then, there’s the ongoing headache […]

Nobody knows your business like you do. But you can’t be an expert in every field, so finding a credit card processor (CCP) that fits the needs of your business can be […]

If you want to get me on a rant, just start talking to me about the dishonest people in the credit card processing (CCP) industry. These individuals give all of us honest […]

Let me ask you a question: How important is a website to the success of your small business? For most of us, having a website is essential to our company, whether our […]

Technology often outpaces our ability to accept and implement it. A case in point: mobile payment technology. Here’s how it works: consumers link their credit or debit cards to an app on […]

Everybody likes to hear good things about themselves. Hearing bad things about yourself is another matter. Yet, as a businessperson, you should become comfortable providing positive and negative feedback to your employees. […]

Let me ask you something: What keeps your customers coming back? Would you like them to come back more often and increase the amount of money they spend with you? A well-designed […]

Imagine having your business running smoothly, and then your computer system has a total meltdown. I’m talking about losing all your files, computer programs, and the customer information you’ve spent years acquiring. […]

Usually, when you keep doing the same things, you get the same results. Sometimes we get stuck in old habits with our business strategy. Is it holding you back? Maybe it’s time […]

It happens to all of us from time to time. A customer calls you up to complain about their bill. Perhaps there’s a discrepancy between the bill and the products or services […]

If you’re not accepting EMV chip cards at your business, my question is, what are you waiting for? EMV cards aren’t the wave of the future, they’re part of present-day transactions in […]

One of the complaints I sometimes hear from merchants who switch over to the EMV cards is that it slows down their transactions. That can be a big deal if you’ve got […]

When I talk to people about our e-commerce gateway solutions, they invariably ask me how they can increase sales on their website. Now, I’m not a web developer, but I’ve been around […]

Cyber-criminals are always coming up with new ways to cheat you out of your money. A growing scam is known as ransomware, where the criminals literally hold all of your computer data […]

Retailers always hope for a busy holiday shopping season. That’s because Christmas shopping accounts for approximately 30 percent of their annual sales. Black Friday sales always signal the official start of the […]

Companies of all sizes can experience a security breach. In fact, hackers may target small businesses since they may not employ the latest security measures. One point of entry for hackers is […]

It’s an ugly truth, but one that needs to be discussed. There is a reason why credit card processors (CCP) have a dubious reputation. A few unscrupulous companies make us all look […]

No two businesses are alike. Whether you’re a large or small business, your company has unique needs to make it run smoothly. An important part of your business is choosing the right […]

Let me say it upfront, the cheapest credit card processing company won’t be your best option. Credit card acceptance is vital for businesses today. Sure, there may be a mom-and-pop diner that’s […]

They go by several names – mobile wallets, e-wallets, digital wallets. Whatever you choose to call them, their popularity with consumers is growing by leaps and bounds. Approximately 15 percent of consumers […]

It can be one of a business owner’s biggest frustrations. You want to keep growing, but a lack of funds is holding you back. Whether you want to expand by increasing staff, […]

When EMV cards were first issued, they promised to reduce the cases of credit card fraud. For an idea of what we can expect, we just need to look north of the […]

Given the ubiquity of online shopping and ordering, it’s likely that your small business has at least some presence on the internet, if not a fully functioning online operation for selling your […]

Among the most important aspects of a customer’s visit to your shop or store is his or her POS experience. If you think about it, the POS is your last chance to […]

It’s no secret: mobile devices have transformed how we communicate, interact, receive news, and, perhaps most importantly for merchants, how we conduct business. Mobile payment technology allows customers to pay via their […]

Though the U.S. has been more reluctant to adopt EMV®-enabled debit and credit cards, this payment technology has become virtually ubiquitous around the world. And U.S. card issuers are quickly rolling out […]

If your business processes customer’s electronic payment information, which virtually every business does nowadays, then you’re vulnerable to a data breach, leaking sensitive information, or fraudulent charges. And small businesses are particularly […]

The gift card has become a hallmark of American retail over the past few decades. In 2015, gift card sales soared to $130 billion nationwide. So, it’s safe to say that gift […]

“Secrets The Processors Don’t Want You to Know” Pricing Games: Most Processors offer a pricing modle known in the industry as “tiered pricing”. Tiered pricing gives the Processor a great amount of […]

It’s no news that since the rise of social media platforms, the landscape of online marketing has completely changed (Not to mention e-commerce, as well)! There are now infinite ways to promote […]

Your merchant services are a major component of your business. You know this. After all, how would you conduct business if you weren’t able to accept payments? Now, that being said, because […]

E-commerce is the new business frontier. More and more consumers are opting to do business online as opposed to conducting in-person transactions at places of business. And it makes sense: the convenience […]

The truth is that the only surefire way to completely protect your business from credit card fraud is to not offer credit card payment options at all. But this, as you know, […]

Chicken Soup for the Soul Co-Author Jack Canfeld Interviews Swypit.com Founder/CEO Kevin Hodes about Hodes’ unique and personal approach to servicing clients in the credit card transaction industry.

Swypit honors  American Sniper, Chris Kyle at Military Appreciation Night, where his family received a special painting by The American Fallen Soldiers Project at the Texas Legends game. Let’s Remember Fallen Soldiers Who […]

Since the advent of the mobile device revolution, many people are doing more and more shopping online. The new conveniences of online shopping allow customers to peruse a wider range of products […]

Over the past decade, EMV® chip-enabled cards have become the new global standard, replacing magnetic strip cards, to combat card theft and fraud and provide more secure transactions. The U.S. market, however, […]

Honoring Chris Kyle from Alin Bijan on Vimeo.

Click HERE to bid on  a Seven Cozy Nights! up to 7 nights for 2 adults at Cozumel Mexico Resort! Unlimited meals, snacks, and drinks. Includes a $500 gift card. Does not […]

  Helping Customers Transition to EMV®  Cards Across the board, reports and surveys seem to indicate that the greatest customer complaint concerning EMV®  cards is the processing time, which may often lead […]

Video of Swypit CEO/Founder Kevin Hodes Receiving a Quilly Award at the 2015 Best Seller’s Summit hosted by the National Academy of Best Selling Authors! Congrats, Kevin!

EMV® is quickly becoming the standard for credit and debit card payments not just in the U.S., but also the world. Consequently, many businesses are currently in the process of upgrading their […]

Frisco, TX – Nov. 30– Kevin Hodes, CEO of Swypit has published a new blog entitled “3 Tips for Choosing a Credit Card Processing Service Wisely.” In the blog post, he discuses […]

Whether you’re a long-time business owner or just beginning your business, you understand the importance of finding a reliable and affordable credit card processing service. In fact, with more and more customers […]

Philanthropy is one of my all time favorite words. I always loved the sound of the word as a kid and I always wanted to be a Philanthropist even though I didn’t […]

What if I was a frequent customer of your sub shop? I become a regular and pretty soon you are making my sandwich before I even get to the door. We develop […]

Change is good. SWYPIT is in the process of moving to a new office space. While change is good, it can also be daunting, confusing, and labor intensive. I am looking at […]

Security breaches have become a common occurrence in our society. From Target to Home Depot, it seems that the news feeds are filled with victims of data hacks. With credit cards being […]

Running a credit card processing company, the digital world is a critical part of my business. It is easy to get caught in a trap of information all over the place (I […]

Philanthropy to me is very much in line with starting a credit card processing business. It is personal. I take pride in providing the best customer service available when it comes to […]