Merchant Sales Podcast

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 Toda...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 v...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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....

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...

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...

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.

Auto dealers are leaning into dual pricing, surcharging, and other differential pricing strategies—and payments companies are taking notice. In this week’s episode, James Shepherd interviews Ben Ross of Green Payments to talk about how this high-volume, high-margin vertical is embracing innovative pricing models. Learn how Green Payments’ proprietary Dealer Genie software is built to serve this ni...

How will AI reshape the payments industry? This week, James Shepherd explores the role of artificial intelligence in payments, featuring a groundbreaking conversation—including the first-ever AI agent interview on the podcast! He sits down with Vlad Sadovskiy, CEO of Netevia, to discuss AI's impact on ISOs, ISVs, and merchants. Then, Patti Murphy breaks down the latest on the Credit Card Competiti...

Join me in this live event recap with Jonathan Shirey, CEO of Full Stack Payments, and Kirk Fourniadis, General Manager of SimpleSpa as we break down how sales agents can tap into the growing spa industry with the right software and payment solutions. What you’ll learn: • How to identify high-revenue spas and salons in need of better payments • How SimpleSpa helps streamline operations and increas...

The fitness industry is growing, and with it comes new opportunities for sales agents and gym owners alike. If you missed our live event, you can now watch the replay and discover how Full Stack Payments and GymDesk are transforming gym management with seamless payment solutions. In this session, we covered: • Why fitness is one of the best industries for building long-term, high-value residuals •...

Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) are reshaping the payments landscape, but do they pose a threat or a massive opportunity? This week, James Shepherd sits down with Caleb Avery, CEO of Tilled, to discuss the evolving role of ISVs in payments, the challenges they face, and how to capitalize on the opportunities they present. Then, Patti Murphy breaks down the latest developments in interchange co...

Why is payment processing so complex, and will it ever get simpler? This week, James Shepherd interviews UK-based payments expert Simon Kemp to explore the challenges and future of payment simplification. They discuss industry trends, the impact of verticalization, and whether complexity is here to stay. Then, Patti Murphy dives into Elon Musk’s latest venture—X Money. Could it disrupt the payment...

Tune in to this recap of our webinar to learn how to build massive residuals in the Healthcare Payments industry. I am joined by Jon Shirey (CEO, Full Stack Payments), Mark Dunn (Owner, Field Guide & Co-owner, TSI), and Brian Wasserman (President & CEO, TSI) to discuss their new partnership and share strategies for targeting medical merchants, scheduling demos, and adding large accounts to your re...

In this episode, James Shepherd sits down with payments expert Kyle Morgan to break down the complexities of interchange and uncover the latest pricing tactics used to increase margins. From hidden fees to interchange padding and optimization, this discussion sheds light on how processing costs are structured and what ISOs and agents need to know. Whether you’re new to interchange or looking for a...