How Customers Reach You
Your phone system is often a customer's first impression. A missed call is a missed opportunity. Whether it's a simple business line or an AI that answers 24/7, you need something professional from day one.
You've got the idea, the drive, and the business license. Now you need the tools to actually operate: a professional phone system, a way to accept payments, and equipment that doesn't cost a fortune. This guide walks you through each decision, explains your options in plain English, and shows you how to set up everything with zero upfront costs.
Congratulations on taking the leap. Starting a business is exciting, but let's be honest - it's also overwhelming. After the paperwork is filed and the business license is framed on the wall, you're left staring at a to-do list that seems endless.
Here's the good news: you don't need to figure out everything at once. There are really just a few critical systems that every business needs from day one, and we're going to break them down so you can make smart decisions without drowning in research.
The three pillars of business operations are:
Your phone system is often a customer's first impression. A missed call is a missed opportunity. Whether it's a simple business line or an AI that answers 24/7, you need something professional from day one.
Most customers expect to pay by card. But credit card processing fees can eat 2.5-4% of every sale. Understanding your options here can save you thousands per year.
Even if you're starting small, you need a way to ring up sales, track inventory, and understand what's selling. The right POS system grows with you.
Your phone is often the first interaction a potential customer has with your business. Here are your options, from basic to brilliant.
Think about how often you're too busy to answer the phone. At a job site. With another customer. Eating dinner. Every one of those missed calls could be a sale walking away. An AI phone system ensures every call gets answered, every question gets addressed, and you only get interrupted when it actually matters.
Learn About AI Phone SystemsIn 2026, cash-only businesses are leaving money on the table. Here's what you need to know about accepting cards - and how to avoid paying a fortune in fees.
To accept credit cards, you need two things: a merchant account (the behind-the-scenes banking relationship) and a way to process payments (terminal, POS, online gateway). Most providers bundle these together, so you don't need to worry about the technical details.
What you DO need to worry about is fees. Traditional processors charge 2.5-4% of every transaction. On $100,000 in annual sales, that's $2,500-$4,000 going to the processor instead of your pocket. But there's a better way.
You've seen this at gas stations for decades: "Cash Price vs. Credit Price." The same concept works for any business. Here's how it breaks down:
Customers paying with credit cards see a small service fee (4%) added at checkout. Cash customers get a discount. Either way, you keep what you earned. Your total cost: a flat $24.95/month. No percentage fees. No transaction charges. Process $5,000 or $500,000 - same price.
Real savings examples based on typical monthly card processing volume:
No setup fees. No PCI compliance fees ($99-199/year elsewhere). No statement fees. No batch fees. No annual fees. No cancellation penalties. What you see is what you pay.
Process sales today, see money in your bank tomorrow. No waiting 3-5 business days. Cash flow is king for new businesses - we get it.
No contracts. No commitments. Stay because you want to, not because you're locked in. Cancel anytime with no fees or penalties.
100% yes. Cash discount programs are legal in all 50 states and compliant with Visa, Mastercard, and all major card networks.
The Durbin Amendment (2010) and subsequent rulings established that merchants can offer discounts for cash payments. This is different from adding a "surcharge" - you're offering a discount, which is explicitly protected.
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover all permit properly structured cash discount programs. We provide compliant signage and train you on proper implementation.
Gas stations have done this for 30+ years. Customers are familiar with the concept. Most don't mind - and those who prefer cash actually appreciate the savings.
You get professional signage, terminal programming, and staff training. Everything is set up correctly so you never have to worry about compliance issues.
Prefer traditional pricing? We also offer Wholesale Interchange Plus - the most transparent model available.
You pay exactly what the card networks charge, plus a small fixed margin. No bundled rates, no tiered pricing games.
From simple card readers to full POS systems, here's what makes sense for different business types.
Full-featured touchscreen systems like Clover Station handle everything: payments, inventory, employee management, reporting. Perfect if you have a physical location where most transactions happen.
Accept payments anywhere with cellular or WiFi connectivity. Perfect for businesses on the go - at job sites, farmers markets, pop-up events, or tableside at restaurants.
Accept payments on your website, send invoices with payment links, or take phone orders through a virtual terminal. Essential for any business selling online.
Connect your payment system to the tools you already use. Sales automatically sync to QuickBooks. No more reconciling spreadsheets at midnight.
Most processors just take your money. We give some back. Our merchant rewards program earns you points on every transaction.
Every dollar your customers spend earns you 2 reward points. Process $50,000/month? That's 100,000 points every month.
Turn your points into prepaid Visa cards you can use anywhere. Or choose from popular gift cards: Amazon, restaurants, retailers.
Earn unlimited points with no caps. Points never expire, so you can save up for bigger rewards on your schedule.
Side-by-side comparison of what new business owners face with traditional providers versus working with us.
| Feature | Traditional Providers | With Scaled Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Fees | $50-$500 | $0 |
| Processing Fees | 2.5-4% per transaction | $0 with cash discount |
| Monthly Cost (Processing) | $50-$500+ variable | $24.95 flat |
| PCI Compliance Fees | $99-$199/year | Included free |
| Contract Length | 1-3 year commitment | Month-to-month |
| Cancellation Penalty | $200-$500 | $0 |
| Stuck in a Contract? | Tough luck | We'll buy you out! |
| Funding Speed | 2-5 business days | Next day |
| Equipment Upgrades | $200-$800 per upgrade | Free, unlimited, forever |
| Receipt Paper | $30-$50/month (you buy) | Free, shipped to your door |
| Terminal Replacement | $300-$600 if damaged/outdated | Free replacement |
| Software Updates | Often requires new hardware | Automatic, free |
| Chargebacks & Disputes | $15-$25 per dispute fee | Free dispute handling |
| Batch Fees | $0.10-$0.30 per batch | $0 |
| Statement Fees | $5-$15/month | $0 |
| Annual Fees | $79-$199/year | $0 |
| Phone System | Not offered | AI-powered available |
| Support | 1-800 call center overseas | Dedicated local rep |
| Training | Figure it out yourself | Free on-site or remote training |
These "small fees" add up to thousands per year. With us, they're all included. Zero surprise charges, ever.
Technology evolves. When new terminals come out with faster processing, better security features, or improved interfaces, you get upgraded for free. No questions asked. No hidden fees. Your Clover Flex feeling dated? We'll swap it for the latest model. Forever. This isn't a limited-time offer—it's how we do business.
It sounds small, but receipt paper costs $30-$50 per month for a busy business. That's $360-$600 per year going to Staples instead of your pocket. We ship you thermal paper rolls automatically—before you run out. High-volume restaurant? No problem. We'll send more. This alone pays for a nice dinner out every month.
Terminal stops working? Employee drops it? Screen cracks? Lightning surge? We replace it free. Competitors make you buy a whole new terminal or pay for expensive "protection plans." With us, you're covered—no deductibles, no hassle, no waiting weeks for repairs.
Every business that accepts cards must be PCI compliant. Most processors charge you an annual fee, then penalize you monthly if you don't complete their confusing questionnaire. We handle your PCI compliance for you—no fees, no paperwork, no "non-compliance" penalties that mysteriously appear on your statement.
Every night when you "batch out" and close your transactions, most processors charge a fee. Run your business 365 days a year? That's $36-$110 per year—for literally pressing a button. We don't charge batch fees. Period.
A fee... for sending you a piece of paper (or PDF) showing what they charged you. Really. This is $60-$180 per year for nothing. Your statements are free. Paper or digital, your choice.
Customer disputes a charge? Most processors charge YOU a fee—even if you win the dispute. That's adding insult to injury. We handle disputes at no charge and fight on your behalf to recover your money.
We'll train you and your staff—in person at your location or via video call, whichever you prefer. New employee? We'll train them too. Unlimited training, forever. No "support packages" to buy.
Process a sale today, see it in your bank account tomorrow. Not 3-5 business days later. Not "instant" for an extra fee. Next-day funding is standard—because your money is your money.
You get a real person with a real phone number who knows your business. Not a 45-minute hold time to explain your problem to someone reading from a script. Call, text, or email your rep directly. Problems get solved in minutes, not days.
Receipt paper ($400) + PCI fees ($150) + Statement fees ($120) + Batch fees ($75) + Annual fees ($150) + One equipment upgrade ($400) = $1,295 minimum—and that's before we even talk about processing fees. With cash discount pricing, a business doing $10,000/month in cards saves another $2,400-$4,000 per year in transaction fees.
Here's what you need to have ready, and we'll handle the rest in 24-48 hours.
Proof that you're a registered business entity
Business checking account for deposits
Driver's license or passport for verification
Where you operate (can be home-based)
We'll walk through options together
No credit check for most businesses
Most businesses are approved within 24-48 hours. We handle the paperwork and equipment setup. Many clients are processing their first transaction within 2 days of calling us.
We work with businesses of all credit profiles. New businesses and startups are welcome. We focus on your business potential, not just your credit history.
Yes! All our terminals support NFC contactless payments including Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and tap-to-pay cards. Customers can pay however they prefer.
We'll review your current statement and show you exactly how much you could save. If you're in a contract, we'll help you understand your options and timing.
Absolutely. We're PCI DSS compliant with end-to-end encryption. Card data is tokenized immediately - actual card numbers are never stored on your equipment or our servers.
We have 24/7 technical support. Problems don't wait for business hours, and neither does our help desk. You also have a dedicated local rep who knows your business.
Let's have a real conversation about what you need. No pressure, no obligation. Just honest advice from someone who's helped hundreds of businesses launch successfully.