Installment loans are nothing new—consumers have been using them for decades to finance big-ticket purchases like appliances, furniture, and electronics. But fintech companies have brought POS financing to the younger masses with flexible products; indeed, the process is now more seamless than ever and gaining traction. As a merchant, should you jump on the POS-lending bandwagon?

While 2020 was all about the notorious pivot, maybe you should make 2021 the year of the new business. Indeed, the pandemic has triggered new trends and niches to fill. So whether you’re looking to start a new career or simply earn some extra income with a side hustle, opportunities abound. Here are five small business ideas to mull over.

Payment processing is a minefield for small and medium businesses, a world awash with confusing terminology and a multitude of moving parts. As a result, merchants are often left scratching their heads when faced with the many payment options on the market. One of the most common considerations is whether to go with a payment services provider or a merchant acquirer. This post outlines the pros and cons of both and will help steer you onto the right path.

Blockchain. Cryptocurrency. Bitcoin. You’ve heard the names before—especially Bitcoin—and they usually conjure up images of wild price fluctuations and bubbles. And while the concepts and technology remain abstract for most people, cryptocurrency payments are gaining momentum and being embraced more and more in the mainstream. Case in point: Visa recently partnered with BlockFi to market a Bitcoin rewards credit card. This article provides an overview of cryptocurrency in general and as well as its advantages and disadvantages for consumers and merchants.

At the entrance of Buffalo’s Broadway Market—one of America’s oldest—sits Babcia’s Pierogi, a family-run business and local staple. Wife-and-husband duo Linda and George Lund run the outfit, and they have been purveying pierogis at the market for over four years. Business was brisk after the operation moved to the market a few years ago. And then the pandemic struck. The couple knew they had to shift their business to reach customers and adapt to the ever-changing retail landscape. Indeed, Linda and George aren’t the only ones who depend on their business—their full-time and seasonal staff, charities, and local farmers all have a lot riding on the business’s continuity.