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Inspiration

A good time to thrive

pring is traditionally a time of renewal, and this And now that trees are budding and flowers are bloom-
year the sense of possibility the season brings ing, you might want to drum up new accounts for sea-
is amplified by easing of some restrictions put sonal businesses or those that have been sidelined during
S in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More the pandemic. Here are some possible business types to
and more people are getting vaccinated. Extended fami- consider:
lies are reuniting. Children are returning to classrooms. • Pool maintenance
Shuttered businesses are opening their doors. Patrons are
once again dining indoors. • Lawn and yard maintenance
• Painting and graffiti removal
Many businesses are not yet running at full capacity, but
optimism is running high that limits will be dispensed • House cleaning and carpet cleaning
with in a reasonable amount of time. A number of hard- • Childcare services
hit businesses will not reopen, but the assistance provided • Catering and event entertainment
by the March 2021 COVID-19 relief bill will help some get
back on their feet, possibly with new ventures. Other busi- • Food truck business
ness owners found innovative ways to serve customers • Sports equipment rentals
and have come through the worst of the pandemic even • Swimming or water sports instruction
stronger.
• Water rafting excursions
Now that commerce is ramping up again, you are prob- • Fishing and backpacking trips
ably already checking in with merchants to tell them how
glad you are that they made it through one of the tough- • Horseback riding lessons and trail rides
est years on record and to make sure their payment ac- • Music, art or theater lessons
ceptance and related services are functioning optimally in • Tour guide services
light of less constrained conditions.
• Day camps for children
It's also an opportune time to brainstorm with them about
how to prepare for potential future adverse events such At this time, I also want to convey how grateful I am that
as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes—or another you are in the payments business, coming up with inno-
pandemic. vative ways to serve merchants, sticking with it through
good times and bad—and through it all, reading this mag-
Seasonal opportunities azine. The year ahead looks promising for our sphere. If
we stay on our toes, continue to listen well when nurtur-
In addition, it's a good time to consider helping merchants ing relationships, stay abreast of new technology, and en-
prepare for the coming summer months. Balmy weather, deavor to provide the best products and services, we will
for example, allows retailers to display their wares on the continue to thrive.
sidewalk to entice people walking by. Do your mom-and-
pop customers have mobile payment acceptance so they
can check customers out in front of the store?
Kate Gillespie, President and CEO
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