Press Mentions

Merchant Maverick has been writing about small business software and services since 2009. We've spent countless hours reviewing providers, rating the competition, and helping business owners make smart decisions about which companies to trust. It's no wonder, then, that our experts are often cited in the media on subjects from shipping fees to government loan rates to inflation, credit card rewards, and more.

The following are just some of the press mentions Merchant Maverick has earned over the years.

• Compare current savings account interest rates

  San Francisco Chronicle (SFGate.com)

  

  Kate Hoots Kate started writing on business topics in 1996, working for groundbreaking B2B newsletters Communication Briefings and The Competitive Advantage. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2020 and is an expert in business banking, insurance, and eCommerce. She has been featured on NBC TODAY, Yahoo News, GoBankingRates, Scripps News Syndicate, and CBS Radio. She has a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lewis & Clark College and lives in Canby, Oregon.

  Expert Analyst & Reviewer

  

  Banking expert Kate Hoots talks with the San Francisco Chronicle about interest rates.

  Read More

  Jun 23, 2023

  

• California offers tax relief to new and struggling businesses

  LegalZoom

  

  Shelli Woodward Shelli is the Finance Director of Merchant Maverick and has provided expert advice and guidance on all financial matters for the company since 2020. She has over 20 years of finance and accounting management experience covering a broad range of industries. Her prior role in public accounting focused on providing advice to small and medium-sized businesses. She holds a Master of Science in Taxation from Golden Gate University and is an Enrolled Agent.

  Finance Director

  

  Merchant Maverick's Finance Director Shelli Woodward talks to LegalZoom about the impact California's Covid Relief Grant will have on small business.

  Read More

  May 11, 2023

  

• West and South make noticeable gains among best states for women startup founders, report finds

  Minneapolis Business Journal

  

  Minneapolis Business Journal explores Merchant Maverick's data report for the best states for women-led start-ups.

  Read More

  Feb 2, 2023

  

• Do You Need a Bank? Experts Weigh In

  GOBankingRates

  

  Kate Hoots Kate started writing on business topics in 1996, working for groundbreaking B2B newsletters Communication Briefings and The Competitive Advantage. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2020 and is an expert in business banking, insurance, and eCommerce. She has been featured on NBC TODAY, Yahoo News, GoBankingRates, Scripps News Syndicate, and CBS Radio. She has a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lewis & Clark College and lives in Canby, Oregon.

  Expert Analyst & Reviewer

  

  Banking expert Kate Hoots weighs-in about whether or not you need a bank with GOBankingRates.

  Read More

  Jan 25, 2023

  

• Women-led businesses

  Scripps Media

  

  Scripps Media explores Merchant Maverick's data report on the best states for women-led start-ups.

  Read More

  Jan 23, 2023

  

• Jackie Nguyen Appears in 'Fox 4 News Mornings'

  Fox 4 Live - Kansas City

  

  2022 Merchant Maverick grant winner talks about her business with Fox.

  Read More

  Jan 23, 2023

  

• Why Credit Unions Are ‘More Affordable’ Than Traditional Banks Right Now

  GOBankingRates

  

  Chris Motola Chris has been writing about small business topics since 2003. In 2015, he joined Merchant Maverick, where he writes about business financing, payment processing, and demographic trends in entrepreneurship. Chris has been featured in Fox Business, ABC News, Yahoo Finance, GoBankingRates, Newsweek, BizJournals, and other publications. He has a Bachelor’s of Arts in English Writing Arts from SUNY Oswego, and a Masters of Science in Interactive Media from the University of Central Florida. He currently resides in the Hudson Valley region of New York.

  Senior Staff Writer

  

  GOBankingRates talks to banking expert Chris Motola about the benefits of credit unions.

  Read More

  Jan 18, 2023

  

• Study: These are the top 10 states for women-led startups

  BizWomen - Bizjournals

  

  BizWomen looks at Merchant Maverick's study on the best states for women-led start-ups.

  Read More

  Jan 6, 2023

  

• How To Craft a PTO Policy

  HubSpot

  

  Amad Ebrahimi Amad is the Founder and CEO at Merchant Maverick. He began his career in 2002 as an eBay Power Seller before moving on to several roles as an Internet Marketing Manager and SEO. Throughout his career, he has acquired many skills, including SEO/SEM, analytics, HTML/CSS, conversion rate optimization, and writing, which he has applied to founding and growing Merchant Maverick.

  Founder/CEO

  

  Merchant Maverick's CEO Amad Ebrahimi talks to HubSpot about company PTO policies.

  Read More

  Dec 9, 2022

  

• 6 Ways to Help Your Employees Get the Holiday Break They Need

  SHRM Online

  

  Charlotte Perkinson

  Human Resources Director

  

  SHRM Online talks to Merchant Maverick's HR Director about how to set a company culture around PTO.

  Read More

  Dec 7, 2022

  

• How Inflation Is Affecting Holiday Gift Spending This Year

  Nasdaq

  

  Erica Seppala Erica began writing on small business topics in 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and focuses on loans, accounting, and POS. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll. She has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a graduate of Limestone University and resides in Greenville, South Carolina.

  Editor & Senior Staff Writer

  

  Loans expert Erica Seppala talks inflation with Nasdaq.

  Read More

  Dec 2, 2022

  

• Holiday shipping dates to watch as Christmas approaches

  NBC "TODAY"

  

  Kate Hoots Kate started writing on business topics in 1996, working for groundbreaking B2B newsletters Communication Briefings and The Competitive Advantage. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2020 and is an expert in business banking, insurance, and eCommerce. She has been featured on NBC TODAY, Yahoo News, GoBankingRates, Scripps News Syndicate, and CBS Radio. She has a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lewis & Clark College and lives in Canby, Oregon.

  Expert Analyst & Reviewer

  

  eCommerce expert Kate Hoots sits down with NBC Today to discuss holiday shipping.

  Read More

  Dec 1, 2022

  

• How to Write Effective OKRs – Plus Examples

  Lattice

  

  Rose Holman Rose was an expert analyst and writer in payments and ecommerce at Merchant Maverick for three years before transitioning into an operational role in 2019. She currently serves as our Operations Director, specializing in process improvement. Her expertise in the ubiquitous OKR goals framework has been featured by Lattice and she is certified in OKR Foundations by Microsoft's Viva Goals (formerly Ally.io). She holds a Master's degree in Teaching from Western Oregon University and resides in Portland, OR.

  Operations Director

  

  Merchant Maverick Operations Director discusses effective goal-setting with Lattice.

  Read More

  Nov 14, 2022

  

• Multiple Credit Cards: Experts Explain Pros and Cons

  Yahoo Finance

  

  Jason Vissers Jason has been writing about small business software platforms, services, and financing since 2015. Jason’s expertise has been featured in Yahoo Finance, Time/NextAdvisor, Home Business Magazine, CreditCards.com, GoBankingRates, TheLadders.com, and other publications. He has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from San Diego State University and currently lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

  Senior Staff Writer

  

  Yahoo Finance talks the dangers of having too many credit cards with credit card analyst Jason Vissers.

  Read More

  Nov 13, 2022

  

• The 5 Best Places to Live in Texas

  Miami Herald

  

  Miami Herald cites Merchant Maverick's data report stating Texas is a great place for small businesses.

  Read More

  Sep 29, 2022

  

• Shipping packages could be very expensive this holiday season

  WRTV ABC Indianapolis

  

  Kate Hoots Kate started writing on business topics in 1996, working for groundbreaking B2B newsletters Communication Briefings and The Competitive Advantage. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2020 and is an expert in business banking, insurance, and eCommerce. She has been featured on NBC TODAY, Yahoo News, GoBankingRates, Scripps News Syndicate, and CBS Radio. She has a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lewis & Clark College and lives in Canby, Oregon.

  Expert Analyst & Reviewer

  

  eCommerce expert Kate Hoots discusses holiday shipping with WRTV ABC Indianapolis.

  Read More

  Sep 26, 2022

  

• Consumers Weigh In: Walmart Beats Costco and Target for the Best Online Shopping Experience

  GoBankingRates

  

  Shannon Vissers Shannon has been writing for Merchant Maverick about small business software and financing since 2015. She started writing professionally about business topics in 2005. Shannon has been featured in the Washington Post, Reader's Digest, US News, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, and other publications. She has a bachelor's degree in English from San Diego State University and currently resides in San Diego, California.

  Lead Staff Writer

  

  Loans expert Shannon Vissers explains to GoBankingRates why Walmart has the best online store.

  Read More

  Aug 29, 2022

  

• Leaders can Learn, Adjust, Correct and Re-Earn Employee Trust

  LinkedIn

  

  Julie Titterington As the editor-in-chief, Julie Titterington oversees an expert team of writers and analysts and helps to maintain Merchant Maverick's unique culture. She has appeared in a variety of industry media outlets, including MSN, GoBankingRates, and The Ladders, and has written articles for publications including Scary Mommy and The Mighty. She graduated from George Fox University in 2004 with a BA in Writing/Literature.

  Content Director

  

  Content Director Julie Titterington sits down with LinkedIn to discuss how leaders can rebuild employee trust.

  Read More

  Aug 5, 2022

  

• Apple Pay Later: Will It Make or Break BNPL?

  Finance Magnates

  

  Shannon Vissers Shannon has been writing for Merchant Maverick about small business software and financing since 2015. She started writing professionally about business topics in 2005. Shannon has been featured in the Washington Post, Reader's Digest, US News, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, and other publications. She has a bachelor's degree in English from San Diego State University and currently resides in San Diego, California.

  Lead Staff Writer

  

  Finance Magnates talk with loans expert Shannon Vissers about Apple's Pay Later program.

  Read More

  Jun 23, 2022

  

• Inflation Is Widening The Gap Between North And South

  International Business Times

  

  The International Business Times looks at Merchant Maverick's data report on inflation.

  Read More

  Jun 22, 2022

  

• Report ranks best states for women entrepreneurs

  San Francisco Business Times (BizJournals)

  

  San Francisco Buiness Journal explores Merchant Maverick's data report looking at the best states for women-led start-ups.

  Read More

  Jun 3, 2022

  

• 10G INTERNET IS COMING. HOW WILL IT IMPACT YOUR BUSINESS?

  Spectrum Business Insights

  

  Weston Happ Weston is the Senior Web Developer at Merchant Maverick, has developed custom WordPress sites since 2004, and has been a Maverick since 2018. He has over 20 years of programming experience and has built software and websites in industries ranging from education to hospitality and across fields from art to finance. He graduated magna cum laude from Muhlenberg College with a degree in Computer Science. Primarily coding in PHP, Javascript, HTML, and CSS, Weston’s technology insights have been featured in New York Magazine, TechTarget, Lifewire, and BuiltIn, and he currently lives in Washington, DC.

  Senior Web Developer

  

  Merchant Maverick's product development manager talks about the benefit of 10G Internet for employee morale with Spectrum Business Insights.

  Read More

  Jun 1, 2022

  

• The Next Recession: Here Are The States To Most Likely Weather Economic Hardship In 2022

  International Business Times

  

  International Business Times delves into Merchant Maverick's data report about the states most likely to survive the next recession.

  Read More

  Apr 12, 2022

  

• TransUnion to Maximize Financial Inclusion Opportunities for Nearly 100 Million Consumers Using BNPL Loans

  AOL

  

  Shannon Vissers Shannon has been writing for Merchant Maverick about small business software and financing since 2015. She started writing professionally about business topics in 2005. Shannon has been featured in the Washington Post, Reader's Digest, US News, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, and other publications. She has a bachelor's degree in English from San Diego State University and currently resides in San Diego, California.

  Lead Staff Writer

  

  Loans analyst Shannon Vissers tells AOL about the dangers and pitfalls of Buy Now Pay Later programs.

  Read More

  Feb 24, 2022

  

• Tracking Employee Satisfaction Is More Important Than Ever. These Tools Make It Easy

  Inc.

  

  Charlotte Perkinson

  Human Resources Director

  

  Inc. talks about the importance of sending pulse surveys to employees with Merchant Maverick's head of HR Charlotte Kackley.

  Read More

  Feb 1, 2022

  

• Nearly 45% of Americans Are Considering Changing Banks — Here’s What To Consider If You’re One of Them

  Yahoo Finance

  

  Kate Hoots Kate started writing on business topics in 1996, working for groundbreaking B2B newsletters Communication Briefings and The Competitive Advantage. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2020 and is an expert in business banking, insurance, and eCommerce. She has been featured on NBC TODAY, Yahoo News, GoBankingRates, Scripps News Syndicate, and CBS Radio. She has a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lewis & Clark College and lives in Canby, Oregon.

  Expert Analyst & Reviewer

  

  Banking expert Kate Hoots discusses with Yahoo Finance what to look for in an online bank.

  Read More

  Jan 24, 2022

  

• Colorado ranked top state for women-led startups for the second consecutive year

  BizJournals / Colorado Inno

  

  Business Journal of Colorado explores Merchant Maverick's data report stating Colorado was the best place for women-led start-ups in 2022.

  Read More

  Jan 5, 2022

  

• Do Hybrid Rewards Cards Make Any Difference in Total Rewards Saved?

  Yahoo Finance

  

  Jason Vissers Jason has been writing about small business software platforms, services, and financing since 2015. Jason’s expertise has been featured in Yahoo Finance, Time/NextAdvisor, Home Business Magazine, CreditCards.com, GoBankingRates, TheLadders.com, and other publications. He has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from San Diego State University and currently lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

  Senior Staff Writer

  

  Credit card expert Jason Vissers explains when a hyrbid card is better for your small business to Yahoo Finance.

  Read More

  Nov 2, 2021

  

• How Credit Card Use Has Changed Amid the Pandemic

  GOBankingRates

  

  Chris Motola Chris has been writing about small business topics since 2003. In 2015, he joined Merchant Maverick, where he writes about business financing, payment processing, and demographic trends in entrepreneurship. Chris has been featured in Fox Business, ABC News, Yahoo Finance, GoBankingRates, Newsweek, BizJournals, and other publications. He has a Bachelor’s of Arts in English Writing Arts from SUNY Oswego, and a Masters of Science in Interactive Media from the University of Central Florida. He currently resides in the Hudson Valley region of New York.

  Senior Staff Writer

  

  Financial expert Chris Motola tackles why credit card rates dipped in 2020 in this article with GoBankingRates.

  Read More

  Oct 11, 2021

  

• Everything You Need To Know About Taxes Leading Up to the Extension Deadline

  Yahoo Finance

  

  Shelli Woodward Shelli is the Finance Director of Merchant Maverick and has provided expert advice and guidance on all financial matters for the company since 2020. She has over 20 years of finance and accounting management experience covering a broad range of industries. Her prior role in public accounting focused on providing advice to small and medium-sized businesses. She holds a Master of Science in Taxation from Golden Gate University and is an Enrolled Agent.

  Finance Director

  

  Yahoo Finance talks about late fees and penalties for those who don't file their taxes on time with Finance Director Shelli Woodward.

  Read More

  Oct 5, 2021

  

• Mastercard Is Finally Ditching Magnetic Stripes—What’s Next?

  Lifewire

  

  Melissa Johnson Melissa Johnson has been writing about payment processing and mobile payments since 2014, and has been quoted in articles for Credit Karma and The Next Web, among others. She graduated from The University of Kansas in 2010 with bachelor's degrees in English and journalism.

  Expert Analyst & Reviewer

  

  Lifewire discusses NFC contactles payments with payments expert Melissa Johnson.

  Read More

  Aug 19, 2021

  

• What Your Average Credit Score Should Be by Decade—and Tips to Maintain It

  Real Simple

  

  Erica Seppala Erica began writing on small business topics in 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and focuses on loans, accounting, and POS. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll. She has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a graduate of Limestone University and resides in Greenville, South Carolina.

  Editor & Senior Staff Writer

  

  Financial expert Erica Seppala analyzes in Real Simple what people in their 40s can do to strengthen their finances.

  Read More

  Jul 6, 2021

  

• More Workplace Lessons Learned During the Pandemic

  SHRM Online

  

  Charlotte Perkinson

  Human Resources Director

  

  Merchant Maverick's HR Director Charlotte Kackley talks to SHRM Online about the importance of consistent communication when interacting with remote workers.

  Read More

  Apr 12, 2021

  

• How to Use Budgeting Apps to Pay Down Your Loans

  Real Simple

  

  Erica Seppala Erica began writing on small business topics in 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and focuses on loans, accounting, and POS. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll. She has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a graduate of Limestone University and resides in Greenville, South Carolina.

  Editor & Senior Staff Writer

  

  Loans expert Erica Seppala tells Real Simple why an app might help people pay down their debt faster.

  Read More

  Mar 15, 2021

  

• Why It’s Important to Completely Open the Economy

  Yahoo Finance

  

  Chris Motola Chris has been writing about small business topics since 2003. In 2015, he joined Merchant Maverick, where he writes about business financing, payment processing, and demographic trends in entrepreneurship. Chris has been featured in Fox Business, ABC News, Yahoo Finance, GoBankingRates, Newsweek, BizJournals, and other publications. He has a Bachelor’s of Arts in English Writing Arts from SUNY Oswego, and a Masters of Science in Interactive Media from the University of Central Florida. He currently resides in the Hudson Valley region of New York.

  Senior Staff Writer

  

  Business expert Chris Motola talks with Yahoo Finance at the height of the pandemic about the impact of government shutdowns on small businesses.

  Read More

  Mar 12, 2021

  

• Good News for Women Entrepreneurs

  The Roanoker

  

  Jared Beilby A credit card analyst and expert in neobanking, Jared has been researching and writing about small business finance since 2018. His data studies have been cited in a number of media outlets, including Forbes, MSN, and NBC. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from George Fox University.

  Expert Analyst & Reviewer

  

  Data analyst Jared Beilby reviews the findings of Merchant Maverick's data study about the best states for women-owned businesses.

  Read More

  Mar 1, 2021

  

• What Is a Digital Wallet, and How Does It Work?

  Reader's Digest

  

  Hsin-Wei Luang Hsin-Wei is a freelance writer focused on small business and technology writing. Before becoming a writer, she worked as a techie lawyer for many years until she came to her senses. Now, in her spare time, she plays frisbee with her Mini Australian Shepherd dog.

  Contributor

  

  Digital payments expert Hsin-Wei explains what digital wallets are and how they work in Reader's Digest.

  Read More

  Jan 4, 2021

  

• How to improve your credit score - The 29 Best Ways

  Medium

  

  Chris Motola Chris has been writing about small business topics since 2003. In 2015, he joined Merchant Maverick, where he writes about business financing, payment processing, and demographic trends in entrepreneurship. Chris has been featured in Fox Business, ABC News, Yahoo Finance, GoBankingRates, Newsweek, BizJournals, and other publications. He has a Bachelor’s of Arts in English Writing Arts from SUNY Oswego, and a Masters of Science in Interactive Media from the University of Central Florida. He currently resides in the Hudson Valley region of New York.

  Senior Staff Writer

  

  Loans expert Chris Motola discusses the paradox of obtaining credit cards with a high credit limit when building credit in this article from Medium.

  Read More

  Nov 9, 2020