Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Fritzsche.
Hi Ryan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I got started in the payment processing industry as a means to pay some bills through a commission structure being offered. This was in 2005. I was very successful in sales and started making personal relationships with the business owners I sold the payment services. Shortly after, I started receiving many complaints about rates and fees. Not knowing any different, I learned that I sold an expensive program. This did a few things for me.
First, I realized I needed to do something different because It didn’t sit well that I sold an expensive program. I felt like I did harm to the businesses. Second, although these relationships quickly went bad, I did realize the importance of building relationships with clients and having relationships with business owners. Third, it pushed me to look for a different payment provider to work with.
I stayed in the industry attempting to be a solopreneur and working with different companies doing sales, support, technical support, sales management, operation management, and as an executive team member. This really taught me the ins and outs of the industry and gave me the foundation to start my company. Eventually, I realized that I was tired of making my bosses a lot of money while I was barely getting by. I saw them build nice homes, go on incredible vacations, drive fancy cars, and really have the freedoms I wanted in my life. So, I decided to finally step out on my own and start my own company.
Never running my own business before and actually graduating college in a field completely opposite from business, was the biggest education of real life and entrepreneurship I didn’t realize I would receive. Over the years, I worked hard to educate myself and learn how to run and operate a business. Learning how to build my own relationships, hire employees, manage employees, do business development, build a sales team, market, bookkeeping, and accounting were all new to me that I had to learn.
I made many mistakes along the way and basically ran the company into the ground a couple of times from not knowing what I didn’t know. building it up and then seeing it go bad to where I almost had to close the company down was a true test of my own desires to build my life and my perseverance.
My biggest strength is tenacity and stubbornness to never quit. The great thing is that the more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know and this drives me to learn more about how to play this business game of chess. I know I have built a sizeable small business, but now I am only starting. but, it is a step-by-step process.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all a smooth road. I feel I have made every mistake possible. One of the biggest struggles I learned is that I got in my own way. My ego thought I was more than I was, and my belief I needed to have everything perfect at all times held me back from applying actions I knew I needed to do.
Having gone to school in a different field, I had to educate myself and provide myself with my own business management schooling. Also, I learned that I had to read as many books as I can to learn. One of the biggest struggles I realized was my own mindset.
One thing about business and leadership is it brings out every fault, every past limiting belief, every trauma, and every negative thought about oneself possible. But it also allows for the journey of self-healing, self-understanding, belief, and perseverance. It will test every aspect of who you are, what you believe, and what you want in life.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
MSSPay is a payment service provider and consulting service. Our company works with businesses to find out their specific needs in accepting payments from their customers and we set them up with the technology software and hardware to accept payments, not only how the business needs it set up, but how their customers expect to pay.
This would include traditional debit and credit cards, checks, and ACH, but more recently ApplePay, Samsung pay, Google Pay, and Crypto Payments. Businesses are moving into an Omni channel approach to sales where they may have a storefront, eCommerce, Social Media, and mobile sales. They may need a simple terminal or a complex Point of Sale system with a CRM and business management system.
In addition, different business industry types may require a setup with payment providers that work best for their industry. Not every processor is set up to handle every business/ industry type. We align businesses with a payment provider that works for their industry. Our professional team has years of experience in the industry and can help a business navigate through any of their payment acceptance needs and setup.
We also know the costs of accepting payments can be a burden. We want to ensure the business is paying as little as possible and even have programs where the businesses can reduce their fees to zero. This is part of our consultation with the business.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I believe my drive to never quit was instilled in me from birth. It is in my DNA and a part of my physical and mental being. When I was born, I had several complications that led to multiple surgeries, 2 crib deaths, and years in and out of the hospital. I have been told I was a miracle baby. The survival instinct and drive I have had starting as a baby have carried with me into adulthood.
With my business, even when it looked like the business would fail, I would figure out a way to survive and build bigger. I have unfortunately done this a few times but has led me to where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: msspay.com
- Instagram: https://bit.ly/m/msspay
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msspayprocessing
