Medicine Man Crafts has been an important part of the Cherokee, North Carolina, community for more than 60 years, offering authentic Native American crafts and traditional plant medicine. The same family has run the store since Tom Underwood opened it in 1963, committed to helping local artists and keeping cultural traditions alive.
The new owner, Ed Sharpe, took over the store in 2018 and embraced modern technology to grow the business. Finding the right payment handling company, however, wasn't a smooth journey. It was harder to manage payments than it should have been due to high fees, poor communication and lack of support from previous providers. And that's when Sekure Payment Experts stepped in.
The challenge: High fees and no support
As a small business owner, Ed knew that every dollar counted. He needed a merchant account for his small business that was cost-effective and easy to manage. Unfortunately, his previous provider — Shopify’s payment system — only created frustration and confusion.
- Lack of communication & support: “I wasn’t happy with the provider that I had. There were communication problems.”
- Difficult payment tracking: Reports were unclear, making it hard to monitor transactions and fees.
- Rising processing fees: High, unpredictable charges cut into profits.
- Unreliable equipment: Tried another local merchant processor that didn’t work out.
The need for a solution was clear — Ed had to find a payment processor that offered better support, lower costs and modern, easy-to-use technology.
The solution: A modern payment solution with expert support
In April 2019, Ed made the switch to Sekure Payment Experts, and the impact was immediate. The change came at a pivotal time in the business, as Ed was working to modernize operations while staying true to the store’s heritage.
After years of struggling with outdated systems and a lack of support, he was ready for a partner that could offer both reliability and a human touch. Sekure delivered on both fronts — offering personalized service, dependable tech and the kind of hands-on onboarding that gave Ed peace of mind. For a small, independent retailer like Medicine Man Crafts, having a trusted partner makes all the difference.
With Sekure, Medicine Man Crafts gained:
- A dedicated representative: Unlike his previous provider, Sekure provided direct support whenever needed. “Having a representative with you guys that was able to take a call and, if problems arise, handle that — which has been great.”
- Updated payment technology: Sekure introduced a modern, Wi-Fi-enabled payment system that replaced the outdated phone-line-based system.
- Seamless payment tracking:
- Real-time reporting and live transaction history via the Payment Hub Website
- Remote access from any device, anywhere
- Deposit reports for accurate end-of-day calculations
- A smooth transition and onboarding process: Unlike other providers that simply hand off equipment with no guidance, Sekure ensured proper setup and training.
- Lower, more predictable fees: The EDGE cash discount program reduced processing costs and provided transparent pricing.
Now, Ed can focus on growing the business and supporting the Cherokee community, rather than worrying about payment processing. With more time and clarity on his financials, he’s been able to expand the store’s reach online, build deeper relationships with local artisans and get more involved in community initiatives. From daily operations to long-term planning, Sekure has helped Medicine Man Crafts stay grounded in tradition while confidently stepping into the future.
EDGE: Low, predictable payment processing costs
With EDGE, Medicine Man Crafts eliminated the unpredictability of high processing fees. Customers pay with cash or card, and Ed keeps more of his hard-earned revenue.
Sekure made the transition seamless, ensuring that both Ed and his customers were comfortable with the new system. Best of all, customers were already familiar with the cash discount model, making adoption effortless.
Want to see how much you can save on credit card processing? Learn more about EDGE today and save on credit card processing.
At Sekure Payment Experts — It’s business. And it’s personal.™
Sekure provides small businesses like Medicine Man Crafts the latest, most cost-effective merchant services. Whether it’s modern payment terminals, live reporting or unmatched customer support, we help businesses spend less time managing payments and more time doing what they love.
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