Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Stephens.
Hi Jennifer, We’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. Before we get into specifics, could you briefly describe how you got to where you are today?
I went to NC State University and have a BS in Biological Sciences. While in school, I did door-to-door sales for a company called Southwestern and finished #1 in sales out of 3000 students in my first year with them. After graduating, I went to work for their sister company, Southwestern Consulting. I did sales training and motivational speaking seminars around the country. I lived in 7 different cities while with them. After that, I was offered a Sales Manager position at a marketing company in Louisville, Kentucky. 3 years later, I went to work for a company in the payments industry and opened 2 sales offices for them before going out on my own. I wouldn’t say I liked how people were treated in the credit card processing industry, but I wanted to do things my way. From 2015 to 2017, I started my first payments business with a business partner, but our philosophies differed, and in 2017, we decided to go our separate ways. I started Principled Payments in April of 2017. Then, when the pandemic hit in 2020 (my husband, Hunter Stephens, worked in sports broadcasting. We were worried he might lose his job, So we reached out to Rich Moyer at Two Scoops on a Friday night to ask for advice on opening our ice cream shop. That is when he asked if we would be interested in being part of Two Scoops! We said yes and opened Two Scoops Rock Hill in January 2022.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It could be a smoother road, but it’s a good road. With Southwestern Consulting, I had to move every 4 months, and everything I owned could fit in my car. It was also commission-only sales, and I made less doing this than some other job offers I received. Doing sales training for adults older than me took so much effort, studying, and long hours. I had outstanding leadership that helped me along the way. And I was pretty bad at it at first. I was a sales manager in my following 2 jobs (23-27). I had to learn fast and work hard all of the time. First in the office, last to leave. I had to project confidence even when unsure of what to do next. I went to seminars and outside training on my dime to learn. I quickly had to learn how to hire, fire, and set expectations. Then, with my first partnership, I split with my old partner. My partner locked me out of everything and cleared out our bank account while I was traveling. Then, I had a year-long legal battle to win my accounts back. I had to take our high-interest personal loans. I also received much support from clients, family, and friends. Then I started Principled Payments without warning, losing all my income. I had to keep servicing my clients, hoping to win them back. And my attorney was getting most of my available cash. 7 years later, I am thrilled I endured that fight. With Two Scoops, it has been a challenge, too. Our costs have doubled since we started our business, and inflation is significantly impacting. It isn’t easy to learn how to keep ice cream affordable, pay employees enough, and keep our costs under control. We are still figuring it out.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Principled Payments was built to help businesses accept credit card payments. We offer Point-Of-Sale systems, invoicing solutions, mobile payments, website payments, ACH payments, and any method a business owner needs to accept. We can typically help. Principled Payments is built on great service and transparency. There are no hidden fees, surprises, or nonsense here—only great service paired with the best technology. The credit card processing industry could be better. Most companies out there raise rates, nickel and dime business owners to death, and have poor customer service call centers located out of the country. I aim to keep costs affordable and help when my customers need me. If I make a mistake, I do my best to make it right. And this business is my baby. I’m going nowhere when people need help. And I’m always learning to keep up with the changing technology in the payments space.
Do you have any big plans?
I already have a great team with principles, and I want to help them grow and get where they want to be financially. I want Two Scoops Rock Hill to be a local staple in the community known for excellent ice cream and giving back to the community. And I want to help the younger people I work with see their potential. I think the “pandemic” was damaging to the high school and college age groups, and I want to help encourage these kids to get out there and take chances to follow their dreams.
Pricing:
- Free credit card machines for anyone that mentions this article.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.principledpayments.com
- Instagram: twoscoopsrh
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrincipledPayments/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/two-scoops-rock-hill-rock-hill
- Other: https://twoscoopscreamery.com/
