Keeping in touch.

05-13-11 »It Is Official! The Meridian Foundation has Launched
Meridian Merchant Services is proud to annouce that the Meridian Foundation has official launched.
Here is the official notice: Press Release
And it is already generating quite a buzz:
» Atlanta Business Chronicle
» The Augusta Chronicle

04-29-11 »Meridian Brings in Laurie Lockliear
Meridian Merchant is pleased announced that the Meridian Foundation has brought in Laurie Lockliear as the foundation's Executive Director as well as handle the foundations PR campaign.

Ms. Lockliear is known for inspired campaigns that engage corporate sponsors while providing for the fiscal needs of not-for-profits. In September of 2010, Larry Bomback, Director of Finance and Operations for Opera America Magazine, interviewed Ms. Lockliear for a feature article. During the interview Mr. Bomback said of Ms. Lockliear’s revolutionary campaign “This is the most creative marketing and fundraising program that I have seen in Opera!”

Ms. Lockliear studied journalism at the University of South Carolina before attending Full Sail University where she studied Entertainment Business Management. Ms. Lockliear has won four American Advertising Federation Addy Awards, both individually and as a Creative Director, is a frequent speaker to business and not-for-profit organizations on creating value with philanthropic partnerships, and has served on the Board of Directors for numerous not-for-profits to include:

» President & Development Director, Habitat for Humanity of North Augusta
» Marketing & PR Co-Chair, South Main Association, Memphis
» Marketing & PR Director, Special Campaign, St. Bartholomew’s Church
» Marketing & PR Coordinator, The Georgia Games
» PR Committee Member, Memphis Blues Society
» Arts Council Event Coordinator, The Medical College of Georgia
» Event Coordinator, Walton Rehabilitation Health System

"Laurie is a critical piece for the Meridian Foundation", stated Will Black, CEO of Meridian Merchant Services. "Since coming on board, Laurie has maintained a blistering pace in connecting the Meridian Foundation and thereby Meridian Merchant Services to the arts, non-art based 501c3's, and several well known, nationally branded chain companies. It was only sensible have her as the foundation's Executive Director."

04-22-11 »Meridian Merchant founds The Meridian Foundation
Meridian Mercahnt Services is committed to helping businesses support the not-for-profit(s) without adding to the budget or schedule of the business. To that end Meridian is pleased to annouces the creation of the Meridian Foundation. Let the Foundation help you put funds you are already spending to good use in your community or around the world. The choice and the credit are yours.

11-11-10 »Meridian Merchant Added to the Biz
Meridian Merchant Services was recently added to the Southeast's weekly business periodical, the Biz as a contributor. The paper, the Biz is a wonderful, colorful piece delivered every Wednesaday to businesses in the area, and had been quickly growing in its readership and support. As Meridian has maintained a blog that is linked to their website for the sole purpose of educating people whether or not they are clientele, it seemed a natural fit to include much of its credit card world savvy and education to the business world at large. "Most of the articles that are written in my industry are not written to the business owner," said Will Black, President of Meridian. "Instead of giving useful data on how to avoid costly fees, sales scams, and leases that practically rob businesses of their hard earned data, they are written towards guys like me that have years of background in the industry. A doctor can speak to another doctor in medical jargon, but when he chats with the patient (in this case the financially ill and abused businesses), he needs to be able to speak in plain English. That's what we aim to do."

02-03-10 »Meridian trains CPA's
Meridian Merchant Services had it's second training session where they met with CPA's in the region to show them how they can better serve their clientèle. “Back in the day, the Big 8 used to always have specialists in almost every category there was,” stated Will Black president of Meridian Merchant Services, “however, now a CPA can offer the same level of service. They simply have specialists that they refer to. That's where we come in.” Meridian Merchant Services sets up new and existing businesses with the ability to take all forms of credit cards, check, debit, and gift cards, as well as helps businesses by managing their account for them to make sure that they not only get a low rate, but keep it. “The CPA sends us the clients statement, we review it and show how much their client is overpaying, and they give the quote back to the client. It makes the CPA a one-stop shop for all of their financial suggestions.”

08-12-09 »Meridian partners with MFA
Meridian Merchant Services out of Savannah, Georgia has partnered with MicroFundedArt$, LLC, a company that finds creative revenue for symphonies, orchestras, and other arts based 501c3's. “It was a natural fit,” says Will Black, president of Meridian; MFA was looking for a way to handle plastic and we showed them how the industry works and what we could do.”

Originally, Meridian had teamed up with William Keith formerly of the Savannah Orchestra. After some preliminary work, the two started a working model in Savannah, and had $1M a month in gross revenues inside a six month time frame. “We knew we had a hit on our hands,” says William Keith. “I immediately had to start my own firm to handle the volume and to take this national. As Meridian already worked across the US, it all just seemed to fall right into place.”

08-12-09 »Meridian Merchant trains Doctors
(Article Excerpt)
“This is the third time we have had a get together like this,” says Will Black the president of Meridian Merchant Services, “and I love each time more. He says this all the while smiling in a stark, black suit and a vibrant tie. “We've given away two iPods to this group of doctors' office managers already tonight, but what they are here for is the education.” He goes on to explain how 95% of the business world overpays for the ability to accept credit cards at their place of business, but that doctors seem to have it the worst. “I apologize a lot for my industry. It seems that when you are first getting in, there must be a memo somewhere that I missed saying, “Charge doctors anything you want. They can afford it.” At that he laughs -all the while people behind him, some in suits, some in scrubs, continue to get food from the buffet and find their seats and their office companions.

As the early evening meeting progresses, you can see him moving through the crowd, and from table to table, speaking with these office managers and reviewing their data. Almost as soon as he starts speaking one can see that the attendees would have paid to get in if asked. They hang on his words and every so often you hear a gasp or see people covering their hanging mouths in awe as he explains to them how the system abuses people. When asked how much doctors overpay, his eyes roll. “It runs the whole gamut, but it really depends on how much they process. However I have seen doctors pay from $500 to $11,000+ a year in fees that they simply did not have to pay. It stinks.”

Though the evening eventually drew to a close, you could see how people wanted it to keep going as if they were at a Christmas party with long lost friends and relatives, not a business symposium. Many sat at their tables huddled together reviewing paperwork, or clinging about Black as he stands there with a coke and a smile answering what would have to be the same questions over and over. “The main of my business is not setting up new accounts for brand new businesses, but cleaning up the train wreck that we see everyday. I could gouge these people and keep them for two years, or I can give the a good rate and keep them forever. I'm going to do the latter.”