Spotlight: EMS Nationwide
What is your first memory of EMS?
My first memory of EMS is when my soon to be husband (at that time) Rick quit his job to join founder & Chairman Jim Weiland to start EMS Corporate! 30 years ago EMS Corporate was the first processor to bring electronic data capture equipment to northeastern Ohio. EDC equipment today is known as a credit card processing machine.
How does that compare to what the company has become today?
| EMS corporate has over 101 agent offices around the United States of America. My husband Rick set up 56 of these offices traveling 42 weeks out of the year |
EMS corporate is locally owned and operated with a national HQ in Independence Ohio as well as the physical processing center and Customer Service Center.
What has surprised you most about being a business owner?
Being a business owner, every day is a surprise! The wide variety of hats we wear from accounting to IT to Customer Service & human resources are just a few of our job titles. We also concentrate on marketing which has now turned digital and, of course, sales.
Who are some of the coolest people you’ve met since opening?
We have met so many cool people. We meet people daily in every type of business. We love to hear how people turn their dreams into reality. We take great pride in how we can help them save money on the rates and fees and reinvest back into their business and the people that work in their businesses. Recently, I would have to say that partnering up with Keep It Local has been a very cool adventure!
What might we be surprised to learn about EMS?
Besides credit card machines and a gift and loyalty cards people are often surprised that we can design and host their websites (we give three hours of free design too). Once the website is complete, we are for payment gateways such as authorized.net and USA e-pay. Nowadays, everyone with a retail environment should be selling online as well.
How do you think EMS will change within the next 5 years?
The EMV, or smart chip card, readers have been our biggest change in the past few years and as the new secure credit card to EMV evolves, I’m sure that will take our company in yet again another direction.
Why did you choose Cleveland?
Both Rick and I are born and raised in Cleveland. We like to say the Midwest is the best! The people, the businesses and the heart that they have are so inspiring to see every day as new businesses are opened and our city gets a well-needed makeover and revamp.
What has been the most satisfying thing about opening EMS?
We feel that we bring a much-needed product and service to local merchants. Our business relationships turn into friendships frequently. |
