Opinion: Increased credit card fees could harm small businesses

With a clear vision, years of hard work and the support of my community, I grew a small business called Zapateria Montañez, a family-owned retailer that now serves customers throughout Southern California. 

We built a relationship with our customers, who recommended us to their friends and neighbors, which helped us grow.

I founded Zapateria Montañez to provide quality footwear, fair prices and personalized service for hardworking families. While our business has grown over the years, our mission has remained the same: to treat every customer like a neighbor and provide the kind of service that keeps people coming back.

One of the smartest decisions I made was accepting credit cards. Electronic payments have allowed small businesses like mine to compete, grow and meet customers where they are without the marketing budgets or resources of large corporations.

That doesn't mean running a small business is easy. Like many independent retailers, I operate on thin margins. Supply costs fluctuate, while rent, payroll, inventory, insurance and utilities continue to climb. Every business decision matters.

That's why I pay close attention when lawmakers consider changes that would make accepting electronic payments more complicated. Policies that may appear simple on paper can create real challenges for small businesses that don't have dedicated accounting departments, compliance staff or the resources to invest in new systems every time the rules change.

Large national chains may be able to absorb additional costs and administrative burdens. Independent businesses cannot. Extra paperwork, confusing requirements, and costly system changes take time away from serving customers, increase the likelihood of errors, and make it harder for local businesses to compete.

I built my business through hard work, consistency and the trust of my community—not shortcuts. Small business owners aren't asking for special treatment. We're simply asking for the flexibility to use the payment systems our customers rely on every day and to operate as efficiently as possible.

Small businesses like mine are more than storefronts. We create jobs, support local families, sponsor community events and invest back into the neighborhoods we call home. As policymakers consider changes to our nation's payment system, I hope they remember the thousands of entrepreneurs who depend on simple, reliable and secure electronic payments to keep their businesses running.

If we want local businesses to continue creating jobs, serving neighborhoods and contributing to our communities, we need payment policies that reflect the realities of running a small business—not regulations designed for large corporations with far greater resources.

What keeps daily operations running smoothly is giving customers the ability to pay quickly and reliably. Today, that usually means paying with a credit card. Fewer people carry cash than they once did and customers expect electronic payment options wherever they shop. Accepting those payments makes checkout faster, reduces friction and creates a better experience for everyone.

Electronic payments also make running a business more efficient behind the scenes. Bookkeeping is simpler, records are more accurate and tax preparation is significantly easier. Research has consistently shown that consumers spend more when using credit cards than when paying with cash. In my business, every dollar spent on credit card processing generates a 121 percent return on investment.

There's another benefit that often goes overlooked: safety. Businesses that handle large amounts of cash face greater risks. Counting, storing and transporting cash increases both stress and security concerns for business owners and employees alike. Reducing the amount of cash on hand helps protect our workers and gives owners greater peace of mind at the end of each day.

Our business has always been rooted in the communities we serve. We take pride in providing personalized service, building lasting relationships and earning the trust of our customers. They support a local business that understands their needs, and we work hard every day to repay that trust.