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Is Your Technology Working for You? Why 70% of Small Business AI Fails with JC Lukens
Description
In this episode of The Moss HR Minute, Nicole Moss, Co-Founder of Moss Consulting HR Services, sits down with JC Lukens, CEO and CFO of Summit National Advisors, to discuss the silent leaks that drain profitability from healthy businesses. Joined by Preslie Deusenbery, Phoenix Area HR Manager, the conversation highlights how everyday operational costs—specifically credit card processing and inefficient technology—can quietly erode a company's margins.
JC reveals that credit card processing is often the second-largest operating expense for businesses behind labor, yet most owners treat it as a fixed, unavoidable cost. He explains the "Edge" program, a dual-pricing model that allows merchants to reach zero-fee processing legally and compliantly while maintaining a positive customer experience. The discussion also explores why approximately 70% of small businesses using AI are failing to see an ROI because they lack the proper guidance to make these tools work efficiently for them.
Key topics discussed in this episode include:
- The Reality of Profit Leaks: Why sales aren't always the solution to profitability problems and how to find cash "leaking out the back door" through poor technology implementation.
- The Interchange Trap: Understanding why Visa and Mastercard fees have quite literally never gone down in 50 years and why standard processing contracts allow for sudden rate increases.
- Zero-Fee Processing Explained: How the dual-price model removes convenience fees from the receipt to provide the most profitable way to accept payments in the US today.
- Broker vs. Representative: The value of a personal, tailored approach where advisors audit multiple systems rather than pushing a single out-of-the-box solution like Square or Toast.
- Technology as a Lever: How overworked founders can use efficient software to off-board tasks and reclaim their time.
This episode provides a clear roadmap for founders to take control of their recurring expenses and stop paying what JC describes as an "additional rent payment" in processing fees. JC shares his best advice for protecting margins—delivered within one Moss Minute.
Guest Information
JC Lukens, CEO/CFO of Summit National Advisors
Email: Jcl@summitnationaladvisors.com
Website: summitnationaladvisors.com
Instagram: @summit_national_advisors
About: summitnationaladvisors.com/about/
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