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Lorrie Mason of Mason Metal Designs in Tampa, Florida practices the ancient art of silver-smithing. Her studio sits in an old cigar factory in Tampa’s historic Ybor City district, but Mason has found a mobile solution for her business of selling sterling silver jewelry, and teaching her craft to novice artisans.
She uses the Square credit card reader with her Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Android smartphone and tablet to accept credit card payments at the rustic studio, and especially on the road. Most of her sales come at weekend art fairs and street festivals across Florida and the Southeastern United States.
“Most people don’t carry much cash today, so being able to accept credit card payment is often the difference in making a sale or not. This is technology at its best, serving the most basic need for a small business,” said Mason, who has been creating and selling jewelry since 1989.
Mason’s first entrepreneurial endeavor was selling jewelry out of a pushcart in
downtown Tampa while attending the University of South Florida, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and went on to work in the field for several years.
She returned to metal design about 10 years ago. Since then, she tried various credit card processing systems for her business, but said they did not have mobile capabilities or were too expensive.
The Square credit card reader solved her issue. The compact device has delivered big benefits to her small business.
“This modern technology is helping preserve a craft from medieval times, and has boosted my business today,” she said.
Square credit card reader is available online or in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores.
