When Courtney had her son at age 19, she knew she had to skip the traditional college track and get straight to work. Today, her salon business is thriving, and she rents her own one-chair salon in Manhattan.
Using her loan through Square Capital, she’s been able to launch and expand her own branded hair products and establish her own private salon space.
For more information on Square Capital, visit https://squareup.com/capital
TRANSCRIPTION:
COURTNEY: Having my own business has set my soul on fire. It’s made me realize that I can achieve anything that I want to do. It doesn’t matter where you came from. I am Courtney Foster. I own Courtney Foster Beauty, which is a one chair salon studio. I had my son, Xavier, when I was 19 years old. I was definitely scared. I was scared out of my mind. I needed to work; I needed to take care of my son.
I did try to get a loan the traditional way by going to the bank, but they required so much of what I didn’t have, being a new business. It just made it really difficult to get that financial help. That’s when I was introduced to Square. I’m now on my 2nd loan through Square Capital, and that has allowed me to expand my brand.
XAVIER: I’ve seen you do whatever you want to do despite whatever’s in your way. You just push through it.
COURTNEY: If I look back at my 19-year-old self, I would tell that girl, ‘Just keep going. Just keep going, because it’ll eventually work out,’ and it did.
Maryam Henderson-Uloho spent thirteen years in prison in Louisiana, seven in solitary confinement. After her release she struggled to find housing or employment. She began selling secondhand goods out of a suitcase on a street corner in New Orleans. In just three years, she grew her business to a brick-and-mortar thrift store—one that also provides housing and employment for other formerly-incarcerated women. She calls those women—and her store—Sister Hearts.
“When I got out of prison, they wouldn't allow me to open a bank account. I could not rent an apartment. I could not get a job. So I started just selling stuff out of a suitcase on the street corner. The first day I made $40. And I just kept doing that. Three years later, I have a 15,000 square foot thrift store and transition housing facility for other female ex-offenders.”
- Maryam Henderson-Uloho, owner of SisterHearts Thrift Store, New Orleans
“Sister Hearts" is the fourth film in Square's For Every Kind of Dream series.
See the other films at http://foreverydream.com.
Megan Ray, founder of Miette Patisserie & Confiserie in San Francisco shares how Square helps her keep both sides of her business—online and in-store—perfectly in sync.
Learn more about Square Online Store at: https://squareup.com/online-store
Transcription:
MEG RAY:
Miette is the personification of everything I love; from the labels to the delicious cakes to the ingredients we use. It's really a complete expression of who I am. I'm Meg Ray and I'm the owner of Miette. We're a small business and we're women owned.
At four locations here in Hayes Valley, the Ferry Building, Marin Country Mart and Jack London Square. We started using Square seven years ago. We use the Square Online Store, the POS, and all the marketing. With the Square Online Store, I feel like it's the first time we have been able to extend the brand to the website, which is so important. It's easy to navigate, the photos are beautiful, people put more and more things in the shopping cart.
The area where we've seen the most growth is the same day orders. It used to be that you would sort of roll the dice and come into the shop and see what we had available. Now you can order online and go pick up the cake. I think our cake sales have almost doubled.
For me, the most important thing about the Square Online Store is that it integrated completely with the POS system. Doing inventory is very easy. I can look at my phone and see how much each store has made up to the minute, and that now includes the online sales. Before, they were almost two separate businesses. We have our online store and then what the shops did, and now it operates as one comprehensive business.
Square has been part of our growth all along. It's a partnership where we're important to Square. They are one step ahead of us in having the solution or the feature that we need as we get bigger. I think the most important thing when you're starting out in business is to have a vision and be true to it.
Create your first invoice: https://squareup.com/dashboard/invoices/new
New to Square? Get a free card reader and start accepting credit cards today at http://www.square.com.
Square makes it easy for you to send invoices and get paid fast. Invoices are free to send (you just pay for the processing) and most are paid within one business day. Paid invoices are deposited directly into your bank account in one to two business days. Click to create your first invoice now.
TRANSCRIPTION:
Sometimes your customer’s card isn’t handy, or taking card numbers over the phone is just too hard. Maybe it’s not a convenient time to ask for payment.
That’s when you need to send an invoice.
Square makes it easy for you to send invoices free by email and get paid fast. Let’s send yourself one right now. Log in to Square and find the Invoices tab in your Dashboard. Then click Create Invoice.
Click into the customer box and select from your list of past customers. You can type in a new one too. Next you can add details, or a personal message, and select when payment is due. You can pull items from your existing item library. Then add sales tax, give clients a discount, and let them add a tip.
Go ahead, send yourself an invoice, now. Just check your email, and there it is. Then you click Pay Invoice. That goes to our secure website. You type in the card information. Click Pay. And that’s it. You get a confirmation that you just got paid. And there’s an email receipt for your customer too.
Square invoices are free to send—you only pay for the processing. So you can send invoices until the cows come home. And you can track them all in your invoice dashboard. The invoices. Not the cows.
Get a free card reader and start accepting credit cards today at http://www.square.com.
Here’s a quick overview of everything you need to know to get up and running with Square. We’ll take you through the sign-up process, the different ways you can accept all major credit cards with Square, our fast deposits, and how you can track all your sales data. You can also learn about more Square products to help you grow your business.
TRANSCRIPTION:
Getting started with Square might feel a little daunting at first, but it’s really a lot easier than it seems. In the next couple of minutes, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get up and running with Square.
First, let’s go through the sign-up process. We’ll want to know your name, email, and some other information about the business you do. Then you’ll get the chance to enter your bank account and routing numbers. That’s where we’ll deposit the money when you start accepting credit cards with Square.
We’ll send you a free magstripe reader in the mail within seven to ten business days. And since everyone is switching to chip cards, you can order our contactless and chip card reader. Or you can pick one up at a retail store near you.
It might take up to a week to confirm your bank account number. In the meantime, download the Square Register app from the App Store or Google Play. Then you’ll be ready to start taking payments.
There are lots of ways you can accept payments from every major credit or debit card with Square. You can swipe, or dip chip cards, and accept Apple Pay or Android Pay. Just enter a sale amount, then swipe, tap, or dip away. You can also type in the card information, but that costs a little bit more.
Complete pricing information is on the Square website. And you always get phone and email support, the free Square Register app, free online invoicing, detailed sales analytics, and much more. There aren’t any of those gotcha surprise fees that you face with other processors.
Deposits are sent as quickly as the next business day. You can set a custom deposit schedule if you take payments after 5 p.m., and you can even get instant deposits when you really need the money right away.
You can track deposits in your sales history in the Register app or on your Square Dashboard. Access your Dashboard on your computer by logging in at square.com.
There, you can easily manage your item library, customize your own online store, and learn about more Square products, like Appointments, Payroll, and Capital to grow your business.
If you have any other questions, go to square.com/help to search for answers. We’re always here for you.
Get a free card reader and start accepting credit cards today at http://www.square.com.
Here’s a quick overview of everything you need to know to get up and running with Square. We’ll take you through the sign-up process, the different ways you can accept all major credit cards with Square, our fast deposits, and how you can track all your sales data. You can also learn about more Square products to help you grow your business.
TRANSCRIPTION:
Getting started with Square might feel a little daunting at first, but it’s really a lot easier than it seems. In the next couple of minutes, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get up and running with Square.
First, let’s go through the sign-up process. We’ll want to know your name, email, and some other information about the business you do. Then you’ll get the chance to enter your bank account and routing numbers. That’s where we’ll deposit the money when you start accepting credit cards with Square.
We’ll send you a free magstripe reader in the mail within seven to ten business days. And since everyone is switching to chip cards, you can order our contactless and chip card reader. Or you can pick one up at a retail store near you.
It might take up to a week to confirm your bank account number. In the meantime, download the Square Register app from the App Store or Google Play. Then you’ll be ready to start taking payments.
There are lots of ways you can accept payments from every major credit or debit card with Square. You can swipe, or dip chip cards, and accept Apple Pay or Android Pay. Just enter a sale amount, then swipe, tap, or dip away. You can also type in the card information, but that costs a little bit more.
Complete pricing information is on the Square website. And you always get phone and email support, the free Square Register app, free online invoicing, detailed sales analytics, and much more. There aren’t any of those gotcha surprise fees that you face with other processors.
Deposits are sent as quickly as the next business day. You can set a custom deposit schedule if you take payments after 5 p.m., and you can even get instant deposits when you really need the money right away.
You can track deposits in your sales history in the Register app or on your Square Dashboard. Access your Dashboard on your computer by logging in at square.com.
There, you can easily manage your item library, customize your own online store, and learn about more Square products, like Appointments, Payroll, and Capital to grow your business.
If you have any other questions, go to square.com/help to search for answers. We’re always here for you.
Learn more about using your Square Reader and search our Support Centre at http://www.square.com/setup.
Watch how to connect your Square contactless and chip reader to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth LE.
TRANSCRIPTION:
You can connect Square Reader to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth LE. Make sure your device has the latest version of the Square app. You’ll need to do this before you can connect Square Reader. Next, go to your device’s settings and turn on Bluetooth. Now you’re ready to pair your device with your reader.
Open the Square app. Go to the menu, Settings, Card Readers, Connect a Reader, and then Contactless and Chip Reader. Press and hold the power button on your reader for about three seconds. When the four orange lights start flashing, release the button. The Square app will automatically pair with the reader.
Your reader may go to sleep to save power. If it does, press the power button once and the Square app will connect instantly.
To learn more about setting up or taking payments with your reader, go to http://www.square.com/setup.
Learn more about using your Square Reader and search our Support Centre at http://www.square.com/setup.
Watch how to charge, connect, and accept payments with your Square contactless and chip reader.
Chapter 1: Getting started with Square Reader
Chapter 2: Connecting Square Reader via Bluetooth LE
Chapter 3: Connecting Square Reader to Square Stand
Chapter 4: How to accept payments
TRANSCRIPTION:
Here’s everything you need to know to get your Square Reader set up and running.
Inside your box there’s a Square contactless and chip reader, charging cable, and a Square magstripe reader. The Square contactless and chip reader has an EMV chip card slot, power button, port for the charging cable, and NFC antenna built inside.
The battery should last all day on a single charge with normal usage. To check the battery level, press the power button. Four green lights indicates your reader is fully charged and it’s ready for payments. Three or two green lights indicates a partial charge and it can take even more payments. And one red light means your reader needs a charge immediately.
To charge it up, plug the cable into your reader and a computer, USB wall charger, car charger or USB battery pack. It should take two to three hours to get a full charge. Four green lights means your reader is ready for business.
Now let’s connect your reader to your device.
You can connect Square Reader to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth LE. Make sure your device has the latest version of the Square app. You’ll need to do this before you can connect Square Reader. Next, go to your device’s settings and turn on Bluetooth. Now you’re ready to pair your device with your reader.
Open the Square app. Go to the menu, Settings, Card Readers, Connect a Reader, and then Contactless and Chip Reader. Press and hold the power button on your reader for about three seconds. When the four orange lights start flashing, release the button. The Square app will automatically pair with the reader.
Your reader may go to sleep to save power. If it does, press the power button once and the Square app will connect instantly.
Square Reader comes with a USB cable so you can connect it to Square Stand. Plug the cable into your reader and your Stand’s USB hub to accept payments, and keep your reader charged all day. Square Reader connects automatically and you’ll know when your reader is ready.
You can also connect with a Dock for Square Reader. Place your reader into the dock with the USB port facing downwards. Then, set the clip in place to secure your reader. Take the dock’s USB cable and plug it into your Stand’s USB hub. The dock charges your reader, gives it a home on your counter, and positions your reader to accept contactless payments and chip cards.
Now let’s start taking payments.
You can accept chip cards and contactless payments with the Square contactless and chip reader and swipe cards with the included magstripe reader. Make sure you position your reader so it’s within reach of both you and your customer. This lets you accept payments quickly and easily.
Select an item from your library or enter a dollar amount for a new item. Then, tap Charge. Wait for one green light to appear on your reader. This means it’s ready to accept payment.
To take a chip card payment, insert the chip card into Square Reader chip-side facing up, and leave it there until you see the checkmark or four green lights appear on the reader.
To take a contactless payment, tap Charge, wait for one green light to appear, then have your customer hold their contactless device near the reader. Four green lights will appear, and when you see the checkmark, you’re all set.
To swipe cards the old-fashioned way, just use your Square Stand’s built-in magstripe reader or use the included magstripe reader with your device.
To learn more about setting up or taking payments with your reader, go to http://www.square.com/setup.
See the new Square Terminal at http://www.square.com/hardware/terminal.
With Square Terminal, you can accept chip cards, contactless payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay, magstripe cards, gift cards, and any other way your customers want to pay. It’s easy to search transaction history and view sales reports, and with Square, there are no monthly or hidden fees. And if you ever lose your internet connection, you can still take payments by enabling Offline Mode.
Watch other videos to learn more about Square Terminal, or go to http://www.square.com/go/terminal-guide.
Take a closer look at Square Terminal by visiting https://square.com/go/terminal.
Step into our hardware lab and learn more about Square Terminal, our brand-new debit and credit card machine. Hosted by Jesse Dorogusker, Square Hardware Lead, and Jessica Chobot, Nerdist.
Square Terminal is your all-in-one device for payments and receipts. Take all types of payments, print or email receipts, and do it all in style. Pay one low rate for every tap, dip, or swipe, and get your funds as fast as the next business day. With no statement fees, setup fees, PCI-compliance fees, monthly fees, or hidden fees, Square Terminal is an entirely fairer way to get paid.
See the new Square Terminal at http://www.square.com/hardware/terminal.
Get your Square Terminal up and running. It’s easy to connect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet, sign up for a Square account, and add receipt paper and accessories you might need, like a cash drawer or bar code scanner.
Watch other videos to learn more about Square Terminal, or go to http://www.square.com/go/terminal-guide.
[TRANSCRIPT]
Let’s get your Square Terminal up and running.
Inside your box there’s a Square Terminal, getting started guide, receipt paper, a power adapter, the power adapter cable, and an accessory hub.
Start by removing the protective wrap from the screen.
Press the power button for about three seconds to turn Square Terminal on.
Tap the blue Get Started button, read the Terms of Use and... connect to the internet. You can choose between Wi-Fi and Ethernet.
For Ethernet, connect the Accessory Hub to Square Terminal. Plug the power adapter and ethernet cables into the Accessory Hub. And plug the power adapter into the power outlet. And hey, guess what: your accessory hub and power adapter both have magnets on the bottom, so you can attach them to another surface, like a cash drawer. When you use the accessory hub, you'll need to keep Square Terminal plugged in.
To connect to Wi-Fi, select your Wi-Fi network. Enter your password, and Join.
Square Terminal’s battery is designed to last all day when you’re not plugged in.
To charge the battery, just plug it in. And when you see a lightning bolt in the battery icon, you know it’s charging.
Now you’re ready to sign in to your Square account. Either set up a new account on Terminal or on your laptop at square dot com slash signup; or sign in to your Square account with your email and password.
You’ll also need to load the receipt paper. First open the printer door, unroll a couple inches of the receipt paper, place the roll on the printer door—with the tongue side near the screen. Make sure to always tear the receipt paper toward the screen.
To test your printer, just head to Menu, then Settings. Select Printer, then tap Test Print.
To add accessories to your Square Terminal, like a bar code scanner or cash drawer, you can use the accessory hub.
First, just plug the accessory hub into the Terminal. Then plug your accessories into the USB ports on the accessory hub, and plug in the hub.
Your accessories will automatically appear in the hardware section of your Square Terminal.
If you want to secure Square Terminal to your countertop, you can buy a mount on Square Shop, or use most commercially available mounts, like the ones used for cameras.
You’re all set up!
To learn more about using your Square Terminal go to square dotcom slash go slash terminal dash guide.
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