Tribute to My Brother-in-Law, David

 

A Tribute to My Brother-in-Law, David

It’s hard to find the right words today, because how do you sum up someone like David? He wasn’t just my brother-in-law — he was truly my brother. From the moment he came into our family, he fit right in. He brought warmth, laughter, and this quiet strength that made everyone around him feel comfortable and cared for.

David was the best husband to my sister for 18 years. He loved her so deeply — with patience, faith, and a kind of devotion that never wavered. When she passed, his world changed completely. But even in the middle of heartbreak, he stayed strong for his kids. He became both mom and dad, and he gave everything he had to Curtis, Raeanna, and Norah.

I tried to help in any way I could — over video chats and phone calls, helping the girls and Curtis with homework or just being there when he needed to talk. I’d send dinner sometimes, and he always made sure to let me know how much he appreciated it. That was David — always thankful, always kind, even in the middle of chaos.

He never failed to send me a picture everytime he went to Texas Road house and it was the first place he took us back in May when we arrived, it was a favourite of ours.  He provided me with my natural sleep aids and the CM cream for aches and pain. 

And then one day, he called me — and he told me he’d met someone. It was the sweetest call, because it was almost like he was asking my permission to date again. That’s just who he was — thoughtful and respectful, always wanting to do what felt right. When he met Lina, you could hear the happiness in his voice again. She brought light back into his life, and he loved her so much. Together they built something beautiful, full of love and peace. My heart hurts they only got 5 months married.  

To his kids — Curtis, Raeanna, and Norah — your dad loved you more than anything in this world. You were his reason, his pride, his joy. Everything he did was for you. And that love will never leave you; it’s in everything you are.

David had a heart like no one else. He showed up for people. He listened. He cared. Whether it was to lend a hand, share a laugh, or offer a few quiet words of comfort, you could always count on him. He was steady and true, and he made the world around him better just by being in it.

Our hearts are broken, but I take comfort knowing he’s at peace now — reunited with those he loved, free from pain, surrounded by light. We’ll miss him every single day — his laugh, his calmness, his kindness — but we’ll carry him with us, always.

David thank you for loving my sister, for loving Lina, and for being such a wonderful dad, brother, and friend. You will never be forgotten.

Rest easy, until we meet again.

Why Businesses Are Switching to Specialty Merchant Services

If they're honest, most businesses don't pay too much attention to their payments and how they're handled until something breaks. A payout arrives late, a reserve suddenly appears, or chargebacks start creeping up. It's then that they realize their standard processor isn't built for how they actually operate.

Image credit

Generic platforms are made for simplicity, not accuracy. They treat every transaction the same, no matter the risk level or frequency. While this might be ideal for small, low-volume retailers, it creates friction for larger companies with more complex transactions, such as subscription billing or multiple markets.

This is where specialty merchant services come into the picture. They're designed to handle the details others overlook - faster settlements, fairer pricing, and better visibility. Let's take a closer look.

Faster Payments, Fewer Delays

When money moves slowly, business momentum suffers. Specialized systems use smarter routing that pushes transactions through the most efficient channels, reducing failures and speeding up settlements. This enables funds to clear faster and reporting updates to occur in real time.

And it's this predictability that keeps operations stable. It allows employees to get paid on time, budgets to stay accurate, and teams to plan ahead instead of waiting around for confirmation that payments have landed.

Fairer Pricing and More Control

Flat rate fees might sound easy, but they rarely work in a merchant's favor. Traditional processors use general risk categories that do not reflect how individual businesses actually perform. Specialist providers use data and performance tracking to create accurate profiles so merchants are charged based on real behavior, not assumptions. 

Low-risk businesses benefit from lower transaction costs and fewer reserve holds. Even high-risk operators get fairer terms since the provider understands when they drive their volume and customer patterns.

Real Time Transparency

Most finance teams can spend hours trying to reconcile payments. Standard processors give them summaries, not answers. Specialist systems replace guesswork with real-time insight. This means you can see what payments are approved and which are pending, and what ones need a follow-up, all there and then, without waiting for end-of-day reports.

This level of visibility can turn payment data into something actually useful. You can identify where delays happen, which channels perform the best, and where business can tighten its processes. Over time, this visibility can build real financial confidence.

Stronger Fraud and Chargeback Protection

Chargebacks are a cost most businesses accept as inevitable. But with the right system, they are preventable. Specialist payment solutions track transaction patterns, flag irregular behavior, and alert teams when a loss is imminent.

And when disputes happen? You can use automated evidence collection to make fast decisions and to increase efficiency. This efficiency reduces fees, protects merchant status, and improves trust with banks and networks. It's not just about defense; it's about keeping your name in good standing.

Choosing specialty merchant services isn't a luxury - it's a practical move for any business that wants control over its payments. When transactions are fast, fees are fair, and reports actually make sense, payments stop being a source of stress and start supporting growth.

How CBD Businesses Fail On Compliance

 

Pexels - CC0 License

The CBD industry is booming as more people discover the benefit of cannabidiol and other safe hemp-derived botanicals. However, many brands are new, and most don’t know how to properly comply. 

Fortunately, this post is here to help. We look at how CBD businesses are getting into trouble and what they can do to dodge them. 

Making Unsubstantiated Health Claims

While CBD might seem like a miracle cure for a lot of conditions like anxiety and chronic pain, it’s still illegal to make unsubstantiated health claims on the label. Therefore, be careful of what you say and always follow best practice for the industry. Don’t fall into the trap of saying something on your products, just because you believe it’s true. It has to have been through formal testing to pass muster. 

Contaminants In Products

Contaminants are also an issue in a lot of CBD products. Many contain heavy metals, pesticides, and other nasties that fall outside of acceptable limits for the FDA. 

You should be looking for suppliers to minimize these contaminants from the get-go and performing internal testing. It’ll boost trust in your brand and make people want to buy from you more. 

However, it also reduces the risk of group lawsuits against you (many of which are well funded). It’s a simple “win” and shouldn’t be ignored. 

Unclear Labeling

Another thing you’ll want to do is check your labeling. Again, this is something that sounds so simple but it can get a lot of companies into trouble. 

For example, if you’re selling CBD as a topical ingredient, make sure you say so. Otherwise, consumers may wrongly believe that you’re selling something for oral consumption. 

Similarly, you’ll want to ensure that you’re following the ingredients list rules and other labeling requirements. If you try to sell products without these, government agencies may come down on you like a tonne of bricks. 

Inadequate Supplier Vetting

Inadequate supplier vetting can also be a problem at a lot of CBD businesses. You might think you’re doing everything by the book, but if your suppliers aren’t, that can undermine your product enormously. 

Therefore, check all your suppliers before working with them. Make sure they’re not supplying you with contaminated products or the wrong ingredients. Ensure that they don’t cut corners and go the extra mile on issues like recalls and traceabilit noy. 

Financial Non-Compliance

Pexels - CC0 License

Finally, don’t fall into financial non-compliance issues. Ensure you follow the rules outlined in your agreements with those providing you with money and banking services. 

Remember,  a lot of merchant account providers designate CBD as “high-risk.” This category isn’t just because of the nature of the product, but also the fact that a lot of customers simply request chargebacks. If you use the wrong service, you can face issues with transaction terminations and be subject to anti-money laundering laws. 

To avoid this, only work with processors who are friendly to CBD companies. Make sure you partner with payment providers who understand the realities of the industry and risks you face.