Merchant Advocates

Our Members

Small businesses play a critical role in the global economy. They create jobs, strengthen communities and drive economic impact. At PayPal, we have a strong small business empowerment message to share. We prioritize our merchants by providing financial services and tools that help them compete in the globally connected economy. To communicate this message and achieve this goal, we have created the PayPal Small Merchant Advocacy Delegation, a community of small business owners who advocate for the interests of other entrepreneurs on the issues that matter to them as well as PayPal. Check out some of our SMAD members below.

"Sometimes sales can be slow, or a large amount of your cash flow is tied up in inventory and you just need some money upfront to pay off other parts of your business. It was so easy to apply, and I was approved in seconds."

Andrea Harrison

ItsinaClutch

"PayPal Working Capital was a dream come true. It was a game changer. The terms are flexible and it works the way our business works. On a good month you pay back a lot and in a slow month you aren't penalized."

Mike Schmiedicke

Strong Oaks Woodshop

"It is really a huge weight off my mind knowing that I have that extra little bit of financing when I need it to take advantage of a marketing opportunity, or buy some much needed supplies. It helps me breath and not panic."

Nikki Gentry

My Dreamlines

Retail

MyDreamlines | O'Fallon, MO

Nikki Gentry

After graduating college with a degree in marketing, Nikki took some time away from the professional world to raise her children. However, her entrepreneurial spirit was always driving her to think about what was next.

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Man with beard smiling member Mike Schmiedicke

Woodworking

Strong Oaks Woodshop | Front Royal, VA

Mike Schmiedicke

Mike Schmiedicke spent the first portion of his entrepreneurial career behind a desk. In his 20s and 30s he founded a successful web development and programming business.

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Clothing & Accessories

In a Clutch | Lithonia, GA

Andrea Harrison

Andrea Harrison has been in retail for 30 years, most recently at Macy's as a media buyer, located in New York. Andrea began selling on eBay in 2004 part-time, selling small items like her son's outgrown baby clothes.

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E-Waste Management & Recycling

RPC Global | Houston, TX

Abe Gonzalez

"I'm 43 years old and have never really had a job. I didn't plan it that way, but that's just what happened," jokes Abe Gonzalez, owner and founder of RPC Global.

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Small business owner Sanjay Aggarwal of Spice Kitchen UK

Cooking

Spice Kitchen UK | Cheshire, England

Sanjay Aggarwal

Sanjay Aggarwal has always been a small business owner, building his own recruitment company after graduating. However, this small business story is less about what Sanjay built for himself, and more about what he built for his family.

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Clothing

Top Shelf Boutique | San Francisco, CA

Christina Battle

In 2012, Christina Battle, armed with a dream of owning her own store took a leap of faith. Instead of waiting to figure out how to get into a very expensive SF storefront, she got a crazy idea to start her business more non-traditionally.

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Join Us

Join a community of fellow entrepreneurs who advocate for the interests of small business owners around the world by sharing their stories with those that can enact change.