I was headed to Olympia when a bright red Snap-on truck rolled past, an eagle spread wide across the back. Something about that eagle made me think of Shaun Adams.
Shaun had been one of our merchants for more than twenty years- a loyal, passionate, high-D driver who threw himself into his work and his relationships with the same energy.
Shaun was excellent at what he did. He served his clients with confidence, passion, and a genuine love for people. Every visit to our office brought stories about his family, laughter, and that unmistakable spark of someone who really lived (and loved) his work.
In credit card processing, the conversations aren’t always easy. No one loves rate increases or equipment upgrades- especially for mobile merchants like Shaun. Yet, where others grew frustrated, Shaun stayed loyal. He always gave us the chance to show him new solutions, and when they worked, he stuck with them. His loyalty wasn’t blind; it was built on mutual respect.
He had another rare quality: he looked for reasons to give back. One of my longtime team members, Christina, ran a small jerky business on the side, and Shaun would regularly order from her just to show support. That was who he was- someone who lifted others up in small, steady ways.
When the eagle prompted me to check in on Shaun I called and his wife, Tami answered. She told me that Shaun passed away on September 30th, just 25 days after the birth of his grandson, a final milestone he’d been fighting to reach.
Hearing that news took my breath away.
Yet in her voice, I could hear both sorrow and pride. We made plans for coffee next week so I can share stories from the years our paths crossed in business and friendship.
It reminded me that in this work, helping businesses accept payments, it’s not the transactions that stay with us. It’s the people. The loyalty. The laughter across the counter. The way a simple service relationship becomes something much deeper over time.
Shaun was never “just a merchant.” He was a friend. A cheerleader. A giver. The kind of client who reminded us why we do what we do.
And while my heart is heavy thinking of his passing, it’s also incredibly thankful.
We are so grateful for each and every merchant we serve: from the brand-new startup to the 25-year loyalist. Your trust means more than we can say. You invite us into your businesses, your goals, and your stories. And we don’t take that lightly.
As we head into this season of gratitude, I just want to say: treasure every moment.
If we’re still breathing, we still have work to do – and people to love.
Happy Thanksgiving, friends. May your relationships be rich, your table be full, and your heart be fully aware of the blessings all around you.
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