We had the good fortune of connecting with Allen Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Allen, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process in starting Oak City Payments came from being in the business and working for a larger publically traded processing company. Sometimes, when you work for a larger company, their focus can be more geared towards their investors and not their end customers. After working with them for a few years, I realized that our standards didn’t align. I have always looked for better opportunities, and if those don’t exist, I create them. That’s why I decided to go on my own and start Oak City Payments. I now how the ability to oversee all parts of the business and make sure that our customers are the number one focus.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started my career in the alcohol industry. I spent 13 years in this industry and thought it would be the one I stayed in for the foreseeable future. I spent 10 of those years in the Washington DC market and the last 3 in Mississippi when I opened my first retail location, Jackson Beer Company. I built the business from the ground up. Literally, we had to put in the plumbing and pour the concrete. Going through this helped me understand what other business owners have dealt with. Little did I know at that time it would help me in my future career. It’s tough to build a business and also be the owner-operator at the same time. You wear many hats! This set me up because I can relate to business owners when I visit them at their business. Their time is valuable. If you get a chance to get in front of the owner, you have to respect their time and ensure that you bring them the value needed to help.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Local breweries are some of my favorite places to visit in the Raleigh area. Living in Fuquay-Varina, we have some great breweries in our hometown. Aviator is one of the best spots to get beer and food. They have outdoor space so that the kids can run around and keep themselves entertained. They are always updating the tap list. It’s nice to pair different styles with new menu items. We also have other great selections, like Oaklyn Springs Brewery, Mason Jar Lager Company, Vicious Fishes Tap Room, and Fainting Goat Brewing. All of these spots have great beer and an even better atmosphere.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank Dustin Magaziner with PayBright, located in Raleigh, NC. I started talking with Dustin before I made the decision to start Oak City Payments. I was leaving a company with a list of solutions to offer and starting a company that had to find those solutions independently. The move is always going to be stressful, but I had a weight lifted off my shoulders, knowing that Dustin would be in my corner.

Website: oakcitypayments.com

Instagram: Oak_City_Payments

Linkedin: Oak City Payments

Facebook: Oak City Payments

Other: Here are the URL links if needed. (FB) https://www.facebook.com/OakCityPayments (Instagram) https://www.instagram.com/oak_city_payments/

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