Executive Highlight

Nichole Howard-Kazenske

CO-Founder and CEO, SPARROWPAY INC

Industry: Banking / Finance

Business Founded: 2024

Phone: (404) 580-6997

Email: [email protected]

Address:
169 Wood Stork Lane
Palm Coast, Florida 32164

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How long have you been in your industry?18 years

Why did you choose your industry?My journey into fintech began with a simple realization: payments are more than transactions—they’re the heartbeat of commerce. As a restaurant owner and consultant, I experienced firsthand how outdated systems and complex compliance processes could frustrate businesses and slow growth. That experience sparked a passion to transform payments into something seamless, dignified, and empowering. SparrowPay is more than payments technology—it’s a culture.

Who are your typical clients?We serve all merchants that use payments, as well as the Value Added Resellers, Integrated Software Providers, and Independent Sales Organizations that serve them.

What do you like best about being in this industry?I love that this industry is both technical and human. On one side, it demands precision, compliance, and innovation building systems that are fast, secure, and resilient. On the other, it’s deeply personal. Payments touch people’s lives in ways they often don’t see, but always feel. When we make transactions seamless, dignified, and trustworthy, we’re empowering merchants to have options.

What are common problems you see?One of the most significant problems in the payments industry is the hidden and rising cost to merchants. Every transaction carries layers of fees—interchange, assessments, markups—that eat into margins. For small businesses, these costs can mean the difference between profit and loss. For larger enterprises, they scale into millions annually.

What advice/tips do you have for clients?Know your cost, don't be afraid to allow a company to analyze your merchant statements; it's the only way we can find hidden fees. Choose a payments partner that values you. Your POS partner should do so much more than sell you the POS with Payments, and that's it. Your local Value Added Resellers do so much more when it comes to local support, and embrace Dual Pricing the right way. When implemented with compliance and clarity, dual pricing can offset rising costs without alienating customers. Frame it as a choice, not a penalty—customers appreciate honesty when it's communicated well.

When is your busy season?All year long.

What keeps you up at night?As a founder in fintech, what keeps me up at night isn’t just the technology—it’s the responsibility. Payments are the rails of commerce, and every decision we make at SparrowPay impacts merchants, partners, and customers who rely on us.

How do you market yourself to grow/expand your business?Through various trade shows, LinkedIn, and discovery calls. We are a boutique company that works with people & businesses who share our core values.

How involved are you in the community?I am just getting my feet wet in Palm Coast. In Atlanta, we were so active in the community, and then when Todd transferred to Senior Living in Jacksonville, we were active in that community as well. Palm Coast has been challenging, but we are looking for the right opportunities outside of our church.

What is your favorite not for profit or charity?St. Judes, No Kid Hungry, and our church, Parkview in Palm Coast.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of getting into this business?Payments are a commodity, and you need to understand how you can help merchants (business owners) increase their bottom line, but the only way to do so is to build a relationship with them. You need to value your merchants, not just save them money on their processing statements every month. Give them options and products that consumers demand in this ever-changing FinTech space.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?Spending quality time with my husband, children, grandchildren and friends. My husband was a Chef for 47 years, so we love to cook together, enjoy travelling all over Florida exploring new places. We moved to Jacksonville in 2017 and bought our forever home in June of 2023.

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