When I opened Burque Throwdown just south of Downtown Albuquerque, I didn’t simply want to build a business — I wanted to build community. That’s why at our pottery school and studio, we welcome people from all over to slow down, get their hands dirty and create something beautiful in clay. Located between Downtown and the historic Barelas neighborhood, the studio has become more than just a place to create and learn. It’s become a gathering space — a place to make friends, unwind and feel a sense of connection.

A few years ago, I took the leap and started Asche Woodworking here in Wisconsin,
turning my passion for crafting custom furniture and cabinetry into a small business.
Like many entrepreneurs, I've learned that success depends on adapting to how
customers want to do business. In this day and age, that means accepting credit card
payments.

When new proposals that could affect how businesses manage operations and serve our customers come out of Washington, I pay close attention. One such proposal is the Durbin-Marshall Credit Card Mandates, also known as the Credit Card Competition Act.

As the proud owner of Appalachian Oddities, a small shop in the heart of Weston, I’ve built my business the way many small-town entrepreneurs have—through long hours, honest work, and, yes, access to credit. That’s why I’m deeply concerned about the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA), a bill being promoted under the guise of “lowering fees” but one that, in reality, threatens the financial foundation of small businesses and working families like mine.

New data from the Small Business Payments Alliance once again reaffirms the value of credit cards for small businesses. According to consumer surveys and research gathered over the first quarter of 2025, small businesses rely on credit cards to drive sales and expand growth. Small businesses also rely on electronic payments to protect against fraud and unlock e-commerce opportunities.