Origin Story
Committed to each other, and to the merchants we serve, the KIS Payments team believes in doing what is right for the customer—all the time.
It’s this foundational value that has attracted top agents to our team and encouraged merchants from all across Canada to enjoy the benefits of switching to KIS Payments.
The KIS Payments Team
KIS Payments was formed when a few colleagues working in the payment processing industry—Michael, Jenn and Rick—recognized that Canadian merchants were being overcharged and under-serviced. Businesses were demanding simple payments and clear value in their payment processing, and so that’s what the KIS Payments founders set out to deliver!

Rick Owen
Co-founder, CEO
rick@kispayments.com
Rick has been involved in the Canadian payment processing industry for years, and has been a lifelong crusader for small businesses. He has both owned businesses (from publishing to construction companies), and also provided consultation to entrepreneurs on the basics of owning your own business. His experience on both sides of this coin, not only exposed him to the need for merchants to understand what exactly they’re paying for, but also how Merchant Processors capitalize on the confusion of merchants. This confusion often leads to thousands of dollars wasted annually. With unprecedented levels of client retention, he has been a top sales producer in the Merchant Processor industry. Rick, along with his wife, Heather, and family, enjoy life on Vancouver Island, BC.

Rob Larsen
COO, Marketing Director
rob@kispayments.com
Rob has spent over 20 years as a SME Business Consultant, helping a number of businesses launch and grow. His time has been spent in management, administration and marketing, getting his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, with a focus on marketing, in 1999. Rob sees small and medium businesses as the backbone of our communities, and loves to help them succeed using the philosophy of “Work Smart, and Hard”. Rob brings a wealth of management experience, from VP to CEO positions, as well as marketing in the high tech sector, education, advertising and business to business fields.

Marc Lapointe
VP of Sales and Partnerships
marc@kispayments.com
As National Sales Manager, Marc focuses on growing our client portfolio across Canada. Working with our sales team and our partners Marc is constantly looking for the best solutions and new technology to assist our customers. Spending nearly a decade in the Loyalty Retention Marketing business, Gift Card Industry and over 15 years in the automotive industry has given Marc a unique perspective on marketing and business development. He loves working with our diverse clients across various industries, meeting and helping business owners throughout Canada every single day allows Marc to keep learning and growing.
Marc holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Automotive Management from the Automotive Business School of Canada at Georgian College and a Masters of Business Administration (Honours) with a concentration in Management from Northwood University at their Montreux, Switzerland campus. Marc is also fully bilingual in English and Français.

Michael Spetko
Co-founder, VP of Business Development
michael@kispayments.com
Michael dedicates his talents to the outside playing field, where he coordinates and supports the KIS Payments team in all aspects of augmenting business and facilitating customer satisfaction. He spent over 35 years operating within corporate North America, working with top brands as a facilitator and senior manager. Michael’s primary focus now is bringing transparency to the credit and debit card industry, where he advocates the FACA and saves KIS Payments merchants thousands in annual revenue.

Jennifer Belik
Co-founder, Director of Administration
jenn@kispayments.com
Jennifer has been working in the Merchant Services industry for 5 years, helping business owners to evaluate their processing. She enjoys working with KIS clients to ensure they’re using the best solution based on how they want, and need, to accept card payments. Her goal is to reduce the frustration business owner’s experience when dealing with their processing; she does this by understanding what they’re paying for and providing them with an advocate when needed. In addition, Jennifer and her husband have 4 children who keep them on their toes. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a Concentration in Finance and a minor in Accounting.

Heather Makus
Comptroller
heather@kispayments.com
Heather spent close to 20 years as the Marketing and Public Education Director for The Vancouver Island Crisis Society. During her time as a supervisor there, she became a graduate of the Leadership BC Program sponsored by the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce. Prior to that, she was a partner in her own successful newspaper business, where she was recognized by the Athena “Women In Business” Awards as a finalist. Heather brings her many years of communication skills, customer service and business experience, to her role as Comptroller with KIS Payments.
We believe that every client...
Deserves to have their own Personal Payment Advisor.
Should only be charged based on a fully transparent interchange-plus pricing model.
Shouldn’t have to endure price increases for the processing of credit card payments.
Deserves to have up-to-date terminals, industry-leading technology, and other options that best fit their business.
Shouldn’t be tied down by obligations that could potentially hurt them and their business, such as cancellation fees.
“I was really excited to have a local company to support. Its always really nice to be able to do business with someone you meet in person instead of just talking to someone at a call centre. I would recommend KIS to other businesses, and I have here locally. Keep it Local!”
–Surf Sister
Tofino, BC
“We have known Martin for a number of years and found him to be a pleasant and efficient to deal with. The switch over to a different credit card provider went smoothly and without any downtime thanks to his expertise. I would highly recommend his services. I also appreciate that Martin is local and available in person if required.”
–Erwin Rietzler
Bayside Press
“It was Rick, Rick is very good. He’s a hands on person. He comes on it, if I have a problem, he’s here in a day or two. That’s a big thing here on the West Coast, be able to come out here, see your customers and that personal touch. I am a big huge loyalty person, so that’s why I’ve stuck with him. I have already recommended KIS to other businesses and continue to do so.”
–Blue Room Cafe
Ucluelet, BC
“We chose KIS because of Rick, came in person, got to talk about it, do everything in person. Better process than talking to other merchants. I have already referred KIS to half a dozen businesses in town.”
–Solidarity Snacks
Ucluelet, BC
“Previously, the only times I had to call for help (from a previous processor) it was quite a process – sit on the phone, wait for someone to help me, even with simple processes. With KIS even when setting up the machine, called the local help line and got the local rep. Martin was local and came right out to help. I have recommended KIS to other businesses and continue to do so.”
–Talon Signs
Victoria, BC
“Recently I spoke to one of your company’s representative Jennifer Belik. I wanted to send you a quick note to let you know how impressed I am with her services. Jennifer has helped me tremendously in understanding the concept behind merchant services and how it relates to small business operations… She is very patient and her customer services skills are impeccable.”
–Superior Dental Lab LTD.
Irmina Szpil