Special Series: Focus. Build. Win. with Jim Oberman, CEO of Payroc | Episode 439

If you’ve ever tried to pivot a payments company from vendor sprawl to a product-led core, you know the hardest part isn’t the code - it’s the conviction. Greg Myers sits down with Payroc CEO Jim Oberman in the first episode in our three-part series titled Focus. Build. Win. to trace the inflection point that moved the company from relying on third parties to building and owning the core stack merchants now expect. We dig into the strategy behind choosing focus over FOMO, why omni and embedded experiences changed the rules, and how a disciplined product roadmap turned into a growth engine for partners and merchants alike.

Jim opens the playbook on capital allocation and scale: a two-pronged approach that combined careful acquisitions of mature distribution with targeted technology buys to accelerate the roadmap and extend globally. We talk about integrating WorldNet and BlueSnap, rebranding decisively, and the operating principle that all new business must board on the core platform. The result is a clear throughline from M&A to product to outcomes, including core-platform growth near 37% year over year while legacy assets provide the cash to fund tomorrow.

Execution is where it gets real. Jim shares how Payroc built a weekly cross-functional steering committee to avoid politics, return every debate to customer impact, and keep teams from chasing shiny objects. We explore the shift to vertical focus - unattended payments like vending, laundry, car wash, parking, and kiosks - where contactless demand is compounding. Data sits at the center, with a unified lake that reconciles to financials, enabling honest prioritization and faster, clearer decisions. 

We close with lessons learned and what’s next: helping founder teams let go without losing their spark, centralizing support even if it’s expensive, and keeping a “never again” list to avoid unwinnable arenas. The next chapter is about sales execution and taking global capabilities to mid-market clients that are ready to expand.