Step-by-Step Stripe Connect Setup
This guide walks you through the complete process of setting up Stripe Connect for your organization. Follow these steps to start receiving direct payouts and unlock advanced payment features.
Before You Begin
What You'll Need
For Express Accounts:- Basic business information (name, address, website)
- Bank account details
- Government-issued ID
- Tax identification number (SSN for personal, EIN for business)
- All Express requirements plus:
- Complete business documentation
- EIN (required for business accounts)
- Business registration documents
- Additional verification materials
Prerequisites
- Organization owner or admin access to MentorSimply
- Access to your email for verification
- Business or personal banking information
- About 10-30 minutes for setup
Step 1: Access Organization Settings
- Log in to your MentorSimply organization dashboard
- Navigate to the main menu and click Organization Settings
- Select the Billing tab from the settings menu
- Locate the Stripe Integration section
You should see a card titled "Stripe Integration" with the description "Connect your Stripe account to receive payouts and enable advanced features."
Step 2: Initiate Stripe Connection
- Click the "Set Up Stripe Connect" button
- The Stripe Account Setup dialog will open
- Review the setup options available to you
Step 3: Configure Basic Settings
Select Your Country
- Choose your country from the dropdown menu
- This determines:
- Available payment methods
- Compliance requirements
- Tax reporting obligations
- Payout currencies
Choose Business Type
Select the option that best describes your organization:
- Individual/Sole Proprietorship: You operate as an individual
- Company: You have a registered business entity
- Non-profit: You're a registered non-profit organization
- Government Entity: You're a government organization
Step 4: Choose Connection Type
You have two options for connecting to Stripe:
Option A: Create New Stripe Account (Recommended)
Best For: Organizations without existing Stripe accounts- Select "Create new Stripe account"
- Choose your account type:
- Express: Quick setup, fewer features
- Standard: Full features, longer setup
- Click "Continue"
Option B: Connect Existing Stripe Account
Best For: Organizations with existing Stripe accounts- Select "Connect existing Stripe account"
- Click "Continue"
- You'll be redirected to Stripe's OAuth flow
- Sign in to your existing Stripe account
- Authorize MentorSimply to access your account
Step 5: Complete Stripe Account Setup
For New Accounts (Express)
After clicking "Continue", you'll be redirected to Stripe's onboarding flow:
- Verify your email address
- Enter business information:
- Business name
- Business website (if applicable)
- Business description
- Provide personal details:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Phone number
- Address
- Add identification:
- Upload government-issued ID
- Provide SSN or EIN
- Set up banking:
- Bank account number
- Routing number
- Bank verification
For New Accounts (Standard)
Standard accounts require additional information:
- Complete all Express requirements (above)
- Business verification:
- Articles of incorporation
- Business license
- EIN verification
- Additional documentation:
- Financial statements (may be required)
- Ownership documentation
- Director/officer information
For Existing Accounts
- Review the permissions requested by MentorSimply
- Click "Authorize" to grant access
- Select which Stripe account to connect (if you have multiple)
- Confirm the connection
Step 6: Account Verification
Automatic Verification
Most accounts are verified automatically within minutes. You'll see:
- ā Email verified
- ā Identity verified
- ā Bank account verified
Manual Verification
Some accounts require manual review:
- Check your email for verification requests
- Upload additional documents if requested
- Wait for verification (typically 1-7 business days)
- Monitor your account status in the organization settings
Step 7: Verify Integration Status
After completing Stripe setup:
- Return to MentorSimply organization settings
- Check the Stripe Integration section
- Verify you see one of these statuses:
ā Connected Status
- Title: "Stripe Account Connected"
- Badge: Shows your account type (Express/Standard)
- Description: "Your organization is set up to receive payouts and process payments"
- Action: "Manage Stripe Account" button available
ā³ Pending Status
- Title: "Stripe Account Setup In Progress"
- Badge: Shows your account type
- Description: Details about pending verification
- Actions: "Continue Setup" and "Start Over" buttons
ā Error Status
- Title: "Stripe Account Connection Error"
- Description: Details about the issue
- Actions: "Retry Connection" or "Contact Support"
Step 8: Enable Advanced Features
Once connected, you can configure additional settings:
Zero Commission Mode
- Scroll to the "Commission Settings" section
- Check "Enable Zero Commission" checkbox
- Save your settings
Custom Commission Rate
- Enter your preferred commission rate (0-100%)
- This overrides the standard platform rate
- Save your settings
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Connection Timeout
Problem: Setup process times out or fails Solution:- Clear your browser cache and cookies
- Try using an incognito/private browser window
- Disable browser extensions temporarily
- Ensure JavaScript is enabled
Verification Delays
Problem: Account verification takes longer than expected Solution:- Check your email for additional document requests
- Ensure all uploaded documents are clear and valid
- Contact Stripe support for status updates
- Allow up to 7 business days for complex verifications
Document Rejection
Problem: Uploaded documents are rejected Solution:- Ensure documents are:
- Clear and readable
- Current and not expired
- Match the name on your account
- In accepted formats (JPG, PNG, PDF)
- Re-upload corrected documents
- Contact support if issues persist
Bank Account Issues
Problem: Bank account verification fails Solution:- Double-check account and routing numbers
- Ensure the account is in your name
- Use a business account for business entities
- Contact your bank to verify account status
Managing Your Integration
Updating Account Information
- Click "Manage Stripe Account" in organization settings
- You'll be redirected to your Stripe dashboard
- Update information as needed
- Save changes in Stripe
Disconnecting Your Account
ā ļø Warning: Disconnecting will stop all payouts and disable zero commission features.- Go to organization settings > Billing
- Click "Disconnect" in the Stripe Integration section
- Confirm the disconnection
- Optionally remove access in your Stripe dashboard
Switching Account Types
To change from Express to Standard (or vice versa):
- Disconnect your current account
- Set up a new account with your preferred type
- Complete the verification process
- Update any relevant settings
Next Steps
After successful setup:
- Configure Commission Settings
- Set Up Payout Schedules
- Monitor Payment Analytics
- Test Your Integration
Getting Help
Common Resources
- Stripe Dashboard: Manage your account and view documentation
- Organization Settings: Monitor integration status
- Email Notifications: Watch for verification updates
- Support Contacts: Get help when needed
Contact Support
MentorSimply Support:- Email: support@mentorsimply.com
- Include: Your organization name and account details
- Dashboard: Your Stripe account dashboard
- Email: Direct support through Stripe dashboard
- Documentation: stripe.com/docs