Step 1: Set Up Your Business the Right Way

If your business is still looking like a side hustle on paper, lenders won’t take it seriously. Here’s what you need:

 An LLC or Corporation – Sole proprietors, I love you, but lenders? Not so much. Get your business properly registered.

 A Business Bank Account – Mixing personal and business funds? Stop it. Open a separate account.

 A Dedicated Business Phone & Address – A Google Voice number works. A virtual business address? Even better.

 An EIN (Employer Identification Number) – It’s like a Social Security Number, but for your business. Get it free from the IRS.

Lenders want to see that your business is legit. These steps tell them you’re not just running an Etsy shop out of your garage (which, no shame—Etsy entrepreneurs are killing it).

Step 2: Get Your Business Listed (So Lenders Can Find You)

You know how some businesses just exist but aren’t really on the map? That’s a red flag for lenders.

 Make sure your business is listed on:

Dun & Bradstreet (D&B)

Experian Business

Equifax Business

Credit Master AI (helps track your business credit score and Helps to Get More Credit)

Dun & Bradstreet will give you a DUNS number—this is like your business credit ID. It’s free, and some lenders won’t even consider you without it.

Step 3: Start with Net-30 Vendor Accounts

This is where the magic happens. A Net-30 account means you buy something now, and you have 30 days to pay. Pay on time (or early), and they report to business credit bureaus.

Here are some easy-approval vendors that report to business credit:

Uline (office & shipping supplies)

Grainger (industrial supplies)

Quill (office supplies)

Crown Office Supplies

You don’t even have to need their stuff—buy some office supplies, printer paper, or whatever just to get the credit history going. 

Pro Tip: Pay these invoices EARLY. Some vendors only report positive payments made before the due date.

Step 4: Get a Business Credit Card (No PG Required)

Now that you’ve got some vendor credit history, it’s time to level up.Here are a few business credit cards that don’t require a personal guarantee (yes, they exist!):

 Brex – No PG, but you need a healthy bank balance.

Divvy – Expense management + business credit.

Ramp – Great for startups, but high requirements.

Sam’s Club Business Mastercard – If you shop at Sam’s, this one’s worth looking into.

A lot of these fintech lenders approve based on your business cash flow instead of personal credit.

Step 5: Secure Higher Credit Lines & Business Loans

Once you have six months of good business credit history, you can go after higher-tier accounts.

 Store Credit Cards – Amazon Business, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Best Buy (these usually have no PG after 6-12 months of good business credit).

Fleet Cards – Fuel cards like Shell, BP, or WEX.

Business Lines of Credit – With strong business credit, you can get a line of credit from a bank—no personal guarantee required! At this point, you’ve built a strong enough foundation that banks, suppliers, and lenders trust your business to handle credit responsibly.

Final Thoughts: Be Patient, Be Consistent

Look, I get it. Everyone wants “instant business credit” with no personal guarantee. But credit is like trust—it takes time to build.

 If you follow these steps, within 6-12 months, you’ll have a rock-solid business credit profile that unlocks funding, major supplier accounts, and real financial freedom.

 And the best part? Your personal credit stays untouched. No sleepless nights over maxed-out cards. No personal liability if things go sideways. Just a business that stands on its own financial feet.

Now go get that business credit