Business Credit Builder

From DUNS to $250k unsecured.

The exact sequence — entity, D&B PAYDEX, Net-30 tradelines, store cards, unsecured stacks, and SBA prep — that unlocks six-figure credit tied to your EIN, not your SSN.

Your progress

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Phase · Foundation

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Form an LLC or C-Corp

~1 weeks

Why: Business credit requires a legal entity separate from your SSN.

File Articles of Organization in a business-friendly state (WY, DE, NV, or your home state). Get an EIN from IRS.gov (free, instant).

~2 weeks

Why: Dun & Bradstreet is the primary business credit bureau — no DUNS = no PAYDEX score.

Apply free at dnb.com/duns (7–30 days). Confirm business name, address, and phone match your entity docs exactly.

Establish business-credit compliance

~2 weeks

Why: Lenders auto-decline businesses that fail these 12 fundability checks.

Dedicated business address (not PO Box), business phone listed in 411, business email on custom domain, business bank account, website, and matching NAICS code.

Open a business bank account + get bank rating

~12 weeks

Why: A Low-4 bank rating (avg daily balance $10k+ for 3 months) unlocks first credit lines.

Open at Chase, BofA, or a business-focused bank. Maintain $10k+ average daily balance for 90 days.

Phase · Tradelines

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Open 3 Net-30 vendor accounts

~4 weeks$500–2,000 each

Why: Net-30 vendors report to D&B — you need 3–5 reporting tradelines to build a PAYDEX score of 80+.

Apply with Uline, Grainger, Quill, Summa Office Supplies, Crown Office. Buy $50–100, pay in full BEFORE due date (not on it).

Hit PAYDEX 80

~8 weeks

Why: 80+ signals you pay on time. It's the gateway to store credit and unsecured business cards.

Wait 30–60 days after your third Net-30 reports. Check D&B credit report (free via CreditSignal).

Open 2–3 store credit cards (Tier 2)

~12 weeks$1,000–5,000 each

Why: Store cards report to business bureaus and expand your tradeline mix.

Amazon Business, Home Depot Commercial, Lowe's Business, Office Depot Business, Staples Business. Use 10–30% of limit and pay in full.

Phase · Growth

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Apply for cash/fleet cards (Tier 3)

~16 weeks$2,500–10,000

Why: Fuel and fleet cards report to Experian Business and boost utilization data.

Shell Small Business, BP Business Solutions, Wex Fleet. Then apply to Capital One Spark or Chase Ink Business (SSN + EIN combo).

Unsecured business credit cards ($5k–25k)

~24 weeks$5,000–25,000

Why: Real revolving credit — no personal guarantee for many issuers once PAYDEX + revenue are proven.

Amex Business, Chase Ink, Ramp, Brex, Divvy (Bill.com). Show 6+ months revenue and 5+ tradelines.

Business Line of Credit ($25k–100k)

~32 weeks$25,000–100,000

Why: A revolving LOC gives dry powder for deals without touching personal credit.

Bluevine, Fundbox, Kabbage, or your business bank. Requires 6–12 months revenue + Low-5 bank rating.

Phase · Leverage

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6-Figure Credit Stack

~40 weeks$100,000–250,000

Why: Stack 3–5 unsecured cards + LOC to fund a rental down-payment, business acquisition earnest money, or bridge capital.

Apply strategically across issuers in a 14-day window (soft-pull optimization). Target $150k+ total access.

SBA-Prep: 2 years of clean returns

~52 weeks

Why: SBA 7(a) unlocks $500k–5M at 10% down for business acquisition — the ultimate OPM play.

File 2 clean business tax returns, keep DTI <43%, personal credit 680+, and build 3+ years of business history.

Educational only. Business credit outcomes depend on your entity, revenue, and lender criteria. Confirm with your CPA and business banker before applying — every hard pull matters.