You’ve probably landed here because you’re thinking about hiring a business credit coach. In most small business owner/startup scenarios, we recommend you do because business credit can help you obtain the working capital you need to improve, grow, and scale your operations. But, before you take the leap, you need to know a few things including alternative options and what to expect.
Here, you’ll learn everything you need to consider before you hire a business credit coach. This is what’s covered:
- What is Business Credit?
- What are Your Alternatives for Business Capital?
- What is a Business Credit Coach and How Can They Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Are You Ready to Pull the Trigger?
What is Business Credit?
Business credit refers to a company’s ability to access credit cards, lines of credit, and loans. It is based on the business’ creditworthiness, which is typically determined by a business credit score. Business credit bureaus and business divisions within consumer credit bureaus measure business credit separately from personal credit.
Recommended: This is How to Build Business Credit Fast [Step-by-Step Guide]
What are Your Alternatives for Business Capital?
Most small US businesses are launched and operated using personal capital, which includes personal cash, savings, and credit. Business credit frees up more opportunities for growth. But, it’s not your only option. You should know what alternatives are available before you invest in something you might not necessarily need.
So, here’s a quick list of your options and summaries of what each entails.
- Personal debt financing – A high FICO score through consumer credit bureaus can give business owners access to personal loans, lines of credit, and credit cards that can be used to fund business ventures. Funding amounts are typically lower than with business credit.
- Working capital loans & merchant cash advances – Short-term loans can be accessed through certain lenders based on business income or accounts receivable for urgent funding needs. Interest rates and fees are usually especially high.
- Venture capital (VC) & angel investing – Funding can be obtained through private investors and VC firms. In most cases, these investors take partial ownership over the business, or at least a share of future profits, in exchange for funding.
Business credit is the only funding option (aside from reinvesting profits) that helps owners maintain freedom and control over their business with reasonable costs and is not limited by personal credit.
What is a Business Credit Coach and How Can They Help?
Now, what do credit coaches do? A business credit coach will learn about your current financial situation and hear your struggles. They will help you set business credit goals and lay out a plan for you to achieve them. A good coach will then help you take the steps needed to get to the end goal and help you overcome any obstacles that you might encounter along the way.
From establishing your business properly to getting business credit-ready and obtaining large lines of credit, capable business credit coaches know the ins and outs of the business credit world. They can help you ensure that you file the right paperwork, stay in compliance with regulations, and tell you when and how you need to take action.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Before we wrap up, let’s take a look at brief answers to some of the most common questions that I hear from my business credit coaching clients.
- Can you repair business credit?
- Yes, as with consumer credit, business credit restoration can help you improve your credit score and increase your business’ creditworthiness.
- Can you get business credit with an LLC?
- Yes, you can get business credit with an LLC or any other corporation. In some cases, you can get business credit with Sole Proprietorships, but we always recommend that our clients establish their company as a corporation.
- Can I use my EIN to apply for credit?
- Yes, many business credit applications ask for an EIN. We also teach how to actually get business credit with just an EIN.
- Is business credit linked to personal credit?
- Yes, most (not all) business credit lenders require a guarantor who will be responsible to repay the debt if a business fails to do so. The guarantor on a business line of credit, loan, or credit card is usually the owner… but not always.
Are You Ready to Pull the Trigger?
At Business Credit Workshop, we’re not like some of the other coaches. There are a few ways that we go above and beyond for our clients. For example, we have a large database of thousands of local community banks and credit unions that offer business credit. And, we have interviewed every one of them.
Next, we have a support system made up of Business Credit Workshop students and clients. In our network, those seeking business credit help each other out. Here, you can learn from real people who are actually seeing success.
Finally, we use a trusted 7-step process to get clients $500K+ in business credit without ever having to walk into a bank. If you’ve made it this far and you’re 100% certain that you’re ready to pull the trigger, complete your business credit coaching application today.