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Top 10 Business Credit Building Mistakes

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Building Business Credit Mistakes

Business Credit Building

 

While many small business owners realize the benefits of starting business credit there are many mistakes that are made in the business credit building process. I felt that compiling a list of the most common mistakes I’ve seen throughout the industry can serve as a helpful guide to you. Here they are…

Choosing the wrong entity structure

Selecting the right entity structure for your business is the most important step you can make. Not just from a business credit standpoint but also from a tax and asset protection standpoint as well.  In addition there are state filing fees, franchise fees, licenses, resident agent service and a host of other important factors to consider.

Selecting the wrong SIC code 

There are certain codes that the business credit bureaus and lenders tend to stay away from. These industries include real estate investing, car sales, adult entertainment, travel, lending, restaurants, and dry cleaners. When you classify your business be sure to stay away from these classifications.

Selecting the wrong NAICS code

If you plan on investing in real estate then you will want to make sure that the company you build credit on is not “real estate investing”. Most banks will automatically turn you down because this is a high risk category. You still will be able to invest in real estate but you may have to set up a business that does business development, business consulting, marketing & advertising, training and development, etc. and then operate your real estate investments from a separate division or company that does something else.

Using a home or cell phone number as a business phone number

There’s nothing wrong with using these phone numbers but when it comes to business credit building it does matter. Your number has to be listed in the 411 national directories and cell phones and VOIP as well as call forwarding numbers do not work.

Having inconsistent information on business documents

When you start business credit you must pay close attention to details. The information used to open your credit file must match the information you use on applications, documents, and filings.

Applying for credit with the wrong vendors

There are 500,000 vendors in the U.S. that extend credit to businesses but less than 6,000 report to the business credit bureaus. Too many make the mistake of believing that simply doing business with a vendor will result in establishing business credit. Not true!

Applying for credit with vendors that report slow

There are vendors who do report your payment history but only on a quarterly or even yearly basis. Time is of the essence so you have to make sure the vendor you apply with also reports to the business credit bureaus on a monthly basis!

Applying for personal credit cards disguised as business credit cards

Pay special attention to what a credit card application requires and what the terms and conditions are.  A credit card that reports only to your personal credit is not a true business credit card

Applying for business credit cards that do not report to the business credit bureaus

There are over 500 business credit cards available in the marketplace but less than 70 report your payment history to the business credit bureaus.

Not establishing an effective bank rating

A minimum of a low 5 bank rating is a must if you plan to apply for a line of credit or loan. You can achieve a low 5 rating with a $10k balance in your account.

To access a complete step by step business credit building system with insider secrets, premium vendors, leasing companies, business credit cards, and lenders that report to all the major business credit bureaus become a member of my Business Credit Insider’s Circle. Submit your name and email below for details and receive a free audio seminar ($597 value) =>

To Your Success!

 Marco Carbajo

About the Author

Marco Carbajo is a business credit specialist, author, speaker, and founder of the Business Credit Insider’s Circle. He is a weekly columnist for Dun & Bradstreet Small Business Solutions, a corporate credit blogger for All Business & American Express Small Business and author of “Eight Steps to Ultimate Business Credit” and “How to Build Business Credit with No Personal Guarantee.” His articles and blogs have also been featured in Business Week, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Tribune, Scotsman Guide, Alltop, Entrepreneur Connect, and Active Rain.  

Top 4 Reasons Not to Use Personal Credit for Business

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Business Credit Card picStatistics show that over 65% off all small businesses use credit cards on a regular basis; but the problem is less than half of those credit cards are actually in the business name. The others continue to use the owner’s personal credit cards for business transactions.

Using your personal credit, also known as you’re “Consumer Credit Profile,” instead of establishing Business Credit is a bad idea on many fronts.

 

Here are my ‘Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Not Use Personal Credit for Business.’

 

Reason 1

It impacts your personal debt to credit limit ratios, credit scores, and personal finance capacity for you and your family.

 

This reason alone has caused severe personal credit damage and liability to small business owners across the country who have lost their businesses due to the recession and have used personal credit and personal guarantees for all their business financing. Just ask Kirk Brown, owner of Buck’s Shoes in Fremont, who knows firsthand what using personal credit for business can do.

 

When you properly separate your personal credit from business credit the debt you accumulate for your business should only report to your business credit file not your personal credit file. More importantly you protect you and your family from personal liability when you get approved solely on your businesses’ credit file.

 
Reason 2

When you use your personal credit for the benefit or operation of the company it can lead to an “alter-ego” decision by regulatory or a financial organization, and a piercing of the corporate veil.

 

This would directly endanger the owner’s personal assets and make the owner or owners directly liable for the penalties or repayment of any debts incurred by the business or corporation.

 

It’s always a good idea to build business credit rather than abandon it through the co-mingling of funds–and this includes the “co-mingling” of credit profiles.

 

Many entrepreneurs believe that a corporation protects them because corporations are viewed as separate legal entities but you can jeopardize that protection when you use personal credit for the benefit or operation of your corporation!

 

Reason 3

Another disadvantage of using your personal credit in place of proper business credit is the fact that the use of personal credit for the operation of a company can make your company appear improperly funded or operated, or may incorrectly establish that your business credit is unstable, unreliable, or overextended.

 

Reason 4

Last but not least what might be perfectly normal and acceptable for a business credit profile, such as submitting multiple applications for business credit, can have a serious negative impact on personal credit because of what’s called excessive inquiries.

 

Solution:

Start building business credit for your corporation separate from your personal credit and improve your company’s image, protect you and your family’s assets, credit capacity, and personal liability.

 

Remember – To be prepared is half the victory. ~ Miguel De Cervantes

 

To Your Success!

 Marco Carbajo

About the Author

 sp_image-435950341-1242740704.pjpeg

Marco Carbajo is a business credit specialist, author, speaker, and founder of the National Entrepreneur Club.  Click here to visit his blog and signup free to get strategies, resources, and response-boosting tips with blog updates, news, and more! To start building business credit join his business credit community today and Click Here.

Business Credit Help that Can Make or Break You

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Business Credit Help

 

One of the mistakes that I see business owners make when attempting to build business credit is not paying attention to details. I want to provide you a business credit tip that can help improve your chances of getting approved for loans, credit cards, and  lines of credit for your business.

One small detail like choosing an SIC code in a high risk classification can mean your business being flagged as a high risk with the business credit bureaus. As a result every lender, creditor, or company that pulls your business credit report will see that you’re business is in a high risk classification.

As a result many lenders will automatically decline your application! In addition, Dun & Bradstreet will minimize the credit limit recommendation for your company on your DNB file which lenders take a close look at prior to extending credit to your business.

This short video will give you these high risk categories to stay away from so you can prevent your business from being placed in a high risk classification. If you haven’t selected an SIC code or NAICS code for your entity you will need to prior to setting up your Dun & Bradstreet file.

Don’t let a simple detail like this hurt your chances for obtaining the cash credit and financing your business needs and deserves.

Every business will at one point require an influx of cash in order to cover operating expenses, expansion costs, legal fees, inventory or a range of other items it may require in order to operate. 

Another major benefit for building business credit is you’re ability to have access to capital which provides the leverage you need to purchase additional income producing assets like other businesses, real estate, equipment and so on.

The worst mistake you can make is seeking funding when your business needs it most. Lenders extend cash credit lines to businesses that are not in high risk industries, don’t need the capital and have strong business credit ratings. Start digging your well before your business gets thirsty!

Ready to start building your business credit? Become a member of my Business Credit Insiders Circle and gain access to a proven step by step business credit building system? A system that provides you access to premium vendors, business credit cards, funding sources and lenders that report to all the major business credit bureaus. Submit your name and email below for details and receive a free audio seminar ($597 value) => 

About the Author

Marco Carbajo is a business credit expert, author, speaker, and founder of the Business Credit Insiders Circle. A business credit builder system helping business owners establish business credit with no personal guarantee. He is a weekly columnist for Dun & Bradstreet Small Business Solutions, a business credit blogger for All Business & American Express Small Business and author of “Eight Steps to Ultimate Business Credit” and “How to Build Business Credit with No Personal Guarantee.” His articles and blogs have also been featured in Business Week, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Tribune, Scotsman Guide, Alltop, Entrepreneur Connect, and Active Rain. 

Bad Credit Business Loan – Top 5 Solutions

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Bad Credit Business LoanDuring tough economic times many business owners are faced dealing with tough personal credit challenges.  As a result they have to resort to applying for bad credit business loans just to keep their businesses afloat regardless of the interest rate being charged.

 

Hard money lenders have no problem charging outrageous fees and interest rates for taking on the risk but there are alternatives to bad credit business loans.

 

Here are my Top 5 Solutions to Bad Credit Business Loans

 

Accounts Receivable Factoring

 Factoring is a form of finance used to finance commercial, consumer, and government accounts receivable. Typically, businesses factor their accounts receivable to improve and accelerate their cash flow. Businesses that factor their invoices (accounts receivable) sell their invoices to a factoring company, usually for anywhere between 95 to 99 cents on the dollar.

 

 Business Cash Advance

 An alternative to a traditional bad credit business loan, you can receive advance cash based off your future credit card sales (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and Debit Cards). There are no personal guarantees or collateral attached to the business advance. This allows you to have the working capital you need within 3 business days or less. There are no restrictions on how to use the money allowing you to grow your business hassle free.

 

 Business Asset Liquidation

While liquidation usually means you’re closing your business forever this can be a viable strategy to raise capital without actually closing your business. You may have equipment that you no longer use or other assets that can be sold off that can generate substantial capital for your business.

 

Personal Credit Restoration 

It’s not a shame to have bad credit because everyone at one time goes through challenges but it is a shame to keep it. Start repairing your bad credit immediately by either fixing it yourself or enrolling in a solid, reputable, and legal credit repair service.

 

Increase Credit Scores

In addition to credit restoration another strategy for solving a bad credit challenge is in improving your debt to credit utilization. You accomplish this by establishing higher credit limits with lower balances typically below 30%. When you have larger credit limits on personal and business credit reports new lenders that you apply to will tend to extend even larger credit lines.

 

Bad credit business loans do exist but before you decide to commit be sure to consider these options. If you do choose to apply or you are already in a high interest rate loan because of bad credit be sure to start restoring your personal credit. Once you improve your credit you can apply for a loan and obtain a much better rate. This will allow you to pay off the high interest rate loan and saving you thousands in interest.

 

Remember – Improve your business, your life, your relationships, your finances and your health. When you do the whole world improves. ~ Mark Victor Hansen

 

Instead of jeopardizing your personal credit and assets every time your company requires financing, you can use the business’ credit rating to secure the financing you need with even more favorable terms and lower interest rates.

 

Start your business credit today!

 

To Your Success!

Marco Carbajo

About the Author

sp_image-435950341-1242740704.pjpegMarco Carbajo is a business credit specialist, author, speaker, and founder of the National Entrepreneur Club.  Click here to visit his blog and signup free to get strategies, resources, and credit building tips with blog updates, news, and more! To start building business credit join his business credit community today and Click Here.

Start Business Credit : Top 10 Reasons Why

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Corporation picEntrepreneurs and small business owners who have a separate legal entity for their business have a unique opportunity that no other individual or sole proprietor has.

 

It’s the opportunity to start business credit by establishing a business credit profile that is completely separate from a personal credit profile. 

 

The main problem still facing today’s small business owner is fewer than 10 percent know about or truly understand how business credit is established and tracked-and how it affects their lives and businesses.

 

Statistics even show that over 65% off all small businesses use credit cards on a regular basis; but the problem is less than half of those credit cards are actually in the business name. The others continue to use the owner’s personal credit cards for business transactions.

 

Here’s what others are saying about the importance of starting business credit:

 

“The longer you delay establishing business credit,
the longer you delay taking advantage of business loans.”

~ Wells Fargo Bank

 

“You should differentiate your personal credit from your business credit.”

~ Entrepreneur Magazine

 

“Before you apply, you should examine your business credit reports.”

~ Inc Magazine

 

 

One of the key advantages of having business credit is instead of putting your personal credit and assets at risk every time your company requires financing you would now be in a position to secure the financing you need with your businesses’ credit.

 

Here is the ‘Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Start Business Credit Now.’

 

  1. Any debt you accumulate for the business would only report to your business credit file not your personal credit file.
  2. Eliminate the co-mingling of funds–and this includes the “co-mingling” of credit profiles so you won’t jeopardize the protection of the corporate veil.
  3. Protect you and your family from personal liability when you get approved solely on your businesses’ credit file.
  4. Improve your personal debt to credit limit ratios by transferring the balances of business debt used with your personal credit to your business credit.
  5. Eliminate personal liability you have on your existing business debt by balance transfer from personal credit to your business credit.
  6. Increase your personal credit limit availability for you and your family.
  7. Improve the appearance of your businesses’ funding capacity and stability.
  8. Eliminate inquiries on personal credit when applying for business financing.
  9. Increase your businesses’ ability to obtain cash credit 10 to 100 times greater then you can obtain personally.
  10. Last but not least you SAVE MONEY! For example, an individual might pay up to 13% interest on a $100,000 line of credit whereas a business could qualify for an interest rate of 7%. That would save you almost $40,000 in interest alone.

 

Some other benefits include:

 

  • Business credit cards have much higher limits than personal credit cards.
  • Having the larger cash lines available for unforeseen expenses like expansion, equipment, operations or fulfillment
  • Prevent the risk of damaging your personal credit
  • You can build business credit even if you have bad personal credit
  • Prevent the limits that lenders will impose on you for personal credit for you and your family’s needs
  • Reduce your tax burden and improve accounting

 

Still not convinced you need to start business credit?

 

CLICK HERE to listen to a free Business Credit Seminar ($597 Value)

 

Every business will at one point require an influx of cash in order to cover operating expenses, expansion costs, legal fees, inventory or a range of other items the business may require in order to operate. The worst mistake you can make is seeking funding when your business needs it most. Lenders extend cash credit lines to businesses that don’t need the capital. Start digging your well before your business gets thirsty!

 

If you ask any business owner how they financed their business start up the answers usually are:

  • Personal credit cards
  • Tapped into home equity line
  • Personal loan from the bank
  • Personal loan from family & friends
  • Private investors

One of the many risks that business owners face is using their personal assets as collateral or guarantee for business loans and financing. If the business owner defaults on a loan then, valuable items like a car, house, or bank account can be vulnerable to creditors’ claims.

 

Instead of jeopardizing your personal credit and assets every time your company requires financing, you can use the business’ credit rating to secure the financing you need with even more favorable terms and lower interest rates.

 

Start your business credit today!

 

To Your Success!

Marco Carbajo

About the Author

sp_image-435950341-1242740704.pjpegMarco Carbajo is a business credit specialist, author, speaker, and founder of the National Entrepreneur Club.  Click here to visit his blog and signup free to get strategies, resources, and credit building tips with blog updates, news, and more! To start building business credit join his business credit community today and Click Here.

 

 

 

  

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