If you’re a business owner in 2025 wondering how to get funding without maxing out your personal credit or playing credit card roulette, you’re not alone. In this episode of the Money Ripples Podcast, Chris Miles interviews Amanda Webster, a top authority in business credit and funding, to break down how to build real business credit, avoid common funding myths, and finally become “bankable.”
What Most Business Owners Get Wrong About Business Credit
Many entrepreneurs believe their personal credit score will automatically help them access business funding. Not true. Business credit is a different beast. Unlike personal credit, your business doesn’t automatically get a score with your EIN. You need to register, build, and maintain your business credit profile actively.
Amanda shares that business credit has three key components:
- Business Credit Cards (with or without personal guarantees)
- Vendor Trade Lines (aka corporate credit)
- Business Loans/Lines of Credit
Each has different rules, requirements, and timelines. And most importantly: applying the wrong strategy at the wrong time can damage your credit profile instead of helping you.
Personal Guarantees: Not the Devil They’re Made Out to Be
A major misconception floating around social media is that you can get huge business lines with no personal guarantee right away. In reality, unless your business is making $50K to $100K per month with a solid credit history, you will need a personal guarantee.
That doesn’t mean your personal credit takes the hit. As Amanda explains, your personal guarantee is like a backup promise. The debt stays on your EIN unless you default. So if you’re a responsible borrower, there’s little downside.
The Myth of Credit Card Stacking and 0% Balance Transfers
You’ve probably seen influencers promoting “credit card stacking” to build instant business credit. While this can work short term, it often results in:
- Damaged personal credit
- Unsustainable interest costs
- Over-leveraging with no ROI
Business credit cards are best used for short-term projects that create quick ROI. Amanda emphasizes: “Just because you get $50K doesn’t mean you spend $50K.” Use the funds wisely. Don’t treat credit cards like emergency cash or long-term capital.
What Banks Are Really Looking For
Want to look sexy to banks? Then consistency is key.
Here are Amanda’s pro tips:
- Use the same business name and address across all documents
- Open accounts with major banks even if you prefer credit unions
- Keep your business and personal spending separate
- Build relationships with underwriters through personal and business accounts
As Chris notes, “Bank money is available when you want it, not when you need it.”
What Lending Options Exist If You’re Brand New?
If you’re in your first two years of business and don’t have large receivables, your best options are:
- Business Credit Cards (used wisely)
- Corporate Vendor Lines (like Home Depot, Staples, etc.)
- Grant funding (if applicable to your industry)
These tools help you build credit and relationships, laying the groundwork for larger business loans or lines in the future.
The Ripple Effect of Responsible Funding
Amanda’s ripple effect? Teaching. Whether it’s helping a divorcing client rebuild their credit or guiding a young entrepreneur toward responsible lending, her passion lies in equipping people with real financial tools.
At Money Ripples, we believe the same: As you’re blessed financially, you have a greater capacity to bless the lives of others.
If you’re ready to become truly bankable and want expert help setting up your business credit the right way, check out: fundandgrow.com/moneyripples