Building business credit from scratch can seem overwhelming, but with a structured approach, you can establish a solid credit foundation in just 90 days. This comprehensive action plan will guide you through every step, from day one to day ninety, ensuring you build business credit the right way.

A structured 90-day approach can establish strong business credit from scratch

Pre-Plan Preparation (Week 0)

Before embarking on your 90-day business credit building journey, it’s essential to have your business foundation properly established. This preparation phase is crucial because attempting to build credit without proper business infrastructure will lead to delays, rejections, and wasted effort.

Essential Business Foundation

You must have a properly formed business entity (LLC or Corporation), an EIN from the IRS, a business bank account, a verifiable business address, a dedicated business phone number, and a professional business email address. The IRS website provides detailed guidance on obtaining an EIN, which is essential for separating your business and personal finances.

If you don’t have these foundational elements in place, complete them first before starting the 90-day plan. Attempting to build credit without proper business infrastructure is like trying to build a house without a foundation—it simply won’t work effectively.

Phase 1: Foundation Building (Days 1-30)

The first 30 days focus on establishing your business credit foundation

Week 1: Business Setup and Registration

The first week is critical for establishing your business credit profile with the major credit bureaus. This foundation work will enable all future credit building activities.

Days 1-2: Register with Credit Bureaus

Your first priority is registering with Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), the most widely used business credit bureau. Create your D-U-N-S number, which serves as your business’s unique identifier in the credit system. Verify all business information is accurate and consistent, then set up a D&B CreditBuilder account to monitor your progress. The D&B website provides comprehensive resources for getting started.

Days 3-4: Business Information Verification

Consistency is crucial in business credit building. Ensure your business name appears identically across all platforms, verify your business address with USPS, confirm your phone number is properly listed, and ensure your business email address is professional and active. Any inconsistencies can delay credit building or cause rejections.

Days 5-7: Initial Vendor Accounts

Start establishing trade references by applying for vendor accounts with companies that report to credit bureaus. Begin with Uline for shipping supplies, Quill for office supplies, and Grainger for industrial supplies. These companies are known for reporting payment history to credit bureaus, making them ideal for building your initial credit profile. Start with small orders to establish accounts and begin building payment history.

Week 2: Banking and Financial Setup

Proper banking setup is essential for business credit building

Days 8-10: Business Banking

Establishing a strong banking relationship is crucial for business credit building. Open a business checking account with a bank that offers business credit products, set up a business savings account for cash reserves, order business checks for professional transactions, and set up comprehensive online banking. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) provides guidance on choosing the right bank for your business needs.

Days 11-14: Financial Documentation

Proper financial documentation is essential for credit applications and business growth. Create comprehensive business financial statements, set up an accounting system like QuickBooks or Xero, establish consistent bookkeeping procedures, and document all business expenses meticulously. This documentation will be crucial when applying for credit and loans.

Week 3: First Credit Applications

Strategic credit card applications are key to building business credit

Days 15-17: Secured Credit Card

Start with secured credit cards to establish initial credit history. Apply for Wells Fargo Business Secured or Bank of America Business Advantage Secured, make the required security deposit, and activate the card when received. Secured cards are easier to qualify for and help build credit history that will qualify you for unsecured cards later.

Days 18-21: Business Credit Card

Apply for your first unsecured business credit card. Consider the Capital One Spark Classic or Discover it Business Card, both of which are designed for new businesses. Use your business information consistently across all applications, and wait patiently for approval and activation. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) provides resources on understanding credit card terms and conditions.

Week 4: Initial Credit Usage

Days 22-24: First Purchases

Begin using your credit cards strategically for business expenses. Make small, regular purchases using both secured and unsecured cards, keep your utilization below 30% of available credit, and document all purchases for tax and credit building purposes. This usage pattern demonstrates responsible credit management to lenders.

Days 25-28: Payment Setup

Establish automated payment systems to ensure timely payments. Set up automatic payments for at least the minimum amount due, create a payment calendar to track due dates, set up payment reminders, and monitor account balances regularly. Timely payments are the most important factor in building good credit.

Days 29-30: Week 4 Review

Conduct a comprehensive review of your first month’s progress. Check the status of all credit applications, review your payment schedules, plan for the next month’s activities, and document your progress. This regular review process helps identify what’s working and what needs adjustment.

Phase 2: Credit Building (Days 31-60)

Week 5: Vendor Credit Expansion

Day 31-33: Additional Vendor Accounts

• Apply for Staples Business account
• Apply for Office Depot Business account
• Apply for Amazon Business account
• Make small purchases to establish accounts

Day 34-37: Credit Monitoring

• Check D&B credit report
• Monitor Experian Business
• Review Equifax Business
• Dispute any errors found

Week 6: Credit Card Optimization

Day 38-40: Credit Card Usage

• Use cards for regular business expenses
• Keep utilization between 10-30%
• Make payments on time
• Track all expenses

Day 41-44: Payment History Building

• Ensure all payments are on time
• Pay more than minimum if possible
• Monitor payment due dates
• Set up payment alerts

Week 7: Additional Credit Lines

Day 45-47: Second Credit Card

• Apply for second business credit card
• Consider American Express Blue Business Cash
• Or Chase Ink Business Unlimited
• Use different business information if needed

Day 48-51: Vendor Credit Usage

• Use vendor accounts regularly
• Make purchases on net terms
• Pay invoices on time
• Build payment history

Week 8: Credit Score Monitoring

Day 52-54: Credit Report Review

• Check all three business credit bureaus
• Review personal credit impact
• Identify areas for improvement
• Plan next month’s strategy

Day 55-58: Credit Utilization Management

• Keep total utilization below 30%
• Pay down high balances
• Use cards strategically
• Monitor credit limits

Day 59-60: Month 2 Review

• Assess credit building progress
• Review payment history
• Plan for final month
• Adjust strategy if needed

Phase 3: Credit Optimization (Days 61-90)

Week 9: Credit Limit Increases

Day 61-63: Request Credit Limit Increases

• Contact credit card companies
• Request increases on existing cards
• Provide updated business information
• Document all requests

Day 64-67: Additional Vendor Accounts

• Apply for more vendor accounts
• Consider industry-specific suppliers
• Build diverse credit mix
• Establish payment terms

Week 10: Credit Score Improvement

Day 68-70: Credit Report Optimization

• Ensure all information is accurate
• Dispute any errors found
• Update business information
• Monitor score improvements

Day 71-74: Payment History Optimization

• Maintain perfect payment history
• Pay all bills on time
• Consider early payments
• Build positive payment patterns

Week 11: Final Credit Applications

Day 75-77: Premium Credit Cards

• Apply for higher-tier business cards
• Consider American Express Business Gold
• Or Capital One Spark Cash Plus
• Use established credit history

Day 78-81: Business Loan Preparation

• Research business loan options
• Prepare loan applications
• Gather financial documents
• Plan for future funding needs

Week 12: Final Review and Planning

Day 82-84: Credit Score Assessment

• Check final credit scores
• Review all credit reports
• Assess credit building success
• Plan for ongoing maintenance

Day 85-87: Future Planning

• Set goals for next 90 days
• Plan for credit expansion
• Consider business growth funding
• Develop ongoing credit strategy

Day 88-90: 90-Day Review

• Complete final assessment
• Document all achievements
• Plan for long-term credit building
• Celebrate your success!

Daily Tasks Checklist

Every Day

• Check business bank account balance
• Monitor credit card balances
• Review payment due dates
• Track business expenses

Every Week

• Make credit card payments
• Use vendor accounts
• Check credit reports
• Update financial records

Every Month

• Review all credit reports
• Assess credit building progress
• Plan next month’s strategy
• Update business information

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge: Credit Applications Denied

Solution:

• Wait 30 days between applications
• Improve personal credit score
• Start with secured cards
• Build vendor credit first

Challenge: Low Credit Limits

Solution:

• Use cards regularly
• Pay balances in full
• Request limit increases
• Build payment history

Challenge: Slow Credit Building

Solution:

• Be patient and consistent
• Use all available credit
• Make payments on time
• Monitor progress regularly

Challenge: High Interest Rates

Solution:

• Pay balances in full
• Build credit history
• Qualify for better cards
• Negotiate with lenders

Success Metrics

30-Day Goals

• D-U-N-S number obtained
• First vendor account established
• First credit card approved
• Payment history started

60-Day Goals

• Multiple vendor accounts active
• Second credit card approved
• Payment history established
• Credit reports showing activity

90-Day Goals

• Business credit score 70+
• Multiple credit cards active
• Vendor credit established
• Ready for business loans

The Bottom Line

Building business credit in 90 days is absolutely achievable with the right strategy and consistent execution. The key is to start early, be consistent, and follow the plan systematically.

Remember, this is just the beginning of your business credit journey. After 90 days, you’ll have a solid foundation to build upon, but credit building is an ongoing process that requires continued attention and maintenance.

Start today, follow the plan, and watch your business credit grow. Your future self—and your business’s success—will thank you for taking this crucial step.

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Ready to take your business credit to the next level? Learn how to optimize your credit strategy with our guide: “Understanding DUNS Numbers and Business Credit Bureaus” to maximize your credit building efforts.