VendorPathways

Use strategic vendors to build real credit strength—measured, reportable, repeatable.

Business credit isn’t a mystery—it’s a system. Lenders want to see consistent activity with vendors who report, predictable payments, and a profile that matures over time. This pathway walks you from first tradelines to flexible limits without shotgun applications or unnecessary denials.

Step 1 — Foundation Before Credit

• Lock in the basics: EIN, business bank account, domain email, matching addresses, and a simple ledger.
• Align NAICS with what you actually do; high-risk codes can throttle approvals.
• Open a primary checking account and a secured biz card (if needed) to anchor history.

Step 2 — Starter Vendors (Net-30)

• Open 2–3 reporting vendor lines for routine supplies and services.
• Place small monthly orders; pay early. Request limit increases every 90 days.
• Track bureau reporting (D&B, Experian Biz, Equifax Biz) in a simple sheet.

Step 3 — Layering & Mix

• Add one installment account (equipment or fintech term) to diversify your profile.
• Graduate to store cards or fuel lines that fit your spend. Keep utilization < 20%.
• Every quarter: add 1 new account or increase limits on existing ones—not both.

Step 4 — Payment Discipline

• Set autopay reminders one week before due dates. Early payments score better than on-time.
• Avoid carrying balances on vendor lines; treat them as pass-through working capital.
• Dispute any reporting errors with documentation the same week you find them.

Step 5 — Data You Can Underwrite

• Keep 3 months of clean bank statements: positive average daily balance, no NSFs, stable deposits.
• File a one-page “credit profile summary” with tradelines, limits, terms, and bureaus that report.
• Tie spend to revenue: show how vendor financing shortens your cash conversion cycle.

Step 6 — Graduate to Revolving

• With 4–6 reporting accounts and on-time history, apply for a general-purpose biz card.
• Ask for reconsideration with your profile summary if denied; include updated limits and references.
• Use 1–2 cards strategically; keep statement balances low and pay multiple times per cycle.

Step 7 — Review, Raise, Replace

• Quarterly: request soft-pull increases on strong accounts; close non-reporting lines you don’t use.
• Annual: consolidate to vendors with better terms and consistent reporting.
• Document everything. Profiles with receipts and order history look lender-ready.

Want a custom pathway? We’ll map the exact vendors for your industry, set your cadence, and manage increases so your credit grows with your revenue.