The biggest myth in business credit is that you walk into a bank and ask for it. You don't. You start at the bottom of a ladder most people never see — with vendors.
What “Net-30” actually means
A Net-30 vendor lets you buy now and pay in 30 days. The part that matters: the good ones report that you paid on time to the business credit bureaus. That reported history is what builds your file. An account that doesn't report does nothing for your credit.
Rung one: open 3–5 that report
Not every vendor reports, so choose ones that do — office, shipping, and marketing suppliers are common starters. Buy something small you'd buy anyway, and pay it early. Early beats on-time.
Then let it age
The classic mistake is reaching for bigger credit too fast. Let those first accounts age and report for 30–60 days before you climb. There are no shortcuts here that don't show up as a denial later.
Climb in order
Net-30 vendors → business store cards → fleet/gas accounts → business cash & credit cards → bank lines and SBA (gated on revenue). Each rung reports, and each one qualifies you for the next.
This is Phase 5 of the 35 Fundable Tasks, and it's the rung most people skip. Climb it in order and funding stops being luck.
