As a business owner, building credit is essential to the success of your company. It can help you obtain loans, establish credibility with suppliers, and even lower your insurance premiums. In the hair industry, having strong credit can be particularly important, as it can help you purchase inventory, pay for marketing campaigns, and expand your salon or product line. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best ways to build your hair business credit.

Understanding Business Credit Scores

Before you can start building your credit, it’s important to understand how credit scores work. Business credit scores are based on a variety of factors, including your payment history, the amount of credit you have available, and the age of your business. The most common credit score used by lenders is the FICO score, which ranges from 300 to 850. Generally, a score of 700 or higher is considered good, while a score below 600 is considered poor.

Steps to Build Your Hair Business Credit

1. Establish Your Business as a Separate Legal Entity

One of the first steps to building your hair business credit is to establish your business as a separate legal entity. This means incorporating your business as an LLC or corporation, which can help protect your personal assets from business debts and lawsuits. It also helps establish your business as a serious entity, which can make lenders more likely to extend credit.

2. Open a Business Bank Account

Once you’ve established your business as a separate legal entity, it’s important to open a business bank account. This will help you keep your personal and business finances separate, which is important for building credit. It will also give you a place to deposit checks and pay bills, which can help establish a payment history.

3. Obtain a DUNS Number

A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit number that is used to identify businesses. It is required by many lenders and suppliers, and can help establish your business as a legitimate entity. You can obtain a DUNS number for free from Dun & Bradstreet.

4. Apply for a Business Credit Card

One of the easiest ways to start building your hair business credit is to apply for a business credit card. Look for a card with a low interest rate and rewards program that matches your business needs. Use the card for small purchases and pay it off in full each month to establish a payment history.

5. Apply for a Business Loan

Once you’ve established a payment history with your business credit card, you may be ready to apply for a business loan. Look for lenders that specialize in hair industry loans, as they will be more familiar with the unique needs of your business. Be sure to have a solid business plan and financial projections in place to increase your chances of approval.

6. Establish Trade Lines

Another way to build your hair business credit is to establish trade lines with suppliers. This means purchasing products or services on credit from suppliers and paying them off on time. This can help establish a payment history and increase your credit score.

7. Monitor Your Credit Score

Finally, it’s important to monitor your business credit score on a regular basis. Look for errors or fraudulent activity, and dispute any inaccuracies with the credit reporting agencies. You can obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the major reporting agencies once per year.

Building your hair business credit is a crucial step in the success of your business. By following these steps, you can establish a solid credit history, which can help you obtain loans, establish credibility with suppliers, and grow your business. Remember to monitor your credit score regularly and make payments on time to maintain a strong credit profile.

How The NET 30 Can Help Help Your Business

Building your hair business credit is an essential step toward success. By establishing your business as a separate legal entity, opening a business bank account, obtaining a DUNS number, applying for a business credit card and loan, establishing trade lines, and monitoring your credit score, you can establish a solid credit history that can benefit your business in many ways. If you’re looking for a flexible and cost-effective way to establish credit with multiple vendors and suppliers, consider our product, The NET 30. It can help you build a separate business credit profile, which can lead to better loan terms, lower interest rates, and larger credit lines. Don’t wait any longer, take the first step towards building your business credit today.