How to Use Business Credit to Fund Real Estate, Inventory, or Marketing

You know that feeling when your business is ready to grow, but the money just isn't there? You may have spotted the perfect property to expand into or found a marketing strategy that could bring in a wave of new customers. But without the right funding, all of that stays out of reach.

Lenders and vendors won't just take your word for it—they want to see how your business handles money. That's what your business credit profile shows. It's like a track record that highlights how often you pay on time, how much credit you're using, and how long your accounts have been open. Your credit score works alongside it to show how reliable your business is when it comes to borrowing and repayment.

If you've ever had to pull from your own savings to cover business expenses or been turned down for a loan, strengthening your business credit could make all the difference. Let's discuss how you can build and use business credit to fund your business in detail!

Key Takeaways

• Business credit lets you fund your company without using personal savings.
• A strong business credit profile helps you qualify for higher limits and better terms.
• Unsecured business credit means you don't need to put up collateral.
• Fund&Grow can help you access up to $250,000 in credit at 0% interest for 6–18 months.
• Using business credit the right way helps you grow faster and stay in control of your cash flow.

What Is Business Credit and How Does It Work?

Business credit is a way to borrow money in your company's name, not your own. It's tied to your business's EIN and shows how well your company manages borrowed funds. Just like personal credit, it's built over time through responsible use.

Credit agencies like Dun&Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax track your activity and assign your business a credit score. This score helps lenders, suppliers, and even landlords decide if they should extend credit or offer better terms.

A strong business credit score can unlock higher credit limits, lower interest rates, and better financing options—all without relying on your personal credit. That means more freedom to grow your business without putting your personal finances at risk.

Using Business Credit to Invest in Real Estate

Real estate can be one of the smartest ways to grow your business, but it's also one of the most expensive. Now, business credit cards can’t be used to directly purchase real estate. But there’s a workaround many of our clients use successfully. 

Third-party services like Plastiq or Bill.com allow you to use your business credit card to send payments via check, ACH, or wire transfer. You simply enter the payment details, choose the card you want to use, and they handle the transaction, for a small processing fee.

This approach lets you:

• Cover down payments or renovation costs
• Pay contractors and vendors
• Manage holding costs during a flip or new build
• Keep your personal credit protected

Many of our clients have used this exact strategy to break into real estate faster and with less stress.

Using Business Credit to Buy Inventory

Running out of inventory when demand is high can cost you more sales and even damage your reputation. On the other hand, overstocking without enough cash flow can leave you stuck with products you can't move. That's why having access to business credit is a game-changer.

With a revolving business credit line or a 0% APR business credit card, you can restock quickly without waiting for revenue to catch up. You get the inventory you need now, then pay it off gradually as the products sell. This is especially helpful during seasonal spikes, product launches, or when you're scaling operations.

Using Business Credit for Marketing Expenses

Getting the word out about your business takes money, especially if you're running paid ads, hiring a marketing agency, or launching a new product. Marketing often comes with upfront costs, and the return isn't always immediate.

To solve this problem, you can use a 0% interest business credit card or a revolving credit line to fund campaigns, pay for branding, or test new marketing channels without draining your cash reserves. Many business credit cards even offer rewards or cash back on ad spend, so you're earning while you grow.

Let's say you want to invest in Facebook ads, hire a copywriter, or run a Google Ads campaign. Instead of pushing it off until "later," you can use business credit to launch now and pay it back as the leads and sales come in.

Plus, marketing works best when you stay consistent, and having access to credit means you don't have to stop mid-campaign because of tight cash flow. You can keep your momentum and scale faster with less financial stress.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Business Credit

One of the biggest ones is mixing personal and business credit. While using your personal cards to cover business expenses might seem easier at first, it puts your personal credit at risk and makes it harder to track your business finances.

Another mistake is maxing out your credit limits. High credit usage can hurt your business credit score, even if you pay on time. Try to keep your utilization below 30% to show lenders you're managing credit responsibly.

It's also common to apply for credit before your business is truly ready. If you don't have a solid credit profile, like trade accounts, on-time payments, and a registered EIN, you might get denied or approved for less than you need.

Lastly, not monitoring your business credit reports regularly is a missed opportunity. Errors happen, and staying on top of your score helps you catch problems early and fix them fast.

How Fund&Grow Can Help You Get Started

If you've ever felt stuck because your business doesn't have enough cash to grow, you don't have to wait for revenue to catch up or rely on personal savings to make big moves.

We help entrepreneurs and small business owners access up to $250,000 in unsecured business credit cards without putting their personal assets on the line. Our team walks you through the entire process, from setting up your business profile to applying for high-limit business credit cards that come with 0% interest for up to 18 months.

You don't need perfect credit to get started, and you don't have to figure it out on your own. We've helped thousands of businesses use credit to invest in real estate, restock inventory, launch marketing campaigns, and scale faster than they thought possible.

If you're ready to stop bootstrapping and start growing with real funding power, Fund&Grow can help you take that next step. Contact us now to get started!

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you use business credit for?

Business credit can be used to cover almost any expense related to running or growing your business. This includes real estate, inventory, marketing, payroll, equipment, software, and more. The key is to use it for things that will generate a return or move your business forward.

How does business credit work?

Business credit works like personal credit, but it's tied to your company's EIN instead of your Social Security number. You build it by opening accounts in your business's name, paying on time, and keeping balances low. Lenders and credit bureaus track this history to determine your business's creditworthiness.

How long before you can use business credit?

If your business is properly set up, you can start building and using business credit within a few months. This includes registering your business, getting an EIN, and opening accounts that report to business credit bureaus. Fund&Grow can speed up the process so you can access usable credit faster.

How to properly use a business line of credit?

Only draw what you need, keep your balance manageable, and always pay on time. Use the credit to fund growth, like buying inventory, covering seasonal dips, or launching marketing campaigns, not for unnecessary spending. Treat it like a tool, not a backup plan.

About the Author:

Ari Page is the Founder and CEO of Fund&Grow, helping entrepreneurs, investors, and small business owners secure up-to $250,000 in 0% interest business credit cards. Since 2007, he has grown Fund&Grow into an Inc. 5000 company, securing nearly $2 billion in business credit cards for thousands of clients. With 6,000+ 4.9-star reviews and an A+ BBB rating, Fund&Grow is a trusted leader in business funding. Ari is also the author of Fund&Grow: Easy & Affordable Ways to Get Money for Your Business and a passionate advocate for mindset, success, and the Law of Attraction. He lives in Spring Hill, FL, inspiring others to grow their businesses and achieve financial freedom.