Issue #037

Hey friend,

Are you still running business expenses through your personal credit card?

It might feel simple… maybe even earn you a few points.

But here’s the truth 👇

🚫 Why Mixing Business & Personal Credit Is Hurting You

It creates legal + tax messes:

• Weakens legal protection for your personal assets

• Makes bookkeeping harder (and riskier for missed deductions)

• Frustrates your tax pro—or yourself

💭 Heard This Before?

• Use secured business cards (e.g., Bank of America Business Secured)

• Use Experian Boost to improve personal credit

• Many starter cards don’t report to personal reporting agencies if paid on time

📉 You’re Not Building Business Credit

If you’re only using personal cards, lenders won’t see any business credit activity. That matters when applying for:

• Loans

• Higher credit lines

• Equipment financing

• Even a commercial lease

✈️ You’re Missing Out on Rewards

Let’s do the math:

• Personal card (1x): 15,000 points

• Business card (4x): 60,000 points

Same $15,000 in spend. One gets you economy, the other gets you business class.

Most business cards offer 3x–5x on categories like:

• Ads

• Software

• Travel

• Shipping

💼 Award Booking of the Week

🛫 Air France Business Class
Route: San Francisco (SFO) → Paris (CDG)
Cash Price: $8,153
Points Price: 60,000 miles + $240

How you book matters:
📍 Click here to get help booking with your points

📉 You’re Hurting Your Personal Score

Using your personal card for business spikes credit utilization, which can lower your FICO—even if you pay it off every month.

Lower scores =

• Higher interest rates

• Denied loans

• Fewer approvals for future credit cards

✅ The Simple Fix (That Pays Off Big)

Step 1: Get an EIN
(Think: your business’s Social Security Number)

Step 2: Open a Business Checking Account
This becomes your central hub. All business income + expenses should go through here.

👉 Compare top free business checking accounts on NerdWallet

Step 3: Get a Business Credit Card
Start with one solid card:

• Chase Ink Business Unlimited

• Amex Blue Business Plus

• Capital One Spark Miles or Cash

Use only for business purchases. Pay it off from your business account.

💡 Notes to Keep in Mind

• Most business cards require a personal guarantee

• High utilization on new business cards can temporarily lower your score

• Choose cards that report to commercial agencies like D&B or Experian Business

📈 Real Example: Maria’s $39K Win

Maria is a digital marketer spending ~$4K/month on ads—on her personal travel card.

One switch:
→ Got the Amex Business Gold

The result:

• Earned 4x points on ads

• Qualified for a $39,000 business line of credit within 6 months

• Booked a business class flight to Europe—entirely on points

🎯 One smart move. Three big wins.

⚡️ This Weekend’s Action Step

Take 5 minutes:

1. Pull your most recent personal credit card statement

2. Highlight all business-related charges

3. If you’re spending $500+/month — it’s time to switch

✅ Open a business checking account
✅ Apply for your first business card

That’s your launchpad to credit leverage.

📬 Want More Like This?

Every Friday, I send one high-leverage email with:

• Business credit strategies

• Award travel tips

• Funding & card sequencing tactics

🎁 Paid Subscriber Bonus This Week:
A deep dive on the top 3 starter business cards—includes credit reporting agency pulls and approval hacks.

💬 I Want to Hear From You

What’s the #1 thing stopping you from separating your finances?

Hit reply — I read every message.

– Ade O.
Your no-nonsense guide to funding your business, flying better, and living fully—week by week.

📎 Still Need Your Free Checklist?

Grab the Business Credit Foundation Checklist mentioned in your welcome email.
It outlines the essential steps to set your business up for credit + funding.

📥 Download Now