9-Week LLC Funding Readiness Plan

Week 1: LLC Foundation

  • ✅ File your LLC with the state (make sure name is funder-friendly, not “risky” like real estate investing, credit repair, cannabis, etc.).
  • ✅ Get your EIN from IRS.gov (free).
  • ✅ Draft and sign an Operating Agreement (even if single-member).
  • ✅ Create a secure, professional business email + phone number (Google Workspace or similar).

Week 2: Compliance Setup

  • ✅ Register with your state & local business licenses if required.
  • ✅ Open a virtual or physical business address (no PO Boxes).
  • ✅ List your business in 411 directory for funder verification.
  • ✅ Get a domain & professional website (simple landing page works).

Week 3: Banking & Financials

  • ✅ Open a business checking account (separate from personal).
  • ✅ Open a business savings account (shows financial responsibility).
  • ✅ Apply for a business debit card and start using it for expenses.
  • ✅ Set up bookkeeping software (QuickBooks, Wave, or Xero).

Week 4: Credit Profile Setup

  • ✅ Register your business with Dun & Bradstreet (D-U-N-S Number).
  • ✅ Check if Experian Business & Equifax Business have files.
  • ✅ Start monitoring with Nav or Credit Signal.
  • ✅ Add at least 1 vendor account that reports (e.g., Quill, Uline, Grainger).

Week 5: Tier 1 Vendor Credit

  • ✅ Open 3–4 Net 30 accounts with reporting vendors (Quill, Uline, Summa Office Supplies, Crown Office Supplies).
  • ✅ Place small orders ($50–$100) and pay before due date.
  • ✅ Track reporting to ensure accounts hit your business credit profile.

Week 6: Credit Building Expansion

  • ✅ Apply for Tier 2 vendors (Grainger, Strategic Network Solutions, etc.).
  • ✅ Apply for a business fuel card (WEX, Shell, or Fleetcor).
  • ✅ Begin using accounts consistently to build strong payment history.
  • ✅ Keep utilization low (<30%) and always pay early.

Week 7: Business Credit Cards

  • ✅ Apply for starter business credit cards (Capital One Spark, Divvy, Ramp, Sam’s Club Business MC).
  • ✅ If denied, apply for a secured business card (BBVA, Wells Fargo, or Brex alternative).
  • ✅ Use lightly and pay in full to build history.

Week 8: Funding Preparation

  • ✅ Review business credit scores (D&B PAYDEX 80+, Experian Intelliscore 76+, Equifax 90+).
  • ✅ Gather compliance docs in a Funding Binder:
    • Articles of Organization
    • EIN letter
    • Operating Agreement
    • Business license(s)
    • Bank statements (last 3–6 months)
    • Financials (P&L, balance sheet)
  • ✅ Clean up personal credit (if applying for PG cards/loans).

Week 9: Funding Applications

  • ✅ Apply for Tier 3 credit: Lowe’s, Home Depot, Amazon, Dell, Staples.
  • ✅ Apply for business lines of credit (local credit union, online lenders).
  • ✅ Apply for corporate credit cards (AmEx, Chase Ink, CitiBusiness).
  • ✅ If qualified: pursue funding options – SBA loans, term loans, equipment financing, or merchant cash advances depending on business model.

By the end of 9 weeks: your LLC will be structured, compliant, with active trade lines, a PAYDEX score, and positioned to get approvals for credit cards, lines of credit, and funding.