This deck features tips about way to grow your small business and position it for success from Brian Ward- Senior Director for Experian Business Information Services, Meredith Wood- Editor-in-Chief for Fundera, Gerri Detweiler- Head of Marketing Education for Nav, Ebong Eka- C.P.A., Business Coach, Strategist and Bestselling Author of Start Me Up, Tom Gazaway- President of LenCred.

1. How to Grow Your Small Business
#BizSmallTalk

2. Experian_US hosted a #BizSmallTalk with influencers in
the small business community.
They shared some great tips on growing your small
business and positioning it for success.
ex.pn/bizchat

3. #BizSmallTalk
What should entrepreneurs know
before starting a business?

4. #BizSmallTalkBrian D. Ward
@Brian_D_Ward
Start managing and building a
strong business credit profile to help
you obtain necessary funding.

5. #BizSmallTalkMeredith Wood
@Mere_Wood
Get financial help from day one.
Investing in a bookkeeper or
accountant will be one of the best
decisions you make.

6. #BizSmallTalkBrian D. Ward
@Brian_D_Ward
Act like a business. Open business bank
accounts in your legal business name.

7. #BizSmallTalk
How can a small business owner
establish a business credit score?

8. #BizSmallTalk
You must get credit or accounts
with companies that report to
business credit agencies.
Gerri Detweiler
@gerridetweiler

9. #BizSmallTalkBrian D. Ward
@Brian_D_Ward
Open commercial accounts with
lenders and suppliers that report to
Experian.

10. “It’s an ideal situation when you get to
#BizSmallTalk
do work that you are passionate about.”
Experian SMB
@experiansmb
-Brian Ward

11. #BizSmallTalk
Make sure you are being responsible
with those trade lines. Always pay on
time - even better if early.
Meredith Wood
@Mere_Wood

12. #BizSmallTalk
What steps should a small business owner
take before applying for a business loan?

13. #BizSmallTalkBrian D. Ward
@Brian_D_Ward
Owners should check their credit
reports (both commercial and
consumer) and understand what
they mean.

14. “There are a number of factors that
#BizSmallTalk
contribute to your business credit score,
Experian SMB
@experiansmb
so the earlier you start, the better.”
- Brian Ward

15. #BizSmallTalkBrian D. Ward
@Brian_D_Ward
Leverage tools such as Experian’s
Business Score Planner to become
aware of what can impact a positive
score change.

16. #BizSmallTalk
Know your personal and business
credit scores. Both may be checked.
Gerri Detweiler
@gerridetweiler

17. #BizSmallTalk
Why is it important to maintain a
positive business credit profile?

18. #BizSmallTalk
A positive business
credit profile can help save
your business money.
Brian D. Ward
@Brian_D_Ward

19. “The more prepared you are, the easier
#BizSmallTalk
it will be to get business funding.”
Experian SMB
@experiansmb
- Ebong Eka

20. “It’s important for business owners to
#BizSmallTalk
understand what they need and how they
Experian SMB
@experiansmb
will use money before taking a loan.”
- Gerri Detweiler

21. #BizSmallTalk
With online marketplace lenders out
there, what are some of the positives
of working with them?

22. “There are so many different places
#BizSmallTalk
for businesses to access capital.”
Experian SMB
@experiansmb
- Brian Ward

23. #BizSmallTalk
Speed. Some online funding can
close in hour, not weeks.
Gerri Detweiler
@gerridetweiler

24. #BizSmallTalk
Online lenders can be more
willing to lend to small businesses,
helping build business credit if they
pay back on time.
Nav
@navSMB

25. #BizSmallTalk
What are some of the positives of
applying for a loan at a bank or another
traditional lender?

26. #BizSmallTalk
acquiring funds = interest rates,
Experian SMB
@experiansmb
etc., before securing a loan.”
- Ebong Eka
“Take a look at the cost of

27. #BizSmallTalk
Online loans will always be more
expensive and in some cases, even
way more expensive.
Meredith Wood
@Mere_Wood

28. #BizSmallTalk
Bank and credit union loans may
have lower rates, good terms, and
offer larger loans.
Gerri Detweiler
@gerridetweiler

29. “Be careful to understand who
#BizSmallTalk
you are working with.”
Experian SMB
@experiansmb
- Gerri Detweiler

30. #BizSmallTalk
Going to a bank or credit union
means you may get personal service
or a loan to meet your needs.
Mortgages Dot Com
@WeAreMortgages

31. #BizSmallTalk
funds, you could look into micro
Experian SMB
@experiansmb
lending or crowdfunding.”
- Gerri Detweiler
“If you are not in a rush, for

32. #BizSmallTalk
How does keeping personal and business
credit seperate help a small business owner?

33. #BizSmallTalk
Separating the two can help your
business develop credibility with
banks, suppliers, and other creditors.
Brian D. Ward
@Brian_D_Ward

34. #BizSmallTalk
Keeping them separate limits
your personal liability and protects
your sanity!
Mortgages Dot Com
@WeAreMortgages

35. #BizSmallTalk
A business can access 10 - 100
times more credit than a consumer.
Nav
@navSMB

36. #BizSmallTalk
A profile that contains accounts
in your company name shows that
your business pays its creditors in a
timely manner.
Brian D. Ward
@Brian_D_Ward

37. #BizSmallTalk
pay your bills on time, and monitor
Experian SMB
@experiansmb
your business credit.”
- Brian Ward
“Top three tips: Act like a business,

38. #BizSmallTalk
From a financing perspective, it’s
one of the two main mistakes that
business owners make.
Tom Gazaway
@tomgazaway

39. #BizSmallTalk
How can you improve your small
business credit profile ?

40. #BizSmallTalk
Driving factors of a
business score are payment
history, collections
information, public records,
size, years in business, etc.
Brian D. Ward
@Brian_D_Ward

41. #BizSmallTalk
Reduce utilization or
pay down balances on
commercial accounts as
much as possible.
Brian D. Ward
@Brian_D_Ward

42. #BizSmallTalk
Pay your bills on time
and monitor your credit
(personal and business)
somewhere like Nav.
Tom Gazaway
@tomgazaway

43. #BizSmallTalk
Why should small business owners
monitor their business credit report ?

44. #BizSmallTalkGerri Detweiler
@gerridetweiler
If there’s a mistake, you’re the
one likely to catch it.

45. #BizSmallTalk
- Brian Ward
Experian SMB
@experiansmb
“Monitor your business for fraud.”

46. #BizSmallTalkGerri Detweiler
@gerridetweiler
Small businesses are targets of
identity theft too - sometimes more so!

47. #BizSmallTalk
credit at least once a month.”
Experian SMB
@experiansmb
- Brian Ward
“Businesses should check their

48. #BizSmallTalk
You first want to know what’s there.
Second, you want to fix any errors.
Tom Gazaway
@tomgazaway

49. #BizSmallTalk
Why is it wise to keep good
business records?

50. #BizSmallTalk
It helps you separate
personal from business
expenses and build a solid
business credit profile.
Brian D. Ward
@Brian_D_Ward

51. #BizSmallTalk
journey; be prepared for that journey.”
Experian SMB
@experiansmb
- Brian Ward
“Understand that business growth is a

52. #BizSmallTalk
Any final thoughts on how small
businesses can grow?

53. #BizSmallTalk
You’re not an island. Find
trusted advisors and partners
who can help you succeed!
Gerri Detweiler
@gerridetweiler

54. #BizSmallTalk
what your customer wants.”
Experian SMB
@experiansmb
- Ebong Eka
“Double down on sales by identifying

55. #BizSmallTalk
Planning means you’ll see
some opportunities in the
marketplace.
Tom Gazaway
@tomgazaway

56. #BizSmallTalk
Check out all the resources and tips shared:
ex.pn/bizchat