How do I build business credit that's separate from my personal credit?

Business credit is a profile tied to your company rather than your Social Security number, and building it can eventually let the business borrow without your personal guarantee. Start by forming a legal entity (LLC or corporation), getting an EIN, and obtaining a D-U-N-S number from Dun & Bradstreet, which is the identifier the major business bureaus use. Then open accounts that report to those bureaus — a business credit card, and trade accounts with vendors or suppliers who report your payment history. Pay every bill on time or early, since business scores weight promptness heavily. Keep utilization low and your business information consistent across applications. Building a strong business profile usually takes a year or more, but it can unlock better loan terms, higher limits, and supplier financing down the road. Until then, expect lenders to still check your personal credit.