#How To Get Credit Through Your Business With Bad Personal Credit

Getting a business credit card with bad personal credit is a real possibility for those with a legitimate business. Just as you need to establish good personal credit by starting slow and making your payments on time, building good business credit starts with your first business credit card and your first on-time payment.

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Before applying for any kind of business credit, you must have a legitimate business. Required documents include a business license, articles of incorporation, and an Employer Identification Number from the IRS.

Good starter business credit cards that don't require a personal guarantee include those from Staples and Office Depot. Apply for one or both of these, and if necessary fax any requested documents.

Charge small purchases on your new business credit card or cards, and pay more than the minimum payment for at least two months. It is preferable to use a business checking account to pay credit card bills, but online payment services through Staples and Office Depot do allow you to use your personal account to pay your bill.

Once you've had your Staples and/or Office Depot business credit card for a few months, begin applying for other cards at other retailers and gas stations.

After you establish a record of on-time payments for about a year with your regular business credit cards, consider approaching your bank for financing or for a line of credit, if you need one. Make sure you have a business plan written and updated before you ask.

After about six months of on-time payments, you can then start applying for regular MasterCard and Visa business credit cards.