• Funding Readiness Reality Check: One Bureau Won’t Get You Funded—Fix All 3 Business Credit Reports Fast (D&B, Experian, Equifax)
    Feb 19 2026
    One Bureau Won’t Get You Funded—Fix All 3 Business Credit Reports Fast (D&B, Experian, Equifax)

    Is your business lender-ready? (Click Here) Get my free Business Credit Starter Kit at https://fsbonly.com

    Episode Summary

    Most business owners treat business credit like it’s one score. It’s not. It’s three report cards—and lenders may check one, two, or all three depending on the product. In this 15-minute solo episode, S.E. Day breaks down what Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax actually track, which lender types tend to look where, and a simple 30-day build plan to strengthen your credit footprint across all bureaus—without wasting applications.
    What You’ll Learn
    • How each bureau builds your file (and why “no file” is common)
    • Which lender types typically weigh which bureau more heavily
    • A 30-day “profile-first” plan to create multi-bureau credibility fast
    The 30-Day Credit Reporting Company Build Plan (Simple + Execute)

    Here’s a clean 30-day plan that improves your footprint across all three bureaus and improves underwriting readiness.

    Days 1–7: Profile Foundation (Stop split-file problems)
    • Standardize business identity: legal name, DBA (if any), address, phone, email, NAICS
    • Align the same identity across: bank account, invoices, website/contact page, key listings
    • Confirm your business is verifiable and consistent everywhere it appears
    Goal: Your data “stacks” into one clean file—not fragments.

    Days 8–15: Reporting Strategy (Get real data flowing)
    • Add or strengthen reporting tradelines appropriate to your stage
    • Set autopay or payment discipline so you never miss a due date
    • Focus on consistency, not quantity
    Goal: Build file depth and payment history, not random noise.

    Days 16–23: Underwriter Signals (Move beyond bureaus)
    • Clean up banking: stabilize deposits, reduce cash flow chaos, keep balances healthier
    • Reduce volatility: fewer spikes/drops, fewer emergency overdrafts
    • Document revenue consistency (even if you’re not applying yet)
    Goal: Your bank behavior supports your credit story.

    Days 24–30: Audit + Pre-Application Readiness
    • Review reports where possible and dispute obvious errors
    • Confirm: business identity matches everywhere
    • Don’t apply yet—run a readiness check: “If an underwriter pulled my file today, would it look stable, consistent, and credible?”
    Goal: You become lender-ready before you burn inquiries and denials.

    Keywords (SEO)
    business credit bureaus, D&B Paydex, Experian business, Equifax business, business credit profile, fundability, underwriting, lender-ready, tradelines, business verification

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/small-business-credit-minute-w-s-e-day-business-credit-funding-for-small-business-owners--6605567/support.

    Qualify First. Apply Second. Remember, Your Dreams Deserve A Chance To Grow, Just Like Your Business!
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    9 min
  • Exit Rich, Not Ripped by Taxes (Use an Employee Stock Ownership Plan to Buy Out Your Shares)
    Feb 16 2026
    Exit Rich, Not Ripped by Taxes—Use an ESOP to Buy Out Your Shares (ft. Matt Middendorp)Is your business lender-ready? Get my free Business Credit Starter Kit at https://fsbonly.comEpisodeSummaryIf you’re a business owner thinking about an exit—but you don’t want to hand your company to a competitor, private equity, or a buyer who will gut your culture—an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) may be the cleanest path to personal liquidity, potential tax efficiency, and long-term business continuity.In this episode of Small Business Credit Minute w/ S.E. Day™, S.E. Day sits down with Matt Middendorp of Vision Point Capital to break down ESOPs in plain English: how they create a structured buyout for owners, how they can strengthen retention and productivity through real ownership incentives, and how they help preserve a company’s legacy while building a sustainable transition plan.GuestMatt Middendorp — Vision Point CapitalLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmiddendorpWebsite: ESOPpartners.comWhat You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow an ESOP can create substantial owner liquidity without selling to an outside buyerWhere tax advantages may exist (and why strategy + structure matters)The difference between a partial ESOP sale vs. full ESOP exitHow employee ownership can improve retention, engagement, and productivityWhy ESOPs often protect culture, brand identity, and legacy better than an acquisitionThe operational realities owners must plan for (cash flow discipline, governance, administration)Key Takeaways (Fast, Practical)1) ESOPs can be an exit strategy without “selling out.”You can convert equity to liquidity while keeping the business independent.2) Cash flow is the engine.ESOPs work best when the business has consistent profitability and the ability to support plan contributions and/or financing.3) Retention improves when employees understand the value.Ownership incentives only work when leaders communicate what drives value and employees see a clear line from performance to outcomes.4) Legacy and continuity are strategic advantages—not soft benefits.An ESOP can support succession planning, stabilize the workforce, and reduce disruption that commonly comes with outside buyers.5) ESOPs are not “set it and forget it.”Strong governance, defensible valuation, and ongoing compliance are non-negotiables.Who This Episode Is ForOwners considering a transition in the next 1–10 yearsFounders who want liquidity + legacy, not just the highest offerCompanies with steady cash flow and a leadership bench beyond the ownerEmployers losing great people and looking for a real incentive strategy (not fluff)Quick Self-Check: Are You an ESOP Candidate?If you can say “yes” to most of these, it’s worth exploring:We have consistent operating profit and predictable cash flowOur financial reporting is clean and timelyThe business can run without me every day (strong management team)I want to preserve culture and protect employeesI’m open to a structured transition rather than a single clean breakQuotes / Soundbites (for Promotion)“An ESOP isn’t a giveaway—it’s a structured transaction that creates owner liquidity.”“Ownership is gasoline. Culture and leadership are the engine.”“The tax value comes from planning and fit—not shortcuts.”Resources & LinksMatt Middendorp (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmiddendorpESOP Partners Website: https://esoppartners.comFSBO Starter Kit: https://fsbonly.comDisclaimerThis episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice. ESOP rules are complex and outcomes depend on the company’s facts, valuation, and transaction structure. Consult qualified ESOP counsel and tax professionals before making decisions.Your Call to ActionIf you want a simple roadmap to start building business credit the right way, grab my free Business Credit Starter Kit at https://fsbonly.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/small-business-credit-minute-w-s-e-day-business-credit-funding-for-small-business-owners--6605567/support.Qualify First. Apply Second. Remember, Your Dreams Deserve A Chance To Grow, Just Like Your Business!
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    30 min
  • Funding Readiness Reality Check: DUNS Number ~ When You Need It and When You Don't
    Feb 12 2026
    Chasing a DUNS Number Delays Funding—Build Fundability First


    Get my free Business Credit Starter Kit at https://fsbonly.com

    Episode Summary

    A DUNS number is not business credit—it’s a business identifier tied to Dun & Bradstreet. In this Funding Readiness Reality Check, S.E. Day breaks down when you actually need a DUNS, when it’s unnecessary, and why waiting on it can delay approvals. You’ll learn the real fundability stack lenders respond to: identity consistency, compliance footprint, banking stability, and reporting activity—then how D&B fits strategically (not emotionally).

    What You’ll Learn
    • What a DUNS number is (and what it will never do)
    • When you need DUNS (D&B reporting and PAYDEX strategy)
    • When you don’t need DUNS (and what lenders often prioritize instead)
    • How “DUNS first” can create verification friction and slow approvals
    • The correct fundability build order to stop wasting months and applications
    Fundability Fix in 60 Seconds

    Audit and align four identity signals across your bank, filings, website, and profiles:business name format, address format, phone, and domain-based email. Identity consistency improves verification outcomes fast.

    Keywords (SEO)
    DUNS number, Dun and Bradstreet, D&B profile, PAYDEX score, business credit building, fundability, lender-ready, business identity consistency, business compliance, business banking, tradelines, small business funding, business credit approvals

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/small-business-credit-minute-w-s-e-day-business-credit-funding-for-small-business-owners--6605567/support.

    Qualify First. Apply Second. Remember, Your Dreams Deserve A Chance To Grow, Just Like Your Business!
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    7 min
  • Financial Clarity for Solopreneurs Who Wear Every Hat (Stop Cash-Flow Chaos)
    Feb 9 2026
    If you’re a solopreneur juggling sales, operations, and bills, your cash flow problems usually aren’t a “business finance” issue—they’re an owner finance system issue.

    In this episode of Small Business Credit Minute w/ S.E. Day™, S.E. Day and guest Tess Crenshaw break down the simple personal finance habits that directly improve business cash flow, profit planning, clean bookkeeping, and fundability.

    You’ll learn how to separate money correctly, build buffers that prevent panic borrowing, and create predictable owner pay—so you can look stronger to lenders and make decisions from stability, not stress.Quick Teaser

    Still moving money like “whatever’s left”? Today we fix the habits that silently sabotage your cash flow—and your approvals.

    If a lender reviewed your last 90 days of finances, would they see discipline—or desperation?

    Most solopreneurs mix business and personal money, skip buffers, and avoid weekly tracking—then wonder why cash flow feels unpredictable and why funding is harder than it should be. Lenders don’t just evaluate revenue; they evaluate behavior signals: separation, consistency, and risk management. This episode shows you how to build those signals quickly.
    Desire (3 Benefits You’ll Gain)
    • A practical “Owner Finance Stack” that stabilizes your personal habits so your business cash flow stops swinging
    • A simple weekly routine that gives you clarity over the next 14 days—before problems hit
    • A predictable plan for owner pay + buffers that increases fundability and reduces reliance on credit cards and emergency borrowing
    Press play and implement the owner-first money system that makes your business cleaner, calmer, and more lender-ready—starting this week.What You’ll Learn (Search-Intent Friendly)
    • Why personal finance habits directly impact business cash flow, profitability, and loan readiness
    • The #1 separation rule that prevents compliance issues and messy records
    • How to pay yourself consistently (even when revenue is inconsistent)
    • How to build personal and business buffers that reduce risk and panic borrowing
    • A “next 14 days” money routine that eliminates cash surprises
    • How disciplined credit behavior improves approvals for business credit cards and business loans
    Key Takeaways
    • Your business account is not a personal rescue fund
    • Buffers buy time—and time prevents desperate decisions
    • Predictability beats complexity: simple systems outperform good intentions
    • Strong owner habits create clean records, stronger fundability, and smarter growth
    Listener Action Step (Do This Today)

    Set up (or label) three accounts: Operating, Taxes, and Owner Pay. Then schedule a weekly 15-minute “money date” to review the next 14 days and transfer taxes + owner pay first before discretionary spending.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/small-business-credit-minute-w-s-e-day-business-credit-funding-for-small-business-owners--6605567/support.

    Qualify First. Apply Second. Remember, Your Dreams Deserve A Chance To Grow, Just Like Your Business!
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    32 min
  • Funding Readiness Reality Check: EIN isn't Enough ~ What Actually Creates Business Identity and Make Your Fundable?
    Feb 5 2026
    EIN Isn’t Enough: What Actually Creates Business Identity?

    Get my free Business Credit Starter Kit at https://fsbonly.com

    Episode Summary
    Most business owners believe an EIN, an LLC, and a bank account equals “legit.” Lenders disagree. In this episode of Small Business Credit Minute w/ S.E. Day™, you’ll learn why banks don’t fund paperwork—they fund verifiable business identity. We break down the three layers underwriting systems rely on (legal identity, commercial identity, and financial identity), the verification mismatches that trigger denials, and the exact consistency audit you can run today to stop looking “unverifiable” and start looking fundable.

    Attention: Do you think an EIN makes you a real business to a bank—yes or no?

    Interest: If you’ve been denied despite having an LLC and revenue, the issue is often verification—not value.

    Desire (Listener Benefits):
    • Identify the exact reason an EIN doesn’t translate to approvals
    • Understand what verification systems check before underwriting even starts
    • Run a simple consistency audit that immediately strengthens fundability signalsAction: Press play, take notes, then use the Business Credit Starter Kit to tighten your identity before you apply.
    What You’ll Learn
    • The difference between legal existence and underwriting credibility
    • Why name/address/phone formatting mismatches create “can’t verify” outcomes
    • The “invisible business” red flags that trigger risk scoring
    • How lenders interpret predictability in deposits and financial behavior
    • A practical Business Identity Block you can standardize everywhere
    Quick Action Checklist
    • Standardize your legal name formatting everywhere (including punctuation and abbreviations)
    • Align your address + phone across: state filing, bank, IRS, D&B, Experian, Equifax
    • Use a business domain email and publish a basic verification-ready website
    • Confirm your industry classification (NAICS) matches what you actually do
    • Fix discrepancies before applying—verification failures are avoidable denials
    Keywords
    business identity, EIN not enough, business fundability, lender verification, underwriting signals, Dun and Bradstreet, Experian Business, Equifax Business, LexisNexis verification, business credit approvals, bankability, business credit readiness, qualify first apply second, FSBO

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/small-business-credit-minute-w-s-e-day-business-credit-funding-for-small-business-owners--6605567/support.

    Qualify First. Apply Second. Remember, Your Dreams Deserve A Chance To Grow, Just Like Your Business!
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    10 min
  • Are Your Communications Costing Your Money~And Can AI Fix It Without Killing Your Voice?
    Feb 2 2026
    Get my free Business Credit Starter Kit at https://fsbonly.comAIDA Show NotesAttention Are you losing deals, getting ghosted, or eating refunds—because your communication is unclear, inconsistent, or too slow?Interest Most SBOs assume they have a marketing or sales issue when the real leak is communication: vague offers, messy follow-ups, inconsistent messaging across channels, and no repeatable internal process. In this episode, S.E. Day™ and guest Joshua Altman break down how communication directly impacts revenue, customer trust, retention, and fundability—and how artificial intelligence can help you scale clarity and speed without sounding like a robot or damaging your brand voice.Desire (3 Listener Benefits)Build a simple communication system that improves conversions by making your offer, timelines, pricing expectations, and next steps unmistakably clear.Use AI to accelerate follow-ups, proposals, and customer messaging—while keeping your voice human, confident, and on-brand.Reduce mistakes, disputes, and refunds by turning scattered communication into clean templates and SOP-driven execution.Action (One-Sentence Incentive-Based CTA)Press play now to steal Joshua’s practical frameworks and AI workflows you can implement this week to close more deals, protect your reputation, and run a tighter, more bankable business.Episode Summary (SEO + Conversion)Communication is not “soft”—it’s a profit system. When your business communicates clearly and consistently, customers trust you faster, teams execute with fewer errors, and lenders see a more reliable, fundable operation. Joshua Altman explains the most expensive communication mistakes small business owners make, the “Clarity–Consistency–Confirmation” framework to tighten messaging, and the safest ways to use AI for drafts, templates, summaries, and SOPs—so technology supports your business without replacing your judgment.What You’ll Learn In This EpisodeWhy many “sales problems” are actually communication problemsThe hidden cost of vague offers, slow replies, and inconsistent messagingHow clarity and expectation-setting reduce refunds, disputes, and churnWhere AI helps most: templates, follow-ups, FAQs, summaries, and SOP creationHow to use AI without sounding robotic or genericGuardrails that prevent AI from creating compliance, reputation, or delivery riskA 7-day communication upgrade challenge you can complete quicklyKey TakeawaysClarity closes: customers move when they know exactly what happens next.Consistency keeps: repeating the right message across platforms builds trust.Confirmation protects: written recaps prevent misunderstandings and disputes.AI should draft; humans must approve: speed is useless if accuracy is wrong.Internal communication is profit: SOPs reduce chaos and execution errors.Better communication increases fundability: responsiveness and documentation signal operational maturity.7-Day Communication Upgrade Challenge (Fast Implementation)Day 1: Tighten your offer into one clear sentence (who it’s for + outcome + timeframe).Day 2: Write 5 FAQs that eliminate confusion and objections.Day 3: Create 5 response templates (inquiry, quote, follow-up, delay update, resolution/apology).Day 4: Build a 3-touch follow-up sequence (Day 1, Day 3, Day 7).Day 5: Draft a one-page fulfillment SOP (handoff, steps, timelines, quality check).Day 6: Create a “Next Steps” message for every service you sell.Day 7: Track response time, close rate, refunds, and review volume.Guest Spotlight: Joshua Altman, Beltway MediaJoshua Altman helps small business owners improve the communication systems that drive revenue—customer messaging, follow-up workflows, internal documentation, and AI-supported templates that scale clarity and consistency without losing brand voice.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaialtmanEmail: Joshua@beltway.mediaSuggested SEO Keywordsbusiness communication, small business communication, customer communication, business messaging, follow up systems, sales follow up, customer retention, brand voice, SOPs, internal communication, AI for small business, artificial intelligence workflows, AI templates, ChatGPT for business, business automation, customer experience, fundability, business credit, business loans, business credit cards, lender-ready businessBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/small-business-credit-minute-w-s-e-day-business-credit-funding-for-small-business-owners--6605567/support.Qualify First. Apply Second. Remember, Your Dreams Deserve A Chance To Grow, Just Like Your Business!
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    30 min
  • Funding Readiness Reality Check: Your Business Bank Account Can Kill Your Funding Approvals
    Jan 29 2026
    Get my free Business Credit Starter Kit HERE

    Episode Summary (SEO + Conversion)
    Most funding denials don’t happen because your business “isn’t making money.” They happen because your bank statements show risk—commingling, overdrafts, unstable cash flow, inconsistent deposits, and low average daily balances. In this episode of Small Business Credit Minute w/ S.E. Day™, you’ll learn how underwriters evaluate banking patterns, what triggers silent denial flags, and the one weekly banking correction that can quickly improve your fundability profile—without needing to increase revenue first.

    AIDA
    Attention: If a lender reviewed your last 90 days of bank statements today, would they approve you—or quietly decline you?Interest: Lenders trust bank statements more than your claims, your brand, or your intentions—because statements reveal cash discipline, stability, and separation.Desire:
    • Identify the banking patterns underwriters score as “high-risk,” even when revenue is strong
    • Fix commingling, overdraft signals, and unstable deposit behavior that triggers silent denials
    • Apply a simple weekly rule that improves your approval posture fastAction: Press play and then download the free Business Credit Starter Kit at https://fsbonly.com to start building lender-ready strength the right way.
    What You’ll Learn
    • Why lenders lend to patterns—not just revenue totals
    • The most common bank statement red flags (and how they show up)
    • How commingling destroys underwriting confidence
    • Why overdrafts/NSF activity can override strong revenue months
    • How average daily balance affects approvals more than most owners realize
    • The “keep money longer” fix that improves your banking story quickly

    ACTION STEP (One correction you implement this week)
    Here’s your fix for this week—and it’s simple, but powerful:
    ✅ Keep money in the account longer and make your outflows predictable.
    Do this starting immediately:
    1. Stop draining the account weekly. Create a buffer target (even if it’s small at first).
    2. Set a fixed owner pay day (example: twice per month) instead of random transfers.
    3. Reduce cash withdrawals and replace them with categorized, documented payments.
    4. Clean up transfers: label them clearly, separate personal from business, and avoid “mystery memos.”
    5. Commit to a minimum balance rule: a floor you do not cross unless it’s a true emergency.

    SEO Keywords
    business bank statements, funding approval, business funding denial reasons, commingling personal and business, average daily balance, overdraft NSF, fundability readiness, business banking readiness, lender underwriting signals, cash flow stability, business credit approval

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/small-business-credit-minute-w-s-e-day-business-credit-funding-for-small-business-owners--6605567/support.

    Qualify First. Apply Second. Remember, Your Dreams Deserve A Chance To Grow, Just Like Your Business!
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    9 min
  • Your Business Isn't Broke~Your Financial Planning Is (Fix Cash Flow, Lock Profit, and Get Lender-Ready)
    Jan 26 2026
    Are You Planning Your Business Money—or Just Hoping It Works Out?

    Get my free Business Credit Starter Kit at HERE

    Episode Summary
    If your business cash flow feels unpredictable, your profit feels “random,” and you’re not confident you could walk into a lender meeting with clean answers—this episode is for you. In this 20-minute conversation, S.E. Day sits down with Randall Avery of Deasil Wealth Mmanagement to break down business financial planning in plain English: how to forecast cash, plan profit on purpose, and tighten the financial signals lenders look for. You’ll learn the simple frameworks business owners use to stop guessing, reduce money stress, and operate like a bankable business.AIDA (High-Converting)

    Attention: If your business got reviewed by a lender tomorrow, would your numbers prove you’re in control—or expose chaos?

    Interest :Most small businesses don’t fail from lack of effort—they fail from weak planning: unclear cash timing, thin margins, surprise tax bills, and financial decisions made too late. This episode shows you how to build a simple planning system that supports profit, protects cash, and improves fundability.

    Desire (3 Listener Benefits):
    • Build a simple cash planning method that helps you see problems before they hit your bank account
    • Learn how to set profit targets and reverse-engineer your numbers so profit stops being an accident
    • Understand the financial behaviors and documents lenders expect to see from a “stable, repayable” business
    Action (One-Sentence CTA to Play):Press play to get a practical financial planning framework you can implement this week to strengthen cash flow, profit discipline, and lender readiness.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode
    • What business financial planning actually is (and why most owners get it wrong)
    • How planning directly impacts approvals, terms, and lender confidence
    • The “4 numbers” to track weekly to stay in control
    • Why a 13-week cash flow forecast is the simplest tool that actually gets used
    • Payroll planning mistakes that quietly crush cash
    • How much reserve cash to target and why it changes everything
    • Profit planning: how to stop operating off “whatever is left”
    • Tax discipline that prevents emergency borrowing
    • Smart debt vs. dangerous debt: when financing helps and when it harms
    • The lender-ready documentation checklist and what your bank statements communicate
    Guest
    Randall Avery, CFP /Deasil Wealth Management — Business financial planning guest expert (cash flow, profit planning, and operating discipline).

    I’ve attached Randall’s social media links below for easy reference.
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallavery/
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rsadeasil50/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randall.avery.7
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Deasilwm


    Episode Keywords (SEO)
    business financial planning, small business cash flow forecast, 13-week cash flow forecast, profit planning for small business, small business budgeting, small business reserves, lender readiness, business fundability, underwriting signals, business bank statements, margin improvement, accounts receivable management, payroll planning, tax planning for small business

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/small-business-credit-minute-w-s-e-day-business-credit-funding-for-small-business-owners--6605567/support.

    Qualify First. Apply Second. Remember, Your Dreams Deserve A Chance To Grow, Just Like Your Business!
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    34 min