Funding Smarter: What Founders Need to Know About Business Credit

Featuring Devin Gambino, CEO of Lendefied | Growth Department Podcast, Episode 12

Access to capital is one of the most powerful growth tools a founder can master. Business credit opens doors to smarter decisions, better funding terms, and long-term financial independence when it’s used strategically.

In this episode of the Growth Department podcast, Chelsey Reynolds talks with Devin Gambino, CEO of Lendefied, about how founders can fund smarter at every stage of business. The conversation covers personal credit vs. business credit, common mistakes, and practical moves that can set a company up for scale and success.

Listen now to Funding Smarter: What Founders Need to Know About Business Credit 

Start Strong, Grow with Confidence

The early years of a business shape everything that comes after. According to Devin, most business owners launch with grit and hustle, but many miss the opportunity to build a solid credit foundation. Using personal credit to cover business expenses might feel like the easiest route, but it can limit your financial options later.

“If you ate healthy as a kid, you're probably going to be a healthy adult,” Devin explains. “Same thing with business.”

Smart founders learn how to separate business and personal finances early. They build relationships with vendors that report to credit bureaus and keep a clean line between what the business owns and what the founder is personally responsible for. These habits protect your FICO score, help you qualify for better funding later, and position you as a low-risk borrower from the start.

Lendefied’s Model: Strategy First, Lending Second

Lendefied was built to support long-term business health. Every funded client gets paired with a fractional CFO for the first three months, with 4 to 7 hours of financial strategy included each month. Founders receive hands-on help understanding their numbers, choosing the right funding options, and managing capital wisely.

After three months, they can continue with their CFO on a flat monthly rate or move forward independently with more knowledge and structure.

This approach gives founders a real advantage. They gain the financial literacy and support to make better decisions and grow without constant borrowing.

Business Credit Is a Strategic Lever

Business credit works differently from personal credit. It’s based on trade lines, vendor relationships, and payment behavior—not income ratios or personal history. That means founders have a unique opportunity to build credit that opens doors while protecting their personal finances.

Here’s where to start:

• Get an Experian BIN and DUNS number. These identifiers allow your business to build and track credit independently.

• Open trade lines with companies like Uline and Grainger. Even small purchases matter when they’re reported.

• Use net terms to fund purchases you’re already making. This builds payment history and credit activity.

• Track your business credit profile using NAV or similar tools. This keeps you aware of your borrowing power and your funding options.

The founders who win are the ones who treat credit as a long-term tool, not a one-time solution.

Match Your Ambition with Capital

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of growth. New locations, new hires, new equipment... it all feels like progress. But when founders make those moves before their cash flow can support them, momentum slows.

Devin shares examples of business owners who expanded too quickly or took on unnecessary expenses. Their intentions were good, but their funding strategy wasn’t aligned with reality.

“Opportunity exists in proportion to the capital you have available,” Devin says.

Making confident, well-funded decisions allows founders to move quickly without creating unnecessary risk. A single extra hire or large purchase can either unlock scale or create a financial strain. Founders who know their numbers can move with intention and clarity.

Plan Now for Future Wealth

Wealth creation doesn’t start at retirement. It starts in year two or three, when founders begin thinking about how to make their capital work harder. Devin introduces a financial strategy known as infinite banking, using whole life insurance as a funding vehicle that continues to grow in value even when it’s being borrowed against.

This concept offers an elegant way to reduce tax burdens, increase liquidity, and build personal wealth while growing your company.

Business owners who plan early, track their credit, and work with the right financial team create more opportunities later. They don’t need to scramble for loans. They don’t need to worry about short-term gaps. They’ve built financial systems that support scale and sustainability.

Know Your Tools. Use Them Well.

Financial strategy doesn’t require an accounting degree. It requires the ability to ask good questions and surround yourself with people who know what to do with the answers.

Devin encourages founders to work with experts who can show them how the system works. Whether that’s a fractional CFO, a business-focused accountant, or a strategic lending partner, having the right guide can accelerate growth without adding risk.

Working with Lendefied helps founders:

• Identify smarter credit-building opportunities

• Shift personal debt into the business safely

• Use funding to create leverage, not pressure

• Take steps toward wealth-building while still growing

Listen to the Full Episode

Chelsey and Devin cover it all, from funding strategy, credit tips, founder mindset, and how to build a company that supports the life you want. If you're ready to grow with confidence and make better use of the capital you have, this episode is packed with practical insights you can use right away.

→ Listen now to Funding Smarter: What Founders Need to Know About Business Credit on the Growth Department podcast.