If you’re a brick-and-mortar business owner who avoids credit cards, feels unsure about financing, or worries about taking on debt — this episode is going to challenge (and empower) you in the best way.

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Gerri Detweiler, a nationally recognized credit and financing expert with nearly 30 years of experience helping business owners understand their options, protect their credit, and fund their growth wisely.

In our conversation, we break down:

• The biggest myth about business credit that holds owners back
• The true difference between personal credit vs. business credit
• When a business owner should stop relying only on personal credit
• Where brick-and-mortar businesses most often make costly credit mistakes with leases, equipment, and hiring
• How to determine if financing is a smart growth move — or a risky one
• Surprising financing options many small business owners overlook
• And the systems every brick-and-mortar business should have in place before they ever need funding

We also dive into the role of charge cards (business credit cards) in building strong business credit — even for owners who are afraid of debt — and how to use platforms like Nav to understand your credit profile and funding options before you ever apply.

By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with:
✔ A clearer understanding of how business credit actually works
✔ More confidence around financing decisions
✔ And practical next steps to protect and strengthen your business financially

If you’re building a local business and want long-term stability, this conversation is essential listening.

A little about our guest:
Gerri Detweiler is a nationally recognized credit and financing expert with nearly 30 years of experience. As a consultant for Nav, she develops programs and content to help small business owners build credit, track cash flow, and understand financing options. She has written six books and her work has appeared in Yahoo!, MSN Money, ABCNews.com, CBSNews.com, NBCNews.com, The Today Show, and more. Gerri has been interviewed for over 4,500 news stories, featured in The New York Times, USA Today, and Reader’s Digest, and appeared on Fox Business, CNN, and other national programs. She is also a frequent speaker at business conferences, works closely with SCORE and Small Business Development Centers, and has testified before Congress as an advocate for credit protections.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Website: www.gerridetweiler.com

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerridetweiler

Instagram:@navsmb

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In 2009, Melissa Rose started her business, The Dancing House, in the basement of her home. There, she taught the art of dance to students of all ages while her babies were right along with her, in the pack and playing. With passion, resilience, and tenacity, she created a business that has become "The Highlight of Your Week" for her tribe, her team, and her community, along with running a successful brick-and-mortar business and an online dance membership.

When she’s not teaching pliés or hitting publish on a podcast, Melissa coaches other brick-and-mortar business owners to become the only option in town—using smart, sustainable SEO strategies like Google Business Profile optimization, blog content, and simple marketing systems that actually work. Off the clock? You’ll find her chasing her five amazing kids, hiking her favorite trails, or getting her hands dirty in the garden.