Business Credit Success Story

Business Credit Success Story: DigitalGolf.TV

If you are an ESPN SportsCenter fan, the name Scott Walker should ring a bell. Scott was a reporter for the popular show for four years when he decided the travel was taking its toll. He wanted a career that would allow him to spend more time at home with his wife, Nicole Neal Walker, an attorney. Initially they started a television production business, but by the end of 2004 they had developed a bigger vision.

With their knowledge of television production, they decided to build the premier interactive golf website. With DigitalGolf.TV, golfers get access to exclusive content on top-ranked golf courses featuring 18-hole interactive views from every tee box, fairway and green, as well as an expansive library of popular video instructional tips to help golfers of all skill level improve their game.

With over 750,000 visitors a month, the Walkers have decided it’s time to turn it up a notch. They are introducing The Ultimate Test Drive(sm), which allows members to test drive a club -- brand new or like new -- for as long as they like.

“Golf equipment is so expensive,” explains Walker.” We want people to be able to have access very quickly to the best equipment. And if they don’t like it, they can send it back to us. We don’t want people to get stuck in a product that is not right for them.” Walker says it’s “like Netflix for golfers.”

With a membership of only $34.99 a month, golfers can check out a club and have it sent to their door with free shipping. Two clubs at a time are available for $54.99 per month and a full set is available with a monthly membership of $99.95. Members keep clubs as long as they like, and either purchase them or return them and try something else.

But in order to bring this popular program to its members, DigitalGolf.TV must invest in a lot of golf equipment, and the Walkers want to do it the right way – using business credit whenever possible.

To do that, the Walkers been following the BusinessCreditSuccess.com program and have been meticulous about following the steps in the program. “For us, the most important thing were the basics,” Walker explains. “From the business perspective, business credit is befuddling. But the time you’ve put into it really does save you a lot of heartaches.”

Success Steps

Like many entrepreneurs, the Walkers have used both personal and business credit cards to grow their business. Though very pleased with their success so far, they wish they had used more business credit. "I wasn't aware of some of the things that were available to me with business credit. I would have taken a little more time in building the business, and taking the steps that would provide a better foundation for success. What we have learned now through BusinessCreditSuccess.com has helped us improve our foundation."

Advice For Entrepreneurs

Scott Walker’s advice to other business owners?

“Work the steps (in the business credit building program) and don’t try to skip any. We just applied for the DUNS number in the end of July. We made sure we had walked through the steps first, such as getting the phone line in the name of the business and getting it listed with directory assistance.” It takes a little time, he points out, but is worth it. “All that work is coming to fruition and the bank is pleased.”

And no doubt many golfers, who now can virtually tour the best courses in the country, lower their handicaps and hit the links with their dream equipment, will be too.

Could Your Business Be At Risk for Identity Theft?

We have all heard the statistics about identity theft and they are not pretty. But what is less well known is that your business could be an identity theft victim. Read this post on Creditbloggers for some important tips on how to spot it and what to do to protect yourself.

Monitoring your business credit reports is one essential, as is checking your corporate filings and monitoring your business bank accounts.

SBTV

Congrats to Susan Wilson Solovic, CEO and Chairman of SBTV.com who has been honored with a national award
by Women Impacting Public Policy or WIPP. In addition to leading the first
and only video news and information destination site for American small
businesses, Solovic has worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for women
in business.

If you haven't been watching SBTV, you're missing out. There's a lot of fabulous information for small business owners (we've contributed some articles too!)

Congratulations Susan on the award and the terrific job you're doing with SBTV!

Must Have Resource for Growing Your Small Business

On my bookshelf is a volume I refer to again and again: Gene Marks' Streetwise Small Business Book of Lists. Gene has gathered the best expert advice on all kinds of topics from financing, to small business management, to insurance for small businesses, sales marketing and much, more more. All of the information is summarized into straight to the point bulleted lists, so you can find the answer you need quickly.

It's one of the most valuable small biz books on my shelf. (And yours truly is a contributor to the small business financing section!) Pick it up at your local bookstore or online. (While I love my library, you're going to want this one on your shelf.)