Unlocking Small Business Success: Insights from Levi King, Founder & CEO of Nav

In a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge speaks with Levi King, Founder and CEO of Nav, about building a solid financial foundation for small business growth. Levi draws on his experience as a serial entrepreneur and fintech leader to unpack the complexities of business credit, share best practices for navigating the often unregulated lending landscape, and highlight the mental health priorities that keep entrepreneurs resilient. This conversation offers practical strategies and tools for business owners who want to strengthen their credit, secure better financing, and safeguard their well-being.

Building Credit, Navigating Lending, and Prioritizing Mental Health

Levi explains the key differences between personal and business credit, noting that business credit operates in a less transparent environment with varying data across Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax. He shares how Nav helps entrepreneurs monitor and improve their credit by aggregating reports from all major bureaus, integrating cash flow insights, and providing personalized, actionable recommendations. Levi also discusses the launch of the Nav Prime Card, designed to help business owners build both business and personal credit through daily underwriting and repayment, creating a pathway to more traditional financing options.

The conversation then turns to the realities of small business lending, where Levi warns against opaque pricing and aggressive marketing from certain lenders. He advises entrepreneurs to prioritize transparency, fully understand the true cost of financing, and consider platform-based lending options that often offer better rates. By combining data-driven decision-making with ethical lending practices, Levi underscores that businesses can protect themselves while securing the capital they need to grow.

Finally, Levi addresses the human side of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of managing stress and protecting mental health while running a business. He shares that success isn’t just about credit scores and capital—it’s about sustaining the energy and mindset needed for long-term growth. Through Nav’s resources, tools, and commitment to transparency, Levi and his team aim to empower small business owners to thrive both financially and personally.

About Levi King

Levi King is the Founder and CEO of Nav, a leading financial health platform for small businesses. A serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits, Levi is passionate about making business credit and lending more transparent and accessible for entrepreneurs.

About Nav

Nav is a fintech platform that helps small business owners understand and improve their business credit, connect to financing, and make informed financial decisions. By aggregating data from all major business credit bureaus and integrating cash flow insights, Nav provides tailored recommendations and tools to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses with confidence.

Links Mentioned in this Episode

• Nav Website
• Levi King on LinkedIn

Episode Highlights

• Understanding the key differences between personal and business credit
• How Nav aggregates and simplifies business credit data
• The benefits of the Nav Prime Card for building credit
• Navigating the unregulated small business lending landscape
• Why mental health is a critical part of entrepreneurial success

Conclusion

Levi King’s insights reveal that financial health for small businesses is about more than numbers—it’s about transparency, strategic credit building, and prioritizing mental well-being. By using the right tools, understanding the lending landscape, and protecting their mental health, entrepreneurs can create a foundation for sustainable success.

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