Disclaimer: This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not financial advice. Please do your own research before making any financial or purchasing decisions.

A Hobby Turns Into a Side Hustle

When I first started 10KCardJourney, it was all about getting back into the sports card hobby I loved as a kid. I set a $10,000 budget and started sharing my journey to anyone who it may be helpful for.

Recently, I took this a step further and opened an eBay account to start selling some of my old collection—and that’s when something unexpected happened: I now qualified for business credit cards.

These are cards that I previously couldn’t apply for, but ones that come with big sign-up bonuses and could help me get more value of the money I am already spending on cards.

You May Also Qualify for Business Credit Cards

If you’re buying and selling cards on eBay—even as a side hustle—you may qualify as what’s called a sole proprietor. That basically means you’re running a business under your own name, without needing to register an LLC or get a special license.

That’s exactly what I did. I used my own name and Social Security Number to apply for the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card, which currently offers a 75,000-point welcome bonus after spending $6,000 in 3 months.

I was approved instantly.

Why Business Credit Cards Matter for Collectors

If you’re already spending hundreds or thousands of dollars a year buying cards or shipping them out, a business credit card can turn that spending into something more rewarding.

Here’s how:

1. Big Welcome Bonuses

Many business cards offer sign-up bonuses worth hundreds of dollars (or more) after you hit a certain spending threshold. These bonuses can often be redeemed for travel, cash back, or even gift cards—essentially giving you more value for the same spend.

2. No Impact on Personal Credit Limits

Unlike personal credit cards, business cards typically don’t show up on your personal credit report. This means they won’t affect your credit score or your ability to open new personal cards in the future.

3. Separate Your Hobby Spending

Having a dedicated business card makes it easier to track how much you’re really spending (and hopefully making) through your eBay store. If you ever start taking the business side more seriously, this will save you time and effort when it comes to taxes or budgeting.

This Isn’t About “Gaming the System”

You don’t need to be a credit card expert to benefit from this. You also definitely SHOULD NOT use business credit cards as an excuse to spend more money (it should only be to maximize the money you already spending on cards).

But if you’re already buying and selling cards regularly—and especially if you’ve opened an eBay store—it’s worth knowing that you might qualify for credit cards with real perks that can put some money back into your pockets.

Final Thoughts

When I opened my eBay account, I didn’t do it to apply for business credit cards. But now that I have one, I see how valuable it can be over time—especially if I continue to grow my account and make more purchases / sales.

Applying for business credit cards are just one more way to stretch your sports card budget and make your collecting journey a little more rewarding. As I always say, the margins in this hobby are so tight (and there are so many fees) that anything you can do to get 1-2% back could be a big deal depending on the volume!