I built up my product collection for about a year as I detailed out of the back of a 4Runner. No generator, PW. I slowly started purchasing things like an extractor and various polishers, lots of towels, sprayers, PDA (appointments) etc. When the majority of the small items were out of the way and business eased a bit during the rainy months I began to write a business plan, make an official price list and research equipment.
Early spring rolled around and I applied for a line of credit and a commercial auto loan. I do have moderately good personal credit and was approved upon that. The (local) bank was eager to establish my business' credit so they signed me up as Andrew DBA biz. I purchased all the big toys, marketing materials, uniforms, van, and all the other things I am forgetting. It will all be paid off in early 2008 at very comfortable monthly payments should I choose to pay as scheduled.
Of course that is a very simplified version containing no reference to stress and headaches which were definitely present the whole way. HTH.