What actually matters
A business bank account. This is the requirement that decides most sole-proprietor applications, because deposits into a personal account cannot be verified as business revenue.
Consistent deposits over six months. The same test every other applicant faces.
An EIN helps but is not always essential. Many sole proprietors operate on a Social Security number, and funders accommodate it.
Where the structure genuinely changes things
Liability is not separated, so the personal guarantee question is moot — you are personally liable for business debts regardless.
Personal and business credit are more entangled, so your personal file carries more weight than it would for an established company.
Some banks and larger lenders have policies requiring a registered entity. Revenue-based funders generally do not, which is why they are the accessible route.
Practical steps before applying
Open a business account today if you do not have one, and route everything through it. Six months of clean business banking is what unlocks every product on this site.
Stop paying personal expenses from it. Mixed accounts are harder to underwrite and reduce what you are offered.
Get an EIN. It is free from the IRS, takes minutes, and it starts to separate the business file from your personal one.
Consider incorporating if you plan to grow. It is not required for funding, but it changes your liability position and eventually your options.