The numbers that come out each year showing the failure rate for new businesses are never surprising, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important. The latest figures show that close to 90-percent of all new business ventures fail, even when they had the proper financial backing and the proper know how running things behind the scenes. If you include businesses that make it, but suffer from some sort of financial hardship, the number jumps to almost 100%. So, what should you do if your small business is drowning? The answer is you should do everything you can to keep your small business credit cards current, because once you default on them, your venture will likely fold like a house of cards.

Even if you know what to expect when you start your own business, the flurry of bills can be disconcerting to anyone. When that flurry begins to pile up like a snow drift, things can get downright scary. But of all of the bills that might end up overdue, you want to make sure you pay your business credit card bills completely. Here are a few reasons why:

Without good credit, your business is sunk, and nothing harms your credit faster than defaulting on credit card payments. Let’s say that your current financial difficulties are short lived, but you missed a few credit card payments. Now, not only are you way behind on your payments and have racked up some huge late fees but you have also crushed your credit score, so that even if you have all the money in the world rolling into your business, the chances of you getting a loan or additional help from another credit source are almost zero. While it is never a good idea to default to staff, suppliers or other important parts of your business, they are all replaceable while your credit stays with you no matter what.

So, here you are with a ruined credit rating but a business that is successful. You can’t get any additional credit, but you still have your one card. The problem is, however, that your one card isn’t worth having anymore. Once you’ve missed a few payments, check out the terms on your next statement. They won’t be pretty. Not only has your interest rate spiked to what is likely the legal limit in your state, you may have gone over your credit limit thanks to all of the additional fees you racked up, which, in turn, racked up more over the limit fees. If your credit card was a car wreck, there wouldn’t be any survivors.

Finally, the one thing that you will likely have working in your favor is the fact that many small business credit cards are very understanding when it comes to financial difficulties. They will likely be more willing to help you if you ask for help than simply run up fees and rates like crazy. If you are having trouble paying your small business card, ask for help.