How We Traded a Personal Card for Real Spend Management Capability

Before the Card

Running a Multi-Million Dollar Business on Personal Credit

Brian Bastianini is a hero not just to Pittsburgh, but to the entire country. A U.S. Army veteran who served five years, including a deployment in Tikrit, Iraq, Brian returned home with the same deep commitment to service that defined his military career. Rather than taking a well-deserved break, he channeled that dedication into a new mission: mastering the HVACR trade and eventually serving his community in a different way.

After completing trade school and gaining valuable experience working at several established HVACR companies, Brian took a bold leap in 2017. He founded Bast Heating & Cooling with a clear vision—to serve the Pittsburgh community with the same level of dedication, integrity, and excellence he brought to his time in uniform.

Over the past eight years, Brian has transformed his vision into reality, building Bast Heating & Cooling into a multi-seven-figure operation. His company has become a cornerstone of comfort for the Pittsburgh community, keeping residents warm during harsh winters and cool during balmy summers. Yet this success story hasn't been a walk in the park—building the business to its current heights took grit and perseverance, along with countless hours of hard work and strategic problem-solving.

Beneath the growth lay a financial vulnerability that threatened to limit the potential course. “We used my personal Discover credit card for most of the business’s life,” Brian explained. With only a $14,000 business card limit compared to his $90,000 personal limit on his Discover card, the choice was clear—but problematic. “How was I supposed to comfortably spend $30,000 to $40,000 on supplies with a limit that low?”

The trade-off went beyond numbers. "I had to hand over my personal card to a few trusted employees whenever they needed to make purchases," Brian admitted. "The way I managed finances wasn't as sophisticated as I wanted."

The Turning Point

A 30-Second Call that Changed Everything

When the ACCA Business Mastercard team cold-called Brian one afternoon, he almost hung up. Instead, he gave it a shot—and within 30 seconds, he was completely hooked.

"I was familiar with the trade association, but I didn't know they had a card," Brian said. "I've always had a lot of respect for trade associations because they fight for us on Capitol Hill, so I gave Will a few minutes of my time. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I've ever made for this business."

Within a week, Brian was approved for a $70,000 credit limit—nearly matching his personal card but with enterprise-level controls. The ACCA Business Mastercard team helped him set up employee cards with custom spending limits and mandatory receipt uploads for every purchase—everything he'd been looking for in one solution.

After the Card

Full Business Accountability and Control

The impact was immediate and eye-opening. Within a month of using the ACCA Business Mastercard, Brian caught an employee charging batteries to the company account—a discovery made possible thanks to the new receipt upload requirements.

“It really made me think,” he said. “How many questionable purchases have slipped through over the past seven years? I can’t even imagine how much money I could’ve saved if I had this card from day one.”

Today, Brian manages his growing team with sophisticated financial controls:

• Five employees with customized spend limits
• Mandatory receipt tracking on every purchase
• 24/7 real-time text alerts for instant visibility
• A $70,000 credit line supporting business growth

All of that was set up within 30 days by the ACCA Business Mastercard team. “I never really stopped to think about how I was running the financial side of my business,” Brian admitted. “But after using the ACCA Mastercard, I understand how important financial sophistication really is. I’m just glad I have this tool in my toolbox now.”

Bastianini’s Advice to Other HVACR Businesses

When asked what he'd tell other HVACR business owners, Brian doesn't hesitate. "Honestly, if you haven't taken a hard look at how you're managing spend, it's worth pausing to reflect."

For Brian, the ACCA Business Mastercard has become an essential tool as he continues to grow. "As I scale toward eight figures in revenue, I feel confident using this as my go-to solution," he explains.

The peace of mind has been just as valuable as the financial controls. "It helps me sleep better at night knowing exactly where every dollar is going.”