Most people don’t remember the exact moment their credit score stopped them from moving forward. But they remember the feeling. The quiet shame of a denied application. The frustration of watching opportunities slip away because of a number they don’t fully understand. Jose Rodriguez remembers that feeling too. It’s why he’s spent the last 15 years making sure other people don’t have to carry it alone.
Rodriguez didn’t set out to become a credit repair expert. After serving in the United States Marine Corps, he came home with discipline, drive, and plans to build a better life. But when he tried to take basic financial steps like leasing an apartment, buying a car, or applying for credit, his score became an obstacle he hadn’t seen coming. “I didn’t have anyone to guide me,” Rodriguez recalls. What could have been a dead end became the foundation for something bigger.
Instead of accepting his situation, Jose studied the credit system until he understood how it worked. He dove into the Fair Credit Reporting Act, credit bureau guidelines, and dispute processes. He started fixing his own credit, and the results showed up. Friends and family noticed and started asking for help. What began as informal advice at his kitchen table eventually grew into Got Credit?, the company Rodriguez now runs as “The Credit Dude.”
But Jose realized early that simply removing negative items from credit reports wasn’t enough. People needed to understand why those items appeared in the first place and how to prevent future problems. “Credit repair alone isn’t enough,” he explains. “People needed education, structure, and accountability.” That insight shaped Got Credit? into something that goes beyond typical credit repair services.
The company operates on a monthly program model that combines hands-on credit repair with financial education. Rodriguez and his team handle disputes directly with credit bureaus while simultaneously teaching clients how to build new credit, strategically pay down debt, and prepare for major financial milestones. The approach isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about creating lasting change in how people understand and manage their financial lives.
What sets Jose apart in the crowded credit repair industry is his emphasis on mindset alongside mechanics. He’s seen that financial transformation starts with how people think about money and opportunity. Through Got Credit?, social media, and speaking engagements, he works to shift the shame many people feel about their financial past into motivation for their financial future.
“Credit is not just a score,” Rodriguez says. “It’s a reflection of trust, discipline, and opportunity.” He wants people to see credit as a tool rather than something to fear, a resource that, when properly understood and managed, can open doors that income or hard work alone can’t unlock.
Jose’s military background shows up in his approach. The discipline and consistency he learned in the Marines form the foundation of how he runs Got Credit? and advises clients. Every client represents more than just an improved credit score to him. It’s a life changed, a goal achieved, a family moving closer to financial freedom.
The company has evolved beyond personal credit repair to include business credit coaching. Rodriguez guides small business owners through forming LLCs, building business credit profiles, and qualifying for funding. He’s watched clients go from being denied basic credit cards to owning multiple properties and funding successful businesses. The difference, he insists, isn’t luck. It’s education and accountability.
What started as a small operation helping people in his local community has grown into what Jose Rodriguez calls “a nationwide movement of financial education and empowerment.” His message is straightforward. No matter how far behind someone thinks they are financially, they can recover and build something stronger than before.
Jose is adamant that credit doesn’t define anyone’s worth. “It’s just a snapshot of your current situation,” he says. “And with the right guidance, it can change faster than you think.” He’s built Got Credit? around the belief that financial freedom starts with knowledge. Once people understand how to dispute inaccurate items, manage debt, and build positive credit history, they gain control over their lives.
For Rodriguez, the real goal isn’t just improving credit scores. It’s achieving freedom. Financial freedom, mental freedom, and the confidence that comes from knowing you can build the life you deserve. “I’m not just here to fix credit,” he says. “I’m here to change lives.”
There’s something quietly powerful about helping people one at a time. No massive campaigns, no overnight transformations. Just consistent work, honest guidance, and the belief that everyone deserves a second chance at getting it right. Jose has been doing this for over 15 years now, and he’s not slowing down. Because for every person who walks away with a better credit score, there’s someone else out there still carrying that feeling, the one Rodriguez remembers from his own struggle. And as long as that’s true, his mission continues. Those interested in learning more can visit his website or follow his work on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
