With all this talk of inflation and rising tariffs across the globe, what better time to review your finances and your credit score.

A credit score represents creditworthiness and the likelihood of you repaying debts. It plays a central role for lenders in assessing risk and making decisions when anyone, anywhere, is in search of a loan. One entrepreneur who was faced with a poor credit rating conundrum was Boshhh Group founder Lewis Camilleri from Manchester. The successful businessman racked up a bad history when managing his finances at a younger age, having just borrowed a small amount from the bank. It was this experience that led him to develop a new way of using tech to help increase credit scores for those in a similar boat.

His pet project turned into a hugely successful venture. Bosh is the first mobile network built from the ground up, which helps users improve their credit scores. According to figures from Maps UK, over nine million adults across the UK were declined for credit in just 12 months. Also, research from FICO shows one in five Gen Zers say that they only understand credit scores a little or not at all.

We caught up with the CEO, founder and personal finance expert and asked him all about his journey, the name Boshhh and noise in the fintech field.

Firstly, can you please tell me a bit about Bosh Mobile, in simple terms, what it is and how it works?

Boshhh Mobile makes building credit simple and accessible for everyone. Powered by EE, it’s a fast, reliable mobile network that helps you improve your credit score just by paying your SIM plan on time. Our app gives you a clear breakdown of your credit profile and even provides straightforward tips to help you take control of it and build better money habits.

Why (and when) did you decide to establish the business?

Boshhh was born out of my personal experiences and the challenges I faced for having poor credit due to not understanding how to manage my money. At the age of 18, I was given a £1,000 overdraft that I didn’t manage properly, and unfortunately, it just spiralled. Before I even figured out who I was or what I wanted to do, I had a ‘very poor’ credit score.

No one ever taught me how credit worked or how important it was, I learned that the hard way, and it was that journey that completely changed my life. The reality is that good credit and bad credit put you on two very different paths. If you can’t get a phone contract, you’ll struggle with overdrafts, loans, car finance, and even getting a mortgage. That’s why I started Boshhh in 2022, to make building credit simple, accessible, and fair for everyone.

It must have been daunting entering fintech entrepreneurship; how did you find that transition?

I like to say that entrepreneurial spirit is in my blood. Growing up, I was always driving my own ideas, and coming from a family of business owners, it felt like a natural path.  Owning businesses puts a huge responsibility on me to provide for myself and my family, but it also creates a responsibility to those I employ. I believe fintech to be one of the hardest spaces to build in, but it’s also one of the most rewarding. If you can make finance fairer, smarter, and more accessible, you’re not just building a business, you’re changing lives.

Where did the name Boshhh Mobile originate?

So, the name Boshhh comes from Doshhh. This is not just giving a nod to money but also momentum, action and getting things done. Originally, we wanted Doshhh, but when we couldn’t trademark it, we had to think fast.

That’s when Boshhh clicked. It’s full of energy, confidence, and action. It’s become a staple in Northern slang when something just works. You get the job done? Boshhh. You hit a goal? Boshhh. It’s about making things happen, and that’s exactly what we’re about!

What are the biggest challenges you have faced so far as a fintech founder?

One of the biggest challenges as a fintech founder has been navigating the flaws in the financial industry. These make it harder for people to access credit fairly. The industry has been built on rigid, outdated models that don’t account for modern spending habits or financial behaviours. We’re constantly pushing to prove that there are new, smarter ways to assess creditworthiness, ways that benefit both the customer and the lender.

Building trust has also been a huge focus for us. When you’re challenging the status quo, you need to prove that your solution is not only innovative but also secure and sustainable. For us, that means using technology to create a fairer, more transparent system where people can build credit through everyday essentials like their phone bill rather than being forced into expensive credit products just to prove they’re responsible.

If you could give any founder in the fintech space three pieces of advice, what would they be?

If I had to give three pieces of advice to a fintech founder, they’d be that, first of all, you always need more money than you think! No matter how well you plan, building a fintech business is capital-intensive. Regulations, compliance, technology, and customer acquisition, all cost more than you expect. Secondly, I would say not to be afraid of challenging the system. Learn to work with it. The financial industry is full of outdated processes, but change doesn’t happen overnight.

You have to prove your model works within existing frameworks before you can disrupt them. Work with regulators, build credibility with industry players, and don’t underestimate the importance of compliance; it’s not just a box to tick; it’s key to scaling sustainably. Lastly, make sure your solution actually solves a real problem. To be honest, there can be a lot of noise in fintech, and not every idea is solving something meaningful.

What do you believe to be the biggest issue when it comes to credit ratings?

I think the biggest issue with credit ratings is that most people don’t realise how crucial their credit score is until it’s already a problem, when they’re rejected for a phone contract, a loan, or even a mortgage. By then, the damage is done, and fixing it feels like an uphill battle.

On top of that, the way credit is built is outdated. You need to borrow to prove you can manage debt, but if you don’t already have good credit, you’re locked out of most options. It’s a catch-22 situation.

Are there any new features planned for Boshhh over the next 12 months?

Absolutely; over the next 6 months, we’re expanding the Bosh ecosystem to give people even more ways to build their credit and improve their financial health.

One of the biggest additions will be short-term credit-building loans. Our new feature will allow customers to take out small, manageable loans designed purely to boost their credit rating, helping them prove their creditworthiness without falling into expensive debt traps.

Beyond that, we’re also working on an AI-powered financial guidance tool that suggests better alternative products and services based on a customer’s financial profile. Our goal is to help people make smarter financial decisions and save money where it matters.