Whether it’s to obtain new customers or pursue a career as a manager for a new company, building an accomplishment-driven resume will be vital to your success as a business owner. We’ll help you translate your experience — from business development and team leadership to creating marketing strategies and more — into a powerful marketing document.
Most Popular Business Owner Resumes
Writing Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it showcases entrepreneurial initiative and quantifies revenue generation, highlighting long-term growth. To learn what employers expect in this section, check out What To Put on a Resume.
Marketing Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it demonstrates consistent revenue growth, clear leadership, and measurable campaign results. To better format your own resume, review Best Resume Formats.
Technology Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it clearly outlines high-level responsibilities, investor engagement, and multimillion-dollar growth. For more ideas on showcasing your strengths, read Resume Skills.
Human Resources Software Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it demonstrates strategic leadership and product-driven growth. Learn how to write a similar summary using examples from Resume Summary Examples.
E-Commerce Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it highlights quantifiable achievements, such as revenue growth and cost savings. To discover how to present results with impact, read How To Make a Resume.
Cleaning Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it quantifies business growth and repeat client metrics. It also includes certifications and industry-specific skills. For help with relevant certifications, visit How To List Certifications on a Resume.
Construction Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it shows the scale of project experience and proven leadership in operations. For layout ideas, check out Resume Outline Examples.
Clothing Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it integrates creative and business responsibilities in a fashion-focused context. To highlight visual and brand-related roles effectively, learn more in Resume Language Skills.
Jewelry Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it balances creative product design with business outcomes like revenue and customer growth. For more on showing creative and technical skills, explore Soft Skills for a Resume.
Landscape Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it highlights service delivery, customer acquisition, and internal systems that improve efficiency. To explore the appropriate content per section, visit Should a Resume Be One Page?
Independent Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it shows the broad skill set required for independent business management and highlights measurable client improvements. For more guidance on tailoring your experience, read Resume Objective Examples.
Former Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it reframes entrepreneurial experience in a way that supports a return to traditional employment. For help positioning past roles, visit How To Make a Resume.
Entrepreneur Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it reflects entrepreneurial hustle and provides real results like client growth and team scaling. For more about effective summaries, visit Resume Summary Examples.
Social Media Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it highlights data-driven achievements in digital growth. If you’re building a career in media or digital fields, explore Resume Skills to strengthen your profile.
Home-Based Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it shows how home-based entrepreneurs wear multiple hats and directly impact customer experience. To include creative tasks effectively, read Resume Interests Section.
Freelance Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it reflects the independence, organization, and creative output required for freelance success. For tips on balancing multiple responsibilities, visit Resume Outline Examples.
Art Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it combines business ownership with cultural impact and creative operations. To learn more about combining roles effectively, explore CV vs. Resume.
Fitness Studio Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it emphasizes customer retention, wellness programming, and revenue growth in a health-focused setting. Learn more about resume sections with What To Put on a Resume.
Photography Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it shows artistic skill, business ownership, and service quality. For insights into formatting creative work, visit Resume Language Skills.
Food Truck Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it connects culinary skills with business metrics, like revenue and customer growth. For help showcasing small business success, explore Customer Service Skills Resume.
Coaching Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it highlights program-based business development and measurable community growth. For more guidance on showcasing communication skills, visit Soft Skills for a Resume.
Craft Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it clearly links creativity with measurable business results like revenue and online sales growth. Learn how to highlight your side hustle in How To List Relevant Coursework on a Resume.
Tutoring Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it combines education experience with business ownership, making it ideal for academic or administrative roles. For formatting advice, visit Best Font for a Resume.
Interior Design Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it emphasizes project scale and creative leadership, which appeal to clients and firms alike. Learn how to highlight your tools and software in Technical Skills for a Resume.
Event Planning Business Owner Resume Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
This resume is good because it demonstrates a long track record of client-facing success and event execution. To format your accomplishments effectively, read How To Email a Resume.
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Business Owner Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
How To Write a Business Owner Resume
1. Create a profile by summarizing your business owner qualifications
To generate interviews, craft a profile that captures the most compelling aspects of your career as a business owner. Create a narrative that illustrates your unique experiences, achievements, and industry expertise. Always tailor your summary to the need at hand. For example, an experienced entrepreneur seeking investment support might list past successes with other businesses. And a business owner hoping to speak at a conference should demonstrate what makes their journey interesting to the audience.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A senior business owner with over 10 years of experience specializing in entrepreneurship, venture capital investors, new business development, and talent acquisition. Proven track record of building and developing multi-million-dollar businesses within the technology industry. A strong history of defining business strategies and driving innovation to disrupt stagnant markets.
Entry-Level Profile Example
A results-driven business owner specializing in operations management, marketing, strategy development, and team leadership. Proven track record of developing business plans and building relationships with clients to grow the customer base. Adept at identifying opportunities to increase market share.
2. Create a powerful list of your business owner experience
Your professional experience section may include work you did for other organizations before launching your company. It should also include active, metric-based information about your tenure as a business owner. Tell a story about your capability, knowledge, and experience that aligns with your goal. Feature the results if you’ve led initiatives to drive revenue growth or sales. Incorporate key performance indicators (KPIs) and monetary figures to create a sense of scope for your achievements if you successfully built and scaled a business.
It’s also important to prioritize information most relevant to your current business objectives. For example, if you’re seeking venture capital funding for a startup, highlight your vision for the company and your experience bringing innovative business ideas into reality. But if you’re seeking a new job after owning a business, you may want to focus on relevant business skills and accomplishments that demonstrate what you can do for your new employer.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Business Owner
Bay Area Software Partners Inc., San Francisco, CA | September 2011 – present
- Build, manage, and develop a start-up technology company delivering innovative Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions to enterprise businesses, which includes securing over $1.5 million from angel investors and providing presentations on the product and overarching business model.
- Secure new business with multinational enterprise customers and attend meetings with C-level executives, resulting in over $15 million in gross annual revenue for 2020
- Identify opportunities to improve gross margins by 10% by selecting ideal vendors and negotiating optimal pricing
- Manage, hire, and build a team of marketing professionals, software developers, and sales executives to develop and deploy SaaS solutions for client accounts
- Create financial presentations on business performance for annual shareholder meetings and define overarching business strategy
- Define marketing strategy to secure new business and drive brand awareness
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Business Owner
Jameson Writing Service Inc., New York, NY | September 2019 – present
- Build, manage, and operate an online boutique business providing professional writing services to individuals and small business clients, including blog posts, web pages, resume writing services, bio pages, and LinkedIn profiles
- Develop the business model, secure website domain, and coordinate with two web designers to create the website, product pages, and online shopping cart
- Build long-term relationships with clients, deliver consultations on services based on customer needs, and close over $250,000 in annual revenue
- Manage, hire, and develop a team of freelancers to deliver writing services to customers, which includes performing quality assurance reviews on deliverables
3. List any education and certifications relevant to business owners
Often, the success of your start-up or other business endeavors is the only credential you need to impress investors, land speaking gigs, or even get a different job. Not all business owners have degrees, and that’s okay.
But if you do have a bachelor’s, master’s, or any specialty certificates, create a bulleted list for your resume that details these credentials. When your resume stacks up against others, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration or a certificate in project management can help you stand out.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
Example
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Marketing
- Texas A&M University, College Station, TX – May 2016
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] – [Completion Year]
Example
- Project Management Professional, Project Management Institute – 2019
4. List key skills and proficiencies for business owners
It’s critical to include relevant key phrases that help your audience scan your resume and ensure compliance with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Consider what might be most important to the person reviewing your resume, and include key skills relevant to their needs or goals. Ensure these proficiencies actually match your experience, though. It’s best not to oversell or set false expectations for your skill set. Some common key skills for business owners include:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Business administration | Business development |
| Business models | Business strategy |
| Business transformation | Capital venture investors |
| Change management | Cross-functional leadership |
| Customer relationship management | Entrepreneurship |
| Financial analysis | Growth strategy |
| Human resources (HR) | Investor relations |
| Marketing | Operations management |
| Organizational development | Revenue generation |
| Risk management | Sales |
How To Pick the Best Business Owner Resume Template
Reduce the work in creating a business owner resume by starting with a template. Choose a simple template that ensures the reader’s attention is on the details of your story. Although flashy colors and graphics may be visually appealing, they can often have the opposite effect. If your template is too reliant on visual elements, it may distract the reader from your qualifications and achievements. Stick with a traditional, straightforward template that keeps your audience engaged with your content.
Frequently Asked Questions: Business Owner Resume Examples and Advice
What is the best way to highlight my experience in my Business Owner CV?-
The best way to highlight your experience in your Business Owner CV is by emphasizing specific achievements in each role. Use bullet points to make your experience scannable and focus on results-driven accomplishments, such as improving processes or saving costs. Include quantifiable data like percentage increases or revenue growth to reinforce the impact of your work.
What are common action verbs for business owner resumes?-
As a business owner, you play an active role in the success of your organization. Ensure your resume conveys that by including action verbs demonstrating ways you’re critical to running your business. Start bullet points and sentences with action verbs to better engage your audience and make it clear you’re willing to do the work to make your dreams a reality. Use the most relevant words possible — you can get some inspiration from the list below:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Built |
| Collaborated | Created |
| Designed | Developed |
| Directed | Drove |
| Enhanced | Executed |
| Generated | Identified |
| Implemented | Improved |
| Led | Liaised |
| Managed | Oversaw |
| Partnered | Spearheaded |
How do you align your resume with a business owner job description?-
As a business owner, you may not be applying for a traditional job. But you can still align your resume with the opportunity at hand to increase your chances of success. Start by researching what is important to the decision-makers for the opportunity.
For example, if you’re seeking an investor, read up on past investments by the firm. If you find trends, you can align your resume to speak to those patterns. And if you are looking for a new job, include key phrases from the job posting in your resume and speak to the desires of the hiring organization in your profile summary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, business and financial opportunities are growing at a rate of around 7%. You can increase your chances of landing an opportunity by correctly tweaking your resume.
What is the best business owner resume format?-
Most business owners may opt for the reverse-chronological resume format. This format puts your current work in the top third of your resume, ensuring it gets the most attention but letting you tell a story about your history in the business.
However, suppose you’re angling for a speaking gig or want to demonstrate your vision and values to an investor. In that case, you may want a combination format that shines an equal light on your skills and unique qualifications.
How long should my business owner resume be?-
A business owner resume should typically be one page long, especially if you have less than 10 years of experience. A two-page resume may be appropriate for seasoned professionals with extensive achievements, but only if every detail adds value to your candidacy. Focus on conciseness and relevance by tailoring your resume to the job you're applying for. Highlight your most impactful accomplishments, certifications, and key skills rather than listing every career detail.
Including work experience from the last 10 to 15 years is generally recommended. Older positions can be summarized briefly or omitted unless highly relevant. Remember, your resume is a snapshot of your qualifications, not an exhaustive career history. Prioritize clarity and impact to make a strong impression.
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