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.
This resume example effectively showcases the candidate's entrepreneurial skills and versatility. It emphasizes accomplishments with quantifiable results, such as generating significant annual revenue, which immediately captures the attention of potential employers. The bullet points are concise and action-oriented, clearly outlining responsibilities and the impact of the work. Additionally, including relevant skills such as operations management and client relations provides a well-rounded view of qualifications, making it easier for hiring managers to recognize the candidate's value. For tips on crafting an effective resume, check out this guide on what to put on a resume.
This resume stands out due to its clear focus on the candidate's marketing and business development expertise. By quantifying achievements, such as generating substantial gross annual revenue and achieving a notable increase in sales, the candidate effectively demonstrates the ability to drive business success. The resume also highlights experience in team management and strategic planning, reinforcing the candidate’s leadership capabilities. The attention to specific results and a clear layout make this resume appealing to employers looking for proven results in their hires. For further insights on resume structure, visit this resource on best resume formats.
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This resume example effectively highlights the candidate’s extensive experience and specialized knowledge in the technology sector. By showcasing a strong track record of building multi-million-dollar businesses and securing substantial funding, it captures the attention of potential investors and partners. The bullet points detail the candidate's strategic contributions and leadership in developing innovative solutions, emphasizing their role in driving growth. This approach positions the candidate as a strong contender in a competitive market. For more tips on showcasing your skills, check out this guide on resume skills.
This resume example does an excellent job of capturing the candidate’s unique experience as a business owner. The bullet points also draw attention to the applicant’s expertise in investor relations and consulting, which could be a potential draw for future employers and business partners.
This resume example excels in capturing the broader strokes of the candidate’s experience in both digital marketing and e-commerce. Emphasizing the gross revenue of the company they built sends a clear message that the applicant has a proven track record of success as a business owner.
This resume example demonstrates the candidate’s business acumen by highlighting a wide range of achievements throughout their career. The bullet points emphasize how the applicant has increased repeat business and expanded their client base, sure to garner interest from potential employers.
Why this construction business owner resume example is strong:
This resume example explores the candidate’s experience within the construction industry in a compelling manner. The content focuses on the size and scope of the projects, demonstrating the applicant’s ability to navigate complex projects with exceptional financial acumen.
This resume highlights exceptional sales leadership, achieving 160% of quotas and generating $6 million in new revenue. It showcases team development, client relationships, and effective sales strategies.
The resume emphasizes success in leading teams and increasing market penetration, generating $3.4 million in new revenue. It also demonstrates a strong history of customer retention and consultative selling.
Business Owner Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Writing Business Owner
Marketing Business Owner
Technology Business Owner
Business Owner
E-commerce Business Owner
Cleaning Business Owner
Construction Business Owner
Vice President of Sales
Sales Executive
Nick Jameson
(123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio
123 Your Street, New York, NY 12345
Profile
A results-driven business owner specializing in operations management, marketing, strategy development, and team leadership. A 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.
Professional Experience
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 developers 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 $250K 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
Freelance Business Consultant, Self-Employed, New York, NY
May 2018 – September 2019
Provided business consulting services to small businesses within the greater New York area, which included analyzing business operations and providing recommendations to reduce overhead costs and improve gross margins
Attended meetings with clients to review financial records and operating procedures, and identified appropriate business solutions based on cash flow and long-term objectives
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Columbia University, New York, NY | September 2014 – May 2018
Key Skills
Business Development
Operations Management
Client Relations
Entrepreneurship
Business Process Improvement
Maria Lopez
(123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio
123 Your Street, Austin, TX 12345
Profile
An entrepreneur and business owner with five years of experience specializing in business development, marketing strategy, client relations, and strategic planning. A proven track record of building successful businesses from the ground up and defining growth strategies. Adept at identifying opportunities to enhance market penetration and brand recognition.
Professional Experience
Business Owner, Lopez Marketing Inc., Austin, TX
September 2017 – Present
Manage, own, and operate a marketing consulting company generating over $650K in gross annual revenue, which includes defining the business model and delivering marketing services to enhance social media and brand messaging for customers
Hire, develop, and manage a team of marketing professionals, graphic designers, and social media specialists to grow brand awareness for new products and start-ups
Interface with C-level executives and client stakeholders to assess marketing needs, define brand messaging, and ensure alignment of services with business objectives
Lead social media and email marketing campaigns to drive new business development, resulting in a 30% increase in sales from 2018 to 2019
Marketing Consultant, Self-employed, Austin, TX
May 2016 – September 2017
Served as a freelance marketing consultant for small and medium-sized business clients, which included evaluating marketing and social media presence and developing strategies to improve brand exposure and marketing performance
Provided consultative services for the build out of company websites, which included creating content for product pages and defining the visual design of the site
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Marketing , Texas A&M University, College Station, TX | September 2012 – May 2016
Key Skills
Business Management
Marketing Strategy
Social Media Marketing
Team Management
Business Modeling
Growth Marketing
Akira Sato
(123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio
123 Your Street, San Francisco, CA 12345
Profile
A senior business owner with 10+ years of experience specializing in entrepreneurship, venture capital investors, new business development, and talent acquisition. A 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.
Professional Experience
Business Owner, Bay Area Software Partners Inc., San Francisco, CA
September 2011 – Present
Build, manage, and develop a startup technology company delivering innovative SaaS solutions to enterprise businesses, which includes securing over $1.5M 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 $15M in gross annual revenue for 2020
Identify opportunities to improve gross margins by 10% through 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
Education
Master of Business Administration (M.A.), University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA | May 2011 – May 2013
Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA | September 2007 – May 2011
Key Skills
New Business Development
Entrepreneurship
Strategy Development
Investor Relations
Cross-functional Leadership
John Bergsen
(123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio
Boston, MA 12345
Profile
A business owner and entrepreneur with seven years of experience, specializing in investor relations, business administration, and strategic planning. A proven track record of building and growing successful consulting businesses from the ground up.
Professional Experience
Business Owner, HR Software Pros, Boston, MA
November 2017 – present
Manage, own, and build a software company delivering HR solutions to client businesses, which includes leading all aspects of business administration
Oversee investor relations and conduct strategic planning to improve revenue generation and lead change management efforts
Lead organizational development and recruiting efforts to facilitate business transformations and drive business development
Senior Consultant, Raleigh Consulting, Boston, MA
June 2014 – November 2017
Delivered a wide range of business consulting services to client accounts valued at up to $150,000, built relationships with stakeholders
Coordinated with a team of consultants to identify opportunities to enhance account growth by 10% to 20%
Key Skills
Operations management
Growth strategy
Business development
Investor relations
Team management
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Business Administration, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | 2014
Alexander Carter
(987) 654-3210 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio
Los Angeles, CA 90210
Profile
A results-driven e-commerce business owner with 10 years of experience, specializing in digital marketing, growth strategies, and inventory management. A strong history of building cross-functional teams and implementing robust systems to streamline operations and enhance customer experience.
Professional Experience
E-commerce Business Owner, Self-Employed, Los Angeles, CA
July 2018 – present
Build and manage a successful e-commerce brand from the ground up, oversee daily operations, supplier relationships, and digital marketing, and generate over $1.8 million in gross revenue in 2024
Established a new customer service process, increasing customer satisfaction scores by 35%
Negotiated with key suppliers, cutting costs by 18% and improving profit margins through strategic procurement
Digital Marketing Manager, Insight Strategies Inc., Los Angeles, CA
June 2014 – June 2018
Designed and launched a digital marketing strategy to grow website traffic by 45% and increase online sales by 30% over a four-month period
Managed a team of six marketing specialists, which included defining campaign strategy, keyword research, and targeted content marketing
Key Skills
Digital marketing
E-commerce platform management
Financial planning
Inventory control
Search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC)
Social media strategy
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Marketing, UCLA Anderson School of Management, Los Angeles, CA | 2016
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA | 2014
Jacob Turner
(321) 765-4321 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio
San Diego, CA 92101
Profile
A dynamic business owner with eight years of experience in residential and commercial cleaning services. A proven track record of identifying opportunities to expand the client base and consistently drive revenue growth.
Professional Experience
Owner & Operations Manager, BrightClean Solutions, San Diego, CA
March 2018 to present
Design and execute a business growth plan that increased client acquisition by 50% within the first 18 months
Manage and build a team of 12 cleaning professionals, develop comprehensive training programs, and maintain a 92% customer satisfaction rating
Build and nurture strong relationships with a portfolio of over 40 clients, resulting in an 80% repeat business rate
Operations Manager, GreenSpark Cleaning Co., Ann Arbor, MI
January 2016 to March 2018
Collaborated with management to refine operational strategies and enhance daily workflows, contributing to a 25% revenue increase over two years
Managed a team of eight staff members, conducted daily scheduling, oversaw monthly payroll, and ensured compliance with safety and customer service standards
Key Skills
Business strategy development
Client relationship management
Customer service
Financial planning
Marketing and sales
Quality assurance
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), University of California, Los Angeles, CA | 2016
Certifications
Certified Professional Cleaner (CPC), International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association, 2018
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Certification, 2016
James Lancaster
(555) 123-9876 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio
Seattle, WA 98101
Profile
A seasoned construction business owner with over 10 years of expertise in construction management, executive leadership, and strategic planning. A proven track record of overseeing multi-million dollar projects and identifying opportunities to expand revenue growth. Professional Experience Construction Project Director, Everest Build Group, Seattle, WA
July 2018 to present
Manage 25 construction projects valued at up to $10 million, lead a team of over 30 architects, contractors, and laborers, and ensure on-time delivery
Cultivate partnerships with clients, leading to a 40% boost in client retention and repeat contracts
Lead the implementation of an advanced project tracking system, reducing project delays by 20% and improving operational transparency for stakeholders
Assistant Project Manager, Atlas Construction Inc., San Francisco, CA
June 2014 to July 2018
Supported project management for 18 commercial and residential projects, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and timelines
Collaborated with senior management to secure 15% additional project funding, aiding financial stability and project scope expansion
Drove initiatives to improve client communications and coordination, contributing to a 25% increase in client satisfaction
Key Skills
Construction management
Business development
Client relationship building
Contract negotiation
Strategic planning
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA | 2016
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Civil Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA | 2014
Certifications
Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute, 2018
Certified Construction Manager (CCM), Construction Management Association of America, 2019
Certified Professional Constructor (CPC), American Institute of Constructors, 2017
Cameron Malfara
(123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio
New York, NY 12345
Profile
A dynamic sales director with over 10 years of experience building and leading high-performance sales organizations to exceed revenue targets for enterprise companies. A proven track record of establishing enduring relationships with clients founded on trust and integrity. Adept at defining innovative growth strategies to drive new business development.
Professional Experience
Vice President of Sales, Grayson Medical Device Co., New York, NY
July 2016 – present
Manage a sales department comprised of over 50 representatives and account managers, oversee all aspects of the sales cycle, and develop high-impact training programs to improve close rates, resulting in a 160% quota attainment across the team
Serve as the point of contact for client stakeholders and C-level executives, represent the company at trade shows and industry conferences, and secure six new accounts generating $6 million in new revenue
Recruit, develop, and retain top talent, identify opportunities to enhance performance, and establish a positive work culture centered on inclusion and empowerment
Senior Director, Johnson Healthcare Solutions, New York, NY
June 2013 – July 2016
Coordinated with regional managers to define sales strategy and identify new business opportunities for three territories generating over $30 million in annual revenue
Planned and delivered professional development sessions for sales representatives to improve selling tactics, resulting in a 15% increase in sales revenue
Established and maintained professional networks, prospected for new clients, and attended meetings with key executives to build long-term relationships
Certifications
Certified Master Sales Professional, NASP, 2015
Certified Professional Sales Leader (CPSL), NASP, 2013
Key Skills
Cross-functional leadership
New business development
Organizational development
Sales strategy
Territory management
Aliya Jackson
(123) 456-7890 [email protected] LinkedIn | Portfolio
Seattle, WA 12345
Profile
A strategic sales executive with eight years of experience specializing in sales management, cross-functional leadership, and consultative selling. A strong history of developing high-impact sales strategies to drive market penetration and revenue growth. Adept at building and leading diverse sales organizations.
Professional Experience
Senior Sales Executive, Creighton Energy Solutions, Seattle, WA
March 2019 – present
Lead a team of 14 sales representatives, provide coaching and mentorship, deliver training on consultative sales techniques, and improve quota attainment by 20%
Develop and implement a new sales strategy to enhance market penetration for clean energy solutions, resulting in over $3.4 million in new revenue within the first year
Build and maintain relationships with enterprise clients centered on trust and integrity, resulting in a 15% increase in customer retention
Sales Executive, Ascension Energy Corp., Seattle, WA
June 2016 – March 2019
Defined innovative sales strategies to expand business growth across four territories generating over $20 million in revenue, resulting in a 12% increase in annual sales
Managed and built a team of 20 sales personnel, identified opportunities to enhance performance, and improved close rates by 10%
Represented the company at trade shows and industry conferences to demonstrate the value of clean energy solutions and build relationships with potential clients
Certifications
Certified Master Sales Professional, NASP, 2019
Certified Professional Sales Leader (CPSL), NASP, 2016
Key Skills
Business development
Consultative sales
Relationship building
Sales management
Strategic selling
Education
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Strategic Selling & Sales Leadership, University of Washington, Seattle, WA | June 2018
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Marketing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA | June 2016
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
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 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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A business owner cover letter lets you further customize your communication by adding some personal information that might not fit well on a resume or highlighting skills or experience you don’t want the individual to miss. If you’re unsure how to start your cover letter, get some inspiration from our business resume cover letter examples.
Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).
Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.
