Founder Vs. CEO – What Title Should A Business Owner Use?

When you start a new business, there are a lot of things to think about. One important decision is what title to use for yourself. There are a few different options available, and the best choice for you will depend on the type of business you’re running and your own personal preferences. 

It may be strange to think about, but there isn’t really a wrong answer. Every business owner with a fancy-sounding title just gave that title to themselves at some point.

The more popular titles for a small business owner include; owner, proprietor, principal, CEO, president, and founds. 

So, what does each one mean, and is there one that is better than the others?  In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these titles and help you determine which one is right for your startup.

Owner

As the owner of a business, you can simply use the title of Owner. This is a common choice for small businesses, as it’s quick and easy to use. However, if you’re looking to project a more professional image, you might want to use one of the more powerful titles. 

Proprietor

The proprietor is a title for the owner of a business. This title is often used for sole proprietorships but has also been used to describe the owner and operator of a retail shop. 

Principal

The principal of a business is typically the owner, but could also be the person who owns the majority of a company. 

CEO

A CEO, or Chief Executive Officer, is the highest-ranking executive in a company. CEOs are responsible for making strategic decisions that will shape the direction of the company. They are also responsible for ensuring that the company meets its financial goals.

A CEO is typically hired by a board of directors and is also responsible for hiring and firing upper-level management and is the public face of the company.

A couple of examples of famous CEOs include Tim Cook of Apple and Warren Buffet of Berkshire Hathaway.

President

As an important sounding title, the president of a company is typically the second-in-command, after the CEO. The president usually oversees a specific area or division of the company. 

For example, the president of marketing would be responsible for all marketing initiatives, while the president of sales would oversee the sales team. 

Founder

A founder is an entrepreneur who comes up with the original business idea for a company. They are typically the driving force behind getting the business off the ground and often wear many hats, especially in the early stages of growth.

The company founder’s role is to create and grow the company. This includes coming up with the company’s vision, developing a business plan, recruiting employees, securing funding from shareholders, and are often initially responsible for day-to-day operations. 

Someone who launches a new venture by themselves is known as a solo founder, while companies launched by multiple people or are very early employees often have the title of co-founder.

A couple of examples of successful founders include Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Bill Gates of Microsoft. 

What should I call myself?

After reading this list you may be asking, which one is better?

If you’re the only person involved in your business, then the title of Owner may make the most sense. 

If you came up with the original idea for the business and are responsible for its growth and development, then Founder is a good choice. 

If you’re looking to project a more professional image, then CEO or President might be a better option. 

Ultimately, the decision is up to you and what you feel comfortable with. There is no wrong answer, so choose the title that sounds best to you and best represents your role in the company.