How to Put Entrepreneur on a Resume: Showcasing Your Business Experience

Entrepreneurial experience represents some of the most valuable professional development anyone can have. Running a business requires leadership, risk management, financial acumen, problem-solving, and countless other skills that employers value highly. Yet many former entrepreneurs struggle to translate their business experience into a compelling resume that resonates with hiring managers.

Whether you’re transitioning back to traditional employment after running your own venture, highlighting side businesses, or showcasing startup experience, this guide will show you how to present your entrepreneurial background effectively and position yourself as a uniquely qualified candidate.

Why Entrepreneurial Experience Matters

Skills Employers Value

Entrepreneurs develop a diverse skill set that traditional employees often lack:

Leadership and Decision-Making:

• Setting vision and strategy
• Making critical decisions under uncertainty
• Taking ownership of outcomes
• Leading without formal authority

Business Operations:

• Understanding P&L statements
• Managing budgets and cash flow
• Optimizing processes and efficiency
• Handling multiple responsibilities simultaneously

Problem-Solving:

• Thinking creatively under constraints
• Adapting to changing circumstances
• Finding solutions with limited resources
• Managing crisis situations

Client and Stakeholder Relations:

• Building relationships from scratch
• Negotiating contracts and deals
• Managing customer expectations
• Communicating with diverse stakeholders

Self-Motivation:

• Working independently
• Setting and achieving goals
• Staying motivated without external structure
• Persevering through challenges

Potential Concerns Employers May Have

Understanding why some employers hesitate about entrepreneurs helps you address concerns proactively:

• Flight risk: Will you leave to start another business?
• Management fit: Can you take direction after being your own boss?
• Team integration: Will you work well with others?
• Role scope: Will you be satisfied with a defined position?

A well-crafted resume addresses these concerns while highlighting the unique value you bring.

How to List Entrepreneurial Experience

Job Title Options

Your job title should reflect your actual role while being recognizable to employers:

Founder and CEO: Best for: Startups with employees, significant funding, or industry recognition Conveys: Leadership, vision, executive responsibility

Founder and Owner: Best for: Small businesses you started and operated Conveys: Full business ownership and responsibility

Owner and Operator: Best for: Businesses you purchased and ran Conveys: Hands-on operational involvement

President: Best for: More established businesses or formal corporate structures Conveys: Executive leadership

Managing Director: Best for: Consulting or professional services firms Conveys: Client-facing leadership

Principal: Best for: Professional services, consulting, or creative businesses Conveys: Expert-level service delivery

Consultant: Best for: Independent consulting or freelance work Conveys: Specialized expertise delivered to clients

Freelance [Your Profession]: Best for: Independent work in a specific field Conveys: Specialized professional services

Company Name Considerations

Use Your Business Name If:

• It’s professional and industry-appropriate
• Your business had real clients, revenue, or recognition
• The name doesn’t require extensive explanation

Consider Generic Alternatives If:

• Your business name is unclear or unprofessional
• You’re concerned about the business appearing too small
• The name might distract from your qualifications

Examples:

• Johnson Digital Marketing Consulting
• JD Consulting LLC
• Independent Consulting Practice
• Self-Employed / Freelance

Location and Dates

Include location and dates as you would for any position:

Example: Founder and CEO | Johnson Digital Marketing | Boston, MA | 2019 - 2024

For ongoing businesses, you can indicate:

• 2019 - Present (Part-time)
• 2019 - Present (Transitioning)
• 2019 - 2024

Formatting Your Entrepreneurial Experience

Standard Experience Format

Present your entrepreneurial experience in the same format as other positions:

FOUNDER AND CEO
Johnson Digital Marketing | Boston, MA | 2019 - 2024

• Achievement-focused bullet point
• Another achievement with metrics
• Relevant accomplishment
• Key skill demonstrated

Brief Business Description

Consider adding a one-line description of your business for context:

FOUNDER AND CEO
Johnson Digital Marketing | Boston, MA | 2019 - 2024
Full-service digital marketing agency serving B2B technology clients

• Built agency from ground up to $1.2M annual revenue
• Led team of 8 marketing professionals
• Managed portfolio of 25+ clients

Multiple Roles Approach

If your business involved distinct functions, consider listing them separately:

Johnson Digital Marketing | Boston, MA | 2019 - 2024

FOUNDER AND CEO (2019 - 2024)
• Set strategic direction and managed overall operations
• Built company from startup to $1.2M in annual revenue
• Established partnerships with 3 major technology vendors

DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES (2019 - 2022)
• Managed relationships with 25+ B2B technology clients
• Achieved 95% client retention rate
• Developed client onboarding process adopted company-wide

What to Include in Your Bullet Points

Focus on Achievements, Not Just Responsibilities

Weak: “Responsible for all aspects of business operations”

Strong: “Built digital marketing agency from startup to $1.2M annual revenue within 4 years, achieving profitability by year 2”

Quantify Your Accomplishments

Use numbers to demonstrate impact:

• Revenue generated or growth percentage
• Number of clients served
• Team size managed
• Cost savings achieved
• Market share captured
• Customer satisfaction metrics

Examples:

• “Generated $2.5M in cumulative revenue over 5-year operation”
• “Grew client base from 0 to 45 accounts within 3 years”
• “Achieved Net Promoter Score of 72, exceeding industry average of 50”
• “Reduced customer acquisition cost by 40% through refined marketing strategy”

Highlight Transferable Skills

Connect your entrepreneurial experience to skills relevant to your target role:

For Project Management Roles:

• “Led 50+ client projects from inception to completion, maintaining 98% on-time delivery rate”
• “Implemented project management system that improved team efficiency by 35%”

For Sales Roles:

• “Closed $1.5M in new business through consultative selling approach”
• “Developed sales pipeline generating 200% of monthly quota”

For Marketing Roles:

• “Created and executed marketing strategy that generated 500+ qualified leads monthly”
• “Built social media presence from 0 to 25,000 engaged followers”

For Operations Roles:

• “Designed operational processes that supported 300% revenue growth”
• “Implemented inventory management system reducing waste by 25%“

Address Business Outcomes Honestly

You don’t need to hide if your business closed. Many startups don’t survive, and experienced hiring managers understand this:

For Successful Exits: “Successfully sold business to regional competitor after achieving $1.5M annual revenue”

For Pivots: “Pivoted business model based on market analysis, transitioning to new service offering”

For Closures: “Led strategic wind-down of operations, ensuring proper transition of client relationships”

You don’t need to explicitly state that a business closed—simply using past dates indicates it’s no longer your current position.

Examples of Entrepreneurial Experience on Resumes

Example 1: Tech Startup Founder

FOUNDER AND CEO TechSolutions Inc. | San Francisco, CA | 2020 - 2024 B2B SaaS platform providing workflow automation for small businesses

• Built software company from concept to 500+ paying customers and $800K ARR • Raised $1.2M in seed funding from angel investors and venture capital • Led cross-functional team of 12 including engineering, sales, and customer success • Achieved product-market fit with 40% month-over-month growth in year 2 • Developed go-to-market strategy resulting in 85% reduction in customer acquisition cost • Implemented agile development processes, reducing feature delivery time by 50%

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Example 2: Consulting Business Owner

PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT Martinez Strategy Consulting | Chicago, IL | 2018 - 2024 Management consulting practice specializing in operational excellence for mid-market manufacturers

• Founded and grew consulting practice to $600K annual revenue • Delivered strategic consulting engagements for 35+ manufacturing clients • Led operational improvement projects resulting in average 25% efficiency gains for clients • Developed proprietary assessment methodology adopted by 3 peer consulting firms • Managed team of 4 associate consultants and coordinated with external specialists • Achieved 100% client satisfaction rating and 80% repeat engagement rate

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Example 3: E-commerce Business Owner

OWNER AND OPERATOR Outdoor Gear Direct | Seattle, WA | 2019 - 2023 E-commerce retailer specializing in outdoor recreation equipment

• Built online retail business from startup to $450K annual revenue • Managed end-to-end operations including sourcing, inventory, fulfillment, and customer service • Developed digital marketing strategy driving 75% of sales through organic channels • Negotiated supplier contracts achieving 20% cost reduction while maintaining quality • Implemented customer loyalty program increasing repeat purchase rate by 40% • Maintained 4.8/5 customer rating across 2,000+ transactions

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Example 4: Freelance Professional

INDEPENDENT GRAPHIC DESIGNER Self-Employed | Denver, CO | 2017 - Present

• Provide brand identity, marketing collateral, and digital design services for 60+ clients • Built sustainable freelance practice generating $120K+ annual revenue • Specialize in tech startup branding, completing 25+ complete brand identity projects • Manage all aspects of business including client acquisition, project management, and billing • Achieved 95% client retention rate with average engagement spanning 2+ years • Developed efficient creative process reducing project delivery time by 30%

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Example 5: Side Business While Employed

FOUNDER (Part-Time) Weekend Warriors Fitness | Austin, TX | 2021 - Present Online fitness coaching and training program

• Created and launched digital fitness program generating $35K annual supplemental revenue • Built community of 500+ members through content marketing and social media engagement • Developed 12-week training curriculum with 92% completion rate • Managed all aspects of part-time business while maintaining full-time employment

Special Situations

Multiple Entrepreneurial Ventures

If you’ve started several businesses, choose how to present them:

Option 1: List Each Separately Best when each venture demonstrates different skills or lasted significant time

Option 2: Combine Under One Entry Best for serial entrepreneurs or when ventures are similar

SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR
Various Ventures | Boston, MA | 2015 - 2024

• Founded and operated 4 businesses across e-commerce and consulting sectors
• Generated cumulative revenue of $3.5M across all ventures
• Successfully exited 2 businesses through strategic sales
• Key highlights:
  - E-commerce platform: Built to $500K revenue in 18 months
  - Consulting practice: Served 40+ enterprise clients

Failed Businesses

Every entrepreneur faces setbacks. Frame failures as learning experiences:

• Focus on what you accomplished before closure
• Highlight skills developed and lessons learned
• You don’t need to explain why it ended in detail
• Be prepared to discuss honestly in interviews

Gaps After Entrepreneurship

If you took time between closing your business and job searching:

• Brief gaps don’t require explanation
• Longer gaps can be addressed in cover letters
• Focus resume on what you did, not when

Current Business Transitioning

If you’re still running your business but seeking employment:

• Be clear about your transition plans
• Indicate part-time status if applicable
• Address this directly in your cover letter
• Be prepared to discuss timeline and commitment

Addressing Employer Concerns

Concern: “Will You Leave to Start Another Business?”

In Your Resume: Emphasize longevity, commitment, and reasons for seeking traditional employment:

“Seeking to contribute entrepreneurial mindset and business acumen to an established organization where I can focus on [specific function] without operational distractions”

In Your Cover Letter: Address this directly with your motivations for the transition.

Concern: “Can You Take Direction?”

In Your Resume: Highlight collaborative achievements and work with partners, advisors, or boards:

“Worked closely with advisory board of 5 industry executives, incorporating feedback into strategic decisions”

Concern: “Will You Fit Into Our Team?”

In Your Resume: Emphasize team-building, hiring, and collaborative accomplishments:

“Built and led team of 12, fostering collaborative culture that achieved industry-leading retention rates”

Tips for Specific Industries

Technology

Emphasize:

• Technical skills and product development
• Scaling and growth metrics
• Agile/modern development practices
• Team building and leadership

Finance

Emphasize:

• P&L management and financial performance
• Regulatory compliance and risk management
• Client relationship management
• Analytical decision-making

Marketing

Emphasize:

• Campaign performance and ROI
• Brand building achievements
• Digital marketing expertise
• Client acquisition and retention

Sales

Emphasize:

• Revenue generation and quota performance
• Client acquisition and relationship building
• Pipeline development
• Closing and negotiation success

Leveraging Additional Resume Sections

Skills Section

List specific skills developed through entrepreneurship:

Business Skills: Business Development | P&L Management | Strategic Planning | Vendor Negotiation | Team Building

Technical Skills: (List tools and technologies used in your business)

Professional Summary

Use your summary to frame your entrepreneurial experience:

“Results-driven marketing professional with 6 years of entrepreneurial experience building and scaling a digital marketing agency. Seeking to bring business development expertise, client management skills, and growth-focused mindset to a senior marketing role.”

Education and Certifications

Include any business-related education or certifications:

• MBA or business courses
• Industry certifications
• Entrepreneurship programs
• Professional development

Using Resume Tools and Resources

Creating a resume that effectively showcases entrepreneurial experience can be challenging. Tools like 0portfolio.com can help you format your business experience professionally and ensure your resume resonates with both ATS systems and hiring managers who may not be familiar with evaluating entrepreneurs.

When using resume resources:

• Ensure your entrepreneurial experience is clearly structured
• Highlight measurable achievements
• Use industry-appropriate terminology
• Tailor your resume for each application

Conclusion

Your entrepreneurial experience is an asset, not a liability. The skills, resilience, and business acumen you’ve developed running your own venture make you a uniquely valuable candidate. The key is presenting this experience in a way that resonates with employers and addresses their potential concerns.

Remember these principles:

1. Use appropriate titles that convey your role and responsibility
2. Quantify achievements with revenue, growth, and impact metrics
3. Highlight transferable skills relevant to your target role
4. Address concerns proactively about fit and commitment
5. Be honest about outcomes while focusing on accomplishments

Your entrepreneurial journey has prepared you for challenges that traditional employees rarely face. Present this experience confidently, and you’ll find employers who value the unique perspective and capabilities you bring to the table.

Whether your business was a massive success, a learning experience, or somewhere in between, the skills you developed are real and valuable. Own your entrepreneurial story, present it strategically, and let your business-building experience become one of your strongest selling points.