For an effective business owner resume, focus on your relevant skills like strategic planning, team leadership, or stakeholder relations. Give examples of your success as a business owner or in similar roles, and show your knowledge base by citing any training or certificate programs you’ve done. This guide provides expert tips to help you create a results-driven resume showing your best business owner qualifications.

Key takeaways:

  • Brainstorm details about your work history on a separate document or sheet of paper. Then, identify the most relevant ones to feature in your experience section – this helps you give your resume the right focus.
  • Spell out the results of your past work as a business owner. Describe how your efforts helped the organization grow and succeed.
  • Use bullet points to display your achievements. Start each bullet point with a strong verb like “Created,” “Motivated,” or “Enhanced.”

Small Business Owner Resume Example

Why this small business owner resume example is strong:

This resume excels with a structured layout, showing the owner’s ability to manage daily operations and drive profitability. By quantifying revenue growth and client acquisition, it emphasizes the applicant’s tangible contributions to the business. Read more: How To Make a Resume


Business Owner Skills for Resume

Why this business owner skills for resume example is strong:

This example highlights diverse skill sets while maintaining a focus on metrics to demonstrate effectiveness. It uses industry-specific terminology to appeal to hiring managers and ATS. Read more: Key Skills Examples for Your Resume


Business Analyst Product Owner Resume Example

Why this business analyst product owner resume example is strong:

This resume combines business ownership and product management skills, illustrating the candidate’s ability to blend strategic insight with analytical expertise. Read more: Professional Hard Skills for Resume With Examples, Tips, and Guide


Business Owner Duties for Resume

Why this business owner duties for resume example is strong:

This resume clearly outlines the responsibilities of a business owner while providing measurable outcomes. It appeals to recruiters by balancing high-level duties with tangible achievements. Read more: Best Resume Formats With Examples, Tips, and Guide


Business Owner Operator Resume Example

Why this business owner operator resume example is strong:

This resume highlights dual expertise as both a business owner and operator. The inclusion of operational metrics demonstrates effectiveness in managing daily tasks and achieving long-term goals. Read more: How To Write a Resume Summary (With Examples)


Construction Business Owner Resume Example

Why this construction business owner resume example is strong:

This resume combines project management and leadership skills, with a focus on quantifiable achievements like cost reductions and on-time project completions. It emphasizes operational and team management expertise.


Clothing Business Owner Resume Example

Why this clothing business owner resume example is strong:

This resume highlights expertise in retail management, trend forecasting, and inventory control. Achievements like growing customer retention and increasing sales demonstrate a results-oriented approach. Read more: What To Put on a Resume


Cleaning Business Owner Resume Example

Why this cleaning business owner resume example is strong:

This resume is tailored for showcasing operational and customer service skills. It highlights the owner’s ability to expand a business while maintaining high service standards. Read more: How To Update Your Resume


Business Owner Resume Bullets

Why this business owner resume bullets example is strong:

This resume is formatted to focus on impactful bullet points that show the candidate’s results-driven mindset. It’s ideal for applicants looking to transition to corporate roles. Read more: How To Use Bullet Points on a Resume Effectively and How Many


Business Owner Resume PDF

Why this business owner resume PDF example is strong:

This example emphasizes key accomplishments while maintaining a clean, concise structure. It demonstrates versatility in leadership and operational skills. Read more: How To Put Self-Employed on a Resume


Small Business Owner Resume Example 2

Why this small business owner resume example is strong:

This resume focuses on achievements like business growth and customer satisfaction, supported by measurable results. It highlights operational efficiency and marketing expertise. Read more: How Far Back Should a Resume Go?


Business Owner Skills for Resume 2

Why this business owner skills for resume example is strong:

This resume emphasizes transferable skills for candidates transitioning into corporate roles. The accomplishments demonstrate leadership and innovation. Read more: Transferable Skills: Definition and Examples for a Resume


Business Analyst Product Owner Resume Example 2

Why this business analyst product owner resume example is strong:

This resume balances technical and analytical skills with leadership experience, making it ideal for candidates in agile environments. Read more: IT Skills for Your Resume With Examples, Tips, and Guide


Construction Business Owner Resume Example 2

Why this construction business owner resume example is strong:

This resume showcases expertise in project management and team leadership, with measurable outcomes like cost reductions and timely project delivery. Read more: Job Title Examples for Your Resume


Cleaning Business Owner Resume Example 2

Why this cleaning business owner resume example is strong:

This resume demonstrates the owner’s ability to manage operations efficiently while delivering strong customer service and achieving business growth. Read more: The Best Looking Resumes To Impress Hiring Managers


Retail Business Owner Resume Example

Why this retail business owner resume example is strong:

This resume highlights accomplishments in customer retention and inventory management, backed by measurable results like revenue growth and cost savings. Read more: How To List Work Experience on a Resume


Franchise Business Owner Resume Example

Why this franchise business owner resume example is strong:

This resume emphasizes leadership in scaling operations and maintaining quality across multiple locations, with achievements quantified by revenue growth and customer satisfaction. Read more: How To Write Job Descriptions in a Resume


Food Truck Business Owner Resume Example

Why this food truck business owner resume example is strong:

This resume effectively combines culinary skills with business acumen, showcasing achievements in revenue growth and customer engagement. Read more: How Long Should a Resume Be?


Health and Wellness Business Owner Resume Example

Why this health and wellness business owner resume example is strong:

This resume focuses on client success stories and program innovation, supported by quantifiable results in engagement and retention. Read more: How To List Skills in Your Resume Skills Section


E-commerce Business Owner Resume Example

Why this e-commerce business owner resume example is strong:

This resume highlights digital expertise, focusing on web traffic growth, conversion optimization, and product sourcing for online success. Read more: What Is a Good Headline for a Resume?


Business Owner Text-Only Resume Examples and Templates

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  • Small Business Owner
  • Business Owner Skills for Resume
  • Business Analyst Product Owner
  • Business Owner Duties for Resume
  • Business Owner Operator
  • Construction Business Owner
  • Clothing Business Owner
  • Cleaning Business Owner
  • Business Owner Resume Bullets
  • Business Owner Resume PDF
  • Small Business Owner Resume
  • Business Owner Skills for Resume
  • Business Analyst Product Owner
  • Construction Business Owner
  • Cleaning Business Owner
  • Retail Business Owner
  • Franchise Business Owner
  • Food Truck Business Owner
  • Health and Wellness Business Owner
  • E-commerce Business Owner
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John Smith
[email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | City, ST | LinkedIn

Leader with entrepreneurial success in small business operations

Small business owner with 15 years of experience focused on strategic planning, financial management, and customer acquisition. Proven record of increasing profit by 45% and enhancing operational efficiency.

Key Skills

  • Customer relationship management
  • Financial management
  • Marketing and branding
  • Strategic planning

Professional Experience

Owner & Manager, Smith’s Bookstore, Chicago, IL | January 2015 – Present

  • Grew annual revenue 45% through targeted community engagement and marketing strategies
  • Streamlined inventory management processes, reducing waste by 25%
  • Expanded the client base by 60% with loyalty programs and customer-centric initiatives

Owner & Operator, Green Space Landscaping, Chicago, IL | March 2010 – December 2014

  • Grew monthly profits by 35% through innovative marketing campaigns
  • Hired and trained a team of five landscapers, achieving 98% client satisfaction
  • Secured contracts with local businesses, resulting in a 20% increase in recurring revenue

Education

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business Administration
University of Illinois | Chicago, IL

How To Write a Business Owner Resume

Your business owner resume should usually include these sections:

  • Contact information
  • Profile
  • Key skills
  • Professional experience
  • Education and certifications

Below are tips and samples to help you organize each resume section.

1. Share your contact information

Give your full name, phone number, email address, location, and links to any online professional profiles. Ensure your contact information is current so employers can reach you for an interview.

Template

Your Name
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | City, ST 09876 | LinkedIn

2. Write a compelling profile summarizing your business owner qualifications

You can impress employers at the top of your resume by giving the three to five primary reasons you excel as a leader. These key selling points may include your:

  • Years of related business experience
  • Work style or approach (strategic, efficient, collaborative…)
  • Advanced degree(s) or certifications in your field

(Note: Most job seekers find it easier to write their profile last.)

Senior-Level Profile Example:

Business owner with over 15 years of success leading ventures in the retail, technology, and service industries. Proven ability to drive revenue growth, optimize operations, and achieve profitability.

Entry-Level Profile Example:

Small business owner with three years of experience managing daily operations, customer relationships, and financial performance. Skilled in finding growth opportunities and raising brand visibility.

3. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section

View the experience section as a chance to give examples of your work and success in leadership roles similar to the one you’re after. For each job in your recent work history, brainstorm your duties and achievements on a separate document or sheet of paper. Then, choose the most relevant details to feature as bullet points in this section.

Senior-Level Professional Experience Example:

Founder & CEO, GrowthPath Consulting, New York, NY | January 2019 – Present

  • Scaled the company from inception to $2 million annual revenue through innovative consulting strategies and efficient operations
  • Managed and motivated a team of 15 consultants to provide top-quality service, fostering 95% client retention
  • Reduced operational costs 20% by streamlining processes

Entry-Level Professional Experience Example:

Small Business Owner, Cupcake Bliss Bakery, Austin, TX | May 2022 – Present

  • Increased monthly sales 30% through targeted social media marketing campaigns
  • Designed and launched a customer loyalty program that grew repeat business 40%
  • Handled inventory, scheduling, and vendor negotiations to maintain profitability

Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience

When possible, use relevant performance data to measure the results you’ve achieved as a business owner. Hard numbers like percentages and dollar amounts put your work in context and give recruiters a better sense of your impact.

Do
  • “Grew annual revenue 40% through targeted online marketing initiatives and strategic partnerships”
Don’t
  • “Responsible for increasing revenue through marketing efforts”

Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume to each application

Before sending your resume, review it carefully compared to the job posting. Delete any details that don’t speak to the requirements, and consider using that space for more information about your relevant experience. This process takes extra time, obviously. But it can shorten your overall job search by giving you an edge over the many applicants who send a more general, less convincing resume.

4. Include relevant education and certifications

With the education and certifications sections, you can show you have a strong knowledge base in your field. Each degree or credential also serves as a formal endorsement of your skills and business acumen. The following are templates to help you organize this information on your resume (note, years are not necessary after the most recent 10 years).

Education

Template:

[Degree Name], [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
[Relevant honors, coursework, or activities]

Example:

Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI | 2018

Certifications

Template:

[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] | [Completion Year]
[Description if the credential is lesser-known but relevant]

Examples:

Certified Business Consultant, Business Coaching Institute | 2020

5. List pertinent key skills

A separate skills section lets you quickly display the (possibly various) ways you can lead a successful business. Below, you’ll find some key terms and skills to consider for this section:

Key skills
Budgeting and cost accounting Business needs assessment
Efficiency improvement Financial planning and analysis
Market strategy development Operations management
Process redesign and improvement Regulatory compliance
Risk management and mitigation Strategic business planning
Talent recruiting and retention Team leadership and motivation

Resume writer’s tip: Use descriptive action verbs

Start each bullet point with a strong action verb. Dynamic verbs help you keep the reader’s attention and tell a compelling story about your experience.

The following list can help you find a good mix of action verbs for your business owner resume:

Action verbs
Clarified Created
Decreased Enhanced
Established Fostered
Generated Grew
Improved Increased
Introduced Launched
Led Lowered
Managed Motivated
Prevented Ranked
Reduced Restored
Reversed Revitalized
Set Streamlined
Strengthened Trained
Updated Won

How To Pick the Best Business Owner Resume Template

The best resume templates are simple and easy to edit. Choose one that lets you quickly add, delete, flesh out, rearrange, and reorder sections. With a flexible design, you can tailor and optimize your resume for each job application.

Frequently Asked Questions: Business Owner Resume Examples and Advice

How do you align your resume with a business owner job posting?

Focus on editing your skills section. With just a few quick changes to this section, you can hone your resume and help it get past screenings by applicant tracking systems (ATS).

First, take a close look at the job posting and highlight any skills required. Then, compare those highlighted terms against your resume's existing skills section. Delete any skills from your list that don't appear in the job posting, and add any missing skills of yours that do.

Say the job posting calls for experience in training new hires, which you have. Add the phrase "New hire training" to your skills section so ATS and human readers can see you have the leadership ability they're looking for.

What is the best business owner resume format?

The combination (or hybrid) format, because it lets you present yourself both clearly and strategically. According to job search experts Wendy Enelow and Louise Kursmark, this format "gives you many opportunities to share your specific successes.... It offers immense flexibility in an easy-to-follow structure."

A combination resume has these two features:

  1. An introduction to your strengths. Typically, the resume intro comprises a profile paragraph and skills list, as in the examples on this page. But there are many variations. Depending on your job search, you may choose to omit one or both of these sections in favor of a one- or two-sentence professional headline. You may also add elements like graphs or client testimonials. Whatever approach you choose, make sure your introduction tells why you're great for the job.
  1. One or more experience sections. Hiring managers want to know your latest career activities. The combination format lets you provide that information with sections for your recent years' work, internship, education, or other experience. For most job seekers, the bulk of their combination resume will be a "Professional Experience" section with detailed job descriptions in reverse-chronological order.
Expert advice:

Include a cover letter with your resume

A good cover letter sharpens your job application by saying directly why you’re interested in the organization or job opening at hand. When possible, quote or paraphrase text from the job posting and explain why it caught your attention.

Check Out Related Examples

Andrew Stoner

Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach

Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.

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