You run a small business. You founded* a small business. You might be in college. Maybe you’re a 57-year-old wedding DJ, p.k.a. Sir Geriatricz. It doesn’t matter.
Just stop calling yourself a CEO.
Unless you’re governing Indians you are the “Chief” of nothing. You just know a little more than others. Or maybe you don’t. (hint: this is called “domain expertise”)
So call yourself the founder, or owner, or whatever. Tell people you “Run a little business that does _.” Just don’t say you’re a CEO.
Nothing screams amateur like glossy business cards and a 2-man team and ‘CEO’ inscribed bolder and bigger than your name.
Being CEO is a pipe dream, not a right of passage for your $100 C-Corp filing.
Focus on sales.
Sales are oxygen with which you grow and hire employees (Indians). Then you’ll be a Chief. Then you can call yourself a CEO.
But for now, just stop.
Couldn’t have said this better, Ryan. This is one of my pet peeves. When I see “CEO” as someone’s title when they are a company of 1, it tells me I can’t trust them. They have an overinflated opinion of themselves AND is says to me they lack authenticity.
Agree 100%. Thanks for reading!
Oh my word. Well said. You know what’s worse and I have seen this a lot – ‘Global CEO’
This was a refreshing read. I’m hoping I’m a smart enough monkey that what I build may at some point make me 5 bucks. Such a large amount of snobbery is also a motivating factor for me.