Comments on: Are You A Founder, CEO, or Entrepreneur?

By: Darshak

Darshak — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:18:57 +0000

I think Enterprenure is the right word for the start-up Cos owner.

Founder looks more mature or agey and not challenging.

CEO should be only used when you are on top level management and not doing the work of manager or day to day activity.

This is what i feel.

I am also little confused and need helps in choosing my designation on buisness card. I am founder, properitor and only person who is working for the new co. right now which is in devlopment mode.

Whether “Director – Buisness Devlopement” is good ??

or i should use short designation like “COO” Chief Operating Officer ?? Please suggest ??

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:57:09 +0000

Hi.. well it was nice to go through all the comments..well i have business which was run by ma dad and he’s passed away but i am still continuing the business till date…according to me he’s the founder if i am not mistaken. Well iam making my new business card where i am totally confused what could be my designation..is it entrepreneur , co-founder, ceo or managing director…we dont have any shareholders too..its sme company…would really appreciate if somebody could help me on this

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 00:18:44 +0000

I think many who’ve commented don’t realize that a good CEO who’s NOT a Founder is also invested in the business, emotionally and passionately. They too believe that it is now their baby, and spend 24×7 on it. They too know how to define the vision and strategy, and execute on it, albeit at a different stage than the Founder CEO. They may not have come up with the first idea(s) but they have to come up with subsequent ones. If you haven’t run into such CEOs, you’ve just run into managers and NOT leaders.

By: gautham

gautham — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 19:56:06 +0000

I think it depends on the type of company/organization in question.
-If it was something you dreamt about day and night and finally put up,then you MUST call yourself the founder..simply because you are the sole reason for its existence. But if you happen to share your ideas with a partner and start a company with him then he becomes the co founder..
-But if it is more of a collective effort or you pitched in a bit late you can be the CEO. I believe that the word CEO doesn’t always convey the “attachment” with the company. You can join say five years after the company was formed and still be a CEO.
-I completely agree with Mr.Luke on the entrepreneur part. I would rather dig a hole and bury myself than introduce myself as an entrepreneur. I feel that it is more of a word that others should be using to describe you; than you using to describe yourself!

But thats just my take on it

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:18:46 +0000

Founder on a business card looks tacky.

If you started the business but don’t work in it you are an owner.

If you started the business as a venture with the notion of exiting and or selling, you are an entrepreneur

If you run and lead the business you are a CEO

By: Bill

Bill — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:46:27 +0000

Just a thought…being the founder means early mornings, late evenings, weekends without your family, missed birthdays, I can go on but you get the point. SACRIFICE for an idea that you believe wil have great meaning in an effort to change someone’s life or something in their life. Founder means only one thing. You came up with the idea and contributed you blood, sweat and many times tears. CEO means you are currently the Captain of the ship. Perhaps you may be LUCKY enough to be both at the same time. Continue to innovate and create

By: Augustine

Augustine — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:58:50 +0000

Very interesting perspectives on this forum. I have set-up 7 companies in the last 10 years which I would call my first business cycle and now after several successes and failures am on my second business cycle with sourceprocuredeliver.com or SPD

My perspective on the question we all face of what do we call ourselves is as follows:

1. We need to bear in mind the context and situation we find ourselves in when the three titles needs to be invoked.

2. What you call yourself in a face-to-face introduction can be any of the titles and depends on where you are and who you are being introduced to. If you are getting introduced to Bill Gates, it may look a bit amusing to introduce yourself as Founder and CEO of XYZ.

3. The dilemma is what you put on your business card.
Founder means – Conceptualizer, the Visionary. It is this ones person’s vision and determination that the thought germinates into an idea, an idea into a concept, a concept into a business plan and a business plan into an organization.
It can be one person or a team of entreupreneurs who hit upon an idea jointly and mutually agree on respective roles and functions, becoming co-founders. Here the TEAM who met first are all visionaries.
CEO – is the functional term. The implementor. The strategist who plans & implements the vision of the Founder.
Entreupreuner is the generic term that expresses your personality, the kind of person you are and the way you want to be seen as. It is how someone introduces you as. Meet Mr. David, he is an Entreupreuner.
Hi! My name is David, I am an Entreupreuner..is not right there..
Hi! I’m David, I am the Founder of XYZ
Hi! I’m David, I am the Founder and CEO of XYZ

4. On my first business cycle I used the title of Managing Director on my business card and also when I introduced myself. Went well in all situations. It aptly described me as the Business Owner as well as the implementor.

5, Until the start-up has grown into a larger organization, say about 50 staff, it would be the Founder who runs the day-to-day functions of the CEO. Till such time, Founder and CEO is appropriate. In some ways it expresses the same meaning as the term Managing Director. Doesn’t matter if the company has only 2 staff, you are still the one directing and implementing the fortunes of the Company.

Hope the above adds a fresh perspective to the discussion

By: isnice

isnice — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 02:12:53 +0000

CEO – Is when you have a board of directors
Founder – Is not a position within the company
Entrepreneur – Is not a position within the company

Owner <<< This one all of you missed. Owner or Co. Owner is a position within the company and it means that you are the one who controls the action.

By: globalgal

globalgal — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:14:27 +0000

ISI discussed this theory in their American Business Magazine, which had some similar ideas.

By: ShanaJaye

ShanaJaye — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:27:48 +0000

Wow there are a lot of great points here. I consider myself founder of Stilettos in Business because it was my idea and I’m working (solely) to build it.

Thanks for the food for thought.