| As someone who has owned several companies there is one conversation that comes to mind with me. When I went to take out my first ever business line of credit I sat down with a banker, our company was small (6 total employees at the time) and I was young (19) And when the banker asked me what my title was he continued with "CEO, President, etc." and I remember thinking at that point I had a decision to make, I could be the kind of pretentious owner that has "employees" or the kind of hard working example setting owner that has "co-workers" and makes them want to strive and be better so I opted for the latter. I looked back at the Banker and said well you know Ross when everyone leaves at night and I'm sweeping the floor I usually consider myself the Janitor, so why don't we just go with that. He chose not to use that title for paperwork purposes but my point in telling that story is that if you're a young and growing company and you're worried about whether or not your title should be "CEO" or "President" the title you are likely to end up having is "Unemployed". Work your ass off and work with your employees don't let them work for you. If nothing else is to be done pick up a broom, help a co-worker or just find a way to be productive and lead by example. If you do that there's a chance lots of people will be knocking down your door to interview the "CEO" of "X" the next successful company with humble beginnings. My point here is basically that if and when the time comes to be labeled a CEO chances are someone else will do it for you. Thats what happened to me a few years later when i sold that same company. and until they do you're probably better off just being the janitor :) |
A better title would've been "Isn't it silly to cal yourself CEO when you've 0 employees?"
But I completely agree with what you've said.