How To Become An Owner/Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is an owner/manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Mark Zweig

As the owner/manager, you get to be in charge. But that doesn't always mean you get to sit back and relax. In fact, usually it means quite the opposite. Being an owner/manager of a business is a tough role with some big shoes to fill. But we think you're doing great.

In the beginning of a business, the owner/manager really needs to step up if they want their business to take off. That means working long hours, coming up with a great business plan, and figuring out marketing strategies. You might even need to start hiring people, but that's a whole other headache.

As we said, you might have to work long hours in the beginning. Think around 80 hours a week. I mean, you want your business to take off, right? Instead of faking it until you make it, as an owner/manager, you've got to give it your all until you make it. Then, you can take a break.

What general advice would you give to an owner/manager?

Mark Zweig

Entrepreneur in-Residence, Website

Because the potential is unlimited! An entrepreneur can design their job around their personal needs and strengths. And you can do it as long as you live!

ScoreOwner/ManagerUS Average

Salary

5.9

Avg. Salary $75,822

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.32%

Black or African American 6.13%

Hispanic or Latino 15.03%

Unknown 4.33%

White 67.71%

Gender

female 41.00%

male 59.00%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an owner/manager

Explore owner/manager education requirements

Most common owner/manager degrees

Bachelor's

52.5 %

Associate

20.4 %

High School Diploma

11.3 %

Start to develop specific owner/manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Financial Statements	18.96%
Inventory Control	7.48%
Customer Service	6.88%
Business Plan	5.33%
Human Resources	4.26%

Complete relevant owner/manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New owner/managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an owner/manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real owner/manager resumes.

Gain additional owner/manager certifications

Owner/manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific owner/manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for owner/managers include Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Sales Professional (CSP).

More About Certifications

Research owner/manager duties and responsibilities

Manage end to end business operations including hiring, scheduling visits, conducting customer consultations and performing pet visits.
Cultivate relationship through social media with younger customers via a regularly-update Facebook account.
Develop and execute operational strategies for internal processes and expand business via SEO.
Establish an exceptional lawn maintenance business specializing in lawn mowing and offering basic landscaping services.

Prepare your owner/manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your owner/manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an owner/manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable owner/manager resume templates

Build a professional owner/manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your owner/manager resume.

Apply for owner/manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an owner/manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do owner/managers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Owner/manager reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020

Pros

Meeting achieving and surpassing any goals needed to catipult a company that I can stand behind.

Cons

Lazy Phonies

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019

Pros

I have direct impact on building structure into the organisation. Creating policies that make our company safe and efficient. Develop and mentor employees to achieve company goals.

Cons

The only thing that would make my career a little better is the pay.

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019

Pros

People Busy Money Busy and variety in a job Solving problems

Cons

Lack of benefits Lifting heavy things Sitting at a desk entitely

What is an owner/manager and how to become one

What general advice would you give to an owner/manager?

Owner/manager career paths

Key steps to become an owner/manager

Explore owner/manager education requirements

Most common owner/manager degrees

Start to develop specific owner/manager skills

Complete relevant owner/manager training and internships

Gain additional owner/manager certifications

Research owner/manager duties and responsibilities

Prepare your owner/manager resume

Choose from 10+ customizable owner/manager resume templates

Apply for owner/manager jobs

How did you land your first owner/manager job

Average owner/manager salary

How do owner/managers rate their job?

Owner/manager reviews

Owner/manager jobs by state