Why the CEO title at an early-stage Startup is B.S.

Back in November, my co-founder Marius asked me to take over as fearless leader and Chief Executive Officer of DeskVibe — a title that I was hesitant to assume. The work itself I was prepared for, but the big title was what scared me.

In the last few months, I’ve been challenged with the using title of CEO on pitches, emails, presentations & beyond. In a company of three- is it something that is even necessary? The internet told me yes. According to Google, investors want to and need to know your official role within the company. If we weren’t looking for funding, I wouldn’t use a title beyond co-founder at all.

Sometimes I think it is just me growing old and seeing these young, 20-somethings fresh out of college giving themselves these fancy C-level titles. Take a minute to think about it — you’re working for a “startup” the new cool word for company, that many times does not have other employees, has a semi-developed concept, maybe a product, and HUGE expectations. 90% of startups fail, so don’t think the fancy title means that you’ll be successful.

It’s great to have these ambitions that some day the company will grow into something big — when that day the title will actually mean something. But for now, CEO is there because I have to have it, not because I want it.