Looking for a business name is relatively straightforward: a simple search through Google or the telephone directory will usually give you the results you're after. However, in some cases you may need to know the name of the individual behind the business. For example, you could be a freelance graphic designer who is eager to provide his or her services to the business in question. Sending out a generic email or letter to "Dear Owner" is obviously not very personalized and will probably result in it not getting read. In such situations you are going to want the name of the person who actually owns the business. Here's how you can do just that.
Check Social Media
It's almost a rule nowadays that if a business wants to survive it has to have social media presence. This is great news for you because it means that you can probably glean who the owner of a business is through their social media profiles. A business' Facebook page, for example, may have an About section listing the owners. In fact, some businesses tend to be more prudent about updating their social media profiles than their actual websites. Even if the business owner is not mentioned in the About section, you may be able to find out his or her name by scrolling through recent posts. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are all great platforms for this type of search.
Better Business Bureau
Getting registered with the Better Business Bureau is a goal of just about any company that deals with the public or with other businesses. BBB certification means that consumers can trust a business as being legitimate. The BBB website includes a directory of all the companies it has certified. Even better, the database also includes the names of owners of those companies.
Industry directories
Another good idea is to check state and local directories for particular industries. Sites like ThumbTack put independent contractors, such as painters, construction workers, teachers, and freelancers, in contact with people who need their services. While such sites are generally designed to be used by consumers who actually need the services a particular business is offering, they can also be used to find out who the owners of a business are.
Who-is record
Finally, if the business owner you are looking for has a domain name registered to that business then you can do a "who is" record search. This sort of search will provide you with information about the individual who has actually registered a particular domain name, even if his or her name doesn't appear on the site itself. However, keep in mind that some people who register a domain name do so through third parties in order to avoid receiving spam or to protect their privacy. In those cases, their names won't be listed on a who-is search.
Finding the name of a business owner is not always easy since there isn't really one single database where you can join a business name with a business owner. However, as shown above, there are ways to work around this limitation and to find business owners online free and easily.
