There are so many varied experiences when it comes to starting a business. From what we’ve seen, there is no one, right answer. Some people found success by writing a business plan, spending months or years perfecting the idea and only then approaching their first client while others found their first client before they had even settled on a name for their business. Below, you’ll find the stories of how entrepreneurs from across industries and markets found their first clients.

Cyrkle Brent

My first client came from a meaningful professional relationship I built with someone who had once worked for me as an early childhood teacher. At the time, I was her indirect supervisor, serving as Principal of the building. This experience holds special significance for me because it demonstrated how my authentic leadership style resonated with her and made her feel truly seen. She embodies the core mission of my business, The Beautifully Human Educator (TBHE), which was born out of a need I observed in schools—the challenge of balancing leadership with genuine care for the people you lead. Read more>>

Ethan Langston

This is actually a pretty incredible story. Groundwork was born from an idea that my now-business-partner Michael and I came up with: to try and scout raw pop talent very early-on and endeavor to build a brand from the ground up with that artist. We were looking for the block of clay so to speak. We had considered a number of young, talented individuals but had yet to find the perfect fit, when Michael’s dad’s best friend gave him an unexpected phone call. All artist managers are all too familiar with the “I’ve got an artist for you” call or text from a friend or family member, but this was quite the stretch. This was the family friend’s granddaughter’s best friend…from summer camp. She’d never written a song, much less released one. But the 16 year old did have a beautiful cover on YouTube of an Adele song, which was more than enough to have Michael and me floored. Read more>>

Darriona Griffin

My first client outside of my family was actually the day right after my birthday; this was my only client I was able to secure within the whole month so although I was excited, I was the most nervous I ever been for an appointment. I didn’t have a physical location that I worked out of at this time so all of my appointments were held at my clients’ homes. I made a post on a Facebook group which is where my client found me and for days leading up tp her appointment, I ran through each step it would take me to complete her service at least 10 different times; I wanted everything to go perfect. The night before, I packed my kit, my nail table, and chair and the next morning I set off to my clients house at around 7am. Everything ultimately went great and my first actual client was in love with her nails. This appointment single handedly gave me the confidence to keep working hard to the point where I am today. Read more>>

Alexandra Koulechova

Our first client was actually someone who happened to be passing by. My team and I were walking around, debating whether potential users would really be as interested in our product as I believed they would be. So, I decided to take a chance and approach the next person I saw, which happened to be a man in his 50s. We introduced him to our product—backpacks with screens that allow him and his family to earn rewards and bonuses for displaying video ads from advertisers. To our surprise, he was so excited about the idea that he offered to make a prepayment for a backpack on the spot. That moment gave us the confidence to launch pre-orders on our website, which also helped us gauge interest and identify where our future customers might be. Who knows, maybe those same people could even become investors to help bring the project to life! Read more>>

Kandi Odeneal

One of the first clients we landed, who wasn’t connected through friends or family, came through an Instagram inquiry—something we hadn’t anticipated so soon! It was for a bridal shower, and the host was traveling in from out of town. That added a layer of trust that made the booking feel extra special. The event was important to her, and she trusted us to handle everything—from setting up the décor to crafting a beautiful charcuterie spread and even managing the itinerary. I remember the feeling of excitement and pressure as we realized this was our first official client who found us purely through our work. We spent hours on sourcing, planning, and creating unique details for the event. We built backdrops and handmade floral arrangements. It also started our faux floral inventory that has more than tripled in size.  Read more>>

Courtney Williams

My first client was a couple of friends who were getting married. Knowing my passion for photography and my support for my friends, they asked me to photograph their wedding. After photographing their wedding, I realized I was hooked and wanted to capture the most important parts of life as often and as long as possible. Read more>>

Emma O’connell

My first client I met about 4 years prior to him becoming a client. I met him at an open mic night where he was a stand out performer, so I introduced myself. Shortly after that, we tried to find a way to work together, but nothing came of it at the time. Fast forward 4 years, we had lost contact with each other and I was looking for work straight out of college. During my job search, I visited a website that had a picture of him on the home page. I reached out to congratulate him on his homepage placement, and tell him was happy to hear he was still doing music. He asked if I was still involved in music, and the rest is history. He became my first client! Read more>>

Brittnie Tran

I got my first client unexpectedly though Instagram. This was back in April 2022, and at the time, I was still just creating cakes as a hobby. Someone messaged me and asked me to make her 19th birthday cake. She loved my work, and although I hadn’t sold a cake before, she was still very interested in purchasing one and trusted me to bring her vison to life. It was an adorable pink and white, rosy cake with pearls that remains one of my favorite cakes I’ve ever made. Considering that was my first sale and the fact that she was the first client to trust me wholeheartedly with a cake, it was an extremely special moment for me. Read more>>

Devan Ford

In 2018 I served as the keynote speaker at a conference for the local Pan-Hellenic council of sororities. My keynote topic was “You are Enough” and it was a motivational and empowerment speech for young women including the importance of their wellness and personal development. A conference attendee reached out to me on social media and asked if we could meet up for lunch because she was inspired by my talk, and my business (coaching practice). We soon met up, and she became my first personal development/life coaching client. Read more>>

Bret Cooley-jones

I was an established bartender that worked local night clubs and was able to network over the years. At my full time job I was approached by someone on my team when she realized that I was a bartender and she asked me to work her upcoming wedding. I was so nervous but accepted the offer. I realized I had to show up in a more professional manner then I was used to while working at clubs. I helped curate their menu, custom shopping list and let’s just say it went very well as I have been their go to bartender for multiple family events since. Read more>>

Paul Stagg

My first client was a renter that found me on Zillow. They were moving in to town for a new job, super young, just starting out. I spent most of a day with them showing them neighborhoods in Baltimore. They ended up renting in an apartment building, and my commission was $187. I started to wonder why I got in to this business. Over the next several years, that couple, who were incredibly talented and became very financially successful, referred 3 more clients to me, and they bought their own house as well. I probably earned a $50,000 in commissions over ten years because I took the time to build a relationship with them. They don’t live in the area any more, but we still talk pretty regularly. Read more>>

Shannon Tillman

I was at home and my teacher called me. She wanted to know if I would come and take this client. She was initially supposed to have another manicurist but the school was closed. I was elated so I prepared myself mentally. Praying that this would be a great experience I had the pleasure of meeting one of the sweetest ladies ever. We talked the entire service and she is still my client to this day.  Read more>>

Nancy Mueller

I started teaching self-defense classes in 1998 when I was a student, competitor and teacher in the martial arts. It was easy getting clients because I loved talking about the benefits of feeling confident based on what I was learning as a martial artist. Growing up, I always wanted to be a teacher and when women started paying me to teach them how to feel confident and protected, I will always remember the day I was standing in front of a classroom full of students when the realization hit me that my desire to become a teacher had manifested!  Read more>>