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.

Janora Davenport

So I’ll specifically start with my first client that I gained in Atlanta when I decided to start back braiding and servicing clients, this was the day that it was all confirmed for me, I made the right decision. So I decided to get back to my passion and do what I love, which is hair. Brief intermission for a huge thank you to my child’s father for encouraging me to take a leap of faith and get to this place. So in 2019, I decided to step out on faith, quit all 3 of my jobs, end my online courses for obtaining my master’s degree, and find a salon to rent a booth and braid full time. I had NO clientele, but I was struggling with 3 jobs and I knew that there had to be more. So one day, I had a conversation with my now son’s father about how I was unhappy with my work life and I wanted more. Read more>>

Janie Dominguez

I launched my business with high spirits, sharing the news on Facebook. I received an exciting inquiry from a sorority member needing a photo booth 360 for their upcoming event. It was my first event, and despite it raining on my first event, I was determined to make it a success. However, I had forgotten the photo ring at home, which was an hour away. I offered a full refund, but the client kindly asked me to retrieve it. I learned a valuable lesson and created a checklist to ensure smoother operations in the future. My key takeaways are: Read more>>

Carlee Hawkins

Well, how I got my first client that wasn’t family or friend… starts with first doing a job for a friend. One morning I was getting coffee with a friend of mine. At this point in my business it was still a part time hustle. I was doing custom pen and ink drawings, as well as, selling my works at art markets in my area. My friend and I were talking and she told me how she quit her job and was going to open her own pottery studio. As ecstatic as I was for her, I always saw an opportunity. You see, I’d heard this podcast and the lady was telling about how she paints murals and how profitable she has found it to be. When my friend told me about her space I knew I wanted to paint a mural there. Actually, I told her. “look business to business, I want to paint a mural in your space and I have an idea.” To put it in perspective, I had NEVER painted anything before much less something large scale. Read more>>

David Airey

I’d been working as an in-house designer at an Edinburgh–based charity until I gave my notice so I could travel and see a little more of the world. Some months later when I returned to Edinburgh I arranged a meeting with my old employer to pitch the idea of taking them on as my first client as an independent designer. Luckily, my previous role hadn’t been filled and the charity was keen for me to continue working with them. So for three days each week I helped with their design needs, using the other days to build my website and to find other clients. Our working relationship continued for 18 months until the charity needed to hire someone full-time, by which point I’d built enough of an online presence to attract quite a range of other design clients. Read more>>

Lisa Cashion

In late 2018, I began to feel a nudge—and some encouragement from others—to start baking for people beyond my family. But despite the support, I was held back by self-doubt and internal angst. My first real sale came in the most unexpected way and taught me some important lessons along the journey. It started with someone who tried to take advantage of my baking skills. Long story short, I made a cake for them, but when it came time to pay, they dodged me at every turn. While I hadn’t asked for payment upfront, I at least knew better than to hand over the cake without receiving the money first. Ultimately, they ghosted me, leaving me with a super cute and delicious cake and a bad taste in my mouth—figuratively speaking. Read more>>

Nia Williams

My first client was actually someone I previously worked with at my old job. I was the Dog Trainer & Behavior Coordinator at the well-known LA rescue, Wags & Walks, from 2022-2023. My first client was a volunteer and foster while I was working there. She decided to foster a feisty little dog named Batman, ended up falling in love with him, and officially adopted him a month or so later. Fast forward to a year later, very shortly after I decided to start my dog training business, she was looking to get more training for Batman’s reactivity and a fellow rescue volunteer connected us. It was truly a full circle moment since we had worked together previously. The ability really connect and build a relationship organically with my first client was amazing because it made both of us feel more comfortable with the process. They have a special place in my heart! Read more>>

Brandon Wong

My first client’s name was Alex, an 11 year old, only child. A friend who coaches junior hockey referred Alex and his family. The family was asking for hockey coaching and mentorship for their son. It was in late 2017, where we met and worked on some off-ice skills. In the same conversation after asking some specific questions about what they wanted and what they had visioned. I also wanted to work with Alex on dryland training, something that brought myself to higher heights as a young kid. Not only physically but mentally as well! What a journey its been going into year 8. Read more>>