Getting your first client is an exhilarating experience, but it’s also an experience that far too many aspiring entrepreneurs never experience. Sometimes, the difference between an idea dying in the idea stage or going on to change the world is getting that first customer – the first tiny win that creates the momentum to make an idea real. So, we connected with some of the smartest folks we could and asked them to tell us the stories of how they got their initial clients.

Mike Kneuer

Before launching Community Wellness Concierge, I was a personal trainer working at a gym in Boca Raton. Several of my personal training clients happened to live in a luxury community nearby called Seven Bridges. One of those clients was the HOA president. At the time, their wellness program was being managed by a company called Body Wellness, which had grown large but had become noticeably complacent. The level of service was slipping — classes were inconsistent, communication was poor, and residents were frustrated. Read more>>

Dee Whitfield

Imagine having a treasure trove of inspirational messages and thought-provoking quotes at your fingertips. That’s exactly what we discovered with our very first client, a Facebook friend who possessed a unique talent for crafting uplifting words. Recognizing the potential to turn his wisdom into a published book, I reached out to him and suggested the idea. He hesitated, expressing uncertainty about where to begin. Read more>>

Deborah Olivia Farmer

I still remember the day like it was yesterday. I was working my previous job when my mentor — the legendary Melody Spann Cooper — called me out of the blue and said, “Babysis, I have your first client.” Read more>>

Garrett Museau

I know you’re not really supposed to say “first client” when it’s a friend, but honestly, my first client was a friend – well friends, they are a couple. It all started with some biking friends I met while working corporate. They not only got me back into my love of biking which is a totally different story. But they asked me to shoot their wedding — before I even knew what to charge — and it ended up being the best first experience I could’ve ever asked for. Read more>>

Tinashe Chaponda

The very first check came from Google, through YouTube monetization. It wasn’t just a payment, it was validation. I had uploaded videos, experimented with content, but, when that first deposit landed, I realized something powerful: there is a real economy around creativity. That realization lit the fire behind Sosani. I thought, If I could do this on my own with limited resources, imagine what could happen with the right structure, strategy, and support behind other creators. That check made it clear that creators didn’t just have to dream about turning their passions into professions—they actually could. Read more>>

Catherine Warren

It’s almost poetic that my background as a cheerleader, a skill I honed through dedication and performance, became the unexpected catalyst for my choreography career. The word-of-mouth referral, bypassing the need for initial advertising, speaks volumes about the impression I must have made on those I interacted with, even in a limited capacity like those tumbling classes I taught. It suggests a natural talent and a positive presence that resonated with people. Read more>>

Mish Sen

Hi, the first client I got that paid me a good pice for my services was in an unexpected venue. I have had brand collabs before and the like and I wanted to grow locally working with local small and big businesses. Read more>>

Emily Mitchell

I was coming off of baby no two and starting to take care of my body, mind, and soul authentically. I was working out cycling at this fitness studio close to my house, which I had come to love. I was good at it, and I loved it. One day, there was a sign advertising the hiring of new instructors on the door. My friend suggested to me that I would be good at that. Read more>>

Tori Gibson

I got my first fitness related job at CrossFit Barkada. I was working at a hotel at the time and hated it. I was finding any opportunity possible to be in the gym and work on personal goals like getting my first muscle up or what competition I could do next. The owners of the gym saw my passion and was in need of a new coach. They asked if I’d like to help manage the gym (admin work) and if I’d be interested in getting my Level 1 and start shadowing the coaches. It was a dream come true! I was able to leave my job and start working towards what I was really passionate about. I loved the gym and the community and the fact that I could help people reach their goals everyday. Read more>>