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.

Bethany (Mays) Quarterley

I never planned on a career in marketing. Growing up, I was obsessed with shows like Say Yes to the Dress and Four Weddings, and I always pictured myself working in the wedding industry – specifically selling bridal gowns. In eighth grade, I shadowed a local bridal salon for a school project and instantly fell in love with the atmosphere. Two years later, the salon reached out and asked if I’d be interested in helping during prom season. That was my in. I worked there for three years, eventually becoming a bridal stylist, and while I loved connecting with the clients and showcasing the dresses, I quickly realized that traditional sales wasn’t where my heart was. Read more>>

Chris Farmer

I have an on line membership program where I coach and mentor adult singing acoustic guitar players on how to quickly grow their song lists and perform the tunes as good or better than the original versions. It’s extremely important when starting any business to identify who your ideal customer is and to include this detailed description in your business plan. Well I did just that – drove traffic to my website with paid ads – and landed my first cold sale soon thereafter. It was an amazing feeling! Very exciting to meet someone for the first time on a Zoom call, make that human and professional connection, and have them trust me by becoming my client! Read more>>

Marina Yousif

I have in banking industry for 9 years. I want to briefly tell you on how it all started. I am a friendly person and I always been that way and the reason I am mentioning that because I want to mention you how it all started.

Before, I was a teller dealing with transactions and I always greet customers and thank them for coming to the bank. I started building up a relationship and connection with clients that I meet on daily base. Clients start coming to see me often and wanted to wait for me to help them. After, I got prompted in 2024 I already build up the relationship with clients so they start coming to see me to open them accounts and assist them with their financial needs and goals. Majority of my clients were from the teller line that I used to see almost everyday. After, I got promoted those same clients came to see on daily base to help with their needs. Read more>>

Mandisa Duperval

When I started off as an artist, I worked soley as a Makeup artist. I was living in Connecticut and working a lot in NYC. I would do makeup for the lookbooks for a local designer. One day a journalist was doing an article about the designer; they interview me to see how it was working on their team. The journalist and I clicked, and she asked me if i would do the makeup for her close friend’s wedding. From that wedding I made really close lifelong friends. Later on, I booked almost 5 or 6 other weddings and events within that family. I think this experience so early on in my career made me see that work is and can be fun. Read more>>

IANTHE MAURO

I was frustrated with the lack of transparency and safety of conventional candles. So when I decided to start my own candle brand, objects with purpose, I knew it was going to be about the cleanest safest burn, the most glorious and inspiring fragrance blends and beautiful, soul affirming, design. Read more>>

Gina Caraballo

While I was in college in San Diego, I’d spend my mornings before class cold-calling local film and TV production companies—literally flipping through the yellow pages and reaching out to anyone who might give me a shot as a Makeup Artist. I didn’t have connections and social media didn’t exist, but I had grit and a serious drive to get my foot in the door.  Read more>>