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.

Samantha Breen.

I think any business owner would agree that signing your first client is extremely special. My first official client was JJwinks, an amazing loungewear brand that allows women to go braless without anyone knowing – who doesn’t love that?! I actually came across the company on Instagram and knew that I just had to do their PR. I reached out to the founders telling them how excited I was by their loungewear solutions for women, and they actually replied! Read more>>

Amphay Ivers.

My first client was someone who came in to see me when I was still in nail school. I was assigned to this client during school. I told her I was opening up my own home nail studio. After graduating nail school I contacted the client and she was more than happy to be my first official client! Read more>>

Sherisse Smith

When I started out I started selling at my local farmer’s market. They had vendors with handmade products and I really just wanted to test out the interest in my community. I had already done my market and research and had been in my industry for years but not as a maker of products. Read more>>

Cheryllyne Vaz.

We built out business doing open houses! As neither of us are natives of the Twin Cities (though we’ve now been here for 20 years!), we did not have a huge base of family and friends to start with as clients. Most realtors will host an open house or two a week, if that! We knew we needed to find business, and FAST! That lead us to host 5 open houses a week – 2 each on Saturday and Sunday, and a happy hour open on a weekday. Read more>>

Charlese Watson

I was working as a social media manager for three nationally syndicated court shows and the line producer of the shows asked me whether I offered social media services for entrepreneurs and businesses. I paused for a moment because I actually had never considered this before. Then, I told her yes and began building my service packages and offerings. Read more>>

Simone Soulel

I was going to Esthetics school in Los Angeles and working in a very prominent Metaphysical shop in West Hollywood. I use to do on the spot Intuitive readings and a man walked in who owned a bar in Los Angeles and needed his space cleared out, he felt it held heavy energy and was keeping customers out, Mind you I was trained to clear energy but I was 25 and had never cleared a whole building, but i accepted ! I’ve been doing personal and business clearings since, very thankful for my start. Read more>>

Josh Dampf

I was the Special Events Coordinator at a local non-profit when I started dreaming about building my own company. I decided to write up a “fake” business plan and wanted to launch it in the next 5 years. As I started dreaming up what launching an event planning company looked like, I gained confidence and started sharing my dream with mentors, colleagues, and friends who were familiar with my work. Read more>>

Louise Erdeljohn

I booked my first client using an online business directory that helps match those looking for services with those that provide services. The company is called Thumbtack. I had used Thumbtack in the past for help with writing a resume and finding a personal trainer. So it just seemed logical to try Thumbtack out for my business. My first clients came very fast. I remember launching my business by publishing my website and social media and adding my business to Thumbtack. Within a week, I booked my first client. Read more>>

Allison Davis

My first clients were all family friends and their friends. I got a lot of business through word of mouth. To reach more clients, I created a Facebook page, took free samples to local businesses and left business cards anywhere I could. I also began doing craft fairs where I would sell cupcakes, mini pies, cookies and breads. I would sell out before the event was over most times. I got a lot of new customers through craft fairs. Read more>>

Cassie Butcher

When I first started coaching, I was a little nervous. I knew I had what it took to motivate someone but I wasn’t sure that I had what it took to make them take action. I was scared of taking money from someone and not being confident in my ability to really help them. My business coach at the time decided that I should offer free coaching to 2-3 individuals and let them know what I was trying to do. Read more>>