One of the most important things an aspiring entrepreneur can do is validate their idea by finding a client. For first time entrepreneurs, this can often feel intimidating and so we’re hoping that by sharing stories of how others before them have found their first client we can make it feel less daunting. Below, you’ll find the stories of some incredibly bright entrepreneurs and business owners sharing how they secured their first client.

Amber Deas

Working in this industry, you always have to “prove” yourself. When I first started I had nothing to show to potential clients, so I had to figure out how to lock in with new paying clients. I got my first client by doing free or discounted work just to build my portfolio, so I had work to advertise. People are visual and they prefer when you have something to show. Read more>>

Wilbur Hines Jr.

Cool and calm in the middle of closing the sale on another car deal, I offered to help these particular clients lose weight. Years ago I sold used cars, made great money and connected with amazing people I still know to this day in the middle Tennessee area. Read more>>

Aaliyah Monroe

The first client I ever had was unexpected . I had just became a little comfortable with doing nails for the public . My friends kept telling me “open your books”,”you’re good at this.” Whole time I felt I wasn’t ready . My first client I did a basic set with butterflies. The whole time I was so nervous and I’m thinking “I done messed this girl nails up.” Read more>>

Quanishia Dixon

When I started my business, I was making stuff every week and gave it to different people for free. You’re probably thinking for free. Yes for free, I felt like how can I get people to buy my treats if no one other than my family has ever tasted my product? I did that for about two months. Doing that for two months I received a lot of feedback on what was good and what needed to be fixed, Once I perfected those things I was ready to start selling my treats. Not long after that, I received my very first order for a whole two-layer chocolate cake. Read more>>

Malika Bowling

Funny story. Sort of. I was newly laid off and looking for a job. Recruiters, who are notoriously slimy and untrustworthy, had posted about a job writing content for a company. I was definitely interested because I love writing and the topic was home improvement which I enjoy. Lo and behold, I turned up for the interview and was told there was no job, that the recruiter was just sending in candidates to “keep on file”.  Read more>>

Michelle Smith

Well our very 1st event was a Corporate Christmas Dinner party. We were so excited that this company chose us and we wanted to make sure EVERYTHING was perfect!! The client gave us the colors & the number of guest! The best thing about this event is we were given creative freedom. It was so important to make a great impression on the client! We provided two mock up tables and the client loved our design! Needless to say the event was incredible. They’ve been our client ever since. Read more>>

Tom Velure

I actually started this business as a screen printer. We used to have group get togethers with friends, and would often offset the prices by selling t-shirts. Eventually I would pickup business from local businesses, making them shirts for their events or schools and sports. When my first kid was born, I made the shift to woodworking. With the woodworking, Read more>>

 Sevyn Jones

Starting a clientele based business was very hard. I initially started in a barbershop. I would have family and friends come in so clients would see me working and what I did so that would be intrigued to want my services. After that I went to a suite in Birmingham, MI. It was super slow. Read more>>

Cindy Yeh

Believe it or not, my first client that I got who was a complete stranger was during the beginning of COVID when the whole world was in lock down. Because of COVID, I went from serving full time at a restaurant to being out of a job for three months during lockdown. Since I all of a sudden had all the time in the world to do whatever I wanted, I decided to put my energy into my passion, and started pursuing it as a business venture. Read more>>

Petra Loza

My first client contacted me through social media making some inquiries about my services. I was very excited to have my first client when she contacted me, I told her I had a promotion going on. She booked a makeup session with me to style her for a family event she had. Until this day, she remains a frequent client for every special event she has and has recommended my services to her family and close friends. Read more>>

Camille Walker

I got my first client by offering a safe place to have a conversation. When the conversation was over the person asked if they could hire me to help them figure out what they really wanted to do with their life. It was so surprising to realize I had shared enough value in one conversation such that the person wanted to compensate me for services. Read more>>

Yesdnilco

My first client. I was actually walking out of Wawa and I was stop by a young lady who asked about my jacket I was wearing. She asked if I had made it myself I responded yes I did I’m a designer. I began to show explain to her how the process worked. We take your ideas and we turn them into live art. She was ecstatic, she said she had a son and his birthday was coming up and she would love to get him a custom jacket. Read more>>

NaTosha Barber

My first client that put 210 Fusion Cuisine on the map was with LOC Lesbians Of Color. In Oct of 2016, The founding member Kendra walker came up to me at their Super Meetup and said she heard a fried a mean piece of fish. She offered me a chance to cater their annual black tie gala in March of 2017 for 200 people. I mean she did it sight unseen, no taste test or anything. Read more>>

Cody-Brianna Pope

So like a lot of things in my life my first “legit” client was a complete accident. I was actually at a 7-Eleven grabbing a slurpee and some snacks face completely BEAT minding my own business;I caught the eye of another customer. She loved my makeup and wanted my information to give to her daughter who was getting married. Read more>>

Monica Caridad

Our first client was a friend of my bff’s mom who contacted us to decorate his wife’s birthday party, it took us forever to do a simple decoration and they were very proud of the final product they tipped us even after 3 hours .. Now we laugh because it was so simple, something we can now do in less than 1 hour. We feel very thankful for this first opportunity they gave us because it was the beginning of this adventure! Read more>>

Dosh Hyde

When trying to develop a new business, creativity and execution is key to success. When developing our online platform to help create awareness for local products, we went all in on the online e-commerce delivery route sharing not only the products but also how to utilize these products when creating meals. This was a fantastic success, yet did take some time to materialize into sales. Read more>>

Rita Narcisse

My first client I had met at a previous dead end job, and we quickly became friends she was more like a second mother to me we discussed my idea of opening a Interior Design company she then said to me “I will be your first client” like all people who say that you take it with a grain of salt, a few months later I had quit the job that I was at for about 6 months and jumped in full force and yes, she was my first client. Read more>>

Sita York

My first paying client came to me via social media, after one of my models posted her photos I took at a recent shoot. She reached out on facebook and I directed her to my website where she scheduled a complimentary phone consultation. After that call took place, she immediately paid my session fee and booked a date. It was an excited feeling to go through the process that you yourself created and have it all work out just as planned. Read more>>

Michael Lorenzana

I had just set up my new website and I was so excited to get it out there for people to see and begin my business journey. I had also just set up my Facebook and Instagram social media accounts, so that I could start showcasing some of my work and services. Read more>>

Jai Mayhew

I learned photography through test shoots with friends and models. Sometimes we shot against the white wall of my DC apartment, other times we went on location. It was a low budget, passion driven education. My first commercial client owned an upscale boutique and wanted to shoot a lookbook showcasing the newest styles. I was brand new to pricing myself (and to photography in general), Read more>>

Mike James

That first paid client… woooh! It is always important to show up wholly and authentically in anything that you do. Before starting my life coaching business, I was a personal trainer. Most of my clients knew my passion for helping people and for the youth. That is exactly what connected me to my first client for my new business. Read more>>

Nino Pace

We landed our first client by offering to help a local nonprofit, Community Housing Network of Michigan. They help low income families stay in their homes or find a new one. They also have countless drives that collect goods for the families. On a personal level, my wife and I adopted a family for Christmas through this nonprofit and we loved it. Read more>>

Olga Chagarov

My first paying client found me through Facebook group. At that time, my rate was very low compared to other photographers. I remember I was so nervous and excited at the same time. The session went well and it took me about 10 hours to edit 12 photos. Read more>>

Betty Krachey

I got into the loan signing business when a friend, who’s a realtor, asked me if I knew a notary to notarize her client’s documents on a weekend. All the notaries I knew were unavailable. So, I got my notary commission to help her out if she was ever in that bind again. The day I got my commission and supplies I called my friend to let her know I could help her out the next time she needed a notary and she had me a loan signing that very day! That was back in January 2016. From that day on I kept getting busier and busier, from word of mouth and referrals only. Read more>>

 Jeffrey Altamirano

My first client was through the Etsy website. I was still a rookie when it came to leather crafting but I took a chance and opened my Etsy shop. Not expecting anything to happen right away but with in the first month I got my first customer order. I was so excited knowing someone wanted to buy from me. Read more>>