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.

Alyeshia Hutson

I was still working my full time job when I started my business. I thought it would be a great idea to pass out samples to my co-workers and friends before putting myself out there. I got really good feed back which gave me the confidence to go forward with my business. I now have several co-workers and friends who order from me regularly. Read more>>

Kerrieal General.

As a new Real Estate agent, you’ll learn to start with your sphere. A real estate sphere of influence consists of all of your connections as a real estate professional. This will include all family, friends, co-workers, and anyone you meet along the way. The world is so big and we may not know who has a need for our real estate services, but we may know someone, who knows someone who has a need. Read more>>

Alisha Brown.

The first dollar that someone spent with my business took me by surprise. I was in Virginia facilitating a career workshop and at the end there was a Q & A session. One attendee was thoroughly impressed with my presentation, delivery of information and the method I used to make the information relatable. She vowed to purchase a consultation. Two days later, I received an email from her requesting an invoice and once she received it, she paid it immediately. I did not know what to do. Read more>>

Ellen Bennett

Ellen will share the story of her first customer, Chef Josef Centeno. He mentioned someone was going to make the restaurant aprons. She blurted out “Chef, I have an apron company!” when she had no such company. He gave her that order if 40 aprons and she has had the company Hedley&Bennett ever since. Read more>>

Katie Hill.

After my second child was born, I knew I wanted to make some changes for my mental and physical health. One of those changes was the desire to fuel my body in more wholesome ways. So, I started making things from scratch. I really learned so much and the drive to continue to do this for myself, my family, and others was born. Read more>>

Ryan Lindemer

I was just getting started and simply wanted to know if I had a viable product for store shelves, so I went to a local market/Grocery store. The Country Meat Center in Woodruff, SC was my first wholesale sale. That was super important to me because this wasn’t just a quick 1-day discussion, it was over a few months. From day one, Leslie Cash made me feel like I was family. They were in the process of getting ready to expand their store and had a lot going on, but she always spent the time talk with me any time I stopped in. Read more>>

Rachel Reid

I got my first client the day I stepped out on faith and not fear. I was looking for a job years ago and a friend suggested I go to the local mall to find a job. I was hesitant at first because I didn’t want to work at the mall, I hadn’t worked there since I was a teenage, and now being in my early 20s I didn’t want to go backwards. However, I decided to humble myself and go apply for a few jobs. Read more>>

Emily Acevedo

Mix it Up bake shop today is a wholesale bakery servicing small business throughout Northern New Jersey. When I first launched Mix it Up, I was still exploring what I wanted for my business. During the first five years of business, I was still working a full time job managing a small town bakery in Chester, New Jersey. Read more>>

Julia Vrabel

I think my passion for photography is what drew people to trust my artistic eye. I began in middle school when my Mom gave me her digital camera for a photography competition. My school offered one class to prep for the competition and I just, sort of, never put the camera back down. I joined Yearbook in high school and planned styled photoshoots as a hobby. Read more>>