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.

Amanda Sewell

My first non-friend/family client was a local lifecoach. I was instantly drawn to her. I had never seen someone with so much passion and life experience related to the work she was doing. Read more>>

Ashley Palmer

I received my first client from a Facebook post. It was an old high school classmate that allowed me to plan their last minute vacation to St. Lucia. I was extremely excited and happy that someone trusted me enough to create an experience for them. Prior to this trip I marketed a lot but didn’t receive any traction. I started to question if I was really cut out for this. When my first client officially booked their trip it

Ebony Royal

I was relocated to the Houston area from hurricane Katrina, and didn’t know the area nor did I know too many people. I was lucky enough to have a cousin who worked as a loan officer for a mortgage broker. He would send me unrepresented buyers that he prequalified. Read more>>

Eric Brose

How did you get your first client? I love this question as its part of the story I tell clients when selling at events! I was actually my own first client, well my dog “Brew” was.. Brew is an 80;b Newfoundland mix. Let’s just say, he has a unique body size & shape and I struggled to find a rain jacket for him. After a few days of online searches, i finally found a company that made a really cool looking waxed canvas and buffalo wool plaid jacket design. Read more>>

Dylana DeGannes

My first sale was to my hair stylist about 10 years ago – this was before I officially formed a business structure. I think one of the things that have bonded us was that I would bring sweet treats to the shop to share with her. One day around the holidays, I brought her a piece of bread pudding, and after tasting it, I think her eyes began to roll and she was speechless for a moment. Read more>>

Chloe Allison

The first dollar outside of friends and family Alli.C made was from a children’s boutique, (wholesale account!) and those are a big deal in the fashion industry because it allows you to receive your production money upfront, YAY! But they’re also a lot of work. Read more>>

Brooke VanSchaick

My first client came after I had created a Instagram account for Flora Creative Co and I was just posting fun portfolio pieces/artwork for people to enjoy. I started the account in March 2020 after not feeling creatively driven at my current corporate job. I wanted a creative outlet and I was lucky enough to start a following just by creating for fun and sharing it with the world. I got my first client off of Instagram in late 2020! Read more>>

Ebony Royal

Robert Jones

There’s been a lot of firsts for me over the 13th years I’ve been a professional photographer. My very first first was a photojournalist for my hometown newspaper. I was working at the local gym and the editor of the paper was a regular. After a while we got to know each other and when she learned I was an aspiring photographer she told me to come by the paper Monday morning for my first freelance assignment. Read more>>

Liz Kluthe

I had been dyeing yarn for a couple months, but hadn’t had much luck with making sales in my Etsy shop. So I got a wild idea to take a bunch of minis in colors I could replicate to the local yarn store and ask if they wanted to carry my yarn. I had an idea of how much I would charge and what my turnaround time would be, but didn’t think they would actually want to seek my yarn. Read more>>

Latasha Burger

I got my 1st client almost a month after I started my business. I started off doing readings on my YouTube channel. Because I was a newer reader, my subscribers were mainly family and friends, so I was elated when I received her email. After completing her reading, she confirmed that everything I mentioned was accurate. She even provided screenshots to confirm specific messages I picked up on. It was a rewarding experience for me, as well as confirmation that I was on the right track. Read more>>

Michael Solender

My transition from a corporate human resources and employee communications professional to freelance feature writer was an evolution. After 25 years in the corporate arena, I tired of writing for others and wanted to share my own perspective and voice telling stories that mattered to me and my community. I began writing for a local nonprofit arts and civic online publication about arts organizations, artist profiles and visual and the performing arts scene in Charlotte. Read more>>

Sta’ar

I launched Sta’ars Treats in February 2021 for Valentine’s Day . Those were my first batch of paying customers . I was so excited for every order that I did . Everything happened so fast. I was completely booked 2 days after posting my flyer . That’s when I knew I had something special! My business has flourished and became something really amazing in such a short period of time . Read more>>