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.
Priscilla & Michael Sweet
Priscilla had been making cakes on the side for a little while. Not much intention behind building a business but more of a hobby. I remember that phone call. I was a full time retail manager and had just gotten off my shift. I worked long hours/days so every time I went to my car I just kind of hung out to catch my breath, catch up on missed messages and braced myself for the 1 hour drive home in traffic. Read more>>
Michelle Doeffinger
I started my business in 2011 by volunteering social media management for several organizations and ministries, which gave me experience and connections to my community. It also began to build my brand as I considered consider turning my volunteerism into a business. Read more>>
Hilka Zelaya
My first client was from Etsy . I decided to make a Etsy to start sharing what I make and for customer to find me . My very first order was a custom word letter of One theme Moana . I was so happy when I saw the notification and couldn’t believe it that someone actually bought from my shop . It was a amazing feeling. Read more>>
Kristen Massinburg
When I graduated high school, I decided to start putting my work out there to gain clientele. I began posting in Facebook groups and on Facebook market place as much as I could. Read more>>
Kelii Word
The first client I had that wasn’t a friend or family came from them watching our YouTube Channel called BBQ, Bourbon, and Blues https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChjXCsrcSXrgeP4vohCJWxw The couple watched several of our videos then contacted us through our email [email protected] to cater a party for them with our Pineapple Habanero Ribs, Jack and Coke Chicken and multiple sides. Read more>>
Alejandra Barrios
My very first client came from a friend that I have known since high school! We had classes together and were friends on social media. After high school, we lived our lives but were still friends online. Once I got my real estate license, I started to promote myself and my business. Read more>>
Nidhi Sharma
Initially, I did face a few problems. I knew I had the skill and expertise but did not know where to start with zero clientele. I realized that Maryland had a diverse population and opened our small salon in the heart of Crofton Maryland. Read more>>
Tiffany Lee
Believe it or not I got my first client during Covid. I was in Rockstar virtual coaching program and we were in the same cohort. Read more>>
Emily DiGrazio
Like you might have guessed, landing my first client as a new business owner was not easy! (Especially because I launched about two weeks before COVID hit – lucky me.) I actually spent most of my time in the beginning doing work pro bono – cold reaching out to local businesses and offering my services at no charge to help with their design needs through lockdown. Read more>>
Jalahn Smalls
Still to this day I remember my first customer. She was from Chicago at that time when I first started selling hair I wasn’t totally confident in myself and what I was doing so I did all social media promotion and my thought process was “whoever comes , comes” I knew I was selling quality hair but I just didn’t know how to market myself. Read more>>
Angelica Agelviz
I was in my first year of animation grad school, exhausted from three part-time jobs and putting together a demo reel for a class assignment at 2:00AM in the school labs. I had no prior animation knowledge under my belt, having a Microbiology background for my undergrad, but I was confident in my illustrative and narrative skills enough to upload the demo reel on social media too (though still hesitant enough to only post in an obscure facebook group of Caribbean animators, with only 5,000 members). Read more>>