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.

Storey Pryor

I’ve always gone in unconventional routes to land clients – as I know what it feels like to be “sold”. I always want my “sales” efforts to come from meaning and purpose, I had found a client I wanted because I came across a YouTube video of their last event, which was their annual sales conference. As an event planner, and being a devil in detail – in watching this video, I saw a company with high-energy, excitement and passion to have an incredible experience. Read more>>

Jillian & Tara

As a backstory, my sister Jill and I started this business after binge-watching The Bachelor during the lockdowns of 2020. We loved the cute outdoor setups and styled picnic dates on the show. At some point, specifically during Pilot Pete’s season, we talked about how sweet it would be to set up these types of dates for couples. With so many people stuck indoors and the date activities couples previously enjoyed together no longer available, we thought it would be a great way for couples to share unique experiences together. Read more>>

Lindsey Radoff

Finding customers was one of my biggest fears when I was gearing up to launch the brand. I had no idea where I would start and if people would buy my pieces. I was so fortunate that I was supported by family and friends from the beginning, with my Mom being my first customer! I was also able to share my collection with some influencers in the San Diego area, and they were so kind to share my brand with their followers. And then we started doing pop-ins, and I was really able to expand my customer base. Read more>>

Christopher Gil

Our first client at Optimal Sports Management is very special to me, as he currently attends my alma mater, USC. Raleek Brown is a generational player on the field, but an even better young man off the field, which is why I knew I wanted to work with him. Through some mutual connections we had, I was able to fly to San Antonio to watch him compete in the All-American Bowl in January of 2022. Read more>>

Gabi Grella

I remember the first paying client I had very vividly. I was a sophomore in college at NYU and my friend reached out to me about a song he had produced that needed mastering. I was so excited because 1. It was my first paying customer (I made $33) and 2. The artist had around 20k monthly listeners and all of his top songs on Spotify had over 1 million streams. Read more>>

Lawrence Ross

Our 1st client was a result of being visible within the community and being able to address the marketing needs of the restaurant. This restaurant would regularly have live events however the giant marketing group they originally hired was too large to visit them to notice practical things that could be done to improve these events not only from a customer experience point of view but also for the business and workers that have to navigate through these special event days. Read more>>

Constance Gray

My cousin and I started C&K Cleaning Krew LLC in 2018. We were ecstatic to be starting a new business venture. We were both working full time jobs when we received the first call for a contract. We went to the janitorial store and spent close to $1000 dollars. We wanted to make sure that we were prepared. The first call was about a gym that needed a new cleaning crew. We decided to work with a local janitorial company. Read more>>

Tracey Levine

My all time favorite first job was actually raising my 4 amazing children. I put my heart in sole in childrearing and followed the practices of attachment parenting. By the time my fourth was well on her way in high school, I started thinking about what the next season of my life would look like. I have been in recovery from alcohol addiction since I was 36 and I have spent a good amount of time helping others along in 12 step recovery. Read more>>

Gregory McKinney

I started out with Pastoral counseling. I counseled married and engaged couples at my church. I loved it. I was still working a full-time day job, so I would counsel couples during my lunch, after work, and on weekends. I was never too tired to work with the couples. In fact, working with them energized me. I later left the church I was serving at and the couples would still want to work with me after the transition. Read more>>

Susie Bowers

My first job in the field was at an Aveda spa and salon, called Pyara, in Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I was a recent graduate of esthetic school after a HUGE career shift-I had previously studied early childhood and was an educator of young children. The interview process had to parts, I was interviewed by the manager and then had to give one of their “master estheticians” a facial and wax their eyebrows. Read more>>

Stiz Santosa

People buy from people they like. How do you get people to like you? Be honest, be truthful, be authentic and be consistent. And since we’re being honest here, it takes about 1 yes’ out of 20 no’s… 2 out of 20 if you’re good. But if you keep showing up as your authentic self, people will sense that and they’ll want to know what you have to offer. Read more>>

Syrenia Johnson

I was a student at the University of Texas at Arlington. As I was preparing for my internship, I was selected to interview at the Dallas VA medical center. Other students had informed me that it was hard to get in at the VA. I was so grateful. My field instructor, Latisha Archie Thomas selected me as her intern that summer. Then, I was fortunate enough to be offered a job upon graduation. Read more>>

Heather Goodchild

After struggling through organic chemistry, this kid who was on the pre-med track came to the conclusion that was not what her future would hold. After some helpful advice from mom to go follow what I am really interested in, not just what I think I should be (mom has always known how to help guide and direct me) I changed my major and enrolled in Aesthetics School taking my College Classes during the day and attending aesthetics school in the evening. As result I earned my aestheticians’ licence. Read more>>