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.

Sascha Barnes

All of my first clients were friends and friends of friends. But my very first client who was a stranger was a girl I met while I was sitting behind the Art building on UCLA’s campus. I told her I liked her tattoo, and she told me she liked my vibe, so we started talking. At the time, I was taking a digital photography course, so I told her about it, and she happened to be the lead singer of a really cool band called Annie Jets! She told me they were looking for a photographer, and I was looking for a subject for my final project, so BOOM— we joined forces. She was incredible to work with, just as effervescent as her first impression, and I was really happy with the way the photos turned out. Read more>>

 Lendrek Washington

Got my first client due to Covid. Things were slowly opening back up but a lot of people didn’t feel comfortable going in public; got a call from someone that asked if I did private dinners I said yes and the journey began. Read more>>

Cortney Robinson

In the late 1990s, I went to college for Computer Networking, but life took me far from that industry. In 2020, after supporting roughly 5 or 6 business owners with their WordPress websites as a Virtual Assistant, I decided to take a course that would advance my knowledge in the WordPress platform. After taking the course, the instructor advised that we all change our online titles to Web Developer. My first client was a local small business owner whose website was down and she needed assistance getting it back up and getting her stock input on her website so that 24/7 anyone could see what she had available or what her shop was selling. I began to work with her, taking pictures of her items in her shop and uploading them to her website, along with the sku numbers, item count, price, and a description. That was definitely a lot of work, but it was worth it since I learned SO much about virtual assisting at the time. Read more>>

Haley Bartlett

There are so many realtors out there. Most people know one if not many more realtors. So, getting business in real estate can be harder than expected. I learnt that lesson pretty fast. It took me six months before I was able to sell my first home. My first clients were a sweet young family. They found me in a Facebook moms’ group. I had been posting useful information about the community in the group. Including things like events happening, new places opening and things to do with kids. I had also been out in the community meeting new people. When this sweet family asked for a realtor recommendation my name came up and they were able to see that I had been active in the community and group. It was such a great first sale in my business. I continue to get business from being active in my community. Read more>>

Isis Barrett

The first client is ALWAYS such a huge deal! You feel pumped, adrenaline pumping and just ready because you know it isn’t a friend or family member; your work caught someone else’s eye. The feeling is incredible. My first client actually came from a Facebook group I was in. I had been promoting myself for a few weeks, and in the middle of me posting, I received an inquiry about box braids on short hair. I was just so overjoyed that a complete stranger stumbled across my work and wanted to sit on my chair next! Read more>>

T’keyah Johnson

I got my first real client that wasn’t a family, friend, or friend of the family by meeting this random guy at a bar downtown Savannah Ga. I was out with my sisters, just having a good time when this guy sat next to me. Somehow we managed to engage in a conversation, and I told him about Dope Kraftz. He seemed to be really intrigued about what I do, so I told him to follow my business page on instagram to see more of my work. He followed my page that same night, a week or two later I received a message from him. He asked me to make him a customized coaster set in a teal color. I was so excited and super stoked, because I honestly wasn’t expecting to hear anything from him after that night. The conversation was great, we laughed and went our separate ways that night but it was cool to see that he remembered me and was interested in Dope Kraftz. Being in that moment felt amazing and so refreshing! Read more>>

Hope Ellis-Ashburn

In 2015 I wrote and submitted a short essay for EQUUS magazine’s EQ Back Page Story department about my experiences returning to the horse show ring after a five-year absence. Much to my surprise, the story was picked up by the magazine and published. After that, I never looked back. Read more>>

Aryana

I’ll never forget my first ever client, Ruth! I launched my business on Instagram on October 8, 2021 and received my first order on October 19, I could not believe someone was actually willing to give me a chance! The client placed an order for a Small Charcuterie Board for her 1 year anniversary and requested that it be a vegan board. I had no experience with creating a vegan charcuterie board so I started researching right away and learned that there was such an array of vegan cheeses! I was so grateful for this order especially because it was not a family member or friend and decided to update the clients box from a small charcuterie board to a medium! She was ecstatic when she received the board and sent me the sweetest text the next day. Read more>>

Kim Wells Eley

“Guess what? I published a book!” Excitedly I could not contain myself when I spoke to everyone I encountered. Whether I was in line at the post office, waiting for my drink at a coffee shop, or meeting new people while networking, I kept gushing about my book. I’d spent years working in IT but my heart always lead me to writing. And now I had written my first book! Sharing my enthusiasm, people would light up. “Wow!” they would say. “How did you do that?” Read more>>

 

Deb Aro

I began my journey as an interior decorator and acquired my first clients during my first annual decor sale in my garage. Holding a decor sale proved to be a great way to attract potential clients and showcase my skills. I focused on creating an inviting and visually appealing atmosphere that highlighted my design style and skills. I was prepared to answer questions and provide advice to those who attended the sale. Once I had established a rapport with a potential client, I offered a tour of my home and showed them examples of my past work. I received numerous compliments on the staging of the sale items as well as the design of my home which led to my first 5 clients. House to Home Decorating evolved from here. :) Read more>>

Sammi Correa

 

Getting clients can be a challenging feat. When I started growing the The Silky Peach, I wanted to try to grow organically before I dipped into other marketing/advertising waters so I started getting my name out there. With my business cards and a smile, I went to many local businesses, made conversations and passed out cards. Along the way, I met so many wonderful people and I still do everyday! After a while of doing this, I still had not gotten booked by new clients. My family and friends support was appreciated immensely during this time. It was slightly discouraging looking at my schedule those few weeks. Then late one evening I saw a notification from my software. Someone new had booked! I was jumping for joy and excited for the opportunity to build a new relationship and that we did! Read more>>

Camille Marie

 

Everyone who knows me knows that I love a good wig! So it was only right that my first Client be acquired by taking a trip to a new (at the time) wig supplier here in Kansas City. Read more>>

Eden Hertzog

I left home at age seventeen, and to support myself through high school, I got a job baking at a vegan café called Imagine, in the basement of the Darling Building at the corner of Spadina and Adelaide. I worked after school from 6-10 every night, baking up vegan creations that my boss gave me creative license to do. It was a deeply creative time for me, and I experimented daily, coming up with a repertoire of original creations that were selling out everyday. Read more>>

 Jordan Gensler

Having my first camera I really had to learn more than the technology aspect of what I needed to capture the photograph. I had to learn those mechanics of course, like ISO, white balance, lens, different types of light, etc, but I had to also learn how to capture people. Not only that capture multiple people together. My first clients were family members with kids. And I am totally a dad and kid person so it became inherently clear to me that portraiture was going to be my “go to” in the future. I loved capturing the fun between families and the smiles, laughs, goofy moments that really cement families to their core values. Capturing memories and moments like that are what really make me happy because it last forever. Read more>>

Jamie Parsons

I started my real estate career quite by accident back in the 90s when searching for my first home. I was working freelance as a production coordinator for commercials, but on my days off, I’d scour potential neighborhoods, wanting to know every home on the market and what they sold for. I was relentless. I’d visit every Sunday open house, and if there was a house I was “crushing on” but it wasn’t on the market, I’d put a note in the mailbox asking if they would sell it. I quickly realized I was working harder than most of the agents I encountered, so I decided to get my license and use the commission to help with the down payment. The home we ended up with was an earthquake-damaged foreclosure that was stripped, which meant we literally had to put it back together. And on a very slim budget, that meant DIY. Read more>>

Merlinda Francois