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.

Tierra Reese

My senior year of high school I started getting into hair and weave extensions. My dad told me he was going to either buy the hair or pay for the install but not both! So I said hey I can learn to install it myself! Read more>>

Alison Cohen

Other than the first clients I got through friends and family, my first couple of clients found me through social media. I posted on instagram at least once a day for about 6 months, and although I was gaining followers and reaching new prospective clients, I was not successfully making any sales. Read more>>

Karla Melgarejo

I had just moved to the US, I had to start from zero, with no contacts, and no one knew my work or what I had to offer. I remember knocking on every door with my portfolio (at the time I was doing photography) to showcase my work and offer my services. Read more>>

Matt Conant

I was working from the end of high school through all of college at a sound studio. It was a very small sound studio, basically one guy, and outside contractors as needed, so I was pretty much the only person working there on a daily basis besides the owner/boss, Joe, who was (and still is) the nicest guy ever and a perfect mentor for me. Read more>>

Megan Biehl

I am a single mom and I had go back to the work force working as the Early Childhood Director for a local church. Through this job I joined a moms group, this turned into something so important and needed for my life. Read more>>

Samantha Zink

My very first client was Mary Leest. We connected through my PR network, and one day, we sat down for coffee where I pitched her the idea of representation. It was a spontaneous move, but that’s how things often go in this industry. Read more>>

Tre McCluskey

Threads By Tre started off as a hobby! I have always enjoyed wearing suits and mixing and matching fabrics and patterns. My cousin reached out to me to assist her husband with styling for their family Christmas photoshoot. Read more>>

Cynthia Facundo

I had just quit my Job. I just walked out which I had never done. The manager had some very dysfunctional managerial skills. Loved to bully the employees of the company, even the owner was scared. Read more>>

Cindy Guthrie

First photography sale: On vacation to Arizona (for me, that is—a business trip for my husband), we stayed at a wonderful, so beautiful resort, which is located on Indian tribal lands. Read more>>

Alvin Lee Sealy

The inception of my service began its course in lieu of the ”world sickness” that started in 2020. Couriers were classified as essential workers and I guess you can say that I was still internally dealing with the loss I experienced in 2016; Read more>>

Samantha Poirier

Securing my first client straight out of college has been an unexpectedly fascinating journey. It all began during our town’s annual summer riverfront festival in August of 2017, where my family and I ventured downtown to enjoy the festivities – live bands, diverse food stands, and a plethora of locally crafted goods. Read more>>

Luke Carmichael

The first actual client I got was a random wedding couple that found me from a free video I filmed. And that is the key. I filmed 4 weddings for free to hone my craft, get experience and figure out how to even do it. Read more>>

Courtney West

My first client came to me right when I was about to give up on running on my own wedding business. I was working for a wedding designer full time and when I wasn’t working for him, I was working on my own website for Peachy Keen. Read more>>

Kali Salazar

My first client ended up being kind of an accident! I had started embroidery and making my own tote bags and sweatshirts during lockdown in 2020 while I was at home and bored that spring. One day at the grocery store, I took my hand embroidered tote with me to carry home some of my smaller groceries in. Read more>>

Ginger Liu

I wasn’t working because of the recession, so I had to find my own work and take the plunge into self employment. I started a indie film PR agency and posted like crazy on LinkedIn and that’s where I got my first job. Read more>>

Mackenzie Garza

i started doing nails during covid so nail salons at this time were not booming. In cosmetology school they had us make an instagram for our future business. Read more>>