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.

Estee Santoni

Many people in my circle are all about online networking. Although super effective and a must-do, I decided to incorporate more face-to-face connecting too. Read more>>

CHRISTOPHER BURKE

I started the insulation company with no clients. I drove throughout the city of Houston and wrote down addresses and made a master list. This was in 2004. Read more>>

Angela Perry

Hi now got a minute? Here’s the lowdown on snagging my first real-deal client, no friends or family strings attached. I Met this fab lady while volunteering at church. Read more>>

Michael Duenas

My first client was such a big name. It was crazy to me, then and now I was able to achieve that. I worked in salons for eight years before I became a freelance hairdresser. Read more>>

Tony Ortiz

So back in the late 1990’s I was an intern for a guy who had a graphic design business. One day I came in and he said he needed me to draw a character for a logo design, I said sure. Read more>>

Dana Andrea Smith

The leap from a secure job to following my passion to teach yoga full-time was filled with a mix of excitement and nerves. The uncertainty of starting a new path was daunting. Read more>>

Shawntonio Bond

I started shooting, capturing and editing sports in my local area about 2021. I would show up to middle school and youth league events and record the games, take photos and edit them. Read more>>

Derricka McCray

The first dollar I made actually was $126.73 for a digital cartoon I created of Lizzo back in 2019. I was in Atlanta on vacation when Lizzo posted on her Instagram, “Paint me like ya french, Bitch!” And that’s what I did. Read more>>

Ann Schreiber

My first paid project came through Upwork. I knew I needed to start with a small project that would allow me to get client feedback and a rating. Read more>>

Helio Bernal

You know, getting your first ever or first repeating, basically first of anything is always a bit challenging, and that’s when we definitely do not give up. Read more>>

Ciera King

My first client came through LinkedIn. I was roughly 6 months into my business and everything was slow, no team mates or premium. Read more>>

Bianca Rozzinni

Before branding myself. Me and my husband had another company which we then sold. Like any other businesses out there you have to spend money out for advertising and freebies. Read more>>

Yukiko Izumi

First Client through Grants: The Inaugural Mural Client My very first mural project materialized thanks to the 2021 NYC Artist Corp Grant. However, finding a suitable wall proved to be a daunting task. Read more>>

Kennedy Comito

My first client was booked with me with the help of a baseball players mom. It was an 8th grade dance and it was my first real paid photography session and I was so nervous and so excited. Read more>>

Meghan McAleavy

In 2010, my husband and I were discussing a design project making an embroidered banner he could use as advertisement while working at tattoo conventions. Read more>>

Natalie Davis

I’ll never forget when I decided to try my hand at freelance blog writing. I had recently quit my full time job and had no real idea of how to make something like freelancing work, but I was determined to give it a fair shot and see where it went. Read more>>

Tierra Jackman

I started selling my cheesecakes in 2022 at my local farmer’s market. Anyone who has ever sold at or attended a farmer’s market knows that offering samples is the first step to making your first sale. Read more>>

Jeanice Durrah

In 2019, I lived in Charlotte, NC, teaching at a studio weekly. At the end of 2019, the studio announced they were closing. During this time, my company announced that my entire team at work would be let go, and a nonprofit I was partnering with decided to shift gears and begin a new program for the following year. Read more>>