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.

Shaun Dull

I was keeping everything low-key and not really putting it out there but I was a dog trainer and working for someone and I just consistently had friends and family reaching out right off a little tips and then all of a sudden people I didn’t know reaching out to me from referrals that I wasn’t even asking for. People were so genuinely happy that their relationship was getting better with their dog. They couldn’t help but tell people and other people one of that same outcome! Read more>>

Trinity Swift

The first client I had was from an instagram post. At the time, I was interning at Coalition DJs Tennessee and I was required to post artists content on my story. The posts promoted artists who were on the previous Sunday zoom call called, “New Music Sunday.” Typically, the artists liked posts and kept it pushing, but on this particular day one of the artists I posted actually responded to the story post. He said thank you and asked if I had any advice. He also explained how he was networking and trying to work with new people. I told him his music was good, which is the truth, but he needed to capitalize more on social media because majority of people look at the artist before they listen to the music. After exchanging a few more words on Instagram, he asked if he could send me a few more songs to get a female opinion on his lyrics. Read more>>

James Blizzard

My story is genuinely unique. Being raised in a single-parent household, times were tough, and my mom barely had enough money to get my haircut. However, when she did, I would go to the busiest barbershops, sit, and observe everything the barbers did. When it was my turn, I would run out and repeat the process at two more shops. Eventually, I would go home and cut my own hair with clippers bought with my mom’s money and my bag money. I repeated this process every week until I ran out of shops to visit. I used a double-mirror technique to cut my hair, which I saw my uncle use when I was eight years old. So, I have been working towards my barbering career since I was eight. At thirteen, people asked who cut my hair, and I proudly said I did. They never believed me until someone witnessed me doing it and told the whole neighborhood. Read more>>

Rula Jishi

I remember launching my home staging business with so much hope, but for the first few months, it felt like I was shouting into the void—no calls, emails, or messages. I started to wonder if I’d done something wrong or missed a crucial step in promoting my services. But then I decided to list my staging services on Thumbtack, a platform where clients can hire professionals for various services. I filled out my profile, uploaded photos of previous projects for family & friends, and waited. Read more>>

Stacey Delucien

It all started when I decided to launch my body sculpting business except, there was one small issue I had no clients. But I was determined to make this thing work. I knew I needed exposure, and I needed it fast. And that’s when I came up with the idea to run a free service ad! Now, at the time, I was new to the area But I figured, “Hey, everyone loves free stuff, right? And if I get a few clients out of it, it’ll be a win!” So, I posted in a few groups on Facebook FREE Body Sculpting Session for the first 10 people only!” I thought maybe I would get one or two people but instead, I got 10 people in less than an hour. I was shocked and nervous but also excited by the outcome. Read more>>