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.

Tina Germain

I had been doing healing work for two decades and was always continuing my education. In November of 2012, after a couple months of new and amazing classes, one day I just knew it was time to start my own business. I had no doubts, no hesitations, because it felt so right. So, the day after my birthday at the end of the month, I sent an email to everyone I knew telling them of my new business. It was a big leap in visibility because many people didn’t realize that I had been doing and teaching meditation and healing since I was in my early 20s. Read more>>

Alexander Crumes

My first client was someone that inquired about my services via social media. Even before starting my business, I had maintained an Instagram account where I shared my personal fitness journey and posted general fitness tips to build a following and connect with others. When I decided to start my business, I repurposed my account to promote my training services while continuing to offer valuable fitness content to my followers. Read more>>

Jeremy Hunt

In the fall of 2016, after moving on from more than a decade as a partner in a courier business, I faced a pivotal decision: continue pursuing an entrepreneurial path or seek stability in a corporate role. While I was still figuring things out, I was offered a job to work in inside sales for an IT company. Their business plan was to make a lot of cold calls to get leads, and it made sense to me. I realized that if I did the same thing with my new delivery business startup, I could find my first customers fast. Read more>>

Laura Freudenberg

I got my first client from my son. He was 12 years old and playing outside. He went to a garage sale on our street. He started talking to the neighbors, and they needed to sell their home. So my son told them I was a real estate agent, and he gave them my number. Read more>>

Francisco Lopez

In September 2017 I got my art into a high-end barbershop named RUDY’s located in Los Angeles, I had already been painting for a few years as a hobby when a friend visited the barbershop for a haircut and noticed they had the place curated with art from a local artist. Without asking me he asked on my behalf if they would consider having my art as the next local artist in the shop. Read more>>

Shalonda Thurmond

I became a licensed real estate agent in November 2015, excited to embark on this new journey. By January 2016, I secured my very first client, who listed their home for $125,000. They were also in search of a new home, and once their property went under contract in just 22 days, we hit the ground running. After showing them about five houses, they found the perfect one and submitted an offer for a little over $200,000. Both the sale of their home and the purchase of their new one closed within a month. It was an incredible experience—exciting and nerve-wracking all at once—and it confirmed my passion for real estate. Read more>>