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.

Mishael Washington

Before I ever thought about running a design agency, I was simply an artist trying to create visuals for my own music. I will never forget the first time I paid $150 for a cover design. It felt like such a big investment, but the results did not match what I envisioned. Read more>>

Haley Thomas

My husband and I were actually on a date at a local wine bar. It was a newer business and we were sitting at the bar making conversation with the owner. At the time I had just started down the path of using my knowledge and skills in marketing and sales in the realms of supporting businesses. Read more>>

Cynthia Braun

I joined NAPO ( then it was called the National Association of Professional Organizers) in September of 2002. I went to my first meeting in NYC and found the other organizers very excited when talking about the type of work they did hence I got excited to start my business as an organizer too. Read more>>

Marcus Howard

OOOOO this is a good one. I did a lot of one-off little photo projects in high school, but during college was when I got my first real consistent gig. I went to UMass Dartmouth, which is in Dartmouth, MA. Being a primarily college town, there’s not a lot to do off campus. Read more>>

Noah Mellette

Back in 2016, I took the very last bit of money I had from reselling sneakers and decided to bet on myself. Instead of flipping someone else’s brand, I wanted to see if I could build my own. I printed just 10 t-shirts—nothing fancy, just the first proof of what I had in my head. Read more>>

Brandon Reed

Years ago and right out of college, I was hired to run a newly built wedding chapel on the Las Vegas Strip that had a minuscule amount of business. Pressure was on to find a way to generate a clientele in the quickest way possible. Read more>>

Amanda Abruzzo

When I first started hosting community events, I had no idea they would become such a powerful part of my business. I created something I called Wine Wednesdays, a simple gathering at a local park where women could come together after work. The rules were easy: bring a drink of your choice, a snack to share, and a chair or blanket. Read more>>

Danielle DeHanes

The first dollar Glitter Mafia ever earned came from a Facebook group — ironically, one I’m now banned from! My original business partner and I launched our one-step, mess-free face glitter in a few signature shades like Purple Nova and Disco Shimmer, and to our surprise, the orders started pouring in almost immediately. Read more>>

Dominic Monn

Getting your first customer is extra tough for a business like MentorCruise, which is a two-sided marketplace. Building a two-sided marketplace often means you have to fill one side of the equation before you can fill the other one, and the first side often doesn’t bring in any revenue for your business. That was the exact case for us as well. Read more>>

Lauren Turney

I’ll never forget the day I earned my first dollar as a photographer. Not from a friend, not from a cousin getting married, not even a friend-of-a-friend. This was a real client who didn’t know me, didn’t owe me anything, and paid me because they believed in my work. Read more>>

Anabella Poletti

I’ve always believed in the power of networking, and that belief has guided my journey from the very beginning. My first paying client came through a mix of timing, connection, and a little bit of magic. Read more>>

Michele Girgenti

My very first dog walking client was a sweet boxer named Jessie, and she was the cutest little thing I’d ever seen. Her family found my profile on SitterCity.com, and that simple connection ended up shaping the path of my career. Jessie was full of energy and joy, but she had one big challenge, she pulled very hard on the leash out of sheer excitement. Read more>>

Cassie McElfish

I was just a month into travel advising, still in the stage where everything felt new and a bit overwhelming, when I was putting myself out there to connect with new clients beyond friends and family. Read more>>

Venom Clothingg

When I first launched my brand, I faced the same challenge many new entrepreneurs experience—no initial sales. I believed in my vision, but it took time for others to see the value in what I was building. My breakthrough moment came unexpectedly during my birthday party. Surrounded by friends, family, and supporters, I introduced them to my products and shared the meaning behind the brand. Read more>>

Casaundra Lowe

My story begins with my sister’s 50th wedding anniversary. I approached her event as if she were a complete stranger, treating every detail with the same professionalism, care, and dedication I would give to any client. That moment was the first time I realized this was more than just helping family; it was the foundation of my business. Read more>>

Leah Messina

In the email, I asked everyone if they had any marketing projects that aligned with my skills to please send people my way. I was lucky enough to actually get some responses to that email, but the very first one was a former professor that I had in college at Carnegie Mellon University, Sharon Dilworth. Read more>>