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.

Tori Markel

I have been casually photographing friends and family for years. Even in high school I would take photos of my friends and use them for projects, in my first year of college I would take some couple photos of my friends and some of the families I worked with at my restaurant job. I also took family photos for one of my mom’s friends, and 4 years later I actually am photographing both of her daughters’ weddings this year! When I moved to Tucson, I had to start from ground zero. I knew no one here and so I went on all the community facebook pages and buy/sell/trade pages and posted that I was building my portfolio and was doing sessions for low prices to get practice in. Read more>>

Jessika Christine Blackstock

I don’t think I’ll ever forget my first client as Jessika Christine Photography! I had started a Facebook page and I think that is how he found me. It was for a surprise proposal in Missouri, literally down the street from my house! He wanted me to be there , but keep my camera kind of hidden, while he played music in the tall grass. They were having a family dinner/BBQ and he led her out to the field and asked her to marry him. It was fun to be part of such a special moment. I had started taking photos of friends/neighbors around the military base I was located at and posting them on my Facebook page. I think word of mouth might have helped too. Read more>>

Gracie Boettcher

When I got started in the business side of photography and film I had no idea how to market myself, let alone what my niche was. It really began as me reaching out to other creatives and asking to shadow them. Doing this built up my portfolio. Keep in mind that I was shadowing low-cost senior sessions, not the luxury weddings I had in mind. Like a snowball rolling down a hill, you move on to larger projects as you hone in on your craft and style. It came about that a couple I had met earlier that year was planning on getting married during COVID and their budget was very tight when it came to things like photo and film. Read more>>

Amanda Chase

The story of how I landed my first client is one that is for the books. It is a true story of following my intuition, taking a risk, and the power of asking for help. In June 2016, I walked into the hotel lobby to have an intimate conversation with my boss and the business manager for my annual review. I had been working as a Studio Coordinator for a digital content creation studio and blogger, wearing multiple hats, “paying my dues”, and deeply in need for a pay raise. Read more>>

Jerusha Greenwald

Getting your first client is a great achievement, and probably one of the toughest hurdles to overcome as an independent contractor and business owner; And when you send out your first invoice AND it get’s paid, it feels even better. But throughout my entire journey as an entrepreneur, it is literally an experience that I remember even to this day. When I decided to switch my career and go into Social Media Marketing, it was during a time where the job wasn’t nearly as popular or needed as it is today; Nowadays you can login to any platform or job posting website and there are a plethora of companies, small business owners, or personal brands that need help with their social media, but when I started they were very much few and far between; Read more>>

Destiny Brown

For painting, my first ever client, that wasn’t a friend or a family friend, was someone in South Carolina. So my first customer was an out of state customer, which completely blew my mind! It was such a big deal and an accomplishment for me! Being able to ship my very first painting off, I just knew I could do anything. Tattooing wise, my first customer was probably this girl that wanted a small coverup. That was my first time ever doing a coverup tattoo. I don’t even think I told her that, but man.. that was a blessing, as well. Even now, it always blows my mind to see people, rather I know them or not, ask for a painting, a tattoo, their shoes costumed, whatever. It’s just always an new experience. A new blessing. I’m always appreciative. Read more>>

Annalisa Abell

I started my virtual assistant business two years ago before I even really knew What a virtual assistant was. If we fast forward to today I have an extremely successful virtual assistant agency or we provide virtual assistant and social media management support small business owners around the world. I also coach people to do exactly what I do in their own way. What’s amazing is I got my very first client from social media from someone I’ve never met before. That person trusted me and allow me to help them take their business to the next level by providing them virtual assistant support. Read more>>

Canae Blackmon

I saw on social media about a “pop up market” and I honestly had no idea what is was, but I decided to attend. I took a couple of accessories that I was selling with me in my back pack, and as I was meeting people I was also giving out my business card. One woman that I met let me know about other markets and said that she wished I had some of the things that I offer with me. To her surprise, I had some lip gloss tubes in my backpack and pulled them out for her to see! She told me that I was doing an awesome job and to keep up with good work. I had now completed my first business sale and was so happy. Read more>>

Paola Incisa di Camerana

My first client was Jessica Agatucci, my friend and owner of Tucci Boutiques in Solana Beach and Del Mar. I was visiting her for coffee just to catch up on life, I was wearing my Dolce Amore Ring, she noticed the heart charm moving back and forth as I was talking to her and she immediately asked me where it came from. She told me: if you can make them I can sell them! Needless to say that was one of the most exciting days of my life. Read more>>

Danna & Shira Bitton

Truthfully Organize Dwell was founded following a first paid project. It all started when Shira’s client from her previous career spotted how organized she was and said: “please help me get my house in order, I’ll pay you”. We transformed her kitchen and that lead to a few more areas in her home, which lead to referrals of other families in the community. Within a couple of days we decided to dive-in and formed Organize Dwell. Read more>>

Manny Martinez

The road to my first client came about when I decided to leave a corporate position for a sub-contractor position, where I’d be responsible for my book business. After several clients going elsewhere, I decided to quit and start fresh with more options. I had several clients get disqualified for roof types and requested custom installations. The last client disqualified became my first client. I wanted to be involved with a company that could service all my client’s needs. Not just what was convenient for the company. I had built a great rapport with that client. Read more>>

Michelle Lyles

My very first client was actually prior to me even establishing my DBA! When I initially started in the architectural field, I knew it was important to place myself around my individuals that were in the architectural world so I would frequently attend corporate events and happy hours to gain connections. I met a guy Stephen that was based in California but had an office in Dallas he was wanting to renovate, and he trusted me enough to do a quick sketch for a proposed redesign. I was 19 years old. Read more>>