There are so many varied experiences when it comes to starting a business. From what we’ve seen, there is no one, right answer. Some people found success by writing a business plan, spending months or years perfecting the idea and only then approaching their first client while others found their first client before they had even settled on a name for their business. Below, you’ll find the stories of how entrepreneurs from across industries and markets found their first clients.

Marie De la Roche

Well, when I started the brand, Instagram was picking up Nowadays its crazy to even consider doing a business without it, but back then it was the wild west, it was all photos with cocktails, strange filters and even stranger poses, it was all good fun and many were learning to use it Read more>>

Nantale Muwonge

I met my first client on Instagram. I think she might have been following me, or I was following her, but we definitely had a rapport going when she booked a free consultation. I was doing an insane number of calls back then! But I’d talk to business owners about what they were doing to get their brands out there and then give them practical things they could do to improve their marketing and PR. Read more>>

Syndi Nelson

After I was “managed out” of my previous job for turning in a supervisor for unbecoming behavior, I decided to start my own business, and getting my first client was a necessity and very much a time-sensitive process. Getting my first client was a labor-intensive process with many moving parts. I’d first designed a logo for myself, then designed a flyer covering the services I wanted to offer, ordered 100 of those flyers and had those delivered. Read more>>

Sade McMullen

My first client was my co-worker from when I work at the airport in Charlotte, NC. Everyone knew I was currently attending culinary school at Johnson & Wales and were eager to try some sweet treats. If we had extras from class to take home, I would take them to my job for people to try. Once I took my 2 cake courses and did some practice cakes, my co-worker asked if I could make one of those trending Hennessy cakes and I agreed to give it a try. If you give me a challenge, I am always up to take it on! Read more>>

MiKayla Williams

When I was in Cosmetology school, about once a month-we had designated Saturdays where we would attend school for about 7-8 hours. This time allowed us to catch up on missed assignments, gain hours that we needed for our license, practice on mannequins, and my personal favorite-book clients! I remember my first day behind the chair as a student like it was yesterday because that particular day changed everything and brought me where I am today! Read more>>

Izumi Yasukawa

since I moved to San Diego from LA a year half ago, I had no one to know here except one friend we met in LA long time ago and we reunited in San Diego after almost 7 years . she has run her own beauty salon in San Diego. I asked her for any advise as business owner on starting my own business first then she introduced me some of her clients and friends. Read more>>

Keli Jakel

My first home organizing client actually found me on Google. Knowing what I know now about SEO and Google, that was a miracle in and of itself! I worked alone on her project to get her unpacked and settled into her home. She was a busy professional and had moved in months before but just hadn’t been able to take the time she needed to get organized and settled into the home. Read more>>

Jake Tekippe

I was studying business at the University of North Georgia (UNG) and had a passion for photography. I always enjoyed taking photos, but never expected to turn it into a career. UNG is situated in a great small town nestled in the mountains of north Georgia, and I always found myself out exploring and capturing photos between classes. Read more>>

Ishyta Andrews

Wow i can remember it as if it was some hours ago, for a year i was asked what are you putting on your children’s skin and i will tell them ‘ Tomcu’ they would respond “i have never heard of it” and i will give them a bottle of that product, not knowing that the feed back was amazing and the people was talking to other people about the product. Read more>>

Jonté Johnson

One day I’m at home relaxing and my phone rings, I didn’t answer because I thought it was a spam call. After the ringing stopped I get a notification that I have voice mail. I listen to the voice mail and it’s a manager of a company inquiring about the services my company offered. I was initially shocked because I had only been operating my business for a maybe a month or two at the time. Read more>>

Anastasia Visotsky

After I fought my recurrent UTIs I started a blog called StopUTIForever (https://www.stoputiforever.com/), where I interviewed researchers and doctors about chronic UTI treatment and prevention. Through interactions with readers, I realized that many over-clean themselves by trying to kill bacteria with soaps and antibacterial products. So I offered them to try zerotaboos microbiome-friendly products to support their beneficial bacteria and prevent the growth of opportunistic bacteria. Read more>>

BJ Carmichael

Honestly, my first client came from a person who approached me asking what I was doing with my talent… Why wasn’t I working and promoting my gifts. I’m a writer amongst other things and the way I would carry a conversation is very charismatic. especially with the ladies. I like to keep smiles around me more than frowns, so I lead the conversation into me thinking about publishing a book. Read more>>

Megan Garber

I am originally from Boca Raton, FL. I went away to college in Chicago and have an accounting degree from The University of Illinois at Chicago. My husband Derren Garber and I started Fuel U Fast INC with the guarantee of Lowest gas and diesel delivered in South Florida. We kept our overhead low and delivered the same products of other fuel deliveries companies for less cost. Read more>>

Nicole Bird

I found my very first client for MNICOLE six weeks after I officially launched in August 2022. I always think that it’s important to treat everyone as if they could be your future client or business partner because that’s exactly what happened to me. I was let go from my last job working in IT for a real estate firm, and part of my position with them involved sourcing vendors to help us on projects we lacked the knowledge or resources to complete internally. Read more>>

Shanice Walters

Starting a business is no easy feat and there is a ton of behind-the-scenes work that gets done before you get your first real client! You spend hours , building up your social media & online presence, working with family & friends to perfect your process & procure content with no real guarantee that anyone will actually be able to find you, let alone want to pay for your services. The first few of my clients I meet at a pop up shop and referrals. Read more>>

Jessa Green

You never know who is watching. I try to live by these words because I’m reminded of them often. I began posting on Instagram methodically and strategically years ago. People really got to know me. I used to primarily get sponsorships for skincare, makeup and hair related products. You could say I got paid to “get ready.” Read more>>

Andria Davis

Wow! This question forced me to go back to my camera roll! Lol.! My first client that wasn’t a family member or friend was client that I planned a baby shower for. I can remember sending her the invoice after our phone consultation and I was so nervous that she wouldn’t want to move forward due to the price that was quoted on the invoice. The next day I received an email notification that she signed the contract and payed the invoice , oh how that made my heart smile. Read more>>

Charity Simmons

I met my first photography clients at my first-ever job, Sonic Drive-Inn. The family was looking for a photographer in the area who could take their family pictures. I then shared with them that I was doing photography as a hobby and could take them. We met at a local park and spent about two hours there. After our time together at the park, I went home happy and ready to edit their family photos. Read more>>

Kevan Sharperson

My first client came from doing some good old fashion Guerilla marketing. I printed up about 150 business cards and packed my camera (at the time a Canon. Rebel series) then hit the pavement running. I went to local shops and businesses door to door, introducing myself as well as my company. I received a lot of No’s before a business took a chance on me. Read more>>

Ashley Pohl

I still remember very first time I landed a paid gig from creating content. I’d just laid my youngest daughter down for a nap and was checking my email when I saw the subject line that said, “You’ve been selected!” I quietly jumped up and down, did a little dance, and immediately texted my husband the exciting news. Read more>>

Dr. Jena Vargas

February 2015, I was laid off from my first corporate job out of college. I had the opportunity to start my consulting business and decided I’d focus on my personal branding (think cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and resume) to attract clients as an independent consultant. I had a small 30-day window to make my business launch happen or return back to a corporate role either remotely or in-person. Read more>>

Katy Coffey

I worked in the Aquatics Management Field since 2002. Starting with Head Guard & Swim Instructor Roles and growing in the industry all the way to Association Senior Director of Aquatics over seeing 13 Aquatics Directors and 29 Bodies of Water. Throughout my career , I always challenged myself to make sure I had the ability to Substitute and cover for any of our departments and staff. Read more>>

Jordan Dann

As a young child, I fell in love with theater out of a psychological impulse: I wanted to understand myself and others. As an only child, my childhood was lonely. By the time I was in high school, my parents had moved eight times, which created a tremendous amount of disruption and instability, while also strengthening my adaptability and resilience. Read more>>

William Wright

I spent 20 years as a personal trainer and was growing increasingly frustrated supporting people on the outer work only. Now, as a coach, i am able to leverage my ability to connect, with others, in a way that significantly serves them on a deeper level Read more>>

John Autry

I am a Texas hill country native who has been cultivating cannabis beginning in 1996. Since the early 2000’s I have been building and managing commercial indoor grows from 400 plants up to the largest facility of 20,000 square feet in Desert Hot Springs which totaled 8,000 plants and several thousand cuttings and mothers. Read more>>

Teyana Benson

Pooch Ooze came about from my love for dogs. I woke up one day with the bright idea of a mobile dog spa. I formulated the business, but at the time did not have a mobile truck. I posted a post on facebook offering in home mobile dog baths. I would come to the home in my car and the client would have to provide the water source. My first client booked a bath, I notified them regarding providing the water and they did not mind at all. After a few booking and great reviews, I was getting booked everyday. Once I got the mobile truck business grew even more! Read more>>

Stafford Green

I received my NASM certification in 2020. As a student of NASM, they help you find a job when you complete the course. NASM provided some suggestions to reach out to for potential internships. I contacted a recommended gym (Anytime Fitness) by email and got no response at first. I followed up with the email a week later, and the gym manager contacted me directly. She invited me in for an interview, and everything went great, almost too perfectly. Read more>>