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.

Alexandria Sciarappa

In Spring 2020 I decided to take a Flower Essence Practitioner Program after working with Flower Essences for years and seeing what a beautiful weavings they wove through my life. When I was done with my program, in the fall, we had the opportunity to complete a certification for our program which I wanted to do. However, to do this you had to see clients and write up case studies. I wasn’t sure how I was going to do this. It’s wild though what can happen when you are following your path that is aligned to unfolding into your unique abilities and gifts. Out of no where an old high school friend texted me saying she was going through a hard time and was there anything I would recommend. It was like Spirit had brought her to me. I was hesitant to say, “Yes! Be my first Flower Essence Client!” But, It felt so serendipitous that I responded and was super transparent with her about the program I had just completed and how Flower Essences had dramatically changed my life and thought they could help her too. I was somewhat surprised when she replied that she had never heard of flower essences, but trusted me and would love to start flower sessions. Read more>>

Erin Davis

I got my first client that wasn’t a family member or friend from posting about me making my non toxic dry shampoo on Facebook. I wasn’t even posting to sell it, but posted because I felt like I wanted to share about the amazing product I had made and was using for myself. She asked if she could buy it and I told her heck yeah. And four years later, I now have hired my first employee and am so excited to keep rocking and rolling. Read more>>

 Roslyn Ellerbee

My entrepreneurial journey took an extraordinary turn as I transitioned from a traditional job, earning $18,000 annually, to achieving an impressive revenue of $400,000 per annum with Express Errands & Courier. The decision to leave my stable job and embark on the entrepreneurial path is a testament to my courage and vision. Establishing Express Errands & Courier, initially conceptualized as a venture focusing solely on errands, showcases my strategic thinking and adaptability to market demands. Read more>>

Sandra E. Jackson

Coaching has been a dream of mine since I graduated from Nazarene Bible College in May of 2021. As God would have it, He began aligning my coaching journey by speaking to a lady in Idaho whom I met in Cancun, Mexico, in 2022. Read more>>

Ren Garczynski

The first dollar I ever earned in my business was when I was in high school. I was commissioned by a band to build their website and their photos were terrible. So I took my little Sony 3.3 Megapixel Digital Camera at the time and did my first set of press photos. It was a surprise to me how much I enjoyed taking the photos as opposed to just doing the graphic design work. I fell in love with photography from then out. The band liked my photos so much that they called me up and asked for me to do their live concert photos. From there, an almost eighteen-plus years of my photography career began. Read more>>

Jeff Hulett

From 2007-2016 I worked my way up from intern to Communications Manager at an incredible faith-based Memphis nonprofit called Church Health. I honestly thought I’d never leave, but the universe had other ideas, as it does from time to time. From there I got what I thought was my dream job promoting the city I love with Memphis Tourism. Let’s just say it wasn’t a good fit and just soon as I got my feet on the ground, I began to plotting my escape. I had always gravitated towards using my talents to earn extra income via different side hustles like music, freelance writing, etc., but I had never thought about starting my own business. Then I heard from a friend that Playback Memphis, an amazing local nonprofit focused on developing community based, culturally responsive, transformative tools for social healing and community well-being, elevating Memphis as a national model for the transformative power of Applied Playback Theatre was looking for a freelance contractor to support them with their PR and communications needs. Honestly, it sounded perfect and would bring me back to my nonprofit roots. I got the gig and was hired for 20 hours a week. I knew I was going to take a major pay cut, but I also knew this was the right thing to do. Thankfully, I had been saving money and had a wonderful support system in my family and friends rooting me on. I’m forever grateful to Playback Memphis for taking a chance on me. While they aren’t one of my regular clients today, I still support them from time to time. They were and are a major catalyst for me to grow and develop my business. Read more>>

Camile Sardina

When I started my PR business, Evolist Media, about six years ago, I had no clue how to run a business. I did, however, understand the elements of a memorable story.

That same year, I signed up for a brand new dance class in New York City called SassClass. Minutes into the class, I knew it was special. Read more>>

Brendan McNeirney

I was given the opportunity to introduce CrossFit to The Harris YMCA community in Charlotte, NC. The offered me $5 per person that I could get to train with me. I spotted a gentleman, Pastor Andrew, who was fairly fit, performing a really terrible push-up. I told him as much much and proceeded to cue him to perfect this simple movement. He became a client/friend/training partner for many years before moving California. Read more>>

Michelle & Evan Schmidt

All through my (Michelle’s) college years in Texas, I had been casually photographing friends and family for different portrait sessions, senior sessions, family sessions, you name it. But it was typically just 1-2 hour sessions – and I dreamed of more. My then-boyfriend Evan and I were doing long-distance, and each time we got together, we would take our cameras to shoot and dream together about what it would look like to build a business together. Read more>>

Joanna Pasiecnik

When relocating to Atlanta, my sister, Jil, and I, co-owners of J and J Productions, recognized the importance of networking and gaining experience in the entertainment industry. To achieve this, Jil enrolled in improv classes at Dad’s Garage, while I pursued sketchwriting classes at Sketchworks. Our strategy involved actively participating in classes, offering assistance on various sets and live shows, and expanding our network within the community. Read more>>

Kermit E Rosado

I remember receiving a call from a friend who os an entrepreneur, letting me know some people from Canada had homes in FL that needed to be remodeled. I called rhe person, did estimate and got the job. I remember low estimate to get it. Got my kids on board and did several house for them! Read more>>