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.

Codi Stonehouse

I was SO nervous when I launched my wedding planning business, who wouldn’t right? Even with my years of event experience I was 100% convinced no one would want to hire me! But within hours of the launch I got a notification that I had my first inquiry, I may or may not have danced around the kitchen haha! Read more>>

Amanda Morais

So my fist client was a fiancé of a co-worker, i used to work as a server at a Brazilian stake house, so i was trying to pursuit my dream of becoming a makeup artist, but still needed to have a side job, and i used to talk with them all the time about my work as makeup artist, so the chef of the restaurant heard me talking and asked me how much i charged bc he was gonna get marry, and his fiancé wanted to be glammed for her big day, so i told him i could do it, and he booked me! and that was my first bride here in the US as a professional makeup Artist. Read more>>

Shane Nelson

When I was in college, and nearing the end of my schooling, I began taking my camera to all of the concerts I could. I wasn’t very good at photo, but I would take as many pictures and videos as I could in order to help develop my craft and gain more experience. Read more>>

Cristal Cortez

Making the first dollar out of your hard work is so meaningful. I know for Conchitas Kikissz it was a huge milestone. My first clients were family and friends but they were more like quality control and taste testers. Remembering that makes me chuckle a little. After working on their feedback I decided to take the risk of finally promoting on social media what I was working on. Read more>>

Rachel Lindteigen

When I was first starting out my clients all came from referrals from friends, family, and old co-workers. My first big client was referred to me by an old co-worker who I’d worked with about 8 years earlier. Read more>>

Camryn Malone

My first client was a girl I use to work with a few years back. She saw I had just started doing lashes and offered herself as my model. I did her lashes every few weeks, she was my only client for a while. After a month and a half I did her lashes about 4 times so I made a Instagram and Facebook , then started marketing myself. Read more>>

Dr. Gretchen Torbert

Around 15 years ago, I was preparing to launch my publishing company and after developing my web presence via social media platforms and my website, I was ready to begin soliciting my company’s first client. I ran a discounted rate campaign for over two months with many potential clients requesting services. Read more>>

Tyllah-Chanel Cornelio

Getting my first official client as The Marketing Bully happened in December of 2021. Although I’ve been in business for going on 6 years, I rebranded in December to introduce a new brand persona and “mascot”. Read more>>

Christian Mukes

The first client was booked after being referred by my grandmother. While at a church function, my grandmother began sharing with members of her religious group that her granddaughter (myself) had an event and wedding planning business. Of course, she bragged about how she taught me everything I know and expressed how confident she is in the work that I do. By the next day, a call was received ready to hire Unique Interactions for day of coordination for her daughter?s wedding. Read more>>

Lisa Raymond

With my graphic and website design, it was doing a mock-up of ideas for a simple website and business card, and redoing a flier for an elementary school, which lead to a business referral. This approach worked well for a trio of roller-skating rinks, a web hosting company, and a business networking group. Read more>>