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.

Victoria Schall

The first client I retained happened after a discussion at a networking event. My background is all within the scope of nursing homes, long term care and elder abuse trial work. After meeting a new colleague and talking to him about how I would handle a nursing home abuse case he had, he stated that he was impressed and would be referring the case to my firm colleague. After speaking with him about the challenges for women in our profession, particularly associates, he then agreed he had made a mistake and would send the case to me. A case that was viewed as a minimal and challenging case, I was able to help the client receive a three quarters of a million dollar settlement. It was a great opportunity to help an aggrieved family, help shine a light on certain challenges in the legal profession, and build a solid future relationship with the referral source. Read more>>

Jill Blum

My first real client came to me when I worked at Kinko’s (dating myself). The business wouldn’t accept his project because it was too risque, so I offered to do it on the side. Content, as long as it’s legal, has never offended me. He owned an adult toy store for people with kinks all along the spectrum. I was just a desktop publisher back then, and had to work in Quark, but fell in love with the process of creating a catalog. This was back in 2000, and I had just started going to University of Baltimore for graphic design, so it was a great side gig. He was such a great client, and I’m sure it didn’t help that I had no idea what those skills were worth, so I massively undercharged him. At the same time, I received quite an education in B2B customer service. He did offer me anything I wanted out of the catalog as a bonus, but I declined. Read more>>

Lisa Dennis

I was walking my dog in the local park. A neighbor was out there with her 2 dogs, and introduced me to a friend of hers who she was doing a project with. As we were chatting, my dog pulled his leach out of my hand and took off towards the playground area. This park was on a very busy, traffic-filled street, and he was still a young dog who didn’t always come back when called. I panicked and took off after him. The guy I had just met sprinted past me and managed to catch my pup just before he shot into the street. What a relief!! I thanked him profusely and dragged my “bad boy” home. Read more>>