Getting your first client is an exhilarating experience, but it’s also an experience that far too many aspiring entrepreneurs never experience. Sometimes, the difference between an idea dying in the idea stage or going on to change the world is getting that first customer – the first tiny win that creates the momentum to make an idea real. So, we connected with some of the smartest folks we could and asked them to tell us the stories of how they got their initial clients. 

Nicole Hoschouer

It started in a way that feels familiar for a lot of small business owners. My first client was family, then a friend, then a few more friends and friends-of-friends. It was a gentle, encouraging way to begin, but I remember wondering when or if it would grow beyond that circle. What surprised me most is how quickly it did. Read More>>

Nadine Viljoen

My first client came in through an office duty call on a Monday morning at 8:30 a.m. I’m usually one of the first people in the office, so I was available to take the call that morning. Read More>>

Shelby St.clair

It was early in 2018; I was just a few months into business as a coach using social media to build an audience and claim my expertise. I didn’t know how to use Instagram in this way yet, but I did know Facebook Groups since that’s how I had built my previous business to 6-figures. Read More>>

Shileshia Milligan

Like many photographers, my journey started by photographing the people closest to me—family members, friends, and anyone who was willing to step in front of my camera while I learned and grew. Those early sessions were invaluable, but I remember the moment things began to feel different. Read More>>

April Henderson

I still remember the feeling of landing my first client who wasn’t a friend or family member. It felt like a huge leap of faith for both of us. I was stepping into this dream of building a business around something I truly love, content creation, storytelling, and helping brands show up confidently online. Read More>>

Andrez Rush

My first client outside of friends and family was James Cooper, a fellow entrepreneur and someone I genuinely appreciate for being part of the early stages of my journey. At the time, I was still figuring things out. I knew I could cook, but stepping into serving a paying client felt different. There were real expectations. Read More>>

Knadijah Hickman

When I first started building my social media management business, I was doing what many new entrepreneurs do working with people in my network and trying to gain experience wherever I could. At the time, I was helping a family friend with their social media. She happened to be a model signed with Select Model Management, and through helping her build her online presence. Read More>>