As an outsider, breaking into an industry can often seem like an impossible challenge and so we reached out to some very generous folks who agreed to share their stories of how they broke into their respective industries.

Blue Waverly

The story of my first out-of-touch client. Ever so often I hesitantly check the trenches of my Instagram account called the Message Requests. More often than not, it’s spam or something I could’ve went my whole life without reading. Sometimes though, Read more>>

Erin Pohan

I remember being terrified thirty seconds before my first discovery call started. A prospect had found my profile on a popular freelance website and the way I presented myself resonated with exactly what they were looking for. Read more>>

Rachelle Siebke

I was participating in a free month long workshop that was part of a funnel for a paid program. Read more>>

Raquel De Souza

My country band’s first gig ever was at a metal bar. Let me say that again, my country band’s first gig ever was at a METAL BAR! Read more>>

Cristina Hass

In 2016 I was working for a very large and well-known tax preparation company when I received a call from a Brazilian woman, who got my contact with a friend because she had a problem with the IRS and needed help solving it. Read more>>

Kathy DeBoer

I love traveling to various Disney Destinations with my family and I traveled so often, many friends have reached out asking for tips and tricks, advice on where to stay, how do you navigate the parks and other related questions. Since I was helping so many people plan their family trips, Read more>>

Natalie Osborn

Proposals of San Diego’s first client was, I believe, a sign from the Universe that we were on the right path. For someone who has high expectations for herself, it cemented the most important lesson I’ve learned in work and business; “Done is better than perfect.” Read more>>

Ashley Farley

When I started rebuilding my portfolio, I was apprehensive. I was very unsure of my skills and creativity in the art of photography and navigating the market in Colorado is not an easy adventure. Read more>>

Taryika Green

My first client/customer was in high school I attended LGHS and back then not too many people did hair like sew ins,glue ins, and etc so I was the go to girl and one day after I had graduated and moved out my house a client mentioned to me that I should start providing hair because it would 1. Save a lot of time and 2.increase my funds so I did a lot of research and that’s how goddess bundles came about Read more>>

Brian Marshall

My undergraduate degree was in Mass Media Arts with a concentration in television and film. I initially aspired to be a news anchor. After I graduated, I had a short stint working at a news station in Jackson TN as a production assistant making bare minimum wage. Read more>>

Nashira Kayode PhD LCSW

My first job in the mental health was at a state hospital for forensic and civil committed patients with severe mental illness. I finished my Master of Social Work in June 2008 right as the economy took a dive and jobs like mine were being cut. So when I started this job in April of 2009 I was elated and willing to work ANY job. Read more>>

Antoinette Holmes

I’m sure you know the saying “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” My first experience with this, to my knowledge, was when I graduated from nursing school. I told my OB/GYN that I was interested in delivering babies. Read more>>

Scarlett Chang

When I told my partner that I was taking up 200-hour yoga teacher training during the covid-19 pandemic, I was so certain that I would not be actually teaching. I mean, with a serious full-time job, who has time for that? Nonetheless, Read more>>

Shalanda Cummings

I decided to enter the Sex/Toy party industry for the first time, while I was in the Navy. At that time, my then-husband was not working a steady job and we needed another stream of income. I have always been a people person with the ability to start a conversation with almost anyone. Read more>>

Brittany Colgan

My first job in the beauty world started in high school as a seasonal job at Sephora. I didn’t even know what half the stuff in the shop was but I was so fascinated by all of it. I like to call it beauty heaven. Read more>>

Gillian Gossow

After I completed my very first 200 hour yoga teacher training I was at a loss for where to begin. I knew I wanted to create a buisness and a brand but did not want to stick to working for a studio. I needed to do my own thing. Read more>>

Mollie Krengel

I started Wild Hive a decade ago as I was yearning for it the most; a safe and sacred space for true connection, dance as a form of medicine, and THE most important ingredient → play. I truly believe that the silliness, belly laughter and not taking ourselves too seriously is the secret sauce to what makes Wild Hive so unique and impactful. Read more>>

Chiquita Tillman

One day I was sharing my story on how I survived sex trafficking at the age of 15 to an organization that helps victims. I was then asked to speak to a class of elementary students during Human Trafficking Awareness Month. I was very nervous because these were children and I had to be careful on how I presented the topic. Read more>>

Qiana Howell

My first job in the mental and behavioral health field was at YWCA. It was the beginning of my transition of a career change from Human Resources Recruiting. I went to the agency in hopes of one position, Read more>>

Sarah Emily

Part of my graduate training to become a marriage and family therapist required completing a practicum training at a therapeutic site. I performed my practicum at the Center for Healthy Eating & Activity Research (CHEAR) at UCSD. Over the course of a year, Read more>>

Hannah Clay

I first got into the field when I went through the Utah University Substance Use Disorder Counseling Program. I knew I wanted to be a therapist but I had only ever been on the receiving end of therapy so I didn’t have any experience as the therapist. Read more>>

Beth Sims

When I graduated from college with a degree in Exercise Science and Nutrition, I knew I wanted to help people with their health. I felt like my mission in life is to serve those who desire to live life to the fullest, experience deep meaning, purpose, Read more>>

Nikki Golly

When I got my first job in the health industry, it could not have been a better time in my life. I was in a new state, living with my best friend, and away from home for the first time. I was lost, working as a server at a nearby restaurant, and going to college for general studies. I was told by my parents that I had to go to college but had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Read more>>

JATARRION BROWN

When I first started my Writing Service known as TheQueenofAmbition Services LLC, I had no idea where my first client would come from, but I was determined to reach those who needed a writer, so I begin joining Facebook business groups where I landed my first resume and essay client Read more>>

Dominique Jordan-Perry

I know we all have a love/hate relationship with social media but there is a lot of good that can come from it. One of my first clients came through social media! Read more>>