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.

Sarah Hall

When I was 19, my best friend told me about this conference for Native American youth that she’d been to before. Her and I hadn’t seen each other since graduating high school and knew that if we got accepted, we’d get a free trip to Vegas. We decided to apply and see what happened. Read more>>

Gemini Barry

I met a lady named Joann. We weren’t friends yet but we are friends now. She has 5 girls, 4 of which have modeled with me and in 2013 she asked me to take family pictures of her 5 girls and her baby boy, her dog. We met at Lindquist Beach early in the morning and started taking pictures. If I remember correctly the job was $100.00 Read more>>

Jenelle Jones

Oddly enough, my first client was my previous employer, Sugarlands. I’m not sure if that falls into the friends category since I developed friendships during my time there, but I know they went with me after I left because I proved myself during my time there. Perhaps the relationship is why they stick with me – even through the bumps in the road? Read more>>

Anna Kornick

When I first launched my business, I called myself a Leadership Coach. But deep down, I had a burning desire to help women with time management so they could stop feeling overwhelmed and love their lives. The problem was, I had never come across another time management coach, and wasn’t even sure if time management coaching was even a thing. Read more>>

Krystyna Medina

As a high school student, I was interested in business. When my senior year was approaching I wanted to get as involved in my school as I possibly could. The environmental movement was becoming a huge movement online and I wanted to partake in this green initiative. Read more>>

Devlon Short

The first client I’ve ever gotten was thru my wife’s high school friend rapper C-Wenz. I had heard his material one day my wife advised me to reach out to him we had a couple of mutual friends from around the way so I took a chance. My first ever music video with him was for free and it was about his friend that had passed at the time so we did a tribute video for him.. Read more>>

Christian Banach

I got my first client while working for a digital marketing agency. Previous clients approached me and asked if I was interested in working for them on a freelance basis. I was intrigued by this opportunity because this agency is one of the most prominent in the world. Read more>>

Sabrina Jones

After struggling with eczema since I was eight years old and told to refrain from using skincare products with perfumes and synthetic chemicals or else my skin condition may worsen, I missed out on experiencing what a lot of teenagers and young adults indulged in when it came to bath and body products. Read more>>

Emani Haynes

I got my first through Instagram. It was the peak of the pandemic, I had just started my business, and she was one of my followers on Instagram. I purchased my inventory in 3s because that’s normally how they sell. I remember posting the three bundles that I had on my Instagram story and she messaged me saying she would like to purchase them. Read more>>

Adline Sanchez

I had been doing my friends and family’s makeup, nails, hair, etc for as long as I could remember. Whenever there was an occasion I was the one called to beautify everyone even when I was the youngest, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Read more>>

Olivia Nittmann

When I decided I wanted to really make photography a business for myself, I realized that I needed to build a portfolio. I had a few pictures that I had taken over the years but I really didn’t feel that these portrayed my style anymore and I didn’t really know how to use my camera back then. So I knew that I needed to take new photos of people. Read more>>

Christine Campbell Rapin

My first client came quite unexpectedly during a meeting where I thought we were going to record a podcast. Read more>>

Melissa-Sue John

My daughters, Olivia Lauren john and Alyssa Simone John, whom the company is named after, were aspiring child actors and models. I met many parents on set and at auditions. I met a mother of twins who shared that she always wanted to publish children’s books. Read more>>

Mike Sasmita

It’s starting with hobby, and finding something to do. I didn’t think this can be my primary job. Read more>>

Ladonia Spence

My first client was my previous employer. Vantage House’s apartments. Which is a retirement home in Columbia, Maryland. I left when I was just 22 years old. I possessed a well-known skill set that allowed me to learn and be creative with various menu options for the residence. Despite the fact that I had moved on, my mother was still employed there. Read more>>

Kimberly Donalson

The year was 2015 I made the life changing decision to leave my corporate job and enroll into culinary school. I was a full time morning student and my daughters were still in grade school at that time so I wasn’t able to work evenings nor a 8-5 job. I had savings, but without gainful employment those funds were starting to dwindle. Read more>>