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.

Josh Sales

The first client I ever got was in 2017. I had dabbled with videos here and there but knew that I wanted to focus especially on music videos. I reached out to a facebook group called “singers and songwriters of utah” asking anyone if they wanted a free music video! I had a bunch of people interested in working with me and ended up choosing a husband-wife duo named Scott and Ryceejo! Read more>>

Ciera Glenn

During Covid, we had a local photographer drive by our pasture and asked to rent our tall grass pasture to shoot her mini sessions. She then told her five other photographer friends, and our farm became a photo venue over night. It was like we were building the boat as we were learning how to sail. Read more>>

Dassah Mariee

I actually got my first client as an accident. I had just recieved this short human hair wig for a Youtube hair review. I knew right away that I wasn’t going to wear it, but went ahead and filmed it. I had later recieved a comment from a subscriber saying how much they loved the wig. Since I knew I wasn’t going to wear it myself, I told her I could sell it to her if she wanted. Read more>>

Christina Maksoud

My first ever client taught me the most and had earned the least from. Before I graduated from Ringling College, I was studying Motion Graphics and was desperately looking for ways to pay rent. I was determined to not move back home to my family and had started picking up odd jobs that involved design or animation. Ringling was great for being able to connect small startups or individuals for freelance jobs through their job board/portal. Read more>>

Andrew Detherow

I remember My first client I had saw the work I had posted and then contacted us by email. She first started by asking me how I got into doing photography. I was telling her that I have always loved taking pictures of nature and grasping the right moment. After we had talked for a few minutes, Read more>>

Phalen Reed

My first true organic client stumbled upon my design blog (which is no longer active). The client discovered a particular post that was speaking about my bucket list design projects. At that time, one of them was to develop a logo and label design for a bourbon liquor (as it is my favorite spirit). Read more>>

Latoya Brown-Clayton

I went to home depot picking up something for at the time my first floor. I spoke to the lady at the counter about what I need essential it turned into my first two children. Read more>>

Sinead and Mairead Atkinson

Our first proper TTE client was a dear friend of ours, and one of the people who made our dream as professional performers come true in the first place: our former voice teacher. When she hired us for our first big event at a very grand location for her daughter’s first birthday, we were beyond excited, not to mention honored that out of all her incredibly successful students, she chose the two of us to make this magic happen for her family. Read more>>

Carjie Scott

The Education Equalizer Foundation is a college preparation organization formed in November of 2021; in the summer of May 2022, we hosted our first HBCU college fair in collaboration with the Common Black College Application at the Cotton Club Museum in Gainesville, FL. The event garnered record attendance and provided over forty students with application fee waivers. Read more>>

Mikeal Barnes II

As a non-profit, my first client was a random person that I saw on the streets of Downtown Raleigh, no money exchanging involved. It was after the Winter storm of 2018 and snow covered pretty much every inch of Downtown Raleigh. As a Freshman at Shaw University I often took late night walks and on this walk I saw a homeless man sleeping on the ground with nothing on him. Read more>>

Daverica Tutt

Daverica received her first client during the peak of COVID-19. During this time period, many people became entrepreneurs and needed business logos. Daverica had a friend that desperately need a business logo but could not afford the prices that well-known graphic designers were offering. Read more>>

Yinan Wei

In my perspective, while skill undoubtedly holds paramount importance, we cannot overlook the significance of networking and effectively managing one’s social media presence. As a concept artist, platforms such as ArtStation provide an excellent opportunity to showcase your talent and passion. Read more>>

Ebony Ivey McDonald

My first few clients were referrals which I’m very fortunate to have received. My close friends and family spread the word about my services and several people were in need. My first client outside of referrals came from online ads. I leveraged several digital marketplaces and social media channels to promote my business. Websites like DesignRush, and Fiverr are great resources. Read more>>

Dawn Ianno

While I was working for two design firms one in NYC and one in Long Island, years before I started on my own, I received a call from a contractor I knew through a friend and he was working with a client on renovating his home. The contractor suggested he should get in touch with a designer so he reached out to me. Read more>>

Vera Ukpabi

I got my first client through my ministry. I felt encouraged and grateful. My YouTube Channel is essential to getting new clients. They can learn and see if they would like to improvise their lives through my coaching services which are personal, in depth and very insightful. I still advise the first client I got from time to time. Read more>>

Sarah Torres

Getting our first client was a little tricky. The business had been open for about two months before we finally had someone book with us. I was a bride myself in 2021 so I knew a lot of couples found their vendors on Facebook. I was able to use this to my advantage and rejoin all of the Michigan bride pages. Read more>>

Ashley Owens

I went to a networking event at the phillies game – a tailgate event and it was the first day I didn’t have a job in 10 years. Again, a time I was at my lowest, and I walked around and thought, ok, I have to simplify this, what does everyone here have in common? They are networking – ok what problem do they have – probably elements of networking. So I went around and asked every person what sucks for you about networking. “I hate finding events, I hate going alone, I hate the follow-up.” Read more>>

E. Bradley Heyden

I was still in school for music production at Full Sail University. One day I took my guitar in to the local music store to have some wiring upgraded. At that time a gentlemen was picking up his guitar, We started talking and his band was in the middle of recording an album. Read more>>

Ashley Parks

So our first client was a co-worker and his now wife. Just in conversation at work, I helped him plan the surprise proposal he did for her! After the proposal he asked about possibly hiring me to help with their wedding. After I dropped a few hints of me wanting to help lol!! At this time I was only beginning to start thinking about starting our wedding and event planning business but I hadn’t done so. Read more>>