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.

LaJean Pratt

This question actually gave me chills while processing! I secured my first client by sending a mass text message. Sounds simple, right? I added Holistic Wellness Coaching to the program this year but at the end of 2022, I created a pilot program called “mind-bod-soul prep. in preparation for launching the coaching business and providing extended services for future clients. Since I had the vision, I needed clients to fulfill the plan. So, I sent the mass text out and the text community consisted of individuals that I have met at prior events, referrals, and even strangers from running errands. Well, by the grace of God this particular woman responded and shared that the prep was exactly what she needed at that time in her life. Read more>>

Andrew Sparks

Back in 2020 I had started a small rental fleet of vehicles I had listed on the app Turo. My customers consisted mostly of those in need of transportation to visit loved ones during the pandemic. There was one specific customer that really hit me. This customer had traveled to VA due to a death in the family. She was having immense difficulty renting, let alone finding, a rental vehicle for her stay. I accepted her booking and did everything I could to make her experience the best possible. After her rental, she left a heart warming message/review about how important it was to her that I provided her the vehicle and how amazing the experience was. This review is what ignited a passion to help otehrs. Read more>>

Kam Williams

I remember sitting at my desk at my corporate career as a landscape architect / Civil Engineer. I had been there for almost 9 years. I had worked extremely hard in my department, but I would never be considered for the management position. Therefore, one day I decided to start using my time more wisely by studying for my real estate license. Once, I passed the exam in September of 2014 then I had my first closing in December 2014. My very first client was my co-worker who knew of my work ethic and was willing to trust me with assisting her with her first home and my very first real estate transaction. Read more>>

Carol Lorraine

The first client that came to me for my marketing services was because of them seeing my social media & so they started asking me for advice, & then asked if I could take over their social media for them as a paid service. Initially, it started off organically as me just helping them out with tips, & then they turned into a client. I preach to everyone to be of value to others. Most of the jobs I was offered in my life came to me because I offered value to them, and because they liked my advice or work, they became a client or they offered me a job. I’ve even had several people create a role just so I could join their team. Read more>>

Vanessa J. Barton

As a Choreographer and performer, I started generating income at a very young age. However, my first proud memory as a business owner came at the age of 17 when I choreographed a dance number for a female contestant that was in a beauty pageant. I guess I was too young to grasp the fact I was working with a client at that point because at that time it was all about “the art” ,lol. Read more>>

Traci Baker Jackson

I got my first client from a friend of mine at the time. A local coffee shop needed a website and a logo. Little did I know the shop was a popular spot and a reference point to get new clients. Read more>>

Erihii Nyamor

The very first client I got was off Craigslist. When I first started, I used to post service ads on the site for all the major cities, like New York, Los Angeles, and Houston. One of my first clients, a woman from Cleveland, reached out to me and wanted me to create illustrations for her children’s book. In fact, I created my first PayPal account just so she would have a way to pay me. Even though I didn’t know what my niche was at that time, it felt great to just get started and to generate some income from my art. Afterwards, my subsequent service ads would include the fact that I was now an illustrator for a published children’s book. Read more>>

Madison Goff

I had what felt like a very slow start with my business and getting to the point of booking my first client. I had my books officially open for a few months with some interest, however I realized after conducting my first few consultations that I was not ready for these clients. I was in the height of preparing for my own wedding, still trying to figure out what services I would offer, how to structure them, what felt like a million other business logistics, and working my other job. Read more>>

Cassandra Mullins

I remember how I got my first client like it was yesterday because since that day I’ve had much success. Before cutting my ribbon at our Mortar & Brick establishment on August 13, 2022 876 S. Grove Street Suite 1, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48198 by setting up my business website initially in March 2018 that is when I received my first female client and sale what joy I received to know that my business is what consumers wanted and need Celebrity Wardrobe Stylist, a fashion expert who will provide clients wardrobe for his or her event since then we’ve had over 100,000 clients ranging from newborn to 80 years old. We love the feeling that our clients get what they want and their confidence exceeds the room in Rich&Rare Clothing Boutique products. Read more>>

Hannan Hussain

It all started when a friend client of mine, whom I had been offering free services to, referred my services to someone else. Out of the blue, I received an email from this prospective client, expressing their interest in working with me. At the time, I only had one plan available, which involved sending the client resumes of students who applied for the positions they posted on our platform. Read more>>

Deborah Hurwitz

After burning out on an otherwise successful 30-year career in show business, I was looking for something, ANYTHING, that would give me a different way to make serious money and the chance to feel alive again. For several years I slogged through a dark night of the soul, seeking answers, going down rabbit holes of internet research – and honestly, doing a LOT of doom scrolling that left me feeling more afraid and isolated than ever. Read more>>

Natalie Lee Martin

My first client I received that wasn’t a friend, family, or referral from either of those was a huge milestone for me. I had heard this particular person on a social media app discussing her need for clarity in her business. She was struggling to narrow down her focus and it was negatively impacting her daily decisions. I reached out to her in a private message and explained that I had just created my C3 Clarity Framework designed to help entrepreneurs gain clarity on their call to the marketplace. Since she was the very first person I offered the framework too all I wanted in return was a testimonial and her thoughts on what session was worth. During the session she kept saying, “I gave you and thousand pice puzzle and your created a picture.” Read more>>

Christopher Forbes

My first client was Regal Barbershop in Salt Lake City, UT in March of 2020. I had been having food plate sales for the previous 3 months trying to get my name out there. The plates sales grew from 50 orders first day to around an average of 100plus plates per sale by March. Word started to get around. My Cinematographer by the name of Jerome Barbour suggested that I branch out more and explore catering businesses. We decided to do sample drop offs as a way to meet and greet businesses and store owners. That lead us to Albert Archuleta at Regal Barbershop. He allowed me to come drop off pans of food for him and his team to try out along with business cards. It was a blessing. Read more>>

Joy Simuel

Before I share how I got my first client let me give context. Before starting Joy Simuel Consulting, I was a special education teacher. I left the classroom with the desire to help families outside the confines of the classroom. There were too many times that I would be sitting in IEP meetings and could tell the parents were overwhelmed and not feeling heard. In June 2019 I tendered my resignation and started Joy Simuel Consulting in September 2019. Read more>>

Chera Miller

When you’re a new agent, one of the first things you do is build up your pipeline of buyers and sellers. And you know what? Hosting an open house is one of the absolute best ways to make that happen. So there I was, in the chilly month of January, getting ready for my very first open house of the year. It was a big deal for me. Picture this: a gorgeous home nestled in the sought-after Waterford/Avalon Park area of East Orlando, with the sun shining brightly in the sky. Perfect setting, right? Read more>>

Yahaira Flores

No business owner forgets their first client or their first sale. Knowing that someone trusted my service without seeing any of my previous work or referral was motivating. I had to prove that my work and professionalism was trustworthy. Now, I have hundreds of 5 star reviews, all thanks to that first client who took a chance at my services. Read more>>

Jessica Diei-Yoa Gbinssey

My first customer that wasn’t a friend/ family or friend of a friend was a young Makeup Artist who was looking for a decorator online for her 24th Birthday Party. She had posted on her Instagram page that she was looking for a good decorator and asked her followers to tag the ones they had worked with before. She had more than 6K followers and got a lot of comments with names of decorators that had been in the business for decades, so the odds for me to be hired was very minimal. I was new to the industry and my Instagram page was not showcasing a lot of previous projects. Read more>>