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.

Jaspar Schirmer

Starting our first year in business was all about trial and error, which we embraced. My partner, Jaylin, and I brainstormed ways to reach people beyond our immediate network, researching options like flyers, paid media, organic impressions, and directly contacting everyone we knew. We surveyed nearby areas to understand their needs and identified a significant gap: many competitors lacked a strong online presence. This is common in metal fabrication, as most businesses in the industry were established over 20 years ago. Read more>>

Lauren Steward

I was subcontracting for several cleaning companies- I had set up my LLC and insurance but was still hesitant about getting customers. I literally was in Denver parallel parking about to go into a move out clean as a “subcontractor”. I received a call from a woman, Cynthia, that owns a cleaning business in Aurora. It was a hoarded clean with tons of mice droppings. I remember very specifically calling my mom and telling her “my first potential customer” I went and did the walk thru- set my first appointment and from there- got to work! Read more>>

Maha Fakher

It was a cookie baking business, the owner approached me via Instagram. At that time all my work was for people I know (family, friends, friends of friends) so I was so flattered to see someone approaching me without any trials from my side to attract the client. The most special thing about this job, is that the client had so much faith in my talent that she requested a video to make a reel out of it while I didn’t make any videos before. Therefore, the client hadn’t any reference how the outcome will be. Read more>>