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.

Zhe Xiao

Recently, secured our first enterprise client, a leading company in the market. As an AI-driven marketing tool, our team has been actively optimizing data, restructuring infrastructure, and enhancing the overall user experience. For example, I have spearheaded improvements in UX design by creating and organizing data visualizations generated through natural language instructions. From tracking trends to gaining performance insights, users can now easily manage visuals with just a few simple steps. Read more>>

Tenneisha Brown

I’ll never forget how I landed my first client—it all started at an open house! I was brand new to real estate, full of enthusiasm, and still figuring things out. Experienced agents always emphasis the importance of adding value when meeting someone new and I keep that at the center of everything I do. During my client’s and I initial conversation at the open house, I told her about a fantastic program for first-time homebuyers and she absolutely loved it! On the outside, I appeared to be calm and confident, but on the inside I nervous! There were so many thoughts going through my head- making sure I was delivering the information correctly, sounding like the expert , and adding value to the conversation.  Read more>>

Mehreen Buksh

My first ever client was a very good family friend, and the way it all came together still feels like a dream. The bride’s older sister reached out to me after seeing that I had just launched my company and had only been in the game for maybe 1-2 months. She trusted me to be the day-of coordinator for her sister’s Mehndi (henna party) and wedding reception, an event with over 650 guests from cities across Michigan like Rochester, Troy, Novi, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Bloomfield Hills, as well as from outside Michigan, including Chicago and Toronto. Read more>>

Carly Martinez

My first customers resulted from dropping off my candies at one of my family restaurants. The second wave of customers came from a cosmetology school where I worked full time, with students making direct purchases from my office, creating a line of buyers. It certainly excited me that students kept coming back for more candies and customers at my family’s business were consistently selling out each batch of candies I dropped off. Those were my initial experiences prior to selling on social media. Read more>>

Shirley White

At the beginning of my business, I was essentially giving away samples. Initially, I felt inadequate in the baking world. I’m not classically trained and have learned on my own. I dismissed that notion early in my baking career. I’m involved in a non-profit organization and frequently used the folks there as my tasting “guinea pigs.” Anything I shared was always a hit. Read more>>

Sharon Nguyen And Danielle Mortell

Danielle: “As nutrition students, we’re always looking for ways to immerse ourselves in the nutrition and dietetics community – whether it’s gaining hands-on experience, learning from seasoned professionals, or exploring the diverse opportunities this field has to offer. Dietetics is such a broad profession, with dietitians working in areas like community health, clinical settings, eating disorders, sports nutrition, food service, and more. Because of that, I’ve made it a priority to put myself out there, try new things, and soak up as much knowledge as I can. Read more>>

 

Becky Ruby-wojtowicz

When I first started thinking about designing floral arrangements, my original intention was to promote my work as a cost-effective alternative for nonprofit events. My background is arts administration (nonprofit management) and I’d envisioned this as a fun side hustle to my continued work in that sector. Read more>>

Crystal Dean

Building Leaders Cheer journey to securing our first client(s) began with a bold vision and determination. Social media and referrals served as our launch pad – with a simple introduction to the business outlining the focus on cheer development and character building, the message struck a chord with parents who had been searching for a cheerleading program that emphasized physical performance but also personal growth! Read more>>

Rachel Udeh-jackson

It’s an interesting story actually, but also a sad one. My great-grandfather had just passed away, and I was deeply burdened with grief. It was around the time of his passing that I made the decision to take a huge risk with my idea for selling healthy, accessible, gourmet dishes. So I started selling plates of food to patrons at middle-class, African-American hair salons. I also gave away free platters of sample foods at upper-middle class, mainstream hair salons. This form of strategic marketing created lots of buzz around my name because the dishes were unique!  Read more>>

Latoya Westbrook

Today, I’m reflecting on a deeply meaningful milestone in my journey. I received my first official paid opportunity in my field of practice by simply showing up authentically on social media years ago. At the time, I was a relatively new business owner, primarily teaching yoga, while also exploring my growing passion for sound healing. Newly certified, I began sharing my love and knowledge of this sacred practice online, hosting live, full-length sound baths and explaining how sound meditation could deeply benefit those who chose to “tune in” and build a consistent practice. Read more>>

Charlie Watts

In the heart of the South, particularly in Georgia, women often face daunting challenges in receiving adequate healthcare around birth. This stark reality drew me into the field of Occupational Therapy, where I saw an urgent need to advocate for better maternal and postpartum care. As a doula and educator, I had witnessed firsthand the profound impacts of holistic support on pregnancy and childbirth, fueling my desire to specialize in pelvic health. Read more>>