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.

Charlie Edward Golden Jr

One of the most important ways for me to secure a client or my first clientele was through by my work my work is my best advertisement . If you put your best foot forward it will market for you and the people take interest in the beauty of your work will inquire about you . My way of looking and feeling about me earning my first dollar because I had just maxed out in 8 years at 54 cents a hour to me bidding my own jobs making real money to be able to feed my family ! Read more>>

Robert Burrell

Being in an entertainment city such as Los Angeles, you will always run into someone that is in the music business, or those that want to learn how to get into the music business. Social media is a great way to target your first client. Whatever services that you provide, there are people out there that will be interested. In public/in person interaction, there is a time and place for everything. My approach for my first client was simply a casual conversation that eventually led to my profession and skill(s) You never want to be aggressive, and learn to read people; do they look sad/happy/irritated, etc. That’s why it’s a good idea to start a nice conversation, whether if it’s a hello, a compliment on their attire, or even if they may be listening to music, but they give off an approachable vibe, proceed but be respectful and warm. Read more>>

Arlette Cotrina

When I started TéTé, I had no family or friends nearby to practice on, so I turned to social media. Using a single photo from my nano brow training, I offered free sessions to strangers. After gaining confidence, I started charging $50 for models. My first paying client came from those posts—a stranger who trusted me with her brows. I was nervous but prepared, and when I saw her smile after the session, I knew I was on the right path. Earning that first dollar felt like the start of something bigger, and it gave me the motivation to keep growing. Read more>>

Akevia Darden

My first client outside of friends and family came straight from Instagram. She reached out after seeing my posts and told me she wanted to use my services. She was all the way in North Carolina, which felt surreal because it showed me the reach of my efforts. Once we connected, she decided to move forward without hesitation, and later on, she even became a repeat customer. That moment was such a pivotal one for me…it wasn’t just about gaining a client but realizing the potential of my business. Knowing that someone believed in what I offered, even from miles away, gave me the confidence to take my hustle seriously and build it into the thriving business it is today. That first “yes” is what sparked my drive to help more people and grow my brand. Read more>>

Kate Brundle

Our first client came on board a little before my time, but their story is one we’ll always cherish. It all started during the lockdown, when Sam Conniff, the creator of Uncertainty Experts, conceived the idea of an interactive documentary designed to help people navigate uncertainty in their lives. He pitched the concept to an old connection at Netflix—contacts in HR who had previously worked as commissioners for Netflix’s original programming. These were people who recognized the unique potential of entertainment as a vehicle for personal growth and transformation. They saw something powerful in Sam’s vision: an entertainment-based therapy tool that combined storytelling, science, and self-reflection to create meaningful change. Read more>>

Joan Zaruba

I got my first freelance editing client because of a website glitch. Let me explain. A couple of months ago, I shared one of my manuscripts with a sister of mine who used to live in Duluth, MN. My sister said my writing and life situation made her think of a former English teacher turned writer and publisher in Duluth. The woman’s name is Heather Wilde. She said I should check out Wilde’s memoir, Tumbled, and see if she would be a good fit for publishing some of my work. Read more>>

Jay Durnell

I received my first client without even realizing it would begin my business. In 2015, I created a YouTube channel focused on interviewing bands and performers and recording live music performances in Erie, PA. This led to me meeting and befriending many bands, musicians, artists and performers. In 2016, I watched and recorded a great performance from Philadelphia, PA traditional metal band, Corners Of Sanctuary. I met the whole band after the show and we bonded a bit over being born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia. I’d see them in Erie twice more and got to know them better each time. Read more>>

Vernetta Gregg

“I knew from a young age that hair was more than just strands; it was a form of expression, a confidence booster. But it wasn’t until 9th grade that I truly understood the power I held as a stylist. My journey with hair started long before I officially launched my business. Long before high school. I remember being in 9th grade, surrounded by the usual teenage chaos of algebra homework and after-school hangouts. But for me, there was something else: a deep fascination with hair. I’d always styled friends and family, but one afternoon, something shifted. A classmate, someone outside my usual circle, asked if I could do her hair. Read more>>

Portia Janee

I was working at Sephora and always had clients coming in getting makeup done. They started booking me outside the store and got booked more than store hours. Read more>>

Brandy Berry & Jessica Barry

Upon launching our business, we knew we wanted to serve in every opportunity we possibly could. We put our website live and applied for a couple different local markets in the area. We only received response from one and it was for a Valentine’s Day market. We were ecstatic at the opportunity. When we arrived we were not prepared for the chaos that we had just jumped into. We ran out of supplies and had to have friends run to get us more. We had so many people show up to support us. We had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and it helped set fire to the drive we felt when we started this journey. Read more>>

Caerus Kourt

I got my first client because I was already a member of a group of people who could be my clients. I’d just been laid off from my regular job and needed to replace that income within a month. I decided the quickest and most assured way to do so was to start offering a service where 1. I knew it was in demand, and 2. I knew there were gaps in services offered. I happened to be part of publishing communities and I discerned that book design (at that point with a focus on book interiors) was where I was the most qualified, eager to improve my skills, and willing to sit and do the work for six to eight hours a day. Read more>>