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.

Melissa Jakes

In the early days of Rescue Event Planning, I knew building a portfolio and credibility would be essential to gaining clients outside of my personal network. To do this, I offered to plan three free events to showcase my expertise, create a stunning portfolio, and ask for referrals and testimonials. These events were my opportunity to prove my ability to deliver flawless, memorable experiences. Read more>>

SAbrina

My very first client was a childhood friend of mine, someone I’ve known since my days as a dancer. At the time, I had just announced the launch of my event planning business, and she had recently found out she was pregnant. When she reached out to me, it felt like the perfect opportunity to combine my passion for event planning with something deeply personal. She asked me to plan and execute her gender reveal, and I couldn’t have been more excited. Read more>>

Lauren Taylor

I started posting my brands building clientele, following people in my niche, and then people started to text me dm me and my first client was my sister. Read more>>

Tasha

Well, originally I was just looking for someone to do my faux locs. I couldn’t find anyone in Minnesota, so I ended up watching a YouTube video and decided to do it myself. After that, someone hit me up asking if I could do their hair. I was like, “Sure, why not?” lol. Read more>>

Siena Fluitt

I remember the beginning of my photography journey like it was yesterday, a lot of my first clients were unpaid and to gain experience. I had so much fun getting to create and edit these photos, I created a photography account almost immediately, and I was also a senior at my high school, so it was easy to get in with the high school seniors. My first client was a boy in the same grade as me who needed his senior photos done, after that I continue to get more and more business from seniors and couples in my area. It was a very fulfilling feeling to have scaled my business so quickly, so young. Read more>>

Vee Green

My first client was actually a friend of mine who attended the same church as is did! One day after service we went to the Guitar Center, as I started playing random chords on one of the keyboards he began to freestyle, and we began flowing to a point where a solid idea and sing were created just in a matter of seconds. From then I know this was something I always wanted to do, and so we began creating a plethora of works primarily in the Gospel and Inspirational genre, which caused us to continue to explore all genres. We’d eventually start recording and throwing events locally. Working with this artist inspired me to start my own band, and so I did and they also helped me create ideas for the artist to sing to. Read more>>

Portia Wofford-Terry

I was working two nursing jobs (one full-time and one PRN). PRN, for those unfamiliar, means I’d pick up shifts with facilities depending on their needs and my schedule. After a while, the burnout was too much. I really needed more personal time and time with my son, but I knew I needed to find something that could bring in at least as much income as my PRN job. Read more>>

Renia Pruchnicki

In 2001 I created my very first collection of sample belts along with some professional looking literature. I took to the streets in Toronto, Canada and literally walked into stores and asked for the manager. I did not have any appointments booked.

On that day, I received 3 orders from 3 different stores! Two of them were stores on Queen Street West and the third was a store in Yorkville called Over the Rainbow. This was wonderful news, as these two areas were really well known areas in Toronto for fashion. I recall being surprised that I was able to get my belts into these stores. It was one of the most memorable days of my life! I was literally jumping up and down on my couch. Read more>>

Courtney A. Seard

I got my client through word-of-mouth. I had just become a certified NLP and hypnosis practitioner and coach and had explained to a friend the benefits and what you could expect from the coaching process, and had a friend say, “hey, I’d love to have those outcomes.” They signed up and became my first coaching client. Read more>>

JEN Candler

When I purchased the jewelry store, I felt both exhilarated and overwhelmed. Among my new inventory was a breathtaking $110,000 platinum and diamond ring, featuring a stunning 3 ct chocolate brown diamond. I adored it, but also lost sleep wondering if it would become an albatross around my neck.

Then, a woman walked in, tried it on, and fell in love. She visited the ring often, bringing her family, weighing her options. Should she reset her own 3 ct white diamond or purchase the ring as is? Every time she held it, I could feel its energy. I knew it was meant for her. Read more>>

Kayla Dionne

I attended GVSU and received my bachelor’s degree in photography, pursuing a love for landscape work. While in college, I was asked by a family member to photograph her wedding. Having no knowledge of the wedding industry, I hesitantly yet excitedly said yes. I was hooked on photographing weddings after that. I then started my internship as a second shooter for a local photographer and photographed 30+ weddings the following summer allowing me to build my portfolio. Fast forward a few years, I moved to northern Michigan with my husband and started my photography career full time. Read more>>

Lauren Sengelmann

I always made cakes and cupcakes for my friends’ birthdays in college. At one of the birthday parties I was approached and asked to bake some graduation cupcakes. I can vividly remember saying, “You mean you want to pay me to bake them?” I was so excited and shocked that people had liked my treats so much that they actually wanted to pay me to make more for their special event. Read more>>