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. 

Hannah Yoder

I found my first client by simply putting myself out there so much that people would get sick of me. I was constantly networking myself by door, knocking different businesses, reaching out to hundreds of Facebook groups, posting multiple times a day and attending networking events several times a month. Read More>> 

Lorna Greyling

My first client wasn’t a friend, family member, or someone from my network. It came from pure cold calling—and honestly, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. When I started, I didn’t have a big database, a reputation in the community, or a stream of referrals. I had a phone, a list of businesses, and a determination to make this work. Read More>>

Erica Walton

In March of 2015, I was laid off as a caregiver for sick parent. I knew I’d never return to the field because of miraculous improvement in their health. I told myself that I had enough skills with customer service, planning, organizing and creating fashionable products to actually start something. Read More>>

Saremmy Rodriguez

My first client experiences that were not friends or family came through my Instagram, where I had been sharing my love for home decor and cozy living spaces through both images and videos. My earliest collaborations were gifted partnerships, and along the way I also received a few paid opportunities. Read More>>

Gaye Swan

My first client was my previous employer, a small boutique financial services agency. I’d worked very hard for my employer, and I was so pleased to find that my work paid off in more ways than I’d imagined! When I decided to give freelancing a try, I asked if I could work on a big marketing project for them. Read More>>

Alina Kay

When people ask about my first client, I always feel a little guilty because I honestly can’t remember the exact first dollar my business earned. What I do remember is the pattern that built my entire business. At the time, I was working my first full-time job and used my Christmas bonus to buy a camera. Read More>>

Achiko SaGa

My first dance client came about completely by accident. Before I ever thought about teaching professionally, dance was simply something I loved. Growing up in Georgia, I trained in ballroom dancing and even competed. When I moved to the United States in 1999, I was focused on earning my Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences, not building a dance business. Read More>>

Ty Givens

Honestly? Pure luck. I launched my business in November 2016 and landed my first paying client in December 2016. Looking back, I got that client because I wasn’t very good at explaining what I actually did. At the time, my company was called The Workforce Pro. Read More>>

Dawn Marie Morris

My first client came from LinkedIn. After launching my business, I exported my contacts and began reaching out to people in my network. One of those contacts worked at a college and was looking for a speaker to discuss how to maintain professionalism while remaining passionate about social justice causes. When I submitted my proposal and pricing, I was nervous. Read More>>

Tyra Hall

My first clients were on February 16th, 2020. I will never forget the immense amount of excitement and anxiety that I felt. That day I probably got to my suite 3 hours early (as I still do til this day lol), I just wanted everything to be perfect! Read More>>

JANE JORDAN

My first client came through a relationship and a referral. A gentleman I knew told me he was friends with a transportation coordinator who worked closely with nursing homes and social workers. He believed in what I was trying to build and offered to share my information. The very next day, I received a phone call. Read More>>

Jessie May Wolfe

When I left the fashion industry and began stepping into coaching, I had one big fear: charging for something that felt so natural to me. I’ve always been someone who connects easily with people—on planes, in grocery lines, walking my dog, my uber drivers. Deep conversations have never felt like work. Read More>>

Gavin Hammon

When I first started working in Residential real estate in NYC at Corcoran back in 2009, I had just moved to New York City and didn’t know anyone. I would go to the office early every morning and sign up on a piece of paper that sat at the reception desk – as this was a first come first serve basis.  Read More>>

Kristen Cumiskey

In 2014, my business partner Alicia Lane and I created the first ever mobile bartending company in St. Augustine, Florida, The Perfect Pour. As a new business, not only did we have to get our name out there, but we also had to explain the services we offer. Read More>>

Taylor Amundson

Facebook and Facebook marketplace has been instrumental in getting clients for both of my businesses. For my mural/art business I joined FB groups of Airbnb owners and advertised there. And for my cheesecake business I almost exclusively get business from my FB page or by listing my desserts on marketplace. Read More>>

Norian DeHaven

I started in real estate in a new town where I didn’t know anyone, which meant there was no shortcut into business, just consistency and an immense amount of discomfort. Read More>>

Paula Begel

In 1983, I was a single mother. Phlebotomist, Aerobic instructor, personal trainer. Then a good friend, an orthopedic surgeon suggested that Physical Therapy would be a good degree to have to support myself and my son as it built on what I already knew. So I graduated as a Physical Therapy Assistant. After 4 years in the field, I went to massage school. Read More>>

Hannah Nicolaci

You have to start working through an internship in grad school, and since I knew I specifically wanted to work with abuse survivors, I wanted to find a site that really invested in that population. When I looked through who my school was contracted with, I was immediately drawn to Peace over Violence, a non profit working with survivors of sexual and domestic abuse. Read More>>

Dr Reba Perry-Ufele

I was working with Doctors Without Boarders volunteering abroad as a nurse to give out immunizations. We were asked to assist with baby deliveries . I was fascinated the mother’s had no prenatal care but had healthy babies . I was more impressed the babies were delivered by midwives. Read More>>

Alessandra

I remember it as if it were yesterday. I had just received my esthetician license and was excited to begin my career, although I had no idea where the journey would take me. One day, I came across a small wellness center called Licensed to Touch. The name immediately caught my attention. Read More>>

Sean Rose

In 2019, I was working at an organic market in the produce section where I met a good friend named Grace. One day, Grace asked me to go to a local herb shop nearby. So, we hopped into the car and headed out. This herb shop was in an old house surrounded by medicinal herbs and trees. It was mid-Spring. Read More>>

Carole Jakucs

The path to becoming a professional health writer came through my work as a professional registered nurse. As a long-time RN, my passion has always been teaching others about their health and how to support their wellness. Part of my work history in nursing included working at a university in the student health services department. Read More>>

Brittney Romero

Getting my first esthetician position was definitely a challenge I won’t use the word struggle. My first esthetician job was at a Massage Envy Spa in the Bay Area. It was great however this location had literally just started offering facials and I was taking clients for 2 weeks before having a formal training. Read More>>

Paula Adams

My first “job” in the field I practice today didn’t come with an application, a paycheck, or a title. It came when I was eight years old, barefoot in the doorway of a small room where a woman in our community was taking her last breaths. Read More>>

Regina Gower

It was 1980-something. I was married with 2 little ones and working on my college degree. One of my favorite professors co-owned an all women’s gym. He knew I enjoyed working out and that I wanted to earn a little part-time money. He suggested that I visit said gym. I signed up, stated taking classes, and I LOVED it! Read More>>

Tamara Nisanov

I got my first job in the fitness industry when I mustered up the courage to walk into a fitness studio in my neighborhood and ask if they were hiring. I had just completed my certification to become an AFAA Group Fitness Instructor. Read More>>

Lora Cantele

After graduating from the American College of Healthcare Sciences (formerly the Australasian College of Health Sciences) in 2004, I was excited to “hang out my shingle,” so to speak, and start engaging with clients in my own practice. I was surprised that people weren’t rushing through the door. Read More>>