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In 2016, Tori Dunlap was working a 9-to-5 marketing job, just like everyone else.

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No big platform.

No fancy connections.

Just a side hustle teaching women how to take control of their finances.

She could have waited. Waited for a bigger audience. Waited to feel “ready.” Waited for someone to notice her.

But instead, she took action.

✔ She answered finance questions in Facebook groups.

✔ She posted simple, helpful money tips online.

✔ She made her first offers before she had a massive following.

That small side hustle? It grew into Her First $100K—a multi-million-dollar business.

And yes, she eventually went viral. In 2020, she doubled down on TikTok, and by her fifth video, millions of people were watching. But that’s not the point.

Imagine if she had only posted 1–2 videos and stopped? Going viral wasn’t what made her business take off—being consistent and visible was.

She didn’t wait for an audience—she built one.

And that’s exactly how you can start getting customers, too. You don’t need a viral moment or a huge following—you just need a clear strategy.

Here’s how to start bringing in paying customers—even if no one knows your name yet.

“Build It and They Will Come” Is a Lie—Start Talking to People

I used to think I had to build everything first—a website, the perfect brand, a polished offer—before I could start selling. But that kept me stuck.

The truth? You don’t need everything in place before you start talking to people.

Most new business owners believe they need a flawless online presence or a bigger audience before they can make money.

That’s the slowest way to grow.

If no one knows you yet, here’s how to change that today:

✔ Tap into your existing network – Instead of pitching, ask: “Do you know anyone who needs help with [your offer]?” Friends, former colleagues, and connections can be your fastest path to customers.

✔ Go where your ideal customers already are – Find communities where people are already looking for help. This could be Facebook groups, LinkedIn discussions, Reddit threads, or industry-specific forums. Jump in, answer questions, and provide value—without immediately selling.

✔ Make your first offer simple – You don’t need a fancy sales page—just say: “I’m offering [your service] to [who you help]. If you or someone you know is interested, let me know!”

Do this now: Send one message to someone in your network or join a conversation where your audience is.

Your first customer won’t come from waiting—they’ll come from you taking the first step.

Make It Ridiculously Easy for People to Say Yes

People don’t buy from strangers—they buy from people they trust.

Here’s how to build trust quickly (without spending months creating content):

• Share small, helpful insights – Post a quick tip, a lesson learned, or a solution to a common problem. Show them you know your stuff.

• Give them a no-risk way to work with you – A free call, trial session, or small paid offer removes doubt and helps them feel comfortable saying yes.

• Make the next step clear – Don’t make them search for how to work with you. Give them a simple way to book, buy, or sign up.

Do this now: Open X, LinkedIn, or Instagram and post ONE valuable tip right now. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just helpful.

Keep Going—Even When It Feels Like No One Is Watching

The hardest part of getting customers isn’t finding them—it’s staying consistent when it feels like no one is paying attention.

Before assuming no one wants what you offer, ask yourself:

• Am I talking to the right people, or just posting into the void?

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• Am I making it painfully clear what I do and who I help?

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• Have I given this enough time, or am I switching strategies too soon?

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Do this now: Stick with one strategy for at least 60 days before switching gears. Show up, engage, refine, and stay consistent.

Every post, conversation, and offer you put out is planting seeds for future growth. Keep going.

A Smarter Way to Get Paying Customers (Coming Soon)

I know how frustrating it is to feel like you’re doing all the things but still struggling to get in front of the right people.

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That’s exactly why I created Momentum+—a new membership hub designed to help you attract and land paying customers with proven strategies, action-focused resources, and the support you need to finally start seeing real traction.

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One of the first resources inside? A step-by-step guide to getting your first (or next) paying customer—even if no one knows who you are yet.

Momentum+ will give you everything you need to stop guessing and start growing, and it’s launching soon.

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More details are coming, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

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But for now—let’s have some fun:

💡 If you had just one hour today to get in front of potential customers, what would you do? Hit reply and tell me—I’ll personally respond to as many as I can!

Yours truly, ​ ​ ​ Kristina Portella, Business Strategist Founder of Side Business Momentum​ Because once you have momentum, everything changes.

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