Finding Your First 10 Customers After Retirement: A Simple Guide for Retiree Entrepreneurs

retirement entrepreneurship May 07, 2025

Why Getting Your First Customers is the Real Win

Every business has to start somewhere—and for retiree entrepreneurs, that “somewhere” is often a blend of excitement and hesitation.

The most common fear?

“What if no one buys?”

That fear can be paralyzing. But the truth is, your first few customers aren’t just about income, they’re about momentum and confidence. They prove that your idea works, that your skills are valuable, and that people are willing to pay for what you offer.

Here’s the good news:

You don’t need 100 customers, or even 50. Your first 10 paying customers are a powerful milestone that gives you honest feedback, real validation, and a foundation to build on.

Instead of chasing perfection, aim for progress:

Start small
Talk to real people
Test your offer
Learn and adjust along the way

This guide will walk you through practical, retiree-friendly steps to help you get out there, connect authentically, and land your first sales—without needing ads, tech overwhelm, or a big audience.

Because once you land your first 10, the next 10 feel much easier.

👉 How to start a business after retirement

Step 1 – Start with Your Warm Network (Yes, It Still Works)

When you’re just starting, the fastest way to land your first customers isn’t through ads or social media. It’s by reaching out to people who already know, like, and trust you.

Your warm network—former coworkers, neighbors, classmates, fellow volunteers, family, or friends—may not need your offer themselves, but they may know someone who does.

Reframe What “Selling” Means

Many retirees hesitate to reach out because they don’t want to feel “salesy.” That’s completely normal—but it’s also fixable.

Here’s the mindset shift:

You’re not pressuring people to buy
You’re offering help, sharing value, and giving people a chance to raise their hand
You’re showing up with clarity, not hype

💡 You’re not asking for favors—you’re solving a problem.

Sample Script for Outreach

Here’s a warm, professional way to reach out via email, LinkedIn, or Facebook message:

Hi [First Name],

I hope you're doing well! I wanted to share something new I'm working on—I've recently launched [short name of business or service] to help [describe your audience] who are looking for [specific result].

If you know someone who might benefit from this, I’d love for you to pass this along, or feel free to ask me questions directly. I’m offering a [short description of service/product], and I’m looking for a few people to try it out or give early feedback.

Thanks for being part of my network—and no pressure at all!

Warmly,

[Your Name]

✅ What to say:

Keep it short and honest
Lead with purpose, not pressure
Invite conversation or feedback—not just a sale

🚫 What NOT to say:

“I need your help making this work.”
“You should totally buy this.”
Long, promotional emails that feel like spam

Step 2 – Create a Clear Offer People Can Understand

You can have the best service in the world, but if your offer is fuzzy, people won’t act.

Clarity beats cleverness every time.

Nail Your 1-Sentence Offer

Try using this simple formula:

“I help [audience] who need [result] get [benefit] through [your offer].”

Here are a few real-life examples:

“I help recently retired teachers who feel isolated start creative small businesses from home.”
“I help downsizing couples sell or donate household items quickly and stress-free.”
“I help caregivers of aging parents organize essential documents with a simple 3-step system.”

💬 If a 12-year-old wouldn’t understand it, it’s too complex.

Tip: Choose 1 Offer to Start

Avoid launching with a buffet of options. When you present too many choices, people often choose nothing.

Instead:

Pick one simple, compelling offer
Make it easy to describe and easy to buy
You can expand later—right now, focus = traction

📌 Your energy and clarity go further when all roads point to one solution.

Step 3 – Show Up Where Your Audience Already Is

You don’t need a website or fancy branding to get your first 10 customers. You need conversations in the right places.

Instead of trying to build a following from scratch, go where your ideal customers already spend time—online or in your local community.

Use Existing Platforms

Start by asking: “Where do my people already hang out?”

Local Opportunities:

Chamber of commerce or networking meetups
Local Facebook groups (town pages, hobbies, buy/sell groups)
Community centers, libraries, or bulletin boards
Volunteer organizations or church groups

Online Opportunities:

Facebook Groups (focused on your niche—travel, wellness, caregivers, business, etc.)
LinkedIn (especially if you’re offering a professional service like coaching or consulting)
Niche forums (e.g., Reddit, Mighty Networks, or industry-specific spaces)

Peer Referrals:

Let former coworkers, neighbors, or club members know what you’re doing
Ask, “Do you know someone this might help?” rather than “Will you buy this?”

Be Present and Helpful

People do business with those they like and trust. Focus on helping first, not selling.

✅ Do:

Comment on posts with value or encouragement
Share a helpful article or resource
Offer insights based on your experience

🚫 Don’t:

Drop your link everywhere
Pitch people in DMs without context
Copy/paste salesy messages into group posts

💡 The goal is to build visibility, trust, and connections, not clicks and likes.

Step 4 – Make It Easy to Say Yes

Once someone shows interest in your offer, don’t make them jump through hoops.

You’d be amazed how many small businesses lose customers simply because the next step is confusing or awkward.

Make your process easy, friendly, and straightforward.

Offer a Free Trial, Mini Session, or Low-Cost Intro

Instead of offering discounts, let people experience your value with a small commitment.

Examples:

A 15-minute “clarity call” for coaches
A free worksheet or resource download
A $20 “intro service” or preview product
A free local event, webinar, or open house

Set expectations: what’s included, how it works, and what happens next.

This builds trust and gives people a safe way to engage without pressure.

Set Up a Simple Call-to-Action

Don’t wait for people to ask what to do. Tell them clearly, with warmth.

Examples of simple CTAs:

“Reply to this message and I’ll send you the details.”
“Book a 15-minute intro session here: [Calendly link]”
“Order your intro kit here: [PayPal.me or Gumroad link]”

🧰 Tools to make it easy:

Calendly – For booking sessions
PayPal.me – For quick, secure payments
Gumroad – For selling digital products
Google Forms – For intake or service requests

📌 When people are interested, clarity creates momentum. Don’t make them chase you—invite them.

Step 5 – Follow Up (Without Feeling Pushy)

Many retiree entrepreneurs give up too early, not because their offer is weak, but because they fear being annoying.

Here’s the truth: Most people need a few reminders before they take action. That’s not pressure, it’s human nature. Your job is to follow up with warmth, permission, and clarity.

3 Types of Follow-ups That Don’t Feel Salesy

Use these friendly approaches to stay top of mind without making people uncomfortable:

“Just checking in…”

“Hi Sarah—just wanted to check in to see if you had any questions about the workshop. No pressure at all—just keeping the door open!”

“Spotted this and thought of you…”

“Hey Mike—I came across this article on starting a side hustle in retirement and thought of our chat. Hope you're well!”

“Still considering this?”

“Hi Carol, let me know if you're still considering booking a session. I’ve got two spots open next week.”

💡 A follow-up is about reconnecting, not closing the deal. Let them feel seen, not sold to.

Track Outreach and Responses

It helps to keep track of who you've talked to and what stage they’re at to build momentum.

Simple tracking = less stress + better results.

Use a notebook, Google Sheet, or a simple CRM tool
Track: Name, date of first outreach, response, and next step
Add notes like: “Asked for more info,” “Needs time,” or “Said yes!”

🎯 Goal: Reach out to 30–50 people and aim for 10 honest conversations or early sales.

Don’t overthink it, stay organized and keep moving forward.

Real-Life Examples from Retirepreneurs

You’re not the only one starting small. These real-world examples show how simple, honest outreach can land real customers—even with no audience or fancy setup.

📇 Example 1: LinkedIn Consultant

Martha, a retired HR executive, started consulting part-time. She sent personal messages to 20 old contacts on LinkedIn. Four replied. Two booked a discovery call. One signed up for her coaching package within a week.

🎯 She didn’t post publicly, she just reconnected with her past network.

🎨 Example 2: Etsy Seller on Facebook

A retired engineer and woodworker, Tom launched an Etsy store for handmade birdhouses. He posted photos on his neighborhood’s Facebook group and got five orders within the first month—three from people he already knew.

🎯 He didn’t run and just shared something he loved with people nearby.

🛠️ Example 3: Local Services via Referrals

Sandra, a 66-year-old organizer, helped a friend downsize her garage. That friend referred her to two more. With just a flyer and a few Facebook mentions, she built a steady part-time schedule of paid projects.

🎯 She didn’t need a website—just word of mouth and a clear offer.

Final Thoughts: The First 10 Are the Hardest—Then It Gets Easier

The first 10 customers will always feel like the biggest hurdle, but once you land them, everything shifts. Your confidence grows. You get honest feedback. Most importantly, you will see proof that your business works.

You don’t need:

A fancy website
An ad budget
Or a giant social media following

You just need to start small, stay consistent, and show up clearly and purposefully.

Quick Recap:

Start with your network – Reach out to people who already trust you
Clarify your offer – Keep it simple, straightforward, and benefit-focused
Make it easy to say yes – Offer a low-barrier way to get started
Show up where they are – Use local groups, LinkedIn, or referrals
Follow up gently – With encouragement, not pressure

💬 Your first 10 customers are out there—you just haven’t invited them yet.

And remember this isn’t about pitching. It’s about helping. When you lead with value, people respond.

You’ve got the experience. You’ve got the wisdom. Now let’s get you those first 10 wins.

✅ Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the easiest way to find my first few customers after retirement?

Start with people you already know—former colleagues, neighbors, or community groups. Warm outreach through personal emails, calls, or social posts is often the fastest path to your first 5–10 clients.

How can retirees use referrals to get customers?

Ask early supporters for introductions. If you deliver value, word-of-mouth is powerful. You can also offer a simple referral reward like a discount or free session to incentivize sharing.

Do I need a website before getting my first customer?

Not necessarily. Many retirees land their first clients through email, LinkedIn, or personal connections. A website helps build credibility, but it’s not required to start offering services.

Should I advertise or use social media to find customers?

Social media is a great free way to showcase what you do and reach new people—especially on Facebook or LinkedIn. Paid ads can help later, but focus first on organic outreach and proof of concept.