I Used Google Maps to Find Clients. Two Paid Projects Later, I Had Earned ₹17,900.

When I started the EYFI Challenge, I wanted to earn money by offering a service that local businesses could actually use.

I decided to build AI-powered websites for businesses that didn't have a website or needed a better online presence. A website could help a beauty parlour manage bookings, or help a restaurant showcase its offerings and accept orders.

I had a service in mind. Now I needed to find people willing to pay for it.

Finding Customers on Google Maps

I started with Google Maps.

I looked for local businesses, collected their contact details, and reached out through calls and WhatsApp. I explained what I could build for them and how having a website could help their business.

Reaching out to potential clients wasn't easy at first. I had to get comfortable initiating conversations, explaining the value of my service, and handling different responses.

Not every business would immediately see why it needed a website. I had to communicate the benefits clearly and understand what each business actually wanted.

Over time, I became more confident in these conversations. I also realised that pitching a service isn't about repeating the same message to everyone. It requires understanding the person you're speaking to and adapting your approach.

Turning Conversations Into Paid Projects

My outreach led to two paid website projects.

My first client was Shreya Beauty Care. I developed a website to establish its online presence and enable online bookings. The project earned me ₹12,500.

I then worked with Sangita Beauty Parlour, building a website to strengthen its online presence. That project brought in another ₹5,400.

Together, these two projects generated ₹17,900 in revenue.

I also secured a ₹20,000 contract with House of Iyers, a restaurant, for a website focused on its online presence and ordering. The project was still in progress when I submitted my report, so I treated that amount as work in progress rather than revenue already earned.

It was encouraging to see outreach turn into actual client work. I wasn't just practising how to pitch a service anymore. I was building websites for real businesses and delivering something they could use.

Learning to Sell, Not Just Build

One of my biggest takeaways was that technical execution is only part of the job.

I had to learn how to approach potential clients, explain why a website could be valuable, and understand their expectations before deciding how to price the work.

Different clients had different needs and budgets. I realised the importance of being flexible in my pitch and understanding what mattered most to each business.

I also became more confident in communication and negotiation. Every conversation helped me get better at explaining my service and moving a potential client towards a decision.

The challenge showed me that finding customers is an important skill in itself. You can have the ability to build something useful, but you still need to find the right people, communicate its value, and earn their trust.

From Outreach to ₹17,900 in Revenue

By the end of the challenge, I had earned ₹17,900 from two completed client projects, with another ₹20,000 contract in progress.

The experience took me beyond learning about business in theory. I had identified potential customers, contacted them, pitched my service, negotiated requirements, and delivered paid work.

I'm Ayush Raj, a YouStart fellow. The EYFI Challenge helped me understand what it takes to turn a skill into a service that businesses are willing to pay for.

My biggest takeaway is simple: start reaching out. You don't need to wait until every part of your business is perfect. Find a real problem, speak to people who have it, and learn by doing the work.

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This story was adapted from Ayush Raj's original EYFI Challenge report and edited by the YouStart team.