toe·hold 
/ˈtoʊˌhoʊld/ noun
plural toe·holds /ˈtoʊˌhoʊld/ noun [count] 1 : a place where your toes may be placed when you are climbing a cliff, a mountain, etc. 2 : a position that makes it possible to begin an activity or effort
▪ His father helped him get a toehold [=foothold] in show business. ▪ American companies looking for toeholds in foreign markets
▪ His father helped him get a toehold [=foothold] in show business. ▪ American companies looking for toeholds in foreign markets
