Earning that first dollar is incredibly special and a moment many never forget. We asked some very talented creatives from the community to tell us the story of the first dollar they earned from their creative works.

Rafe Carlson

For sure, the concept of someone paying me money to play music was pretty unthinkable at the time. I was 22, working a job in my hometown of Hermantown, Minnesota selling campers and motorhomes at a dealership. Read more>>

Karin Hallén

The first time I got paid for a screenplay was incredibly exciting and validating. It wasn’t the first dollar earned as a creative since I had been acting and modeling for many years before then, but it felt more significant. It happened soon after I started taking screenwriting seriously. Read more>>

Demonta Stephens

My first time being paid for music was from a female artist.I was still working a 9 to 5 and I couldn’t believe it even though I was working so hard for it.I received a deposit from this artist from overseas and I knew at the time the job I was at was paying me that in a week and I was making that same money from doing something I loved and it probably only took me 45 minutes to do the verse.No pen no paper.I started the verse off with “it came hella late,it took some time but I was patient” because to be honest that’s how I felt! I was doing so many free shows, recording everyday,I never complained but I did want a big break and it was little to others but to me I finally felt like my hard work was paying off.I was booking for my first paid show the following week Read more>>

Gregg Stewart

I’ve had a few incarnations as a creative. As a songwriter and musician in my early twenties, I got paid in free drink tickets. It was neither lucrative nor healthy when it came to earning a living. But I did it, and soon, more people started coming to the shows. Read more>>