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

Delaney Schueler

I will never forget my first session as a performance coach. Having just started my company, Dilemma Entertainment, one of the first obsticals to overcome was getting the word out there to right clientele. All business owners have faced this same hurdle, and it can be anxiety inducing trying out a new business idea for the first time. Before my first client session, I was so nervous. I remember doubting myself and wondering how it would go. Read more>>

Tonya Meisenbach

I was burned over the upper 35% of my body in December 2018. My entire face, neck, chest, upper back and both arms were replaced with skin grafts. Once I was discharged from the hospital, I went back monthly for reconstructive surgery. Unfortunately, those surgeries were halted by Covid in March of 2020. I fell into a deep depression and hid in my house for 2 1-2 years. That’s when it occurred to me that I may never earn another dollar in my life. Read more>>

Ha$e.

I think I’d made a little money here and there before, but the time that stands out is when I did a show with a band called Brainsleeve at 529 in East Atlanta Village, and one of the guys came up to me with an envelope after the show with my name on it. But like, my stage name, Ha$e. Read more>>

Calvin Simmons.

At a time when I was just started performing live. I wanted to hone my skills, and stage presence so I started out doing local open mics. Open Mics are a good way for any up and coming talent whether it be music or comic to perform in front of an audience. I performed at a restaurant by the name of Mex 1, a cantina located in Mt. Pleasant South Carolina. I can remember wearing a mauve colored suit and being nervous as it got closer to my time to perform. Read more>>

Robert Peterpaul

The first time I earned a big paycheck from acting, I threw it out. I’ve been acting professionally since childhood, for the sole love of it. I was lucky enough to do a national tour, Off-Broadway show and even dabble in some screen work. However, my parents always signed the contracts and deposited the checks, so to me acting was just a glorified playground. It’s no wonder that post-college I found myself bemused by the fact that something so wonderful as acting could provide an income. Read more>>

Halston Farmer.

The first time I generated money was after I left the 2015 Coast 2 Coast Convention in Miami, Florida. I left and received a distribution deal from from The Record Union which allowed me to put my music on major music platforms like Spotify, Apple Music. ect. Around about January was when I first received royalties for my music. Read more>>