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.

Katerina Husar Lazarova

I made my first money at a Liberty Station ArtWalk, which reopened in 2021 after a two-year break due to the pandemic. Encouraged by a newly gained Associate of Arts degree and news about UCSD admission, I felt ready to present my art to the public for the first time in the US. The jury for the ArtWalk was selecting artists, and I admit that as an emerging artist with minimal experience with such an event, I was afraid that I wouldn’t be chosen. However, my worries proved unnecessary, and the jury accepted me as an exhibitor. Read more>>

Jono Davis

Even though I was rooted in theatre at a young age, believe it or not, my path was nearly rerouted in high school. Both of my parents are musicians and composers and I was heavily involved in music for much of my teenage years. I was in drumline, selected for All State, and attended The Schwab School of Music at Columbus State University on a scholarship. My first professional gig as an artist was at a summer band camp. I was a counselor for several summers and, right after graduating, Read more>>

RaShawn Dixon

This was actually 7 months into the Covid-19 pandemic. I was mostly home as that was when lockdowns were in affect. One day I was just scrolling on my phone and an email popped up. It was from an art director at Mary Christie Foundation, asking if I would work with them to create a cover for their magazine, Mary Christie Quarterly. The issue was about the mental health of black student athletes. I told the director I was interested and from there we had a phone call. Read more>>

Luisa Rangel

I am a Business Administrator, but I have always been interested in the entertainment industry. When I was 15 years old I started my modeling career, I started doing my first job as a tv host, and at 21 I received my university degree, I became interested in public relations and started working with different companies without leaving aside the entertainment. Years later with the digital boom, I started creating digital content, I was always interested in the fashion and beauty industry, so I started with beauty and fashion tutorials. Read more>>