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.

Mikail Nitti

My first album return of the hustle independently made 11k through streaming services. I was so surprised by how many people were listening and sharing the music I was speechless to say the lest Read more>>

Hannah & Amanda

Our first performance opportunity (gig as we like to call them) came to us through a mutual friend. It was a very exciting moment for us when we had only been advertising our services locally for about 1 month. Read more>>

Melissa

When I was seven years old, I wrote my first book. It was made out of tattered and torn red construction paper held together by staples. I used a green crayon to draw pictures and to write the words that were likely spelled wrong and letters that were written upside down. Read more>>

Esther Park

In 2023, my work was sold for the first time at the international graduate show 2023 held in the Netherlands, marking a pivotal moment where I felt acknowledged and rewarded as an artist. Read more>>

Mikey Ray

Starting out as a hip hop artist was never about the money. It was just a few friends making music in a closet for us to enjoy. Shortly after that I started releasing music under the name Mikey Ray. Read more>>

Madison Pivonka

I had the opportunity to be in a music video in my junior year of college thanks to a close friend who knew a rising artist in LA. I flew two nights later to Los Angeles and spent less than 24 hours in California filming a music video for the artist “JANE”. Read more>>

Stephanie Romero

First dollar I ever earned as a creative was for a “Pet Screw”. It was back in the 70″s and Pet Rocks were all the rage. My grandmother and grandfather lived in front of the railroad tracks so us kids played back there, super dangerous. Read more>>

Ghia Arroyo

As a kid I’ve always pursued some kind a of artsy hobby like drawing, fashion designing, scrapbooking, or silversmithing as that whole saying of “Artists don’t make money” really stuck so in the beginning making money wasn’t something I thought of pursing. Read more>>

Cait Piska

The first dollar I ever earned as a creative paved the way for so many life-changing decisions I’ve made in my life, and my career, since that day. Read more>>

Paul Salazar

I’m not the typical actor/creator type that was in all the high school musicals and plays and was the constantly getting encouragement to pursue a creative career. Read more>>

Lauren Schaffel

I started acting professionally when I was five years old in Los Angeles. I was at a gymnastics class and was scouted by a talent manager (not that unusual in LA) and started auditioning for commercials, television, and film projects. Read more>>

Jhanaiya Smith-Butler

I will never forget my first customer. It was around 2017, and I was putting up my art on a site to sell as a part of a college class. Read more>>

Emily Kobayashi Woods

During my senior exhibition at Regis University my friend’s family bought 3 of my art pieces. I could not believe it. Someone appreciating your work so much that they pay you for it is an experience like no other. Read more>>

Mike Pilart

The first dollar I earned was selling beats directly through Instagram. I inboxed everyone in my followers list searching for buyers like a salesman 😂. Finally landed my first sales, a few bears for a little under $500 Read more>>

David Buzan

It was in 1989. I was a junior in high school. Had a short story published in “This Week Magazine” that won an award which included four movie tickets and a $25.00 check. Read more>>

Luis Lamboy

My first Dollar as a creative has to be as a teenager in the earl 80’s, I painted the backs of denim Jackets for the kids of my High school for $50.00 a pop. Read more>>