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.

Diane Thornton

My first dollar earned was from who else? My mom! I had been giving my pieces to family and friends, and they were encouraging me to sell. My mom has been a great cheerleader for my jewelry and has referred me to some of her friends as well, but it felt really good that she wanted to pay actual money for a piece that I made. Every sale since then has that same special feeling of validation for me. Read more>>

Diaunte Jenkins

The very first professional penny I was able to make in this industry was back in high school from Lifetime Network and Pilgrim Studios. By the grace of God, I was able to be casted on “Step It Up” which was an 8 episode docu-series focused on the Young Contemporary Dance Theatre also known as YCDT. I can/t help but to thank and shout out my former teacher the amazing Mrs. Traci Young-Byron who is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Company. It was truly a great filling being able to say that my first check as an artist was to do what I love which is acting and dancing but this time on national television. Read more>>

Sarah Roberts

I started my “career” at an early age when my sister and I would make string bracelets while on vacation and walk down the beach selling them. We also would make things and ride door to door in our neighborhood on our golf cart to sell our creations. This really shaped my entrepreneurship and prepared me for adulthood in the creative field. It taught me not to be afraid to try new things, and it gave me confidence that people liked what I was creating. So my first dollar made, even as a six year old, felt so rewarding and impactful! Read more>>

Michele Brisco

The first dollar I earned that I can remember was sixth grade. I loved creating — filmmaking, photography, acting, singing — so, I did it as frequently as I could. I wore pink shoelaces around my neck with my friends’ names on it, a red crop top with a bright blue tank tops underneath. I had glasses and braces, and wore pink tails. I sang during tests, state exams, and projects. My best friend at the time gave me her old silver camera. Read more>>

Foxine Jay

The act of creating art and music fills my soul with unlimited joy and presents challenges that allow me to grow. When I am willing to take a risk with a canvas and glue gun, I am cultivating the confidence to take risks in other aspects of my life. For 15 years I made art as Foxine Jay, just for fun and at home alone, stacking piles of completed sunglasses, earrings, and painted canvases. Read more>>

 Jay The Rarest

I used to not only record, mix, and master my own CD’s I would also press and publish my own CD’s as well and then sell them while I was at school and after school. Read more>>

Machelle Burgin

The first dollar I earned from my art was on my birthday in May 2021. My close friends/family threw me a surprise party and had the venue space set up with all of my art. It felt like I had my own art show. After the party, almost everyone purchased a piece. It was extremely exciting. After that moment I decided to take a leap and submit my work to be included in art shows. Read more>>

Mev The Renegade

The first dollar generated from my creative work came back in 2005. I discovered a website where beatmakers and producers could sell instrumentals. After browsing around the site, I quickly realized that the top earners on the platform were making upwards of $1,000 a week from beat sales. I quickly uploaded my beats in hopes that someone would find my music worthy of purchasing. After my first month, I had made $98! I was so excited to share my newly discovered stream of revenue with my parents and friends, alike. Read more>>

Kris Shelby

So when your passionate about your craft your creativity your usually not thinking about money because you love the feeling of doing what you love so for me I’ve always invested my own money into my craft especially in the beginning from taking chances doing free jobs paying for my own flights to take a opportunity and assist someone that when I got my first opportunity to style a big client about 10 years ago it was Yung Joc and at that time he was big on the hit show love and HipHop and the network asked me what budget I needed and what was my fee I had no clue lol nobody never told me what to charge so I remember one night just googling how much stylist charger per hour or by gig and me figuring out my fees and since then every year I go up 10 percent I mean luxury brands do it so you gotta know your worth and when your good make sure to get compensated for it Read more>>

Monserrat Gomez

My high school art teacher choose my art piece for one of the art auctions during my senior year. The oil pastel piece chosen that had a Day of the Dead theme which represents my culture. Read more>>