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.

Camille Selhorst

Sitting on a cement bench outside one of the downtown restaurants, I could feel myself almost shaking with nervousness. I tried to quell the nausea building inside me, but my heartbeat was too fast. I looked up at my boyfriend sitting beside me. Read more>>

Nick Vafiadis

This year my video podcast ‘Banned Book Club’ reached monetization status on YouTube. We’ve also been featured on Amazon’s list of ten best literary podcasts, and have won two Houston WorldFest Film Festival awards including best in category. Read more>>

Tenisha Bullock

I have been drawing since I was a little girl. Any place I could put a marker, pencil or pen to I would draw on it. My grandparents raised me so I started living with them starting around the age 3-4. Read more>>

Kim Ewing

My first real gig that paid actual money was at a place called the Tee Pee in San Antonio Texas. I think I was probably in my mid-20s. Read more>>

Raven Jané

When I first started YouTube, I knew this was for me. Having the creative control, creating entertaining content and traveling of course. Read more>>

Deante “Deecor” Howard

For my first dollar as a creative, we’d have to go back like 2 decades to my high school years. Before I thought of becoming a professional and making a living from my creativity, this is where the seed was planted! Read more>>

CHARITY JONES

I was 13 and returning home from a high school group trip to mexico. Like many teenagers I was shy, struggling with imposter syndrome around the teens I was traveling with, and tired from a week of trying to fit in, speaking largely in Spanish while exploring an unfamiliar place. Read more>>

Sharon Marie White

I was around 15 years old in a Rock band and we started to play at various venues. This became my “summer job” until I graduated high school. I saved enough money so I had a nice amount of money to start my life on my own. Read more>>

Bucky Yaqub

The first time I ever gained a good chunk of money from being a content creator was after I posted an Instagram story tagging a fast food company! I know, it’s kind of wild how putting yourself out there and making money can be THAT easy. Read more>>

Dennis Mitch Maley

I was in college the first time I made money from writing. It was 1997. I was an amateur boxer, and it was the early days of the internet when chat rooms and bulletin boards were very popular. Read more>>