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.

Ravneet Cheema

I remember vividly the day I earned my first dollar as a freelance makeup artist. It was early in my career, and the excitement of that initial success is something I’ll never forget. I was based in Seattle, just beginning to build my reputation and client base. At that point, I had worked with a few friends and acquaintances for free or at a heavily discounted rate to hone my skills and build a portfolio. Read more>>

Alexx Antaeus

My love affair with studio life and equipment truly ignited while I was studying at California State University, Dominguez Hills, one of the few universities in the U.S. with a state-of-the-art recording studio at the time. The experience was captivating—watching the faders on the automated console glide up and down, listening to the rhythmic start and stop of the two-inch analog tape machine, and exploring the intricacies of two-hundred-thousand-dollar Synclavier synthesizer. While still in college, I began working as a club DJ, thanks to the inspiration and mentorship of Mario Gonzalez and Pebo Rodriguez. I am forever grateful to music industry veteran Joe Isgro, who helped me land my first gig. Read more>>

Josh Peters

I was living in NYC and had recently started painting. I thought forcing myself to live only on the money I made from art sales would drive me to work and focus solely on creating. I lived in a rent-controlled apartment on Mott Street in NOLITA. It was cheap, but I soon learned just how desperate an artist’s life can be in one of the most expensive cities in the world. Read more>>

Henry Aguirre

The first time I ever got paid for my creative work was on the second show I was booked as a stand-up comic. The first few months of doing stand-up, I wasn’t trying to get booked to get paid but rather to get stage time. So the first show I was ever booked on, I was compensated with an alcoholic drink. Win for me!  So when I received my drink for the second show, I was content.  After the show the promoter walked up to me and ask for my cash app. He said I had did a great job, something about the crowd, and he appreciated that I brought a few people to watch the show . He paid me $20 that night for a 10min set. This was the first time I was paid money for my creative work and the first time I really considered making money with comedy. Read more>>

Allison Dunbar

My first job as an actress was an on episode of Law & Order- and I’m talking OG Law & Order, with Jerry Orbach and Chris Noth! My bf at the time told me to go up to Jerry and say “nobody puts baby in the corner.” Since I was a kid, it did not dawn on me how idiotic this probably made me look. I hadn’t even seen Dirty Dancing so I had no idea what I was saying! Thankfully Jerry was a sweet man and didn’t seem to hold it against me. hahaha Read more>>

Aliza Brugger

This wasn’t my first gig, but it was my first legitimate project in LA, and it felt like a milestone. I directed a music video for Sa-Roc called “Wild Seeds,” produced by Rhymesayers Entertainment. It was a really exciting opportunity, not just because of the project itself but also because of my connection to Rhymesayers. Growing up in the Midwest, with Rhymesayers based in Minneapolis, their music was a big part of my life, so getting to work with them was surreal. Read more>>