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.
Carli Desai
I started painting in 2020 when the world shut down. After joining an online painting group with Amanda Evanston, I didn’t anticipate much more than just a creative outlet and a way to have something that was just for me. The first thing I painted was peonies. Pink ones to match my hair. I had a few that I liked ok but I really wasn’t sure about them and if I was even good at this painting thing. I posted them on my instagram page, because who couldn’t use a little brightness and positivity in mid-2020, and my friend Andrea, who I know from grade school, asked if I had considered selling it. That question changed everything. I sold her that peony painting for $45 and I’m eternally grateful for her validation and support. Read more>>
Paolo Tolentino
The first time I sold a painting. I was on a bus ride on my way to a friends house. I just finished painting at my old mentor’s studio. So I hopped on a bus carrying this fresh 9×12″ painting. The bus was packed so this woman sat next to me and she saw the painting. She fell in love with it and asked how much it was. I didn’t know how to price my paintings back then so I told her “give me an offer”. She only had $40 in her wallet, so she gave me $40! It happened so quick I didn’t even get a chance to take a photo of the painting, get the buyers name or information! But yeah, that’s when I realised I can make money from selling my paintings. It encouraged me to keep doing what I do. Read more>>
Buddy Hjelm
I performed at The Bug Jar in Rochester, NY which is a corner bar and venue. Since 1991, the Bug Jar has been a mainstay in the Rochester music scene, giving many local bands their first chance on stage, as well as hosting major touring acts such as The White Stripes, The Black Keys, Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Mac Demarco, and many, many more for nearly 30 years. A 331 mile drive from North Bergen, New Jersey to Rochester, New York was about a 6 hour drive one way. As a three piece band in Edifice, we were paid $100 to perform. It was way. As a three piece band in Edifice, we were paid $100 to perform. It was enough to get Chinese food for the 3 of us and fill the tank of gas. Read more>>
George Evan Davis
I fell in love with art – and discovered I had a knack for it – in high school. I was part of a program called Distributive Education, where students attended school part of the day and worked the other part. My first placement was in a Walgreens Drug Store, and I hated it. Fortunately. the counselors recognized my interest in art and found me a job in a custom framing and art supply store called A Touch of Talent. Read more>>
Yusuf Ali
My earliest comedic memory is traveling down south with my parents and my father playing Bill Cosby’s album,”Himself” . I remember bits from that to day. From there it was Eddie Murphy,Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor, then later Martin Lawrence, Robin Harris and Damon Wayans. My comedic interests eventually lead to my wanting to become a comedian even if I didn’t know it. I didn’t grow up thinking I would become a comedian,I just really enjoyed comedy. Fast forward 30 years and I have a “what am I gonna be doing in 5 years?” Moment. And with a little encouragement from some coworkers directly and rappers indirectly, I decided to give it a try. Read more>>
Maddy Corbin
My journey in the digital marketing world started way before we called Influencers “Influencers” I began posting and sharing my life online as an Instagram content creator in 2016. The first paid campaign that I have record of was in 2018 with the brand Ardene, an inclusive women’s intimate brand. It was a super small campaign, just 1 post required and a handful of images sent over to the brand for their use. I had started seeing the possibilities in this digital-sphere around this time. For the years prior I had just accepted item gifting in exchange for content. This was my first “oh shit” moment when I realized more income was to be generated than just product value. Read more>>