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.

Taylour Martin

Selling my first piece of art was incredibly meaningful because it wasn’t just about me, it was about the person who saw something in my work that spoke to them. Knowing that someone connected with my art on a deeper level, enough to want it in their life, was a powerful experience. It made me realize that my art could evoke emotions, spark thoughts, or bring joy to others. That moment was more than a sale it was a reminder that my work could create a bond between me and someone else, communicating things words couldn’t. It motivated me to keep creating, knowing that what I do can impact others. Read more>>

Cherish Waldman

The time I received my first dollar was on Pateon, a subscription-based platform where fans can support their favorite creators financially. My Patreon account was linked to my WEBTOON creator page, which was where I published my main comic Destiny Indeed. You wouldn’t believe the way I ran about screaming in joy at the very first Patreon I received. In a way I could say that moment was a life changer for me.  Read more>>

Chloe Evers

I made my first sculpture almost by accident. I was home from college on break, and in peak anxiety. My dad is a professional sculptor of 40 years, and I grew up playing with clay at the kitchen table with him. In his workshop, I found a piece of scrap metal that was roughly in the shape of a heart. I started tacking clay to it with no forethought of a design in mind. This was done purely as a therapeutic exercise to release some of my stress from my body through my fingertips. What manifested was “Eye, Heart, Nature,” my depiction of Mother Nature, influenced from recently having read Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” I had no intention of doing anything with I had made. Mind busy with upcoming assignments, I assumed it met its destiny in a five-gallon bucket scrap pile. Read more>>

Mykola Sergiichuk

I am dancing all my life. And I always wanted to create my own thing. So I decided with my partner to create our ballroom show and perform it on a theatre stages. We spent so many hours and days creating everything and making it all together. We created costumes, choreography, videos, music with all our love and passion to dance. We sent our promo to many agents and company’s and the answer was not long in coming. We sold our show to many world known cruise company’s and started to perform our show on amazing stages and we felt that we did everything right. So now we can share our love to ballroom dancing with everyone. Read more>>

Angelica Trygar

The first time that I ever earned money as a creative was on an independent film set. I actually wasn’t sure if I was actually going to get paid or not. I was newer to the industry and when I first started out I found that a lot of times things would be promised, but they didn’t happen. I feel like that was mainly because I was on student film sets and I was hoping to just get the promised footage or food promised. Another actor in the industry recommended me for a role and I wanted to explore the choices that I would make as the character. I haven’t ever explored the choices I would make as a character that was a bit on the bizarre side. When I got the money it helped me out so much since I mainly survived doing gig work and door dash at the time. I realized that I can get more paid work and work with good people. Read more>>

Michelle Gardner

I can still remember the very first time I earned a paycheck for performing live on stage – I was 14 years old. It was a wonderful (although now defunct) children’s theater company in my hometown of Phoenix, Arizona called ‘Cookie Company’, named so due to the milk and cookies audience members received after the show. I was cast in a supporting role in a production of Androcles and the Lion, directed by my childhood mentor, Alan Prewitt. I was paid $100.00 for my work. The show was a triumph for me, as I had only previously been performing in nonprofessional children’s theatre, and this was the first time I was cast with professional actors on a professional level. I enjoyed every moment of that production, which was the first of many collaborations with Alan, who I still enjoy a close friendship with to this day.  Read more>>

Anna Meyster

My artistic journey started early—I was just five when I first began learning how to draw and paint at a local art studio. I still remember the excitement of those classes; they felt like little adventures into a whole new world. I kept studying art throughout my childhood, but one moment that really stands out was when I was 15. My art teacher, who had always been so encouraging, was putting together an exhibition and invited two of her students, including me, to display our work alongside hers. I was beyond nervous, but also incredibly excited—it was my first time showing my art in a real exhibition. I can still picture the room, the people walking around, and that mix of butterflies in my stomach. That day, I felt like a “real” artist for the first time. Read more>>

Dominique

The first dollar I ever earned was with Amazon affiliate program/ influencer program. And I had brought a vanity desk because I wanted to start doing beauty content . And I recorded a tiktok video of me and my husband putting it together, I just told the story on how I never had build anything before and that it a was my first time putting something together. And how i couldn’t wait to start my new journey with make up using my new vanity. And i honestly didn’t know someone use my link until Amazon sent me an email to update my payment method and it let me know the amount it was trying to send. Now it wasn’t a lot of money but I was still excited to know that someone loved my story enough to go and use my link to purchase it . So it felt great and exciting for the first time ! Read more>>