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.

The Galaxy Electric

When we launched our first album online through Bandcamp, we did not expect what happened. We had a small mailing list from doing some regional DIY touring, but had just started out and there was no Tiktok, virality or marketing plan in place. We didn’t really know how to foster a community in any way. But Bandcamp, the platform itself, boosted our first single off the album by putting it on their Blog playlist. Back then, this was a huge deal. They were considered purveyors of the culture. And the biggest spike in our listenership happened on this day. Because of this, we sold the vinyl of our first album to new fans around the globe. It was such an exciting and validating time. And it pushed us to learn tools outside of our musical craft, like digital marketing, in order to foster all these new fans that we couldn’t reach in person, and grow our community even more. It was the spark that lit our fire and has kept us motivated ever since. Read more>>

Tashay Williams

A lot of people are not aware that I can hold a note, or let alone that I have sung in a band. However, in order to take you back to my first time earning a dollar from creative work, I have to shine the light on where my journey started. I sung in a band by the name of DCL Band; which stands for Da Combination Live Band. I sung background for Quinton Sampson and Regina Hearne, two amazing artists that helped me along the way. I was a member of this band for two years before covid came and shut the world down. Singing with the band opened up sooo many opportunities for me to be a creative. Here is where I earned my first dollar with the talent that was naturally given to me. I absolutely loved singing in a band, and would love to revisit the stage in this way soon. Before joining the band, I was encourage by a good friend of mine by the name of Rosalind Branch-Muhammad, who also was a singer, to follow my passion for the arts. I want to thank her for helping me to step out of a faith and dream big with no limits. After each gig, the band would split the proceeds from the night. I would reflect on how awesome it felt to be the relaxing sound that eased our audience into an awesome feeling with great music and an even better ambiance. They came to our shows to forget about the problems of the day and unwine. The money wasn’t enough to fulfill all of the bills, but it filled my soul with such joy. I knew that there was more for me in the future. This gave me hope that one day I can do what I love permanently and succeed. Read more>>

Mark Wilson

I’ve always wanted to be an artist and I always wondered how I’d ever be able to make a living doing it because my work was never going to be as professional as what I saw out there. Creatively, I had the mindset but technically I was miles from being at that level. The only commission job I ever had prior to my first real job was for my brothers best friend who wanted a logo for his burger-joint idea that he had called “moose burgers” when I was 13. I was excited to finally have someone with some kind of interest in my work. It might’ve been charity because. respectfully it was my brother’s best friend. I illustrated a burger with moose antlers on it. Technically, I don’t think it counts because he paid me with ice cream from 31 flavors rather than any kind of currency. My brother gave me a hard time about it and said, “You’re never gonna make it in this industry if you short sell yourself.” Fast-forward to 1998, i was 27 and had just discovered the magical world of Photoshop and digital technology. I got my first job through a friend for a company called 411 digital in which I illustrated chapter headings for each chapter of the magazine. I had free range to get as creative as I wanted and through this project, I learned Photoshop on my own. But I didn’t expect l the daunting task of how long it would take each graphic to do. I spent the entire day making sure that I got it right, out there and on time for the client. I didn’t want to miss any opportunities that might follow. That led me to go to college and learn all about Technology to sharpen my skills and get that professional look that I was always looking for. The pay was low but the work was everything to a kid who had no experience WHATSOEVER other than earning and ice cream cone.  Read more>>

Johanna Hill

I never thought I could make any money as a content creator since it is a pretty competitive field, over saturated! English is not my first language so when I made some money creating content in English it was a huge surprise for me! I made my first dollar on the LTK app which is a fashion app dominated by american girls ! I was in shock when I found out that somebody used my link to buy clothes ! Read more>>

Zoe Wyman

My first time earning money from being a content creator/influencer was actually a few years ago, in 2021. I was emailed by an instagram story company who wanted me to create a video for them. I grabbed for the first number they threw out, which happened to be $40, & I was so excited! All I had to do was sit in my car and record my experience with this app?! I was finally starting to see how people could make income from this. It felt like the looming uncertainty that this industry (and a lot of creative industries) was starting to clear, and I jumped at the opportunity. Easy money, right? So I made the video, got that exciting PayPal notification, and went on with my life. Fast forward to about a year and a half later, I get a message from a friend asking if the girl in this video she came across was me. I saw myself–my video–being ran as an ad! It had THOUSANDS of likes, comments, and tons of engagement. I won’t lie, it was very exciting. Then the thought came to me, how long have they been using this same video? In the coming months I got my answer. I continued to get messages like the one my friend sent from tons of people…and I started to see how I was taken advantage of. I was so green that I didn’t know I was being severely low balled. The video I created for only $40 was creating mega success for their brand, meanwhile I just sold my image, likeness, and name to be used for however long they wanted. I think that video may STILL be being used as an ad. Read more>>

Kelsey Redmond

When I attended the University of Arizona in Tucson, I was hungry for any and any project that needed an actor. Through the theatre department, I connected with the film school in our School of Theatre, Film, and Television. The film students were in need of actors for projects for classes and thesis films. A lot of theatre actors got roles through word of mouth with the film students and by one e-mail or another I was elated to be cast in a “Thelma and Louise” film scene with my friend from my acting class. I remember feeling it was as if Warner Brothers had called me telling me I got my big breakout role in a blockbuster. I scoured my closet in my dorm room agonizing over what to wear and on the day of the shoot I did my makeup and hair the best I knew how. My friend and I were picked up at our dorm by our film student director in his early 2000’s sedan. Read more>>

Rella B Books

I vividly remember the thrill of earning my first dollar as a Kid Lit author. After a reading that, in hindsight, was quite lackluster, a mother approached me, praising my story and expressing her desire to purchase my book. To my surprise and delight, she bought both of my titles and even asked to follow me on Instagram! That moment was a significant validation for me, bolstering my determination to pursue this journey further. Read more>>

Vicky Cai

It’s always exciting to talk about earning that first dollar from creativity. I made mine in 2020, selling my own needle-felted goods on Etsy. Back then, I was just doing it for fun and out of curiosity, wondering if anyone out there would actually buy my crafts. I still remember my first sale vividly—it was a needle-felted broccoli, sold to someone in New Jersey who planned to use it as a Christmas ornament! And to my surprise, she continued to support my shop by buying a pair of my needle-felted avocados as well! I was so amazed and grateful for this very first stranger who became a repeat buyer. It meant a lot to me at the time, and it still does. Read more>>

Elliot Belokostolsky

Money made by art may possibly be the most satisfying feeling, i’ve experienced. When I first started creating (more than hobby) I was in a very hard transitional stage in my life. It was around 2015-2016 I sustained an injury that was preventing me from work. I was in the beginning stages of getting myself clean from alcohol, all while dealing with some relationship issues. I had to use my resources to bring in some income… I started painting what I felt was interesting. I was so attracted to abstract, surreal and modern art. My work was a reflection of the whirlwind of emotions I was feeling at the time. I painted everyday. Simultaneously, I was shamelessly posting on my facebook/instagram to show what I was working on, no matter how uncomfortable it made me feel. Eventually, a mutual friend had a small gallery space in the next town over and approached me about displaying some of my work. In the beginning, it was mostly non subjective action painting and color studies. Painting on anything I could get my hands on: animal skulls, canvas, car parts, clothes, shoes, anything! Read more>>