Earning that first dollar is incredibly special and a moment many never forget. We asked some very talented creatives from the community to tell u s the story of the first dollar they earned from their creative works.

Melissa Haas

When I was 15, my grandfather came to see me in a high school musical – I cannot sing or dance, so it was a miracle I was even cast as the comic relief. After the show, he gave me a check for $25 because he wanted to be the one to give me my first paycheck as an actress. In hindsight, I wish I had framed it, but instead I probably spent it on a pair of jeans that didn’t fit from PacSun. These days I am much more prudent with my earnings. Read more>>

Richard Reynolds

The very first time I generated revenue online I was so excited and I haven’t stopped since. Let me paint the picture for you. I am a Gospel singer that has been singing all my life. In 2020 I released a Single called God’s Plan. During the release I saw a coach on the Instagram Platform offering a Free training session on how to turn your passion into your profit. I took the course and learned just that and it has truly changed my life. The first thing I sold was a devotional that i had previously released as a hard copy in the session with the coach i learned how to release it as a digital copy. From there I have released several. Read more>>

Tiffany Wilson

In 2017, I attended my very first art show called Pancake and Booze in Washington, DC. I was more than nervous because I wasn’t really sure what to really expect. At the time my only medium was markers and I was asking art peers for advice on what to do/what not to do at an art show. So its the day of the show and I brought my things with me to my job to do set up during my lunch break. I didn’t know how to price my work either because I only had a small fan base but I didn’t want to undersell myself either where I didn’t make a profit. Read more>>

App Juke

It’s not necessarily my first dollar earned as a creative, but the most impactful. Lately, I’ve collaborated with a friend, Sweet Sammy Beats, on commercial/tv work. Our job is to make music that evokes whatever emotion or mood the scene needs. One of the songs we worked on landed on two Tyler Perry Productions, All The Queens Men and Sistas. Read more>>

Neci LoveHarmon

I initially started sewing items in the early 2000’s. I created many custom handbags using different types of fabric media ranging from cottons to leathers. My cousin saw my work and suggested I create enough to host a “Purse Party”. A “Purse Party” is a private event in which purses and handbags are placed around a room. Participants eat snacks and purchase merchandise. I was unaware of this type of event, but I took on the challenge. Read more>>

Cinthia Santos

I immigrated to Miami from Cuba with my mother in the late 90’s. I saw her struggle, and heard the adults talk of hopes to earn work permits, make more than minimum wage, maybe even earn back their licenses to practice medicine and earn over $25 an hour! During college, while attending fashion school (I focus on murals and illustration now) I took a full time job at Best Buy to take advantage of their tuition reimbursement program which covered a small percentage of my college costs. Read more>>