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.

Gabriella Hart

I love this question because I believe for most of us it happened early in life. When I was in fifth grade, I was living in Virginia. My uncle played tennis every morning before work and had tons of tennis ball cases out on the back porch. I saw an opportunity and asked if I could have them. I ended up decorating them and selling them as pencil cases to a lot of the kids in my grade. I definitely made quite a bit of fun dip money from those cases. Read more>>

Ryan Daniel

During that time of my life I was friends with a club owner named Red. The club was called Drifter’s Country Saloon. It was an old honky tonk bar with a great vibe. This was my very first paid gig as a touring artist. We played an amazing show in front of a well energetic crowd! I felt like i was Garth Brooks! There is no better feeling than being on stage! The enthusiasm from the crowd was a rush like no other. Read more>>

Chloe Harris

I started painting more seriously during the pandemic, as I found myself antsy and needing an outlet. I have always been artistic, taking various courses and practicing a variety of techniques. Painting was always a hobby, and nothing more. I began sharing some of my work on my personal Instagram during 2020, having no intention of turning my hobby into anything remotely sell-able. Read more>>

Heather Hathaway

Every photographer remembers their first paid gig – that moment when your passion transforms into a profession. For me, it came through a friend’s wedding business, and the experience was a rollercoaster of emotions that taught me valuable lessons about the business of photography.
The initial excitement I felt was overwhelming, I remember thinking “this is it, the beginning of the rest of my life”. I had an immense joy, a little nervousness, and so many questions. I was proud that I was being trusted with such a special task. When you shoot a wedding it is not just a job, you spend a whole day, sometimes more with that couple and their family. You are learning a story of love, a couple’s legacy and their future. I wanted to impress, and deliver an album they would cherish for the rest of their lives. Read more>>

Scott Dergance

I’ve spent decades working for other people in jobs that have at times been less than inspiring. And I’ve worked in creative fields for my entire adult life, so I’ve earned my income from being a creative person. But the first time I sold a piece of art that I alone created, was more satisfying than I would have imagined. This was even more true because it took me so long and so much work to make that first sale happen. Read more>>

Christian Graham

The first project I got paid for was co-writing the music for a TV documentary called “Qanuilirpitaa? How are we now” for CBC. It followed a health survey of the Inuit people in Nunavik in northern Canada. It went into the history of the people and the hardships they experience because of the lasting impacts of colonialization. It explored how they are recovering and building up their community. The director wanted us to work with artists from the community and create something unique for this film. I had the pleasure of working with a highly talented vocalist from Nunavik, Sylvia Cloutier, who did some Inuit throat singing for the film. It was a great experience to learn about a new style of music and be exposed to a new culture. Read more>>