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.

Autumn Tuesdae

I was 13 years old when I started recording in the studio for the first time in my hometown of Newark, New Jersey. My uncle had a studio located downtown on Broad Street at Newark Symphony Hall. Read more>>

Rashad Foux

My first time making money as an artist was in 2005, for a tiny indie game project called Via Dolorosa. I had been working for a few years in the video game modding scene by this point, and was starting to get comfortable working for other people in a professional-esque capacity, and saw the posting on a forum I visited. Read more>>

Brandon Bishop

The first time I earned money from my music was when I got a paid show in November of 2023. I was booked by Keisha Kautiouz of Ear Hustlin Entertainment, to headline her show on Black Friday. Very few words come to mind that do the feeling justice. I was so grateful to be seen as someone who was worth paying to perform. Read more>>