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.

Kim-Duyen Park

As a child I love to create a lot of things and I was known as the art kid. The first time I sold an artwork was when I was in elementary school. I would make little craft things like of bead lizards and my clients back then were my classmates. They would pay me quarters for making bead lizards for them. I felt happy that I got paid for making art. In middle school I would make craft items too. I made this fuzzy creatures out of pom-poms and added googly eyes to them. Read more>>

CeeJay Joseph

Prior to responding to this interview, I actually thought back on the first time I considered myself a professional in regards to generating income from acting. I believe the year was 2007 and it was my first booking through my then agent, Sandi Bell. I don’t remember much from the audition as it was a blur, but I do recall having a cocktail of nerves and excitement! I wanted to do the very best job I could to land the role. Read more>>

Nathalie Lu

It was a sunny Saturday morning at a local farmers and artisan market in Grapevine, Texas. I brought all the inventory I spent weeks making, found the most beautiful and unique fixtures I could, and nervously set up the outside pop-up shop. I had no experience with visual merchandising, so I did a practice run in my garage the week before. A supportive friend came along for the day, keeping me optimistic and company. Read more>>

Desiree Holland

My first time receiving a dollar as a creative was actually outside of my current profession. Prior to being behind the camera, my first love was street performing pantomime and acting. Every summer during my high school years, I’d perform on the Atlantic City Boardwalk in New Jersey. I’ll never forget the very first time I went out there. A stranger then but now a really good friend, recorded it and put it on YouTube over ten years ago. Read more>>

Jenny Perez

It was the opening of my first show. I had taken the opportunity from a trendy hair salon on South Beach, and at the time, it was thee place for all young creatives to get their hair done or simply to connect. We’re talking good ol’ Miami days: 2008. Before Wynwood, before instagram became a thing, people needed places like this to feel seen, to feel connected and to establish yourself in that world. So , it was quite an honor to say the least. They had only given me a chance on a whim, based off some images I showed them on my tiny phone screen. Read more>>

Luis Guerrero

The first dollar I ever made from a creative job was when I played a show with my metal band back when I was 17 years old. I was still in high school, I never really thought that I wanted to play music for a living. At the time I was just having fun playing music with friends. The band was called “Feast of Heads” because, you know, we were pretty metal and all. I remember we opened for another band and that the venue was a half skate shop and half music venue. Read more>>

Charlotte Marra

When I was sixteen I was flown to Miami Florida to paint a mural for client’s of my mother’s. She is in interior designer and had chosen an 18th century landscape with birds for an entry wall in their new house. I was there for five days painting from 9am – 6pm. The whole time I was very nervous that they would not like it and the permanence of painting on an actual wall scared me, but they were delighted with the result. Read more>>

H3TheArtist

Wow great question…my first Dollar made from Music was my first stream check from Distrokid Which was 58 bucks and some change. It was so exciting to actually see money come from my art no matter the amount it’s always humbling for me truly. I took that money and honestly wasn’t productive with it I was 16 so I got some junk food and hung out with a friend of mine. But on the other hand I also shoot music videos that money is always put back in the business for either equipment or subscription services used for the creation. Read more>>

Jarryd Wentzel

My first taste of some real money was over on my personal Instagram account. I received an email from a PR company who had seen some of my comedy skit videos and they thought that I would be perfect for a Netflix South Africa campaign which would be to promote season 4 of Stranger Things. The weird thing was that I had just finished watching part 1 of that season not even a week prior to receiving the email so I did think that was really strange. Cool, but strange. Read more>>

Jaden Rossini

The first dollar was through my firs popup event held in a cafe that I worked for in Eastern Market. I really did not expect much from the event because it was planned and advertised in less than two weeks. A lot more people showed up than I expected, and they were all very supportive. It was so great to see people appreciate and enjoy my work. The first piece I sold was a custom screen printed jacket that my close friend purchased from me at the beginning of the popup. He wore it out the store, and it meant the world to me. Read more>>

Marv Neal

Photographer Timothy Paule hired me to shoot for XXL.com online for Kiate Moy for his access for artist platform I styled 3 looks they may have used 2 online . In 2012 I had never been asked what’s your fee prior to I can’t remember but I was paid and had to invoice . Read more>>

Gregory Mayse

My first photography dollar was in 1981. Taking formal college senior portraits and I was paid $40. The first wedding I photographed in 1982 brought me $250. Compared to the last wedding I photographed in 2001 that paid me $5200. The first oil painting I sold was a 5×7 in 2011. It sold for $75.The latest painting I sold this year was a 24×36 and was bought by a collector for $5525 at a national show held at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum. Read more>>

YSJ Tyy

My first time getting paid actually was by a feature. This artist by the name of Milan Khera found me on instagram. He dm me like wassup bro i liked your song “sorry” on Spotify. And i got fan messages b4 i thought he was just a fan but then he asked can he get me on a ft. Now i know i aint famous but we all want to get paid for our work so i think i asked for like 80-100 most just to cover stu time really. He explained he was a college student and i said just give me 60 bro and that was that. Our song has a star on his apple album and i love it Read more>>

Danita Vanhoose

The first real check I remember getting for my art was when I participated in a playing card collaboration instillation that took place in Portland, Or. It was hosted by Liz Cohn, and she collaborated with artists all around the world using playing cards. The diversity was beautiful , the pictures of the installation were beautiful- and it was exciting to see my name up there with hundreds of other artists. A few of mine sold, and she sent a check after the show was finished. Read more>>

Vanessa Toro

I earned my first dollar at My very first Local Market back in December 2021. I always remember the lady who was passing by and I greet her, she stop by and start looking at my Tumblers/Cups, and many other things, she admire all of them and clearly she immediately point at one of my favorites, she bought it and told me, and I quote “Don’t Stop doing what you love, you do a great job!” since then I had participate in many Local Market and I have always good/positive people around me. which I’m thankful and bless for them. Read more>>

Mikki Loud

My first commission was an album cover I created for an underground rapper. While attending undergrad at University of Arkansas at Little Rock, I frequently visited a music studio where I got to create musically and visually. I was so excited to visit the place where creativity was loud and colorful. I was anxious to be a part of the magic that happened within. Even if I was just a listening ear, I was eager to learn. Read more>>