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.

Crickette Gill

The first dollar I ever earned was at a local comedy and improv club in Chandler Arizona called Improvmania (now known as Mic DropMania). It was for their Mother’s Day weekend show and I was lucky enough to have landed a spot on the show with an all female lineup. It was by far one of my best – if not the best – 15 minute sets I’ve ever had. Read more>>

Judy Mai

Wow, this will take some digging to figure out when is the first time I got paid for my creative work. I believe it was during the pandemic when a popcorn brand wants to promote their product in Costco, so they reach out to me to create photos for them and showcase their delicious popcorn. Read more>>

Kaitlyn Kelm

Back in college at Western Washington University I was in my final quarter before graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art and I had no clue what I was going to do after finishing school. At the time I was in a required upper level course that focused on teaching us how to make a living as an artist. Read more>>

Kashed

The first time we ever earned money as artists was when we got offered to play an opening DJ set at McDonald theater in our college town. This came about after we had worked for this college event company called Up&Up as ambassadors during Covid when we were still going to the University of Oregon. when live shows started coming back around 2021 after we had graduated they reached out and asked if we wanted to open for their headliner. Read more>>

Dope Diana

As to be expected, when I first started performing my music, I didn’t get paid for it. However, those shows played a vital role in my artistry. Without those performances, I wouldn’t have the support or experience that I have now. The first major show I can remember getting paid for was an indie show at Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta, GA. I was one of 3 openers with 1 headliner. Read more>>

Janee Hunter

The first time I ever earned money from doing nails I was 12 years old. In middle school I was known for always having my nails done, so I would get compliments often. I remember at that time I was changing my nails daily, it got to the point where my parents didn’t allow me to do so indoors. At the time, I had a friend named Stephanie who asked me to do her nails. Read more>>

Lucas WOLF

Ha, my answer is less classy than most I’m sure. I hitch-hiked from Arizona, bound for Minnesota with a trucker. Arthur Yarington I believe was his name. I didn’t approve of his dietary choices as a trucker but he was a real honest, good guy. We would listen to old country music and he would lightweight try to talk to me about Jesus. Read more>>

Jennifer Wade

The first dollar generated from my work wasn’t actually a dollar for my own gain, but was definitely a special moment I’ll always remember and think of fondly. Read more>>

Danny Machado

I was actually very fortunate to make money from film before I even knew I loved it. I just thought it’d be cool to work on a show when I got a job as an extra and on that set fell in love with filmmaking. I was then able to continue working as an extra, pa and grip. The first time I made money off a film I created was a weird one. Read more>>

Alesha Guyden

My first dollar ever made as a creative was when I was in Kindergarten. I had created a card company and I would draw and write a poem for every occasion and sell them. I was so committed and passionate about what I was doing that I drew little barcodes on the back and put random numbers for the bar code. Read more>>

Jackie Warren

My childhood was spent on a farm in Iowa, with hard working parents concerned about making a living. They did not understand my fascination with creating art, which i was doing constantly! I was encouraged to take business classes in college, NOT art classes. Finally, in my 30’s I returned to school acquiring a Fine Art Degree. I had sold a few pieces here and there, but mostly to friends and family. Read more>>