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.

Jillian Burton

I’ll never forget the first time I sold a painting to someone other than my family or friends. I had been doing paid pet portrait commissions for a while, which were fun and a good income stream. But, on the side I was painting larger pieces focusing on the female form. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever sell them but at my very first “pop up” artist market I brought one with me and displayed it! Almost as soon as the doors opened at this tiny DIY art gallery, a couple wondered in with their little dog. Read more>>

Chris Limeres

This was a question that I definitely dug into, but I actually didn’t end up coming close to generating profit off any of my work or commerce until around 2021, which was at the boom of my digital art production. At the time, I mostly worked through Adobe software like Illustrator and Photoshop and had transitioned to Procreate around March due to its affordability. Read more>>

Zaneishia Lynch

I’ve always been a creative person. As a young girl when I received a project in school that required poster boards, visuals, PowerPoint presentations I instantly would get excited. It was through these assignments I could shine ✨ + express who I really was. But it was during the 2020 pandemic that I decided to take my creations seriously and make an income. So picture this: it’s 2020 we’re all locked down, trapped in the house with our spouses or as the world was saying; trapped in the house with bae. Read more>>

Stamaur Mitchell

The VERY 1st time I ever got paid to do what I do was in 2016. I had gotten paid $150 to host a hole in the wall type of club. At that time, I had never done that before, so I was pretty excited. Me and all my friends pulled up expecting the greatest hosting services, but unfortunately, that ain’t how it went lol. They just ended up giving up a tiny ass section with a bottle of house vodka. Damn near broke my heart lol. Read more>>

Déja Denise Green

Ooou! Yes, yes. I was 17 years old! I attended a performing arts magnet school in Augusta, GA called Davidson Fine Arts, so as you can imagine there were so many art-based opportunities. I had fallen in love with poetry learning it in middle school, just really something passionate and expressive about that way of communicating. Read more>>

Anthony Olivier

The very first dollar! I wish I would have saved it like Mr.krabs or Everybody Hates Chris’s dad – Julius. My first gig was a production of my own. After Emceeing a fashion show, and a showcase for musicians, I decided to keep the moment going and chase my music passion and I started DJing. I saved up my paychecks from work, my refund check from school, income taxes, anything I can get my hands on! I bought my first DJ set up which was a NuMark Mixdeck CDJ. Read more>>

Glen Carpenter

For working photographers turned artistic, that’s not an easy question to answer, because to my friends and family, I already was!. I’d been doing work for studio in Detroit for nearly a decade, but none of it as a creative. Sure, I’d sell a “pretty picture” (my words) for clients who’d ask for something after a shoot, but the studio- Corporate headshots, copy and restoration, sports or local businesses- Just didn’t do that. Read more>>

Amanda Jefferies

The first dollar I earned in my modeling career was after getting signed in 2015. I was requested to be a fit model for an athletic brand called Soybu. When you are requested by a client it means you do not have to audition or submit anything, you have the part. I remember opening my email and seeing my first professional job and how much I was going to make and I was so excited and so scared. It honestly felt fake. Read more>>

Leo Sideras

The year is 2019 and I’m planning a trip from Denver, CO to South Lake Tahoe, CA with my sister to link up with some friends for a week of skiing. At this point, I’ve been talking outdoor & travel photos for the better part of 5 years (albeit as an amateur and for my own personal enjoyment.) Read more>>

Kelly Jo Hosang

I moved to Houston, Texas in March 2021, which was a very bold step for me as I did not have any family nor friends in this city to rely on. Prior to this, I always knew that in the back of my mind I wanted to express myself and show more of myself through YouTube and Content Creation and somehow this bold move also gave me the courage to start my YouTube journey. Read more>>