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.

Allen Miller

The first time I made money for my music was my first live performance, this past March at Madame Siam in Hollywood. I was a surreal feeling because it was a payoff that was years in the making. I was feeling the love the whole time during the performance. I felt, and continue to feel, so lucky to have a community of friends who support my art and make me feel safe to sing vulnerable songs for them. Read more>>

Kaitlin Riffe-Uding

My first dollar earned as a creative was in March of 2023 after I published my first book, “Lessons I Learned from Two Dead Parents.” In a testament to how incredible my support system is, it topped out on #4 in new releases in the Grief and Bereavement category on Amazon. As someone who is still struggling to fully embrace creativity, hitting “publish” was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done but has been incredibly rewarding. Read more>>

Gabriela Yvonne

I had been working in mental health for many years as a clinical therapist when one evening I was utilizing art therapy modalities with a teen client. I took my tablet to the office so we could work on some digital artwork. After the session, on a whim, I decided to share my artwork of a video game character on a gaming forum. The very next day, I was contacted directly by an independent game developer overseas to concept design some character works for their company. It really took me by surprise as it had been over a decade since I’d done any fantasy artwork. Read more>>

Susan Friedland

Equestrian author Susan Friedland has been blogging at her award-winning site saddleseekshorse.com since 2013, and co-hosts the Horse Illustrated Barn Banter Podcast. Susan’s writing has been featured in numerous magazines including Horse Illustrated, Young Rider, and Sidelines. Susan’s latest book, Marguerite, Misty and Me, reveals the hidden history of beloved author Marguerite Henry and the pony Misty of Chincoteague. When Susan’s not writing or traveling on equestrian adventures, she’s trotting around on her off-track Thoroughbred Tiz A Knight in her home state of Illinois, or wintering in Ocala, Florida. Read more>>

Charley Robinson

My first commission was during my sophomore year of high school, and receiving my first payment for creating art was exhilarating. I commissioned an associate who asked me to create an acrylic portrait of her grandmother, who had recently passed away. As my commissions progressed, not only was the feeling of making money for doing something that I love refreshing but also, I realized that my talents could be utilized to offer someone else happiness and peace. Read more>>

Paola Rendon

The first time I was paid as a creative was as a content creator. It was a hair brand, they saw my content on Instagram which was very similar to their aesthetic and they were looking to create content for a new product that was about to be launched. It was incredible to me that such a big brand wanted to work with me and that they trusted my creative vision. Read more>>

Torie Sanners

My first dollar earned as a creative was back in 2022, when I did a Black History Month ad for Kroger on social media. I felt like I had made it! Like my work is finally being recognized. I was nervous as get out but I did enjoy the final results. I hope to work with them again in the future and other companies as well. Read more>>

Amber Harmann

The weekend I launched my candle business, I made over 1k in sales! I will never forget the feeling of sitting on my couch, laptop open in my little apartment and watching what had been months and months in the making actually paying off! Just straight up euphoric. I had never been so proud of myself before. Knowing I risked everything for a dream only I could see and then actually seeing that vision become a reality, euphoric fits the script perfectly. Read more>>

Fawn

The first dollar I ever earned as a creative was at the age of six months, appearing in TV commercials for Cain’s Coffee. Read more>>

C-Def

The first dollar I earned was at 12 years old, it was from a mixtape I produced myself with some free YouTube beats, a rock band microphone taped to my wall and the audacity recording program. I was selling these mixtapes at school and on Venice beach, in all honesty.. I was 12, I just started rapping. It wasn’t the greatest. It was the fact that random people were willing to support a young kid with a dream that opened my eyes to the possibility. Little did I know 3 years later I would actually get paid perform my first show! Read more>>

Tiffany Nelson

My very first dollar earned as a creative was by accident. I made a tumbler for practice and posted as a “I’m so proud of me” moment and someone wanted to purchase it. Read more>>

Taylor Boyd

I had signed up for several dates to sell plants at a free vending event at a local distillery. In January of 2023 I thought that I would make some plant inspired jewelry and art for the sale too. I have been working with polymer clay for about twenty-four years now. I posted some pictures of unfinished polymer clay monstera deliciosa leaves to some plant groups on Facebook. Within a few days I had over one thousand likes on my photos, requests for me to open an Etsy shop, and even some special orders. Read more>>

Michael Oliva

My first dollar came from selling my first album back in Michigan almost 9 years ago, called: “M.O.tivation” Read more>>

Kid Jay

The first dollar I ever made was when I entered a talent show. I was 15 years old and I won $30 coming in first place. Read more>>

Cos Rocca

Came from moving to Indianapolis ,where I started at local venues some how my Talent was noticed did a few shows afterwards making my first Dollar through music . Read more>>

Kennidy Mya

My first dollars earned as a creative was when I started my independent YouTube channel and became monetized ! Read more>>

Tearle Gaines

Sold a mixtape that I burned from my own recordings to a classmate in high school Read more>>

Christina D’Alessandro

The first dollar that I made as a creative was doing a makeup application for Christian Dior Beauty! Read more>>