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.

Liz Brindley

I still remember the first sale I had in my creative business. I was sitting at home drinking my coffee when I received an Etsy order for a pack of hand-printed, grapefruit-inspired greeting cards I’d listed. The buyer messaged me to let me know that her sister *loved* grapefruit so they were a gift for her. I was *stoked* – not only that I’d made my first sale, but that these cards had made a heartfelt connection with another person! That moment was the beginning of a very long and winding journey of creative entrepreneurship! Read more>>

Katie Kinsley

In January 2022 I started tracking my income in an excel report. I’ve only been working with affiliate sales for a few months and it’s good to see where I’m at now versus where I started. Some of the product collaborations require me to purchase the products with my own money. I”m then reimbursed after I fulfill the collaboration requirements. Read more>>

Jacqueline Mains

It was May of 2020, the day of my college graduation from Laguna College of Art and Design. Due to Covid my college was forced to zoom our graduation and all of my class was unable to walk. I sat there surrounded by my loved ones in front of a computer, wondering where I was suppose to go or what I was suppose to do now that college was over. Before my name was called, I received an email out of the blue. A company called Cartuna had messaged me asking if I was available to do character animation for a new show coming out on the SyFy channel. Read more>>

DJ Problem Child

I was 15 years old and one of my friends (DJ Wildstyle) presented the idea of being a DJ. I already had a love for music because I was in the marching band and played numerous instruments. He decided to choose me and 2 others (DJ Prettyboy & DJ Darkness). We formed a conglomerate called 4play DJS. Our first event was a high school party from a well known promoter in our hometown. Long story short we killed it and became a household name within our peers and high schools in Savannah, Georgia. Read more>>

SA Brown

I didn’t start as a filmmaker. I wrote books. The erotica author, Zane, compiled short stories for her anthologies. I had never written erotica so I was definitely stepping out of my comfort zone. I submitted a short story, Your Blindfold. Lo and behold, Zane accepted my story. She paid me $500 for the story. I didn’t cash the check for two years. When mobile deposits came about, I cashed it and was able to keep the check which I still do. Read more>>