Earning that first dollar is incredibly special and a moment many never forget. We asked some very talented creatives from the community to tell us the story of the first dollar they earned from their creative works.

Nicolas Blanchet

First invoice in my carreer, 01 January 2001: 200$. Was very proud about it. Hair & Makeup job for a client based in chicoutimi. i was traveling with the models. Good memories. Read more>>

Stan CLMG

It’s all about networking, I had a college professor who had many connections within the media industry and my senior year she said my senior project which was a music documentary was one of the best projects she had seen in years. So fast-forward I’m working as an intern at the college news station and she came to me and asked if I still made music and I said yes. So she gave me a number to this director that was shooting a show for A&E and they were looking for an artist to rap for the theme song for the show. Read more>>

Ann Osgood

I was only about 10 years old when I sold a little pastel seascape. My dad took it to work to show off as he was always proud of my work. One of his co-workers bought it. This was a surprise to me. I have never been a very good promoter of my work as the pure act of creating was always my reward. There was a lesson here that I could have realized so much sooner…my work has a monetary value as well! Read more>>

Liz Vassey

My first dollars were from doing dinner theater in Florida. Specifically “South Pacific” when I was 14. I did eight shows a week, my high school was very understanding about me leaving for matinees, and I felt like I’d made it. That was one of the most educational experiences of my life, and I’m forever grateful for it. I wish everyone involved in the arts started in theater; it’s an incomparable way to learn about teamwork and to learn that it is not, in fact, all about you. Plus, my God do I have stories. Dinner theater in Florida is a subculture with no peer. I absolutely loved it. Read more>>

Gregory Dolbashian

I’m actually going to take a bit of a spin on this topic and put the focus more on the the first dollar I was able to pay to other creatives who worked with me. I have been immensely fortunate to found and help lead several businesses in the field of dance to date, but thinking back to the first paycheck I was able to put in the hands of my colleagues in The DASH, was a major moment. It wasn’t a lot of money but the impact of that moment far exceeded any dollar amount one can dream up because that moment was a major sign from the universe to do the unthinkable: to continue. To continue with even more energy, dedication, belief, and possibility. Read more>>

Mike Jenkins

I began drawing from a do-it-yourself kit as an early teenager. I took painting classes while in high school. I sold my first painting in high school at an art show. I found I had a difficult time letting go of one of my favorite pieces, but also enjoyed collecting money from what I normally consider a fun pastime. Later I realized, God has given me the talent to create many more pieces that usually get better over time. Because of this, they are much easier to sell, especially when you see the joy on the face of new collectors. Read more>>

Gigi Rowe

Well, just me and my guitar. I’m not even quite sure how I ended up singing that night. It was an open mic and I remember the owner approached me after singing and offering me money to return and do a full show. I was a teenager, playing my original songs at this Red Bank, NJ coffee shop around the corner from where I took guitar lessons. The room was hushed as I performed some of the first songs I had ever written, and I was pleasantly surprised not only how fans connected with my music, but also that I could be paid to be on stage. That was kind of the precursor to what happened later. It was on one of those perfect autumn nights on a Sunday in New York City when I got offered a few more dollars than what would afford me a hot chocolate. Read more>>

Hannah Barr

Hannah here! Like most photographers, I started out doing photography as a hobby. My parents are both artists, and I grew up with my dad’s camera in my hand from a young age. I actually hated having my photo taken (ironic, I know), but looking back now, I’m so grateful that my parents captured so many big and small moments of my brothers and me! Like I said, I had a camera in my hand quite a bit, so I learned a lot about the mechanics of a camera, as well as how a photo could make someone feel. Whether it was a photo of a beautiful sunset, my parents, siblings, or my friends, I knew I loved connecting people to visual memories that take them back to that moment in time. Read more>>

Brent Bishop

When I was younger I worked as a cook to fuel my snowboarding habit. It was a great opportunity for wall space to display my paintings, and while I was cooking I could watch people engage with my work. If someone was interested in a piece I would come out and talk to them about it. One day I came out and spoke with this super nice couple that wanted to buy one of my paintings, and lady told me she was the liaison to the Denver Art Museum and that I should keep painting. That was a special moment that I will never forget. Read more>>

Jenna Nation

My professional career as a singer began when I was 9 years old. It began because when I was 8 years old, I competed in my first ever singing competition. It was the Kiwanis Music Festival in Ottawa in the musical theatre 12 years and under category. I sang Shirley Temple’s “On the Good Ship Lollipop”. I was dressed just like Shirley Temple with the curly wig and even had tap dance choreography to go along with the song. I prepared for months for this competition with the help of my vocal teacher, choreographer and parents. Read more>>

Freeport Jackson

The first time I got a check from my craft felt like I won the lottery. I had no clue I even had a check coming, and it was from a song I recorded when I was at one of the lowest points in my life, I had literally forgot all about that song. It wasn’t much but it was enough to boost my motivation again and it made me realize that people actually do gravitate to my music and like it. Read more>>

Leanne Joy

Leanne Joy’s first earnings came from a close friend from high school. as a senior, Leanne began booking photoshoots of her close friends for graduation photos, which then became a stepping stone in her creativity. This has helped her understand what kind of photographer she wanted to be. Read more>>

Kyulee Choi

I earned my first dollar as a musician when I was 19, I was performing around Seoul as a singer/song writer. I started performing unpaid, but I was still happy about that I can share my music with other people as I’ve always wanted to do. Also, I was able to be connected with some owners at different venues and other musicians while performing around. One thing led to another, I got a called from an owner of a bar one day and he asked me to perform for their opening night. That was how I made money as a musician for the first time. Afterwards, I started making more money by releasing songs, writing lyrics, composing & arranging music for the media, recording songs, teaching music, and etc. Read more>>

Byrd Reaves

The first time I went viral on Tiktok it was a great feeling I had earned over $300 I know you probably saying girl that ain’t nothing, but to me it was something because all I did was post a video of me and my dog. Read more>>

Leanna Grady

Since I was old enough and agile enough to hold anything that would make a mark on paper- I have been drawing. I have always enjoyed drawing and painting and creating. I love love love taking every day, mundane items and objects and making them prettier! If I have to look at something all day long- it might as well be interesting to look at! I want the things around me to amuse me! Back in 2020 I was, at the time, a full time pre-school teacher. When schools closed and teachers were sent home to conduct all school activities through zoom.. let’s just say I had a lot of time on my hands! I had the opportunity to sit and create. It was a wonderful aspect of the crazy season that was 2020. Read more>>

DIAMIN NICOLE

I had landed a job in enrollment for an institution with creative degrees. I was under the impression I would be helping students pursue their artistic passions through higher education. Boy was I off. I spent my days in a drab call center placing calls all day, praying someone would answer. To help time pass, I started spending my days doodling at my desk. While I placed call after call with no luck,I managed to brighten my spirits with art. These drawings I decided to call them “Cubicle Creations”.They were fun, so I started sharing them to my social media pages and people loved them! I received a message one day from my sorority sister inquiring about one of my doodles and how she could purchase it. Read more>>