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.

Lowray

I sold a beat for about $20 back in 2017 after recently opening an online beatstore. I was super new to selling beats and posted a simple cover art photo with the song playing in the background and someone I met at a producer’s beat auction saw my post and loved the beat! Read more>>

Aaron Wells

The first ever dollar I earned as a creative was way back in 5th grade. It was in the school year of.. 2006..2007..? Read more>>

Ashley Innocent

The first dollar I earned as a creative would have to be back in high school. There was a time when I would go to church every Sunday, and the youth of that church knew I was an artist. The pastors son was dating one of the other youth members at the time, and they’ve been dating for years, He came to me and asked me to make a couples portrait as an anniversary present to his now former girlfriend. Read more>>

Reena Tolentino

Receiving my first payment for a painting I created marked an indelible moment. Not only did I successfully sell my artwork, but I also managed to secure a higher price point than my well-established painters. This achievement instilled a profound sense of confidence in my creative abilities. Read more>>

Clyla Boykin

I believe I was 9 or 10 years old. A family friend had a father who worked for the local tv station. He was shooting a commercial for a summer camp and needed a couple kids to be actors in the commercial. I made $50 and thought I was rich. I’ll never forget it. I remember thinking wow I just got paid to have fun! Read more>>

Helen Bruner

Helen’s answer: At 14 years old had my first paid gig was at a block party with my first band. I could believe I got $15 for singing (LOL). something that I did around the house, Read more>>

Brian Barrentine

I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had in my career. From earning my first dollar on stage at age 6 to being cast in the Broadway production of Les Miz and winning the title role of Elvis in Elvis the Musical European Tour, I’ve been fortunate to follow my passion. Instead of returning to Broadway, I decided to explore my own creative path, producing and starring in my original work. Read more>> 

Michael James Vargas

The first dollar I ever made as an actor came from a pilot presentation for a series called “PLUR.” It was a dramatic love story about two young ravers navigating their way through the highs and lows of both love and the rave scene. I played the character Rubio, who was the love interest of the main character. Read more>>

Irina Patterson

So, back in the 2000s, I scored this fancy job of a Vice President at a PR Agency in Miami’s Coral Gables area. Our clients were all these flashy online startups, throwing cash at us for some PR magic. Read more>>

Sofia Echa

Someone liked my work when I was still an art student in New York City. They saw my paintings online and contacted me directly. I am thankful there was this one class where we learned how to build our own website from scratch, it really helped to learn how to put yourself out there without spending a dime. As a result, I got lucky I sold two pretty large paintings, got a U-Haul truck, and drove the canvases to New Jersey. Read more>>

Tanner Huante

I’ve only been doing art for a few years, I picked it up rather quickly and got serious with it even faster. I used my lockdown time durning the pandemic to really focus on art, I spent every single day drawing, and learning, spent all my time trying to grow as an artist. I got to a point of being more comfortable and started posting some of my art on my social media. Read more>>

Alexander Heller

Oh my god. I actually remember this so clearly. It was a while ago now, but…ok. Read more>>

Jacque Davis

It is funny you should ask this question… In 2007 I sold my first art piece ….a piece I loved …it was with mixed feelings that I parted with it. The joy I felt was dampened by the loss of it and I had to recognize that if I wanted to sell art I better get used to letting my art go out in the world and still create art that I loved. Read more>>

Areca Roe

The first print I ever sold was from my beginning darkroom photography class in college. I made a staged photograph based on the novel “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” and printed it in the darkroom. One of my fellow classmates loved it so much she begged me to sell it to her for $10 (we were all poor!). So I did. Read more>>

Isamar Medina

The first dollar I ever made as a creative was while I was working my first job at the time. I was working at Dominos pizza & during the downtime I would just draw on everything I could. Read more>>

Malaiye

My first dollar I earned as Malaiye was actually last year, I believe. I lead a short film “Oh Great, Riley Is Depressed Again” Directed by Charia Rose. The experience was amazing. Every speckle of that production had the most inspiring and incredible talent that I’m beyond blessed to have experienced. Read more>>

Jordan Summers

I was hired at 16 to co-write the song “Skate and Destroy” and perform it for the Stacey Peralta skateboard video Bones Brigade 2. It went on to become a cult hit, then a skateboard culture staple. Now it’s emblazoned on everything Vans makes, from socks to hoodies to skateboards. I got $50 and street cred. Read more>>