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.

Tiffany Marie

I didn’t start earning an income until a year and a half into this business. I started creating content just for fun posting pictures of different outfits. i started to get feedback from different brands. Read more>>

Ryne Turke

The goal for anyone who dreams of pursuing a career in sports media is to one day work for ESPN. While attending Eastern Illinois University, I got my shot. I was selected amongst my peers to assist in the production of the ESPNU Game of the Week, featuring the Eastern Panthers. Read more>>

Courtney Banceu

I remember the week my website went live. I was going out to dinner with friends and a new email come through on my phone. It was formatted differently than a standard email and I realized it was my first inquiry to come through on my intake form from my website. I asked my friends at dinner, “do you think this is real?” Read more>>

Aleena Tchetchenian

In 2019 straight after I graduated from my Diploma of Elite Performance at Brent Street, I was lucky enough to land my first professional contract, in Grease the Musical in the role of Cha Cha. Royal Caribbean International flew me over to the USA to begin rehearsals. This was a dream come true as I was the youngest cast member in the show. Read more>>

Leighton Augenstein

My first dollar earned as an artist was last Christmas season. I had received a message through my Instagram account from a local venue that was planning weekend Christmas festivities and wanted music talent during their events. It was so exciting to be asked to do this!! I had never been asked to come sing before and be paid! Read more>>

Melissa Daams

I had an internship in college working at a private gallery/gift shop. I learned a lot from the owner/artist that lived above the studio and shop. I really liked the idea of living and working in the same space. This was in the days before Etsy. I like the idea of people wandering into my little store. Visiting with customers was a pleasure. Read more>>

Sara Shuster

In college, a friends mom asked me to make a set of cards for her as she was exploring chakras in the human body. I took time to learn about her experiences, and she trusted me to come up with a functional product that reflected her story. As an art major, I was grateful to be taken seriously as an artist, and paid for my ideas and skills. This was the foundation of starting my greeting card business in college and paving the way to make a living doing art. Read more>>

April N. Wheat

My first dollar earned as a creative I was fresh out of graduate studies and my voice teacher recommended me for a job at a church. It was Christmas time and they were doing an opera. I won’t name the opera but let’s just say it was extremely avant-gard and I was a fish out of water to say the least. Read more>>

Kennedy Lor

Oh, you know, it was this total “pinch-me” moment, seriously. I can still feel the shock from that first dollar rolling in from my own little venture. The whole idea of turning my passion into a business? I never thought that’d be a thing. Honestly, I wrestled with loads of self-doubt, constantly second-guessing my abilities and creativity. Read more>>