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.

Gianna Graham

The first dollar I earned as a creative came from a few of my friends inviting me to street perform with them in Philadelphia when I was in high school. It was nerve wrecking but also exciting and very unbelievable at first. When it was cold out, we would come down to City Hall subway station, take out our instruments, set up one case opened in front of us and begin playing. The majority of us were violinists but we also had a bassist and a violist play with us from time to time. Street performing was a very important turning point in my career as violinist. Read more>>

Kavita Rajput

It was October 2012. I had just started posting my paintings on Facebook and my latest painting, ‘Sunbathers by the caldera’ was receiving a lot of love from friends and family. I got a DM asking me if the painting was for sale. My initial reaction was “I don’t think I’m ready yet” but I replied “yes”. The lady asked if she could come by to see the painting in person and while she was on her way, I wondered what I should charge for my work. Read more>>

David Franz

Have you been to a restaurant or some other store where their first dollar bill earned is hanging on the wall near the register? Like them, I kept the first bill I received as a music producer. I was a poor second-year student at Berklee College of Music, working multiple jobs and playing in several bands to pay for school and live in Boston. It was expensive! By then, I had learned a few things about music production and began running a little studio. Read more>>

Carolyn Darling

In August 2022, I embarked on a vibrant YouTube journey, not out of a burning desire for social media stardom, but fueled by my husband’s playful challenge. He, a scientist, enjoys musicals with me but often finds my deep dives into the world of movie musicals — from recent hits to golden oldies of the 1940s — a bit overwhelming. Read more>>

Papatson Suphavai

Snacks were my motivation to start my art hustle. A chunk of my childhood was spent hiding in our home due to a pending forfeiture case. A vivid memory I have is seeing the house day by day, getting emptied out as our belongings were being sold off. Seeing everything surrounding our home with a price tag, I quickly began to understand the concept of value, so that is what inspired me to get creative. Read more>>

Melisha Campbell

My first paid gig was a show in St. Pete. at a gay bar. I don’t remember the place lol but it was one of the best times of my life. I was paid $50 to come out and perform. I gave it my all and everyone in the building truly enjoyed me. I remember asking everyone i knew to come out and support and no one came. Looking back im glad they didnt because it taught me early to perform for myself, not to impress anyone. Read more>>

Erin Petersen

My experience making an income from my passion started when I was still in college. Opening commissions was something I had considered for a long time, but I’d never felt ready to take the initiative. I was still waiting for my skills to improve, but soon I realized that, no matter what I did, I would never feel ready. Read more>>

Kemi Adegoroye

I can’t quite remember when I earned my first dollar as an artist. Most likely it happened at the beginning of my college experience, when I joined my university’s chapel choir. The chapel choir was the only paid singing group on campus, and if I had to choose between checking in books at the library or singing every week, the choice for on-campus jobs was easy. I was a member for all four years of school–rehearsing twice a week and singing on Sundays, and for special events around campus. Read more>>