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.

Paola Gladys

Wow, I’m so into this question! There’s actually never a time to chat about this, and I’m all about this memory! Back when I was 16, I kicked off my live music journey by singing in tiny clubs, bars, and restaurants in my hometown, Bari, down in Southern Italy. Read more>>

Madeline Nave

My grandmother has been my most significant influence in all things creative: how I present myself, what hobbies I try, how I interact with people, etc. Read more>>

Cole DeGenova

I can’t remember my first official gig as a professional musician. But I know it was in high school and I’m pretty sure it was for a rich lady’s party. Read more>>

Mary Ann Carroll

As I suspect is the case of most creative types/those who work in creating art of any kind (edible or otherwise), my first dollar earned as a cookie artist was from a friend – who was both in a pinch, thanks to the newly underway COVID pandemic, and had enormous faith in me to pull it off. Read more>>

Rebecca Lillich/Krüger

My first dollar earned as a creative, as far as my memory permits, was in 9th grade. My mother, a former ballet dancer now costume designer in New York, was building a production of Oscar Wilde’s Ideal Husband at LeMoyne College in Upstate New York. Read more>>

Kristen Harris

First dollar earned as a creative/ Meaningful projects/ When I first knew I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally The Kristen Elizabeth is the overarching umbrella that houses everything else. Read more>>

Verdiana Belinda

I remember back in high school, when I opened my first booth for one of the biggest convention in Indonesia. As a teenager who lived in a country where creative industry wasn’t really seen as a real job, I was surprised that people would actually walked towards my booth to buy my merchandise designs. Read more>>

Britt Null

The moment I earned my first dollar as a creative was a milestone I’ll never forget. It came from one of my Youtube videos, and I vividly recall the excitement when that $30 appeared in my AdSense account. Read more>>

Page Hodel

So first of all i LOVE all these questions. Before I was a DJ I was and AM a musician. A rhythm Guitar player. Funk Rhythm Guitar. After raduating high school I studied classical guitar in Paris at a Conservatory of Music. Read more>>