The world needs artists and creatives. Unfortunately, being needed doesn’t often easily translate into financial stability. The struggle is real for so many incredibly talented artists and creatives and so we think it’s important to hear from creatives who have made it work – there is so much to learn from the folks we’ve featured below.

Isaac Bocanegra

I have been blessed to work full time as an audio engineer and music producer for the last couple of years. I went to the Recording Connection Institute, where I met my mentor, Francesco Benvenuto. He taught me everything that I know, providing me with the tools to take advantage of opportunities that were presented. Read more>>

Marelle

I have been a full-time musician making an income from gigging in San Diego since May of 2022 and today I will be sharing how I made (and continue to make) it happen using three strategies: taking a chance on myself, immersing myself into the local music scene and reaching out to businesses for gigs. Read more>>

Lauren Hall

Yes, I am a full-time musician as of October 2022! It took me a very long time to get here, and to be honest, I didn’t know it would ever be possible. Read more>>

Tom Coverly

To date, I have spoken and performed for over 4 million people LIVE on stages around the world. This past January, marks 16 years that I have been touring the world full time as a motivational speaker & comedy magician. Prior to this, I was a youth pastor pouring into the lives of teenagers for a dozen years Read more>>

Darian Esser

I am so grateful to be able to do photography full time! I have been a photographer for about 12 years. I started in high school taking graduation photos for my friends and that’s when I decided I wanted photography to be my career. During college, I did photoshoots for family and friends as well as second shooting weddings for a local photographer. Read more>>

Sasha Coleman Arnett

Yes, I have! Looking back on my creative journey, I have to smile. It has been such a God-Winked experience. The Lord has been all over my story. Read more>>

Justin Cho

– The beginning of my career as a concept designer was not an easy path. After my college graduation, I thought I would get a job right away. And that a bright future would be waiting for me. However, reality was not as I dreamed. I sent out over 100 emails with my resume and cover letter. Read more>>

Carlos Beltran

I am fortunate enough to say I have been able to make a full time living from being a musician/ creative. I was drawn to music at just 4 years old, but I knew I wanted to pursue a career during my early years of high school. My Junior year I was invited to play for a pops concert by my music teacher who saw potential in my talent. This was my first paycheck as a performer. Read more>>

Kelsey Dzintars

Yes I have. I graduated from Montana State University with a BFA in graphic design in 2009. At the height of the recession it was very difficult to find work as a new graduate. About a year after I graduated I scored a job as a lead designer for a boutique marketing and media agency in Big Sky, Montana. Read more>>

Gary Alves

Wow, that would be a long story. Read more>>

Dylan Priest

I have managed to make a full-time living from my work after years of juggling two jobs. When I first started out in my career I was an Assistant to other photographers and working a retail job to make ends meet. Read more>>

Gloria Lai

Have you transitioned from full-time work to creative work? No, I manage both full-time work and creative work together. Read more>>

Dakarai Akil

I am a full-time artist. It took years and a ton of ups and downs to make it work but I’m grateful that it is working for me at this stage of my career. Prior to 2020 I was not completely ready to make a major step like this to work full-time as an artist. Read more>>

Marianne Angeli Rodriguez

I have always felt a pull toward creativity all throughout my childhood. Using my hands and my mind to create was the most rewarding feeling. After two degrees, a couple of career detours, and eventually getting laid off, I bought a canvas and some paint and have never looked back. Read more>>

Anjha Thomas

Content creation has come a long way from when I was 18 and pursuing it. I first got into modeling right out of high school, which my parents didn’t love, but I knew what I wanted to do. I was in a couple publications and also ended up on postcards in Japan at one point. Read more>>

Kimberlee Nicole Smith

I have been able to make a full-time living from my creative work. I didn’t recognize I was a creative or an artist until after I became a mother 10 yrs ago. By that time I had a master’s degree and career in public health, decorated combat military service, and practicing a professional coach. Read more>>

Sergey Gordienko

From Graphic Design to Full-Time Artist: One Creative’s Journey For some, creative work is a hobby or a side hustle, but for others, it’s a full-time career. Sergey Gordienko falls into the latter category, having dedicated his entire life to creative endeavors. Read more>>

Megan Papachristou

I am proud to say that I am now earning a full time living doing what I love most, photography. This has been a long journey and in my heart I knew it was always going to happen. Read more>>

Sean Giovanni.

I moved to Nashville to begin my career in the recording industry after completing a degree program in Audio Engineering and Production. During my education, I was led to believe that getting your foot in the door with an entry level position as a producer/engineer, was quite similar to any other industry. Read more>>

Donna Maltz

I have always earned a full-time income living from my creative work. It started in 1980. I was a college student studying organic farming and ecology, two subjects I was passionate about. My boyfriend and I rented an old rundown farmhouse with a barn on three acres. Read more>>

Hannah Todd

When I set out to pursue theater – and in particular directing – as a career, it was pretty apparent from pretty early on that very few people actually make a full-time living just doing theater. Read more>>

Zak Foster

I am now at a place where I can make a living as a full-time artist and community organizer. It was a long road to get here and it’s still a lot of hard work, but I’m so thankful to be where I am now. Read more>>

Natalie Dohman

I ultimately started my creative journey when I was very young. I was born not with talent but with a thirst for learning and a passion for creating. Read more>>

Shamela John

I never thought that I would have my own business in accounting. I spent 80% of the time studying the profession, applying it and seeking more ways to improve my efficiency. However, at the time, I was dismissed from a job of 5 years with a partner of 10 years due to gender discrimination. Read more>>

Sean Rimmer

So, I officially started my Physical Therapy (PT) practice, called Run Potential: Rehab & Performance, in January of 2022. My PT practice focuses on runners and active adults in Colorado Springs, CO area who have dealt with, or are currently dealing with movement related pain or injury. Read more>>

Amy Crowe

When I graduated from chiropractic college, we had 1 baby. I think I felt more prepared for being a mom than being a doctor! I delayed practice for a few years, adding 2 more babies to the family, and then started feeling pressure (from myself) to start earning money, thinking about all that school debt. I bought a small practice, walked into it, and then… Read more>>

Cameisha Brewer Dickerson

When I first started my private practice journey, it quickly became obvious that I was not prepared for the business side of a mental health private practice. I spent my first few years doing a ton of trial and error. It took me years to feel confident in my ability to be a business owner in the mental health industry. Read more>>

Shanika Pichey

When I started my Yoga Teacher Training, I knew I didn’t want to own a studio or have a huge space as I’ve always preferred private sessions or smaller groups. Finding an affordable (and appealing) space was my challenge. Around the time when I knew I really wanted to start my business, I met an esthetician who was offering her services at FemmeX, a Coworking Space in Downtown Columbia. Read more>>

Katherine Hyatt

I decided to start in Private Practice as a Mental Health Counselor in hopes to be able to work part-time and be home with my future kids the remainder of the time. This was back in 2014. I had a friend that I worked with that really helped to give me the steps and tools to get started. Read more>>

Michelle Kelley

I have been in healthcare for 14 years and I have worked in large hospitals, and outpatient services, for a smaller company that was just getting started and even taught at a local college. I loved every position I accepted and gave my full attention and effort to the position I was in. Read more>>

Theresa Horne

I started working exclusively for myself in March 0f 2019. Previously I had been on staff at a gym, doing contract work and working for myself. When the pandemic happened I decided to take the leap and focus on building my online business. Read more>>

Avigail Cohen

When I first started to practice I rented a room, then I moved into a clinic that I shared with another practitioner, then as we grew I took over the whole clinic space and eventually moved into a bigger clinic with more treatment rooms. Read more>>

Tina Rivera, PTA

I modeled my business after things I felt were missing in the Medical Field. I worked for someone else to make sure I could gain the most knowledge and experience Read more>>

Derek Emge

Following three years as a litigation attorney, I transitioned into full time photography. Surprisingly, there are a number of similarities between the two careers. Being in a courtroom reinforced my understanding that people are primarily visual. Using visual evidence in the courtroom has an outsized impact on the results sought. Read more>>

Bianca Turner

I’ve been creating art for more than 22 years. However, at the beginning it started just as a hobby. I used this hobby as a meditation technique to relax after spending long hours, working in a corporate job. It all started with a small artist kit that my significant other brought home, more for fun. Read more>>

Erica Robin

I have been a full time artist for 10 years now. It has been full of ups and downs. It has not been easy but it’s been completely worth it. There were many times I wanted to give up. I still get tested and experience resistance. My main focus has always been to keep going and never give up no matter what. It takes a lot of faith and mental strength to make a living doing what you love. Read more>>

Jason Valdez

I have been very fortunate in that I have been able to earn a stable living working in the artistic field as an instructor. After completing my Bachelor’s degree in the fall of 2007, I began my career in education as a substitute teacher at my old high school. Read more>>

Jarom Vogel

I’ve been really lucky to be able to earn a full-time living from my illustration work, but it definitely didn’t start out that way. I graduated from BYU in 2015, and kept working as a web developer and designer at a local company until I gradually started getting a few freelance jobs on the side. Read more>>