Episode 21: Laid Off to Lit Up: The Story of Illustrator & Muralist Eric "E$" Dolgas

This is the story of what happens when life knocks you down… and you choose to rise in a completely different direction. Artist Eric “E$” Dolgas didn’t set out to become one of the most recognizable illustrators and muralists in the DMV.

In fact, he spent years in IT sales, until the day he logged into work and realized he’d been laid off.

Again.

That moment could have broken him.

Instead, it became the pivot point that brought him back to the thing he loved most as a kid: drawing.

In this funny and deeply inspiring episode, Eric opens up about:

☕The sales career that gave him thick skin, but drained his joy
☕ The layoffs that pushed him toward a calling he could no longer ignore
☕ The wild story of cold-pitching his art to Spike Jonze and landing a Viceland commercial
☕ Creating the Food Villain project with The Alchemist
☕ Why authenticity is the foundation of his success

A perfect episode for anyone navigating career change, burnout, creative curiosity, or the desire to build a life that feels like your own.

Follow Eric’s work:

Instagram: @theedollarsign
Website: www.emoneyoriginals.com