From Broke to Booked

Six months ago, I was flat broke.

I had just moved into a tiny apartment with my son, juggling part-time jobs and side hustles. Bills were always due, daycare was a constant headache, and I was desperate for a way to make money without burning out. Debating on going back to the man who abused me. Miscarrying my baby and wondering if that’s what’s best because I can’t bring another child into this life.

Then, one night while scrolling through TikTok, I stumbled across a video:

“Make $500 a week from home with affiliate marketing!”

I rolled my eyes. Scam, right?

But something about it stuck with me. I Googled what affiliate marketing really was, and to my surprise, it actually made sense.

Affiliate marketing is when you promote someone else’s product and earn a commission when people buy through your special link. No inventory. No shipping. No customer service headaches.

I thought, Okay… I could do this.

Step 1: Pick a Niche

The first thing I did was figure out what kind of products I could promote. I decided to stick with something I was already into—budgeting and mom life. I’d already tried so many digital planners, budgeting tools, and productivity courses, so why not get paid to talk about them?

I signed up for affiliate programs like:

• Amazon Associates

• Etsy (through Awin)

• Canva

• Stan Store (to host my links)

• and eventually, the TikTok Affiliate program

Step 2: Build a Platform

I started with TikTok.

I made short videos like:

• “3 digital planners every mom needs”

• “How I organize my day using Canva (link in bio)”

• “This $5 printable saved my sanity this week”

In each video, I casually mentioned the product and told viewers they could grab it from the link in my bio.

I also made a free Stan Store where I organized my affiliate links into categories—“Mom Tools,” “Budget Help,” “Freebies.”

And guess what?

People clicked.

Step 3: Create Value First

At first, no one bought anything. But I kept posting, not just products, but real tips—how I budget for groceries, how I plan meals, how I organize my kid’s routine.

I built trust.

I realized people don’t want to be sold to—they want help. Once they trusted that I wasn’t just trying to make a quick buck, they started checking out the things I recommended.

One video went mini-viral, and I made $147 in a day just from Canva and an Amazon budgeting binder I linked.

That’s when I knew this could really work.

Step 4: Grow and Repeat

Over time, I added more platforms—Pinterest (to repurpose TikTok videos), Instagram (for stories and DMs), and even a free email list with tips and exclusive links.

I joined private Facebook groups for affiliate marketers and learned which products convert well, how to write better captions, and what thumbnails actually get clicks.

Some weeks, I made $20. Other weeks, I made $300.

It wasn’t instant riches, but it was real money—and it stacked.

By month four, I hit my first $1,000. Not from one viral moment, but from a bunch of $3 to $20 commissions that added up over time.

⸻

What I Learned

Affiliate marketing isn’t magic. It takes patience, testing, and showing up online even when no one is watching.

But here’s the truth: if you’re already recommending things to friends, you’re halfway there.

Now I have a simple system:

1. Use it.

2. Love it.

3. Recommend it.

4. Link it.

It’s free to start, easy to learn, and can grow with you.

And the best part?

I still do it from my kitchen table—with my kid playing beside me and my coffee getting cold. And that freedom is worth every link in bio.