As an introvert and cozy entrepreneur, I went from earning, well… about nothing to hitting five-figure months in my online business.

In this post, I’m sharing my exact journey, the monetization strategies I used, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Get ready! 💸

 

Related Reads:

• How To Start a Blog in 2025
• Make Money Blogging For Beginners: How to Make Your First $100
• How I Got Over 200,000 Page Views My First Year Blogging

 

For my visual learners:

 

 

A Quick Disclaimer: Revenue vs. Profit

Before we dive in, let me clarify that the numbers I’m sharing reflect revenue, not profit. Revenue is the money coming into my business before expenses, taxes, and personal salary. So while a $20,000 month sounds amazing, my actual take-home income varies. Transparency is key in the online business world, and I want to show you what’s possible while setting realistic expectations.

 

 

The Beginning: Starting a Secret Blog in 2018

In August 2018, I decided to start writing words online.

Yes, I had binged Pinterest and seen bloggers making six-figure months, and while it seemed almost unbelievable, I knew that making money online was possible.

I started a secret blog (no name, no face, because yes, I was scared of what other people would think).

I spent hours researching successful bloggers, taking courses, and experimenting with different strategies.

My goal? To create a cozy lifestyle for myself and build long-term wealth. 

 

 

My First Monetization Strategy: Affiliate Marketing

In the first year, I was SO overwhelmed by the different ways to make money online.

I eventually came across affiliate marketing, which felt like a perfect fit for an introvert like me.

Instead of going through the hassle of creating my own products, I’d recommend tools and resources I genuinely used and loved.

In late 2018, I made my first $5 promoting a productivity planner through an affiliate link. It might seem small, but that $5 proved to me that making money online was real.

Then I expanded my affiliate marketing strategy by promoting Amazon products, courses, and services like Bluehost and legal templates.

By early 2019, I was consistently earning $1,500 per month through a combination of affiliate marketing and ad revenue.

 

 

Making Money With Ads: Joining Mediavine

In 2019, I hit 25,000 monthly page views (the requirement at the time) and was accepted into Mediavine, an ad management network.

This added an extra $300–$500 per month to my income, depending on traffic levels.

By March 2019, with affiliate marketing and ads combined, I was making around $1,500 per month.

 

 

Creating My First Digital Product

As my confidence grew, I wanted to create something of my own. In late 2019, I launched my first digital product: an ebook called Dream Morning, priced at $47.

This was a game-changer.

Creating my own product meant I had full control over pricing, the product itself, and the marketing of that product.

I remember exactly where I was when I made my first sale—walking (not running lol) on a treadmill at the gym!

Seeing that first sale notification was SO surreal, and I’ll never forget my first customer⎯ her name was Holly. 💖 

(I hope she’s well)

Selling my ebook increased my income to around $3,000 per month and truly showed me the power of digital products.

 

 

Pivoting Like Ross Gellar

 

By late 2019, people started asking me how I built my blog and business.

I slowly moved away from personal development content (up until this point I was throwing a lot of spaghetti and hadn’t really found my *thing* aka niche yet).

Until now…

This inspired me to create my first blogging course, Dreamer to Blogger, which I launched in May 2020.

It became my most profitable course to date, with nearly 500 students (!!)

This was a turning point. I found my thing and pivoted (like Ross Gellar) to helping introverts start online businesses.

By mid-2020, I was making around $4,000 per month.

 

 

2021: A Pivotal Year for My Business

In 2021, I invested in a mindset & business coach who helped me build confidence and fully commit to my business.

I started showing up online, sharing my story, and embracing my brand.

I also launched so many things (a podcast, a 1:1 coaching program, and two new courses).

2021 was the year I hit my first $10,000 month. ✨

 

 

Reaching $20,000 Months Oh Wow!

By March 2022, I had my first $20,000 month—a moment I never imagined back in 2018 when I was making just $5.

My mind? Blown. 🤯

My heart? So excited! 💖

 

 

The Reality of Running an Online Business

It’s not like I make $20 000 every single month.

In fact, it’s been a while since I’ve made $20 000 in one month.

I make $10 000, then $6000, and oh, then $10 000.

That’s the reality of entrepreneurship—income fluctuates.

It’s a freaking roller coaster and success in online business depends on so many factors:

• If you’re actually live launching
• If you have evergreen sales funnel in place
• Are you building your email list and audience?
• Creating consistent content?

While hitting big income months is SUPER exciting, it’s not guaranteed.

Unlike a 9-to-5 job, online business doesn’t come with a predictable paycheck.

As long as you focus on growing your audience and refining your strategy, you can definitely build a sustainable income online.

(But then again, there’s no cap on the amount of income you can make online)

 

 

Key Takeaways for ✨YOU✨

1. Start Small & Stay Consistent – Your first few dollars will likely be teeny tiny ($1 – $5), but they prove that making money online is real and is possible for ya!
2. Experiment – Test different income streams like affiliate marketing, digital products, courses, or coaching. See watcha like!
3. Invest in Yourself – My biggest growth (both audience and income-wise) happened after investing in courses, coaches, and personal development.
4. Show Up for Your Audience (Consistently) – People connect with people. Own your story, create content your way and ditch the comparisonitus.
5. Reframe Your Mindset Around Selling – Selling isn’t pushy; it’s just an invitation for your audience to realize their dreamy dreams.

 

 

Wanna Start Your Blogging Journey?

If you’re keen on trying out this blogging thing I have a free blogging course to help you get started!

And hey, don’t forget to connect with me on Instagram—say hi, and let’s chat! 💖☕️

Toodles & cozy vibes!