Make Money with Your Creative Passion using Etsy, Amazon, and Affiliate Marketing
In 2023 and 2024, I expanded my revenue streams. My background is in illustration, and I’ve always had this fantasy of my life being more hands-on creative. But as my career evolved into creative direction and management, I found myself stepping further away from actually making the art and content. Instead, I was a Creative Director, leading others, managing budgets, and shaping concepts. While seeing my work come to life on massive billboards, SXSW takeovers, and even a trade show giveaway of 1,000 pairs of hand-screen printed underwear has been fulfilling, deep down, I’ve always been an artist.
I went to MassArt in Boston, MA, and majored in illustration, which first set me on the path to a career in art and design, and I have been truly blessed to turn that into a successful life. But I also hustled.
For years, I built my own businesses alongside my 9-to-5 jobs. From Alisha Wilson Illustration to Alisha Wilson Strategic Design, I have always found ways to generate income while pursuing my creative passions. I even got into real estate in my early 30s, setting a goal to buy a house in the ultra-competitive Bay Area—and I did it. That experience led me to short-term rentals (including Kona Landing) and renovations, which then became part of my lifestyle brand, Alisha Arnold.
How I Launched a Print-on-Demand Etsy Shop as a Side Hustle
👉 Want help coming up with your own ideas? Download the free Creative Monetization Worksheet: Turn Your Passion into Profit
Despite all this success, I still felt the urge to create, so I decided to take a class on starting a print-on-demand Etsy shop. I had already been selling printable Airbnb signs for years in my First Etsy Shop, but the concept of designing something and having it produced on demand fascinated me. That’s when I launched Tee Shirt Bonus, a business that started as a joke with my best friend—ugly Christmas sweaters for all occasions. We’d joke every time a holiday rolled around that there should be an ugly sweater for that. My shop is technically a t-shirt shop, but I stole the name of our idea (and now there really are ugly sweaters for everything—we should’ve pitched it on Shark Tank!).
This venture introduced me to analytics in a way I had never explored before. The class I took included a backend tool that pulled data on the most popular designs on Etsy. Seeing how much success others had in this space made me realize that the intersection of public demand and personal passion is where the magic happens.
How I Grew My Income as an Amazon Influencer
Looking for creative ways to grow your income with Amazon and affiliate marketing? Grab your free Creative Monetization Worksheet to brainstorm income ideas that align with your creative passion.
I’ve loved Amazon for years and have been an affiliate for over six of them, using links in my blog posts and content. But everything changed after a talk I attended at Alt Summit titled "How Jeff Bezos Bought Me a Tesla"—it was all about making Amazon review videos. I jumped in immediately and made over $1,000 in my first month.
The data behind what sells and what earns the most became a new obsession. I reviewed products related to Airbnb hosting, filming content right inside my properties. One of my blog posts with affiliate links has earned over $30,000 alone!
How SEO Helped Me Make More Money from My Passion Projects
The two main search engines I use to grow my audience and income are Google and Pinterest. Diving deeper into SEO has become a huge focus of mine. It helps not just with blog visibility, but also with Amazon product discovery, Etsy sales, and even Airbnb exposure. Did you know Airbnb has analytics too? It all ties together.
When Passion Meets Data: The Lightbulb Moment
Through Etsy, Amazon influencer marketing, and my short-term rental business, I realized just how powerful data could be. By using keyword research tools, analyzing top sellers, and testing what resonated with audiences, I found new ways to monetize my creative instincts. The same principles apply whether you’re launching a blog, starting a podcast, or selling a product. Your passion and data can guide you toward what works, while still staying true to what excites you.
One of the most unexpected things I found in my analytics was a recurring theme in the products that performed well. Some of my top-selling items had nothing to do with short-term rentals but were completely random—like a t-shirt that says "I Love My Wife’s Butt" or another that reads "Call Me Daddy." My top seller on Amazon is a sex toy. These wins showed me that the market will respond to things you create, even if they don’t fit neatly into your brand’s original vision.
This discovery led me to a new phase of my business evolution. How do you integrate unexpected trends into your brand in an authentic way? I’ve been exploring this question as I consider my next expansion, which embraces fun, edgy ideas that reflect more of who I am. Some concepts came from random jokes or conversations with friends and partners, like Tee Shirt Bonus, Chicks and Birdies, and SexyAF. I decided to finally write about Sexy AF (a playful brand idea I came up with during a relationship) after realizing that my audience gravitates toward bold, cheeky, sexy content—and that’s part of who I am, too.
5 Steps to Find Your Sweet Spot Between Passion and Profit
Need help clarifying your direction? Use my free Creative Monetization Worksheet to work through these steps as you go.
If you’re wondering how to find the intersection between your purpose, passion, and public demand, here are five steps to help you get started:
Keyword Research
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or Etsy’s search bar to see what people are searching for. Your next big idea might already have demand!
Analyze Top Sellers
Whether you’re on Etsy, Amazon, or another platform, look at what’s consistently performing well. Don’t copy, adapt, and make it your own.
Follow Your Excitement
What gets you genuinely excited to create? Test different ideas and see what clicks, both for you and your audience.
Launch and Learn
Don’t wait for perfection—just start. Track your analytics and let the data help refine your next steps.
Evolve Your Brand
As you discover what resonates, integrate those elements into your brand while staying true to yourself.
Final Thoughts on Building a Profitable Creative Business
I want everyone reading this to get crystal clear on their creative purpose. What lights you up? What makes you feel calm and grounded in your body? Take action—launch that Airbnb, start that Etsy shop, write that blog, or start that podcast. Be authentic, observe how people react, and adjust accordingly.
When you align your passion with public demand, you unlock the potential to create both income and freedom.
You don’t need to be a marketing expert. Just start creating. Pay attention to your numbers. Follow your excitement. That’s how you find your own sweet spot.
P.S. If you're ready to take the first step, download the free Creative Monetization Worksheet and start turning your ideas into income.
