A few days ago, I logged into my Amazon Associates account and saw something I wasn’t expecting.
My little dog blog had earned its first commission.
It wasn’t much—just $2.76.
Some people might laugh at that.
I smiled.
Not because of the money, but because six purchases had been made through links on my website. That means real people found my articles, trusted my recommendations, and hopefully found something that made caring for their dogs just a little easier.
That means so much more to me than the commission itself.
It Was Never Just About the Money
Somewhere along the way, learning about dog grooming became a passion.
Now I get to take everything I’m learning as a groomer and share it with other dog owners who are asking the same questions I once had.
If one owner is a little less frustrated…
If one dog is more comfortable…
If one family enjoys life with their pet just a little more because of something I wrote…
Then this blog is already a success.
Looking Back, I Can See God’s Answer
When I first started Shear Grace Grooming, I prayed that God would bless my business.
Later, I prayed the same thing about this blog.
Looking back, I realize He has already answered that prayer—not by making me rich overnight, but by allowing me to serve people through something I genuinely enjoy.
Of course, I’d love for this blog to grow. Like any small business owner, I hope it becomes something that helps support my family one day.
But even if growth comes slowly, I’m grateful it’s already helping real people and their dogs.
To me, that’s worth celebrating.
I think that’s exactly what this first commission represents.
Not a big paycheck.
A reminder that God often works through small beginnings.
For Those Wondering How I Actually Started
I’ve had several people ask how I got started, so here’s the honest answer.
So far I’ve written around 30 blog posts and created Pinterest pins to go with them.
Most of my visitors have come from Pinterest, while others have found my articles through search engines like Google.
There hasn’t been any secret strategy or shortcut.
Just consistency.
Built in the Middle of Real Life
I didn’t start this blog with endless free time.
I built it while raising two toddlers, caring for three dogs, running a small grooming business, keeping up with laundry, washing dishes, and living all the beautiful chaos that comes with being a wife and mom.
Most of these articles weren’t written in a quiet office with a fresh cup of coffee.
They were written between diaper changes, snack requests, dog baths, laundry loads, and trying to remember why I walked into the kitchen in the first place.
Many ideas lived in the Notes app on my phone until I finally found ten or fifteen quiet minutes to turn them into something helpful. (Usually while in the bathroom)
Progress wasn’t fast.
Yes, I Used AI
I also used AI as a tool.
It helped me organize my thoughts, polish my writing, improve readability, brainstorm ideas, and create images for my articles.
It saved me countless hours.
But the experiences, stories, recommendations, and lessons came from me.
AI didn’t replace my voice.
It simply helped me share it more clearly.
The Biggest Lesson I’ve Learned
If there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s this:
You don’t have to do everything perfectly.
You just have to keep showing up.
One blog post.
One Pinterest pin.
One article.
One small step at a time.
If my little dog blog can earn its first commission while fitting around family life and a busy schedule, yours can too.
More Than $2.76
To some people, $2.76 isn’t worth mentioning.
To me, it represents six opportunities to help dog owners care for the pets they love.
That’s worth far more than the number on the screen.
Whether this blog reaches a hundred people or a hundred thousand, my prayer is the same:
That every article helps people care well for the dogs God has entrusted to them.
And if, along the way, it also helps support my family, then that’s an incredible blessing too.
Here’s to Small Beginnings
So here’s to the first commission.
I’m thankful God has allowed me to use what I’m learning to serve others, and I’m excited to see where He leads Shear Grace Grooming next.
I pray He continues to use both my grooming business and this blog to encourage people, help them care well for their dogs, and ultimately bring Him glory.
Because sometimes the smallest milestones are the ones that remind us we’re heading in the right direction.
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”
— Zechariah 4:10 (NLT)
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