How Kara Ward Monetizes YouTube, Amazon & Brand Deals Like a Pro

This week on the podcast, I'm thrilled to welcome back a fan favorite—Kara Ward of Lemons to Lemonade Home. If you missed her first appearance, you'll definitely want to check out Episode 180, where she shared her incredible journey from working with Dave Ramsey to launching a successful YouTube channel all about furniture flipping.

https://creativesonfirepodcast.com/episode214

In this new conversation, Kara walks us through the massive shifts she's made in her business—from rebranding her channel to expanding income streams, embracing Amazon's newest tools, and even how she automates her brand partnerships.

Let's just say: if you've been looking for real-talk insight on how creators are actually earning online today (without doing all the things), this episode is packed with gold.

From Furniture Flipping to Full-Time Creator

Kara originally built her channel under the name Lemons to Lemonade Furniture, but recently made the shift to Lemons to Lemonade Home—a change that reflects not only her evolving content, but also a realistic pivot as she shares: "I'm 47 now and flipping furniture in 100° Texas heat just isn't sustainable forever."

This rebrand gives her the flexibility to show more sides of her life—motherhood, homeschooling, DIY projects, and everyday home inspiration—while still staying true to her roots in creative content.

Takeaway: Your brand name can grow with you. You don't have to stay stuck in a box you outgrew years ago.

YouTube: Her #1 Income Source

Kara doesn't just dabble in YouTube—she's built a full-time income from her channel. In fact, YouTube ad revenue and sponsorships make up 80% of her monthly income.

She shared how she landed a consistent stream of monthly sponsors through a talent manager and how just one viral video landed her a spot on the roster of her dream brand agency.

But Kara was clear: you don't need 100K subscribers to get brand deals. Engagement matters more than numbers. "I only had around 60K when they reached out," she says, "but my videos had consistent views and hundreds of comments."

What's New on YouTube?

YouTube's latest game-changer? YouTube Shopping—a feature that allows creators to tag products directly in their videos.

While Amazon links aren't supported yet, other platforms like Walmart and Lowe's are fair game. Kara uses this tool to highlight everything from her go-to sprayer to the pink toolbox in her background. Even her subscribers watching on a smart TV can now shop directly from the screen.

Pro tip: YouTube is making it easier than ever to earn while you create. If you're already making videos, this is worth exploring.

Amazon: Doubling (and Tripling) Her Income

Kara's also crushing it on Amazon with both affiliate and influencer programs.

She uses Creator Connections (Amazon's brand-driven bonus campaign system) to bump her commissions up to 20–30%—instead of the usual 2–4%. But digging through campaigns manually was a hassle… until she found Oink.

"In my first week using the Oink extension, I made back the $29.99 subscription and then some." – Kara Ward

Oink is a Chrome extension that scans your Amazon storefront, identifies what products qualify for bonuses, and accepts the campaigns for you—automatically. Total game-changer.

The Truth About Niching Down

There was a time when sticking to one niche was the golden rule. But Kara believes those days are behind us.

"I don't think you have to stay in a tiny content box anymore," she says. "Once you pull people in, they want to know more about you—your home, your family, your life."

While her content still centers around furniture and DIY, she sprinkles in real-life moments—like homeschooling updates and behind-the-scenes snippets—that build connection and trust.

How Kara Promotes Her Content

Even without a website or email list (yet!), Kara has found success promoting her content using:

• Instagram Stories – with countdowns and teaser clips
• Facebook – where she's nearing 100K followers
• YouTube Community tab – polls, video reminders, and feedback requests

Bottom line: you don't need every platform, but you do need to consistently invite people into your world.

Kara's Advice for Creators:

• Monetize what you're already doing. If you're using Amazon products, why not earn on them?
• Stay focused. Build one stream of income until it's nearly on autopilot before adding another.
• Don't wait for perfect numbers. One engaged community is more powerful than vanity metrics.
• Automate what you can. From Oink to brand management, systems make growth sustainable.

Where to Find Kara Ward Online

You can follow Kara everywhere under her new name:

➡️ YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook: Lemons to Lemonade Home

And if you want to try out the Oink extension, you can click here to check it out and use her discount code "LEMONS" for 10% off.

Whether you're already earning on YouTube or just now exploring Amazon's creator tools, Kara's story is proof that with consistency, community, and a few smart systems, you can turn content into a career.

Be sure to listen to the full episode—you won't want to miss the practical tips (and honest encouragement) Kara brings to the table.

Stay creative.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• OINK Amazon Solution (use Kara's Code: LEMONS or KARA for a discount on the paid version)
• Kara's Original Podcast Episode 180
• Facebook FUEL
• Order the Book & Get Bonuses
• FUEL Mastermind is HERE
• Free Guide: Start Your Blog Today
• You can GO HERE to subscribe and review (On mobile, scroll down past the episodes to "Ratings & Reviews" section, tap the stars, then scroll down to "Write a Review")
• 2025 Content Planner for Content Creators

SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEW

I am honored to share a new episode of Creatives on Fire each week to bring you inspiration, behind-the-scenes secrets, and quality tips. I hope it is truly helpful for you.

One of the best ways you can bless me in return is to subscribe to the show and leave a review.

By subscribing, you allow each episode to be downloaded straight to your phone which helps the download numbers and ensures you never miss an episode. And when you leave a review, you help show others the value of what we provide!

You can GO HERE to subscribe and review (On mobile, scroll down past the episodes to "Ratings & Reviews" section, tap the stars, then scroll down to "Write a Review")👇👇 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creatives-on-fire/id1561241559