Every weekday, Grayson Finks, a 20-year-old TikTok creator based in Charleston, South Carolina, devotes her hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to the digital grind. She films, edits, and uploads at least 10 videos each day to showcase products on TikTok Shop. This rigorous routine yields substantial rewards. Finks makes between $35,000 and $50,000 monthly and has amassed over $3 million in product sales in two years, all while working from home alongside her golden retriever, Beau. With more than 176,000 followers, TikTok serves as her primary platform for success, and she does not actively engage with any other social media for revenue.

“I’m aiming to shift my fashion presence to Instagram, but currently, it’s not really contributing to anything,” Finks mentioned to Mashable. She keeps her Instagram account personal, yet the thought of depending solely on TikTok is unsettling. “It’s frightening,” she remarked regarding the possibility of a TikTok ban. “December through February was brutal. Sales were wild. The app was constantly fluctuating in and out of the App Store. It’s exciting to say this is my job, but it could be taken from me at any moment, and I still have bills to pay. I take a risk every single day by choosing to rely on [TikTok] for my complete financial stability. But it’s worth it. So far, I can’t foresee the future, and I’m unsure of what lies ahead, but I know that the marketing tools and insights I’ve gained from this app could be replicated on another platform to enable growth again. It’s an excellent educational resource, even if it were to vanish.”

Mashable interviewed Finks via Zoom about her methods of generating income, how she distinguishes her online persona from her real life, her TikTok Shop empire, and how others can replicate her success.

**You upload 10 videos daily. How long does it take to create each video?**

It varies. Some videos need minimal effort and can go viral with the right hook and marketing strategy. Others require several hours of editing, especially if it’s a product that’s been showcased numerous times and demands a novel approach. I manage all the lighting, background editing, and everything else on my own. I typically start around 9 a.m. and wrap up around 4 p.m., but the schedule is quite relaxed.

**Can you share your workflow from brainstorming to posting something?**

I receive new packages every couple of days. I open them in the morning and plan what I’ll film. Selecting what to promote is vital because TikTok Shop offers many low-quality products. I focus on items that are less likely to attract negative reviews. After filming, I edit and upload the video, then proceed to the next one. I don’t plan posts ahead; I upload them sequentially.

**And before you begin, how do you acquire the products?**

I have a recommendations page where I can request free samples. TikTok simplifies the process: click “get sample,” agree to film, sign a few documents, and they ship it to you within 48 hours.

**What happens if you receive a subpar sample, but you’ve already committed to filming it?**

TikTok enforces unspoken rules, including the obligation to film samples or face repercussions. Some creators post videos discussing the poor quality of samples but still link them. I prefer to be diplomatic and share them as UGC content, which doesn’t show on my profile. This way, I evade directly endorsing low-quality products.

**Where do you gather inspiration or concepts for your videos?**

My primary source of inspiration is TikTok itself. My For You page serves as a tailored source of ideas, akin to a dream Pinterest board. I’ve fine-tuned it to mirror my interests by engaging with content I enjoy.

**How do you fine-tune your For You page?**

Initially, I promoted health-related items, which shaped my For You page. As I transitioned to fashion, the app adjusted and delivered relevant inspiration.

**How long did it take before you noticed significant growth in followers?**

My follower count has not drastically influenced my sales. Having a loyal audience that trusts my recommendations is more crucial than merely having a large following.

**What strategies have you implemented to gain the trust of that group of followers?**

I don’t share much personal information. I concentrate on consistently releasing new product videos daily, which cultivates trust and rapport with my audience.

**How do you differentiate between what you’re prepared to share online and what you keep private?**

I approach this like a job. I film during work hours and disconnect afterward to enjoy my private life. This method helps sustain a healthy balance.

**At what moment did you realize you could transform your content creation into a full-time career that actually generates income?**

It emerged swiftly. I began with a few thousand followers and reinvested my earnings into acquiring new samples. Brands started to trust me and send products,