Caitlyn Warakomski has been in the content game for a decade — long before Stories had links and before Reels ruled the feed. In that time, she’s built an engaged community, launched her own clothing brand, and refined her affiliate strategy into something effortless and effective. In this spotlight, Caitlyn shares how her content has evolved, how she uses affiliate links in her day-to-day, and what she’s learned from turning a tie-dye DIY moment into a full-fledged business.
Tell us how you got started in content creation.
I’ve been making content for about ten years now, which is wild to say. I started back in 2015 when blogging and Instagram were everything — before TikTok, before video. I saw someone sharing their outfits and giving style advice online and thought, Wait… you can do that? I loved the idea and just started posting my own looks. Brands began reposting my photos, and that really helped me grow an audience. It was such a snowball effect.
What about affiliate links — when did those come into the picture?
Honestly, affiliate links have been a part of my strategy from the beginning. I kind of entered the space right when affiliates were starting to take off. At first, I remember thinking, Am I actually making anything from this? But over time, it added up, and I really started to get it. I think it becomes a no-brainer once you start to see the potential.
When did your affiliate earnings really start to take off?
I’d say the biggest shift came when Stories launched (on Instagram). Being able to talk through a product, show how it moves, and really explain why you love something — it just changed the game. It made everything feel more personal and educational, and I think that’s when people really started to respond.
Where are you sharing links these days?
Definitely Stories, always. But also Reels and tools that let you automate DMs or comments. It’s low lift and super effective. Honestly, I always remind creators: even in your DMs, don’t forget to drop an affiliate link! If someone’s asking, that’s your cue.
How do you use ShopMy in your workflow?
I’ve been on ShopMy for a few years now, and what drew me in was how seamless it is. You don’t need to jump through hoops to share a link — you just click the share button and you’re done. It’s also so nice to be able to communicate directly with brands. That’s how I discovered Tuckernuck, actually — through ShopMy!
Let’s talk about life as a creator and a founder. What was it like turning your personal style into a brand?
It honestly happened by accident. I was searching for a tie-dye oversized tee and biker shorts set and couldn’t find it anywhere — this was before tie-dye was everywhere. So I just made my own. I grabbed one of my boyfriend’s white tees, found some plain biker shorts, tie-dyed them, and wore it in a post. People kept asking for the link, and I was like, There is no link… I made this! But I figured, why not make a few more for whoever wanted one?
It started as a small pre-order thing — I was doing everything myself, even tie-dyeing in my kitchen. Then it moved to the driveway, then my parents' backyard, and eventually we partnered with a dye house and started designing our own pieces from scratch. Now we have loungewear, beachwear, dresses — and it’s all grown super organically.
Any advice for creators just starting out with their affiliate strategy?
Share what you genuinely love — your ride-or-die products. The things you’d recommend to your best friend. That authenticity is everything. If you love something, there’s a good chance your audience will too. That’s what builds trust.
And if you want to be more strategic about growing your earnings, there are smart ways to do that too. For example, if a product is sold on multiple sites, check which one has the better commission rate or cookie length. That can make a difference. But it always has to start with sharing things you actually believe in.
To shop Caitlyn's latest finds, check out her shop below:
