Why does a $0.39 Kindle commission feel more exciting than the $5k in subscription revenue I made that day?

We recently published a tiny $1 ebook on Amazon. It’s a PDF we give away for free, delivered in a different format and platform.

When the first sale came through? I was giddy. Not because of the money (clearly), but because it felt new. Like proof that it could work.

I’m sharing this with you because sometimes the smallest wins hit the hardest:

A first customer.
A first reply to your newsletter.
A stranger leaving a kind review.
First thing “published” on your new YouTube channel.

None of these individually move the needle on your P&L.

But they have an insane amount of power to move YOU.

That little ebook sale made me more excited than the revenue I knew was coming in automatically.

It was a spark. And sparks are what keep us building.

Author: Kim Coleman

I'm Kim Coleman, Co-founder of Stranger Studios, where I’m deeply involved in every part of the business—from product development and team management to marketing, support, and strategy. I oversee frontend development for our flagship product, Paid Memberships Pro, including the core open-source plugin and more than 75 Add Ons, with a focus on quality, usability, and member experience.

I help shape and grow the products and services we offer, from new plugin development and hosting solutions to personalized support and strategic guidance. Stranger Studios is expanding beyond software—we're investing in community growth, thought leadership, and open content to support membership-focused businesses at every stage.

Today, our team supports creators and businesses across a range of industries, including associations and nonprofits, course and coaching platforms, online communities, blogs and publications, video and podcast producers, directories, and paid newsletters.