I train dogs at a mom and pop boarding/grooming business . I was hired ~2.5 years ago on the condition that I be accepted into an estimable certification course, which I paid for and passed. The certification is one of three of the top qualification programs in the USA.
I was hired on 60% commission, which is what I still earn to this day. I have talked raise with my boss twice since finishing my certification course and each time it's been “let me do some math and get back with you” but she never follows up. I was also talking with a trainer friend about how Im worried I can't afford my continuing education credits to be able to keep my certification and she was confused about why my boss doesn't pay for them. Tbf I've never asked if she would.
I make a lot of money when Im sat down with a client or working a dog, the hard part is getting clients in the door. I work maybe 25 hours a week right now. To help with that, I built a wordpress website for the business and am working on physical marketing materials (design is what I went to college for back in the day – these assets look professional). My boss is paying me out of pocket for those, but its less than $750. Her attitude was that it's only really the training department that needs the attention (boarding and grooming are busier than ever) so I'm going to see returns on it through client business.
I also run almost all the social media correspondence and advertising, and am spearheading a marketing campaign to get our name out there.
Im trying really damn hard but Im only making 35k a year with no benefits or vacation. I have colleagues in other places who are making 95k. There is absolutely no competition in my city or else I could do some job hunting… And I absolutely love my job, so I can't threaten to quit. But when I told my trainer friend about my financial situation, she lovingly told me I don't know my own self worth.
So my question for reddit is how do I fix this problem?