Starting TikTok Shop Affiliate from zero followers

I’m looking into TikTok Shop Affiliate and trying to understand the best way to approach it as a complete beginner (literally no idea).

I have a personal TikTok account with around 180 followers, I post about self-development and bits of my personal life. I’m not sure I want to turn that account into an affiliate page (I don't have the followers on there either) and I’m not quite ready to show my face consistently.

Would it make more sense to create a separate, (maybe faceless account - I know this may hamper trust) around a specific niche that I'm interested in... possibly gym, travel or useful everyday products and focus on building an audience/following first, and then, try hit the follower count to be eligible.

My thinking was:

• Start a new niche account from zero
• Post some (random ish) content, like my previous travels (or any other suggestions?)
• Build some traction + followers etc (any other recommendations to gain followers quickly in this respect?)
• Apply for TikTok Shop Affiliate once the account becomes eligible

Has anyone successfully taken this approach? Any recommendations starting a new account or would I be better off using and growing my existing personal account?

Any other recommendations given the situation! Thanks