The first thing that you require is a method or strategy to be successful at making money with Kindle. While investing in a course that can show you HOW to be successful from start to finish is ideal, it is not necessary. There's plenty of people that have battled their ways to making money on Kindle by slowly figuring things out on their own and learning from trial and error. There might be some answers you can dig up to things on certain message boards or blogs which can help you along the way, so it can be done.
Yes, it will take you a lot longer by trying to do it by yourself. You will also be more likely to fail, experience more frustrations, and likely make some crucial mistakes that could have been avoided if you invested in a quality course to begin with. But it CAN be done without investing in a course and there's plenty of people that have proven that.