Real talk, being a mom is a whole vibe. But plot twist? Working to get that bread while juggling tiny humans who think sleep is optional.
I started my side hustle journey about a few years back when I figured out that my Target runs were becoming problematic. I needed some independent income.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
Right so, I started out was jumping into virtual assistance. And I'll be real? It was chef's kiss. It let me get stuff done when the house was finally peaceful, and all I needed was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
I started with basic stuff like organizing inboxes, managing social content, and data entry. Super simple stuff. I charged about fifteen dollars an hour, which seemed low but when you don't know what you're doing yet, you gotta build up your portfolio.
What cracked me up? I would be on a Zoom call looking like a real businesswoman from the chest up—business casual vibes—while wearing pants I'd owned since 2015. That's the dream honestly.
Selling on Etsy
Once I got comfortable, I thought I'd test out the handmade marketplace scene. Literally everyone seemed to be on Etsy, so I thought "why not join the party?"
I started crafting printable planners and digital art prints. Here's why printables are amazing? Make it one time, and it can sell forever. Genuinely, I've made sales at times when I didn't even know.
The first time someone bought something? I literally screamed. He came running thinking I'd injured myself. But no—just me, celebrating my five dollar sale. I'm not embarrassed.
Content Creator Life
Then I discovered blogging and content creation. This venture is playing the long game, let me tell you.
I started a parenting blog where I shared my parenting journey—the messy truth. Keeping it real. Only real talk about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Getting readers was painfully slow. At the beginning, it was basically creating content for crickets. But I stayed consistent, and over time, things began working.
These days? I generate revenue through affiliate links, brand partnerships, and ad revenue. This past month I made over two grand from my website. Mind-blowing, right?
SMM Side Hustle
When I became good with running my own socials, local businesses started reaching out if I could help them.
Real talk? A lot of local businesses struggle with social media. They realize they need a presence, but they're clueless about the algorithm.
Enter: me. I now manage social media for three local businesses—various small businesses. I make posts, queue up posts, respond to comments, and monitor performance.
I charge between five hundred to a thousand dollars per month per business, depending on how much work is involved. What I love? I can do most of it from my phone during soccer practice.
Writing for Money
For the wordy folks, writing gigs is where it's at. I don't mean becoming Shakespeare—I mean business content.
Brands and websites always need writers. I've written articles about everything from literally everything under the sun. Google is your best friend, you just need to know how to Google effectively.
I typically make $50-150 per article, depending on what's involved. Certain months I'll write fifteen articles and earn a couple thousand dollars.
What's hilarious: Back in school I barely passed English class. These days I'm making money from copyright. The irony.
Tutoring Online
2020 changed everything, tutoring went digital. I was a teacher before kids, so this was right up my alley.
I started working with various tutoring services. You choose when you work, which is essential when you have kids with unpredictable schedules.
I mostly tutor basic subjects. Rates vary from $15-25 per hour depending on the platform.
What's hilarious? There are times when my own kids will burst into the room mid-session. I once had to educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. My clients are usually super understanding because they're parents too.
Flipping Items for Profit
Alright, this side gig I stumbled into. While organizing my kids' things and tried selling some outfits on various apps.
Things sold instantly. That's when I realized: people will buy anything.
Now I hit up anywhere with deals, on the hunt for good brands. I'll find something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
It's labor-intensive? Yes. I'm photographing items, writing descriptions, shipping packages. But there's something satisfying about spotting valuable items at a yard sale and making profit.
Plus: my kids are impressed when I find unique items. Last week I discovered a retro toy that my son freaked out about. Flipped it for forty-five bucks. Mom win.
Real Talk Time
Here's the thing nobody tells you: side hustles take work. The word 'hustle' is there for a reason.
There are moments when I'm exhausted, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm up at 5am being productive before the madness begins, then doing all the mom stuff, then back at it after bedtime.
But here's the thing? That money is MINE. I'm not asking anyone to splurge on something nice. I'm adding to my family's finances. I'm teaching my children that women can hustle.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
If you're considering a side gig, here's what I'd tell you:
Start small. Avoid trying to juggle ten things. Pick one thing and become proficient before adding more.
Work with your schedule. Whatever time you have, that's totally valid. A couple of productive hours is valuable.
Don't compare yourself to other moms. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? They put in years of work and has support. Run your own race.
Learn and grow, but wisely. You don't need expensive courses. Be careful about spending huge money on programs until you've proven the concept.
Batch tasks together. I learned this the hard way. Set aside certain times for certain work. Use Monday for writing day. Make Wednesday administrative work.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
Let me be honest—mom guilt is a thing. Certain moments when I'm focused on work while my kids need me, and I feel guilty.
But I consider that I'm showing them work ethic. I'm teaching my kids that motherhood doesn't mean giving up your identity.
Additionally? Making my own money has helped me feel more like myself. I'm more fulfilled, which makes me more patient.
Income Reality Check
My actual income? Most months, from all my side gigs, I bring in between three and five grand. Some months are better, some are tougher.
Is it life-changing money? No. But I've used it for family trips and unexpected expenses that would've been really hard. It's also creating opportunities and experience that could grow into more.
In Conclusion
Listen, doing this mom hustle thing takes work. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach. Many days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, powered by caffeine, and doing my best.
But I'm glad I'm doing this. Each penny made is proof that I can do hard things. It's proof that I have identity beyond motherhood.
So if you're considering beginning your hustle journey? Do it. Don't wait for perfect. Your tomorrow self will appreciate it.
Keep in mind: You're more than surviving—you're hustling. Even if there's probably Goldfish crackers on your keyboard.
Not even kidding. It's where it's at, mess included.
My Content Creator Journey: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—being a single parent was never the plan. I never expected to be making money from my phone. But yet here I am, three years later, making a living by creating content while parenting alone. And not gonna lie? It's been life-changing in every way of my life.
Rock Bottom: When Everything Came Crashing Down
It was three years ago when my marriage ended. I can still picture sitting in my half-empty apartment (he took the couch, I got the kids' art projects), unable to sleep at 2am while my kids slept. I had less than a thousand dollars in my bank account, two humans depending on me, and a job that barely covered rent. The panic was real, y'all.
I'd been scrolling TikTok to distract myself from the anxiety—because that's the move? when everything is chaos, right?—when I found this divorced mom sharing how she paid off $30,000 in debt through content creation. I remember thinking, "She's lying or got lucky."
But being broke makes you bold. Maybe both. Probably both.
I downloaded the TikTok studio app the next morning. My first video? Completely unpolished, sharing how I'd just blown my final $12 on a dinosaur nuggets and snacks for my kids' lunches. I shared it and felt sick. Why would anyone care about my mess?
Plot twist, a lot of people.
That video got nearly 50,000 views. 47,000 people watched me nearly cry over frozen nuggets. The comments section turned into this validation fest—fellow solo parents, other people struggling, all saying "I feel this." That was my epiphany. People didn't want the highlight reel. They wanted raw.
Finding My Niche: The Unfiltered Mom Content
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: finding your niche is everything. And my niche? It found me. I became the mom who tells the truth.
I started filming the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I lived in one outfit because laundry felt impossible. Or when I gave them breakfast for dinner several days straight and called it "cereal week." Or that moment when my six-year-old asked about the divorce, and I had to talk about complex things to a kid who still believes in Santa.
My content wasn't polished. My lighting was terrible. I filmed on a cracked iPhone 8. But it was authentic, and turns out, that's what resonated.
After sixty days, I hit 10K. Three months later, 50K. By half a year, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone blew my mind. People who wanted to listen to me. Little old me—a financially unstable single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" six months earlier.
A Day in the Life: Juggling Everything
Here's what it actually looks like of my typical day, because being a single mom creator is nothing like those pretty "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm goes off. I do absolutely not want to wake up, but this is my precious quiet time. I make coffee that will get cold, and I get to work. Sometimes it's a morning routine sharing about single mom finances. Sometimes it's me making food while venting about parenting coordination. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids get up. Content creation stops. Now I'm in full mom mode—cooking eggs, locating lost items (seriously, always ONE), packing lunches, referee duties. The chaos is real.
8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom creating content in traffic at red lights. Not proud of this, but content waits for no one.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. Peace and quiet. I'm cutting clips, responding to comments, planning content, sending emails, reviewing performance. People think content creation is just posting videos. Wrong. It's a real job.
I usually film in batches on certain days. That means shooting multiple videos in one session. I'll switch outfits so it looks like different days. Life hack: Keep wardrobe options close for easy transitions. My neighbors must think I'm insane, making videos in public in the yard.
3:00pm: Getting the kids. Mom mode activated. But here's where it gets tricky—many times my top performing content come from real life. Recently, my daughter had a epic meltdown in Target because I wouldn't buy a forty dollar toy. I created a video in the car after about managing big emotions as a solo parent. It got 2.3 million views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm usually too exhausted to create anything, but I'll schedule content, answer messages, or strategize. Many nights, after they're down, I'll edit for hours because a client needs content.
The truth? No such thing as balance. It's just controlled chaos with some victories.
Let's Talk Income: How I Support My Family
Look, let's talk numbers because this is what you're wondering. Can you legitimately profit as a creator? 100%. Is it simple? Nope.
My first month, I made nothing. Month two? Also nothing. Month three, I got my first paid partnership—one hundred fifty dollars to promote a meal kit service. I broke down. That hundred fifty dollars fed us.
Currently, three years in, here's how I generate revenue:
Collaborations: This is my primary income. I work with brands that align with my audience—budget-friendly products, mom products, children's products. I ask for anywhere from $500 to $5,000 per partnership, depending on the scope. Last month, I did four collabs and made eight grand.
Ad Money: The TikTok fund pays not much—$200-$400 per month for tons of views. YouTube revenue is more lucrative. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Affiliate Marketing: I promote products to stuff I really use—everything from my beloved coffee maker to the beds my kids use. If they buy using my link, I get a kickback. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.
Info Products: I created a financial planner and a food prep planner. They sell for fifteen dollars, and I sell fifty to a hundred per month. That's another $1-1.5K.
Consulting Services: New creators pay me to show them how. I offer consulting calls for two hundred dollars. I do about 5-10 a month.
Overall monthly earnings: Generally, I'm making ten to fifteen thousand per month currently. Some months I make more, some are tougher. It's up and down, which is stressful when there's no backup. But it's 3x what I made at my 9-5, and I'm there for them.
What They Don't Show Nobody Talks About
It looks perfect online until you're crying in your car because a post got no views, or handling nasty DMs from strangers who think they know your life.
The negativity is intense. I've been told I'm a terrible parent, told I'm a bad influence, told I'm fake about being a solo parent. One person said, "I'd leave too." That one hurt so bad.
The platform changes. Certain periods you're getting viral hits. Then suddenly, you're struggling for views. Your income is unstable. You're never off, 24/7, nervous about slowing down, you'll lose relevance.
The mom guilt is intense exponentially. Every upload, I wonder: Am I sharing too much? Am I doing right by them? Will they regret this when they're adults? I have clear boundaries—minimal identifying info, nothing too personal, protecting their dignity. But the line is blurry sometimes.
The burnout is real. Sometimes when I have nothing. When I'm touched out, talked out, and just done. But the mortgage is due. So I do it anyway.
The Beautiful Parts
But here's the thing—even with the struggles, this journey has brought me things I never dreamed of.
Money security for once in my life. I'm not loaded, but I eliminated my debt. I have an savings. We took a actual vacation last summer—the Mouse House, which seemed impossible two years ago. I don't check my bank account with anxiety anymore.
Time freedom that's priceless. When my son got sick last month, I didn't have to use PTO or stress about losing pay. I handled business at urgent care. When there's a class party, I'm present. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I couldn't be with a traditional 9-5.
My people that saved me. The other influencers I've met, especially other single parents, have become real friends. We talk, help each other, encourage each other. My followers have become this beautiful community. this study They celebrate my wins, send love, and make me feel seen.
My own identity. For the first time since having kids, I have something that's mine. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or somebody's mother. I'm a business owner. A businesswoman. Someone who created this.
Advice for Aspiring Creators
If you're a solo parent wanting to start, listen up:
Just start. Your first videos will be awful. Mine did. It's fine. You learn by doing, not by overthinking.
Be authentic, not perfect. People can smell fake from a mile away. Share your true life—the unfiltered truth. That's what works.
Guard their privacy. Set boundaries early. Be intentional. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I never share their names, minimize face content, and keep private things private.
Don't rely on one thing. Diversify or one revenue source. The algorithm is unreliable. More streams = less stress.
Create in batches. When you have free time, film multiple videos. Tomorrow you will thank yourself when you're burnt out.
Connect with followers. Engage. Answer DMs. Be real with them. Your community is what matters.
Analyze performance. Some content isn't worth it. If something requires tons of time and gets 200 views while a different post takes very little time and goes viral, shift focus.
Prioritize yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Unplug. Protect your peace. Your wellbeing matters most.
Stay patient. This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It took me eight months to make meaningful money. Year one, I made fifteen thousand. Year two, eighty grand. This year, I'm on track for six figures. It's a journey.
Know your why. On difficult days—and there will be many—recall your purpose. For me, it's independence, being present, and demonstrating that I'm more than I believed.
Being Real With You
Listen, I'm keeping it 100. This life is tough. So damn hard. You're running a whole business while being the only parent of kids who need everything.
Many days I wonder what I'm doing. Days when the nasty comments affect me. Days when I'm completely spent and questioning if I should just get a "normal" job with benefits and a steady paycheck.
But and then my daughter says she's happy I'm here. Or I look at my savings. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content helped her leave an unhealthy relationship. And I know it's worth it.
The Future
Three years ago, I was broke, scared, and had no idea how I'd survive as a single mom. Today, I'm a full-time creator making triple what I earned in traditional work, and I'm home when my kids get off the school bus.
My goals moving forward? Hit 500K by end of year. Start a podcast for other single moms. Consider writing a book. Keep building this business that changed my life.
Content creation gave me a second chance when I needed it most. It gave me a way to feed my babies, be present in their lives, and accomplish something incredible. It's not the path I expected, but it's meant to be.
To every single mom out there considering this: You can. It will be challenging. You'll struggle. But you're managing the hardest job—doing this alone. You're more capable than you know.
Jump in messy. Be consistent. Keep your boundaries. And don't forget, you're not just surviving—you're creating something amazing.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go create content about another last-minute project and I just learned about it. Because that's how it goes—chaos becomes content, one post at a time.
Honestly. This journey? It's worth every struggle. Despite there's definitely Goldfish crackers all over my desk. Dream life, one messy video at a time.