Real talk, being a mom is absolutely wild. But you know what's even crazier? Working to earn extra income while managing tiny humans who think sleep is optional.
I started my side hustle journey about a few years back when I realized that my retail therapy sessions were way too frequent. I needed funds I didn't have to justify spending.
Being a VA
Right so, my initial venture was doing VA work. And real talk? It was chef's kiss. I could hustle while the kids slept, and the only requirement was my laptop and decent wifi.
Initially I was doing easy things like email management, doing social media scheduling, and entering data. Pretty straightforward. I charged about $20/hour, which seemed low but for someone with zero experience, you gotta start somewhere.
Honestly the most hilarious thing? Picture this: me on a video meeting looking like a real businesswoman from the waist up—blazer, makeup, the works—while wearing pants I'd owned since 2015. Peak mom life.
Selling on Etsy
After getting my feet wet, I wanted to explore the selling on Etsy. Literally everyone seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I thought "why not me?"
I started making PDF planners and home decor prints. The beauty of printables? You create it once, and it can sell forever. For real, I've made sales at times when I didn't even know.
The first time someone bought something? I actually yelled. He came running thinking I'd injured myself. Not even close—I was just, doing a happy dance for my first five bucks. No shame in my game.
The Content Creation Grind
Then I started writing and making content. This venture is not for instant gratification seekers, trust me on this.
I launched a parenting blog where I documented what motherhood actually looks like—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Not the highlight reel. Just honest stories about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Growing an audience was slow. Initially, it was basically creating content for crickets. But I stayed consistent, and slowly but surely, things took off.
Now? I make money through promoting products, sponsored posts, and advertisements on my site. Recently I made over two thousand dollars from my blog alone. Mind-blowing, right?
The Social Media Management Game
Once I got decent at managing my blog's social media, small companies started inquiring if I could help them.
Real talk? A lot of local businesses suck at social media. They know they have to be on it, but they don't have time.
That's where I come in. I currently run social media for several small companies—different types of businesses. I develop content, plan their posting schedule, engage with followers, and analyze the metrics.
I bill between five hundred to a thousand dollars per month per account, depending on how much work is involved. Best part? I can do most of it from my phone.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
For those who can string sentences together, freelancing is where it's at. Not like writing the next Great American Novel—I mean content writing for businesses.
Businesses everywhere always need writers. I've written everything from subjects I knew nothing about before Googling. You don't need to be an expert, you just need to know how to Google effectively.
Usually charge fifty to one hundred fifty bucks per piece, depending on length and complexity. Some months I'll write 10-15 articles and pull in one to two thousand extra.
The funny thing is: I'm the same person who thought writing was torture. Currently I'm a professional writer. Life's funny like that.
Tutoring Online
During the pandemic, virtual tutoring became huge. As a former educator, so this was an obvious choice.
I joined several tutoring platforms. The scheduling is flexible, which is essential when you have kids with unpredictable schedules.
My sessions are usually K-5 subjects. Income ranges from fifteen to twenty-five hourly depending on where you work.
The funny thing? Every now and then my kids will interrupt mid-session. There was a time I be professional while chaos erupted behind me. Other parents are totally cool about it because they get it.
The Reselling Game
Okay, this side gig happened accidentally. I was decluttering my kids' room and tried selling some outfits on Facebook Marketplace.
They sold within hours. I suddenly understood: there's a market for everything.
These days I shop at anywhere with deals, looking for things that will sell. I'll find something for a few dollars and make serious profit.
It's definitely work? Yes. It's a whole process. But there's something satisfying about discovering a diamond in the rough at the thrift store and making money.
Also: my kids are impressed when I bring home interesting finds. Last week I grabbed a retro toy that my son absolutely loved. Sold it for $45. Score one for mom.
The Honest Reality
Truth bomb incoming: these aren't get-rich-quick schemes. There's work involved, hence the name.
Some days when I'm running on empty, wondering why I'm doing this. I wake up early getting stuff done while it's quiet, then handling mom duties, then back at it after everyone's in bed.
But this is what's real? I earned this money. I don't have to ask permission to treat myself. I'm adding to my family's finances. I'm showing my kids that you can have it all—sort of.
What I Wish I Knew
If you want to start a mom hustle, here's my advice:
Don't go all in immediately. Don't attempt to start five businesses. Focus on one and master it before expanding.
Use the time you have. Your available hours, that's okay. Whatever time you can dedicate is more than enough to start.
Comparison is the thief of joy to the highlight reels. That mom with the six-figure side hustle? They put in years of work and has resources you don't see. Focus on your own journey.
Spend money on education, but carefully. There are tons of free resources. Don't spend huge money on programs until you've validated your idea.
Batch your work. This changed everything. Dedicate certain times for certain work. Monday could be creation day. Wednesday could be admin and emails.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
I'm not gonna lie—the mom guilt is real. Certain moments when I'm working and my kid wants attention, and I feel terrible.
However I think about that I'm showing them that hard work matters. I'm teaching my kids that you can be both.
Also? Earning independently has improved my mental health. I'm happier, which helps me be better.
Let's Talk Money
The real numbers? Generally, combining everything, I make $3,000-5,000 per month. Some months are lower, some are slower.
Will this make you wealthy? Not really. But this money covers stuff that matters to us that would've stressed us out. It's giving me confidence and skills that could become a full-time thing.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship is challenging. There's no one-size-fits-all approach. Often I'm flying by the seat of my pants, running on coffee and determination, and praying it all works out.
But I wouldn't change it. Each dollar earned is a testament to my hustle. It's proof that I'm a multifaceted person.
If you're thinking about starting a side hustle? Go for it. Start messy. Your future self will be grateful.
Keep in mind: You aren't only making it through—you're building something. Even though there's likely Goldfish crackers in your workspace.
Not even kidding. This mom hustle life is where it's at, chaos and all.
My Content Creator Journey: My Journey as a Single Mom
Real talk—being a single parent wasn't the dream. I never expected to be building a creator business. But fast forward to now, three years into this wild journey, earning income by posting videos while handling everything by myself. And real talk? It's been scary AF but incredible of my life.
How It Started: When Everything Changed
It was three years ago when my relationship fell apart. I will never forget sitting in my new apartment (he took what he wanted, I kept what mattered), wide awake at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had less than a thousand dollars in my bank account, little people counting on me, and a salary that was a joke. The panic was real, y'all.
I'd been scrolling TikTok to numb the pain—because that's the move? in crisis mode, right?—when I saw this solo parent talking about how she paid off $30,000 in debt through posting online. I remember thinking, "That can't be real."
But being broke makes you bold. Maybe both. Probably both.
I installed the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, venting about how I'd just put my last twelve dollars on a cheap food for my kids' lunch boxes. I posted it and immediately regretted it. Who gives a damn about my mess?
Spoiler alert, thousands of people.
That video got 47,000 views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me get emotional over chicken nuggets. The comments section was this validation fest—fellow solo parents, people living the same reality, all saying "I feel this." That was my epiphany. People didn't want filtered content. They wanted honest.
Building My Platform: The Honest Single Parent Platform
Here's the secret about content creation: your niche matters. And my niche? It chose me. I became the single mom who keeps it brutally honest.
I started creating content about the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I once wore the same yoga pants for four days straight because laundry felt impossible. Or when I let them eat Lucky Charms for dinner several days straight and called it "cereal week." Or that moment when my six-year-old asked where daddy went, and I had to discuss divorce to a kid who is six years old.
My content was raw. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a cracked iPhone 8. But it was honest, and apparently, that's what resonated.
Within two months, I hit ten thousand followers. Three months later, fifty thousand. By month six, I'd crossed a hundred thousand. Each milestone felt surreal. These were real people who wanted to know my story. Plain old me—a financially unstable single mom who had to ask Google what this meant months before.
The Actual Schedule: Content Creation Meets Real Life
Let me paint you a picture of my typical day, because being a single mom creator is nothing like those curated "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm screams. I do NOT want to get up, but this is my sacred content creation time. I make coffee that will get cold, and I begin creating. Sometimes it's a morning routine sharing about budgeting. Sometimes it's me prepping lunches while discussing co-parenting struggles. The lighting is natural and terrible.
7:00am: Kids emerge. Content creation goes on hold. Now I'm in mommy mode—making breakfast, locating lost items (where do they go), packing lunches, breaking up sibling fights. The chaos is real.
8:30am: Getting them to school. I'm that mom making videos while driving at stop signs. Not my proudest moment, but I gotta post.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. I'm alone finally. I'm cutting clips, replying to DMs, thinking of ideas, sending emails, analyzing metrics. People think content creation is simple. Wrong. It's a whole business.
I usually create multiple videos on specific days. That means creating 10-15 pieces in a few hours. I'll change shirts between videos so it appears to be different times. Life hack: Keep several shirts ready for outfit changes. My neighbors definitely think I'm crazy, filming myself talking to my phone in the backyard.
3:00pm: Getting the kids. Transition back to mom mode. But plot twist—many times my biggest hits come from real life. Last week, my daughter had a complete meltdown in Target because I wouldn't buy a toy she didn't need. I recorded in the parking lot after about dealing with meltdowns as a single parent. It got millions of views.
Evening: Dinner, homework, bath time, bedtime routines. I'm usually too exhausted to make videos, but I'll schedule uploads, check DMs, or prep for tomorrow. Some nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll stay up editing because a brand deadline is looming.
The truth? No such thing as balance. It's just controlled chaos with random wins.
The Money Talk: How I Really Earn Money
Alright, let's talk numbers because this is what people ask about. Can you legitimately profit as a creator? 100%. Is it easy? Nope.
My first month, I made zilch. Month two? Zero. Third month, I got my first brand deal—a hundred and fifty bucks to share a meal box. I cried real tears. That $150 covered food.
Currently, three years later, here's how I earn income:
Sponsored Content: This is my primary income. I work with brands that my followers need—affordable stuff, helpful services, children's products. I bill anywhere from $500-5K per campaign, depending on the scope. This past month, I did four partnerships and made eight thousand dollars.
Platform Payments: Creator fund pays not much—a few hundred dollars per month for millions of views. YouTube money is way better. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that required years.
Link Sharing: I share affiliate links to products I actually use—anything from my beloved coffee maker to the beds my kids use. If anyone buys, I get a kickback. This brings in about $800-$1200/month.
Digital Products: I created a money management guide and a meal prep guide. $15 apiece, and I sell fifty to a hundred per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
Coaching/Consulting: People wanting to start pay me to guide them. I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for two hundred dollars. I do about 5-10 per month.
Combined monthly revenue: Typically, I'm making $10-15K per month now. Certain months are better, some are tougher. It's up and down, which is terrifying when you're the only income source. But it's 3x what I made at my previous job, and I'm present.
What They Don't Show Nobody Posts About
From the outside it's great until you're having a breakdown because a post tanked, or reading vicious comments from internet trolls.
The haters are brutal. I've been accused of being a bad mother, told I'm a bad influence, called a liar about being a single mom. Someone once commented, "No wonder he left." That one stuck with me.
The algorithm changes constantly. Certain periods you're getting insane views. The following week, you're barely hitting 1K. Your income is unstable. You're never off, always "on", nervous about slowing down, you'll fall behind.
The guilt is crushing times a thousand. Everything I share, I wonder: Is this too much? Is this okay? Will they resent this when they're adults? I have strict rules—protected identities, no sharing their private stuff, nothing humiliating. But the line is hard to see.
The exhaustion is real. Sometimes when I can't create. When I'm depleted, socially drained, and completely finished. But rent doesn't care. So I do it anyway.
The Beautiful Parts
But listen—through it all, this journey has brought me things I never expected.
Financial freedom for once in my life. I'm not a millionaire, but I cleared $18K. I have an emergency fund. We took a real vacation last summer—Disney, which was a dream two years ago. I don't dread checking my balance anymore.
Schedule freedom that's priceless. When my boy was sick last month, I didn't have to call in to work or worry about money. I worked from the doctor's office. When there's a field trip, I'm present. I'm there for them in ways I wasn't able to be with a regular job.
Community that saved me. The creator friends I've connected with, especially single moms, have become real friends. We talk, share strategies, encourage each other. My followers have become this family. They celebrate my wins, support me, and validate me.
My own identity. After years, I have something for me. I'm not defined by divorce or just a mom. I'm a entrepreneur. An influencer. A person who hustled.
Tips for Single Moms Wanting to Start
If you're a single mother curious about this, listen up:
Start before you're ready. Your first videos will be terrible. Mine did. Everyone starts there. You learn by doing, not by overthinking.
Be yourself. People can smell fake from a mile away. Share your true life—the unfiltered truth. That's what connects.
Protect your kids. Set boundaries early. Be intentional. Their privacy is sacred. I protect their names, rarely show their faces, and keep private things private.
Multiple revenue sources. Diversify or one revenue source. The algorithm is unstable. Multiple income streams = stability.
Batch create content. When you have time alone, film multiple videos. Tomorrow you will thank present you when you're drained.
Engage with your audience. Engage. Respond to DMs. Build real relationships. Your community is crucial.
Monitor what works. Not all content is worth creating. If something takes forever and tanks while a full explanation a different post takes no time and goes viral, shift focus.
Don't forget yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Rest. Guard your energy. Your health matters more than going viral.
Give it time. This requires patience. It took me ages to make any real money. Year one, I made barely $15,000. Year two, eighty thousand. Year three, I'm projected for $100K+. It's a long game.
Stay connected to your purpose. On hard days—and trust me, there will be—recall your purpose. For me, it's financial freedom, being present, and proving to myself that I'm capable of more than I thought possible.
Real Talk Time
Look, I'm keeping it 100. Being a single mom creator is challenging. Really hard. You're operating a business while being the only parent of children who require constant attention.
There are days I wonder what I'm doing. Days when the negativity affect me. Days when I'm exhausted and stressed and questioning if I should go back to corporate with stability.
But but then my daughter shares she loves that I'm home. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I see a message from a follower saying my content gave her courage. And I know it's worth it.
The Future
A few years back, I was terrified and clueless how I'd survive as a single mom. Currently, I'm a full-time creator making triple what I earned in my 9-5, and I'm there for my kids.
My goals now? Get to half a million followers by this year. Begin podcasting for solo parents. Maybe write a book. Expand this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
This journey gave me a way out when I was desperate. It gave me a way to feed my babies, show up, and build something real. It's not the path I expected, but it's where I belong.
To every solo parent on the fence: Yes you can. It isn't simple. You'll struggle. But you're managing the hardest job in the world—doing this alone. You're more capable than you know.
Start imperfect. Stay the course. Guard your peace. And remember, you're doing more than surviving—you're building something incredible.
Gotta go now, I need to go record a video about another last-minute project and I'm just now hearing about it. Because that's how it goes—turning chaos into content, video by video.
Seriously. This life? It's everything. Even though I'm sure there's old snacks everywhere. That's the dream, mess included.