Real talk, being a mom is not for the weak. But plot twist? Attempting to earn extra income while dealing with kids, laundry, and approximately 47 snack requests per day.
I started my side hustle journey about three years ago when I figured out that my impulse buys were reaching dangerous levels. I was desperate for cash that was actually mine.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
Here's what happened, my initial venture was jumping into virtual assistance. And honestly? It was chef's kiss. I was able to grind during those precious quiet hours, and all I needed was a computer and internet.
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 felt cheap but for someone with zero experience, you gotta prove yourself first.
Honestly the most hilarious thing? I would be on a video meeting looking like a real businesswoman from the chest up—full professional mode—while sporting pajama bottoms. Main character energy.
Selling on Etsy
After getting my feet wet, I decided to try the whole Etsy thing. Literally everyone seemed to be on Etsy, so I thought "why not me?"
I began crafting downloadable organizers and wall art. What's great about digital products? You create it once, and it can sell forever. Literally, I've gotten orders at times when I didn't even know.
My first sale? I freaked out completely. My husband thought the house was on fire. Not even close—just me, cheering about my $4.99 sale. Judge me if you want.
Blogging and Creating
Next I discovered creating content online. This hustle is playing the long game, let me tell you.
I started a blog about motherhood where I shared my parenting journey—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Not the highlight reel. Only honest stories about finding mystery stains on everything I own.
Getting readers was painfully slow. The first few months, it was basically talking to myself. But I persisted, and after a while, things started clicking.
At this point? I make money through affiliate marketing, working with brands, and ad revenue. Last month I brought in over $2K from my website. Crazy, right?
The Social Media Management Game
Once I got decent at managing my blog's social media, other businesses started asking if I could do the same for them.
Truth bomb? Many companies struggle with social media. They recognize they should be posting, but they don't have time.
That's where I come in. I oversee social media for several small companies—various small businesses. I make posts, schedule posts, engage with followers, and monitor performance.
I bill between five hundred to a thousand dollars per month per account, depending on how much work is involved. What I love? I handle this from my phone.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
For the wordy folks, freelancing is seriously profitable. This isn't becoming Shakespeare—I mean blog posts, articles, website copy, product descriptions.
Companies are desperate for content. I've written articles about everything from subjects I knew nothing about before Googling. Being an expert isn't required, you just need to be good at research.
Usually make $50-150 per article, depending on how complex it is. Some months I'll crank out a dozen articles and bring in $1-2K.
Plot twist: Back in school I thought writing was torture. Now I'm earning a living writing. Talk about character development.
The Online Tutoring Thing
During the pandemic, virtual tutoring became huge. As a former educator, so this was an obvious choice.
I registered on various tutoring services. You make your own schedule, which is essential when you have tiny humans who throw curveballs daily.
I mostly tutor elementary reading and math. The pay ranges from $15-$25/hour depending on where you work.
Here's what's weird? Occasionally my kids will interrupt mid-session. I've had to maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. The parents on the other end are totally cool about it because they're parents too.
The Reselling Game
Here me out, this particular venture I stumbled into. I was decluttering my kids' closet and posted some items on various apps.
Items moved within hours. That's when I realized: there's a market for everything.
At this point I shop at anywhere with deals, searching for things that will sell. I purchase something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
It's definitely work? For sure. You're constantly listing and shipping. But it's oddly satisfying about finding hidden treasures at a yard sale and making money.
Also: the kids think it's neat when I discover weird treasures. Just last week I scored a rare action figure that my son went crazy for. Got forty-five dollars for it. Victory for mom.
The Truth About Side Hustles
Real talk moment: side hustles aren't passive income. It's called hustling because you're hustling.
There are moments when I'm completely drained, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm grinding at dawn being productive before the madness begins, then handling mom duties, then more hustle time after the kids are asleep.
But this is what's real? These are my earnings. I can spend it guilt-free to buy the fancy coffee. I'm supporting our financial goals. My kids are learning that women can hustle.
What I Wish I Knew
For those contemplating a side gig, here's my advice:
Begin with something manageable. Avoid trying to launch everything simultaneously. Pick one thing and nail it down before adding more.
Work with your schedule. If you only have evenings, that's okay. Whatever time you can dedicate is a great beginning.
Comparison is the thief of joy to what you see online. Those people with massive success? She probably started years ago and doesn't do it alone. Run your own race.
Learn and grow, but wisely. Free information exists. Don't spend thousands on courses until you've tested the waters.
Batch tasks together. This saved my sanity. Dedicate days for specific hustles. Monday could be content creation day. Wednesday could be organizing and responding.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
Let me be honest—I struggle with guilt. Certain moments when I'm working and my kid wants attention, and I feel guilty.
Yet I remember that I'm modeling for them how to hustle. I'm proving to them that moms can have businesses.
And honestly? Making my own money has helped me feel more like myself. I'm more satisfied, which makes me a better parent.
Income Reality Check
So what do I actually make? Most months, between all my hustles, I make $3,000-5,000 per month. Some months are better, some are tougher.
Will this make you wealthy? No. But this money covers vacations, home improvements, and that emergency vet bill that would've caused financial strain. It's also giving me confidence and expertise that could turn into something bigger.
Wrapping This Up
Look, doing this mom hustle thing takes work. There's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach. Most days I'm making it up as I go, powered by caffeine, and hoping for the best.
But I'm proud of this journey. Every dollar I earn is a testament to my hustle. It demonstrates that I have identity beyond motherhood.
So if you're considering launching a mom business? Start now. Start messy. You in six months will thank you.
Keep in mind: You're not just enduring—you're creating something amazing. Even if you probably have snack crumbs stuck to your laptop.
No cap. This mom hustle life is where it's at, chaos and all.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
Here's the truth—single motherhood was never the plan. I also didn't plan on building a creator business. But fast forward to now, years into this crazy ride, earning income by sharing my life online while doing this mom thing solo. And real talk? It's been life-changing in every way of my life.
Rock Bottom: When Everything Changed
It was three years ago when my life exploded. I can still picture sitting in my mostly empty place (I kept the kids' stuff, he took everything else), unable to sleep at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had eight hundred forty-seven dollars in my checking account, two humans depending on me, and a salary that was a joke. The stress was unbearable, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to numb the pain—because that's what we do? when everything is chaos, right?—when I found this solo parent talking about how she changed her life through posting online. I remember thinking, "That can't be real."
But rock bottom gives you courage. Or crazy. Often both.
I downloaded the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, venting about how I'd just used my last twelve bucks on a pack of chicken nuggets and fruit snacks for my kids' school lunches. I uploaded it and wanted to delete it. Who wants to watch my broke reality?
Spoiler alert, thousands of people.
That video got nearly 50,000 views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me nearly cry over frozen nuggets. The comments section became this incredible community—fellow solo parents, people living the same reality, all saying "this is my life." That was my lightbulb moment. People didn't want perfection. They wanted real.
Discovering My Voice: The Honest Single Parent Platform
Here's what they don't say about content creation: finding your niche is everything. And my niche? It found me. I became the single mom who keeps it brutally honest.
I started creating content about the stuff no one shows. Like how I lived in one outfit because I couldn't handle laundry. Or the time I fed my kids cereal for dinner all week and called it "cereal week." Or that moment when my six-year-old asked why we don't live with dad, and I had to explain adult stuff to a kid who still believes in Santa.
My content wasn't pretty. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a ancient iPhone. But it was authentic, and turns out, that's what connected.
Within two months, I hit 10,000 followers. Three months later, fifty thousand. By month six, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone blew my mind. Actual humans who wanted to follow me. Plain old me—a barely surviving single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" not long ago.
The Daily Grind: Balancing Content and Chaos
Let me paint you a picture of my typical day, because this life is totally different from those curated "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm screams. I do not want to move, but this is my precious quiet time. I make coffee that I'll reheat three times, and I begin creating. Sometimes it's a GRWM talking about budgeting. Sometimes it's me making food while venting about co-parenting struggles. The lighting is not great.
7:00am: Kids emerge. Content creation goes on hold. Now I'm in mommy mode—feeding humans, finding the missing shoe (why is it always one shoe), packing lunches, referee duties. The chaos is intense.
8:30am: Getting them to school. I'm that mom making videos while driving when stopped. Don't judge me, but content waits for no one.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. I'm alone finally. I'm in editing mode, engaging with followers, ideating, doing outreach, checking analytics. They believe content creation is only filming. Nope. It's a real job.
I usually film in batches on Monday and Wednesday. That means filming 10-15 videos in one go. I'll swap tops so it looks varied. Advice: Keep several shirts ready for quick changes. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, making videos in public in the parking lot.
3:00pm: Getting the kids. Mom mode activated. But here's where it gets tricky—often my biggest hits come from the chaos. Last week, my daughter had a epic meltdown in Target because I said no to a toy she didn't need. I filmed a video in the vehicle once we left about handling public tantrums as a lone parent. It got over 2 million views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm typically drained to make videos, but I'll queue up posts, check DMs, or plan tomorrow's content. Often, after the kids are asleep, I'll work late because a partnership is due.
The truth? There's no balance. It's just organized chaos with moments of success.
Income Breakdown: How I Support My Family
Okay, let's talk numbers because this is what everyone's curious about. Can you make a living as a influencer? 100%. Is it easy? Nope.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Second month? Still nothing. Third month, I got my first brand deal—$150 to feature a meal delivery. I broke down. That hundred fifty dollars paid for groceries.
Today, three years later, here's how I make money:
Sponsored Content: This is my largest income stream. I work with brands that align with my audience—affordable stuff, single-parent resources, family items. I bill anywhere from five hundred to several thousand per collaboration, depending on what's required. Just last month, I did four brand deals and made eight grand.
Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: Creator fund pays not much—maybe $200-400 per month for millions of views. AdSense is actually decent. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that required years.
Affiliate Income: I promote products to stuff I really use—everything from my go-to coffee machine to the beds my kids use. If someone clicks and buys, I get a cut. This brings in about $800-$1200/month.
Online Products: I created a budget template and a meal prep guide. They sell for fifteen dollars, and I sell 50-100 per month. That's another $1-1.5K.
Coaching/Consulting: New creators pay me to teach them the ropes. I offer consulting calls for two hundred per hour. I do about several per month.
Combined monthly revenue: Generally, I'm making $10,000-15,000 per month these days. Some months are higher, others are slower. It's variable, which is scary when you're solo. But it's 3x what I made at my old job, and I'm present.
The Dark Side Nobody Talks About
It looks perfect online until you're having a breakdown because a post got no views, or dealing with vicious comments from strangers who think they know your life.
The haters are brutal. I've been accused of being a bad mother, told I'm using my children, called a liar about being a divorced parent. I'll never forget, "No wonder he left." That one destroyed me.
The algorithm changes constantly. One month you're getting huge numbers. Next month, you're barely hitting 1K. Your income is unstable. You're never off, always "on", worried that if you take a break, you'll fall behind.
The mom guilt is intense to the extreme. Every video I post, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Is this okay? Will they resent this when they're teenagers? I have clear boundaries—protected identities, no discussing their personal struggles, no embarrassing content. But the line is blurry sometimes.
The I get burnt out. There are weeks when I am empty. When I'm exhausted, socially drained, and completely finished. But life doesn't stop. So I do it more info anyway.
The Wins
But listen—despite the hard parts, this journey has created things I never dreamed of.
Financial stability for once in my life. I'm not rich, but I became debt-free. I have an savings. We took a real vacation last summer—Disney World, which I never thought possible two years ago. I don't check my bank account with anxiety anymore.
Schedule freedom that's priceless. When my boy was sick last month, I didn't have to stress about missing work or worry about money. I worked from the doctor's office. When there's a class party, I attend. I'm there for them in ways I couldn't manage with a normal job.
My people that saved me. The fellow creators I've found, especially other single parents, have become my people. We connect, exchange tips, lift each other up. My followers have become this amazing support system. They hype me up, send love, and remind me I'm not alone.
My own identity. Finally, I have something for me. I'm more than an ex or only a parent. I'm a business owner. An influencer. Someone who made it happen.
Tips for Single Moms Wanting to Start
If you're a single mother wanting to start, listen up:
Don't wait. Your first videos will be awful. Mine did. That's okay. You get better, not by waiting until everything is perfect.
Be authentic, not perfect. People can tell when you're fake. Share your real life—the messy, imperfect, chaotic reality. That's the magic.
Prioritize their privacy. Set boundaries early. Have standards. Their privacy is everything. I never share their names, limit face shots, and never discuss anything that could embarrass them.
Build multiple income streams. Don't rely on just one platform or one revenue source. The algorithm is unstable. Multiple income streams = stability.
Film multiple videos. When you have time alone, record several. Future you will thank yourself when you're too exhausted to create.
Interact. Engage. Answer DMs. Create connections. Your community is everything.
Track metrics. Some content isn't worth it. If something is time-intensive and gets nothing while another video takes very little time and gets massive views, shift focus.
Take care of yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Unplug. Set boundaries. Your sanity matters most.
Be patient. This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It took me months to make meaningful money. The first year, I made fifteen thousand. Year two, eighty thousand. Year 3, I'm hitting six figures. It's a journey.
Stay connected to your purpose. On tough days—and there will be many—remember your reason. For me, it's supporting my kids, being there, and showing myself that I'm capable of more than I thought possible.
The Honest Truth
Look, I'm keeping it 100. Content creation as a single mom is challenging. Really hard. You're basically running a business while being the only parent of demanding little people.
Certain days I question everything. Days when the hate comments get to me. Days when I'm burnt out and asking myself if I should just get a "normal" job with consistent income.
But then my daughter mentions she loves that I'm home. Or I look at my savings. Or I read a message from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I remember my purpose.
Where I'm Going From Here
Not long ago, I was scared and struggling how I'd survive as a single mom. Now, I'm a content creator making more money than I ever did in corporate America, and I'm there for my kids.
My goals moving forward? Hit 500K by year-end. Launch a podcast for other single moms. Consider writing a book. Keep growing this business that makes everything possible.
Being a creator gave me a path forward when I was drowning. It gave me a way to support my kids, show up, and accomplish something incredible. It's a surprise, but it's exactly where I needed to be.
To every single mom out there wondering if you can do this: Hell yes you can. It isn't simple. You'll doubt yourself. But you're handling the toughest gig—single parenting. You're tougher than you realize.
Start imperfect. Stay the course. Guard your peace. And know this, you're beyond survival mode—you're building something incredible.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go make a video about another last-minute project and surprise!. Because that's the content creator single mom life—chaos becomes content, one post at a time.
For real. This journey? It's the best decision. Even if I'm sure there's crushed cheerios in my keyboard. Living the dream, imperfectly perfect.