Real talk, being a mom is no joke. But here's the thing? Trying to earn extra income while managing kids, laundry, and approximately 47 snack requests per day.
I started my side hustle journey about several years ago when I discovered that my Target runs were getting out of hand. I needed some independent income.
The Virtual Assistant Life
Right so, I started out was doing VA work. And real talk? It was exactly what I needed. It let me hustle while the kids slept, and the only requirement was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
I began by easy things like email sorting, posting on social media, and data entry. Super simple stuff. I started at about fifteen to twenty bucks hourly, which wasn't much but when you're just starting, you gotta begin at the bottom.
The funniest part? Picture this: me on a Zoom call looking like a real businesswoman from the waist up—business casual vibes—while sporting my rattiest leggings. Main character energy.
Selling on Etsy
About twelve months in, I ventured into the selling on Etsy. Literally everyone seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I was like "why not start one too?"
My shop focused on crafting digital planners and wall art. The beauty of printables? You create it once, and it can sell forever. Genuinely, I've made sales at midnight when I'm unconscious.
The first time someone bought something? I lost my mind. He came website running thinking something was wrong. Negative—I was just, celebrating my first five bucks. Don't judge me.
Content Creator Life
Then I ventured into the whole influencer thing. This venture is not for instant gratification seekers, let me tell you.
I started a parenting blog where I wrote about real mom life—everything unfiltered. No Instagram-perfect nonsense. Simply honest stories about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Building up views was slow. Initially, I was essentially creating content for crickets. But I didn't give up, and over time, things took off.
Currently? I make money through affiliate links, working with brands, and ad revenue. Last month I earned over two grand from my blog alone. Mind-blowing, right?
The Social Media Management Game
After I learned social media for my own stuff, brands started reaching out if I could help them.
Truth bomb? A lot of local businesses suck at social media. They recognize they need a presence, but they don't know how.
That's where I come in. I now manage social media for several small companies—different types of businesses. I make posts, schedule posts, handle community management, and check their stats.
I charge between five hundred to a thousand dollars per month per client, depending on the scope of work. What I love? I do this work from my phone during soccer practice.
Freelance Writing Life
For those who can string sentences together, freelance writing is a goldmine. This isn't becoming Shakespeare—I mean business content.
Businesses everywhere are desperate for content. I've created content about everything from the most random topics. You just need to research, you just need to be able to learn quickly.
On average make between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on the topic and length. Certain months I'll create fifteen articles and earn $1-2K.
Here's what's wild: I was the person who barely passed English class. These days I'm making money from copyright. Talk about character development.
Tutoring Online
2020 changed everything, tutoring went digital. With my teaching background, so this was perfect for me.
I signed up with various tutoring services. You choose when you work, which is absolutely necessary when you have children who keep you guessing.
My sessions are usually K-5 subjects. You can make from fifteen to thirty bucks per hour depending on the company.
Here's what's weird? There are times when my own kids will crash my tutoring session mid-session. I've had to be professional while chaos erupted behind me. My clients are usually super understanding because they're parents too.
Reselling and Flipping
Here me out, this one I stumbled into. While organizing my kids' closet and posted some items on Mercari.
Stuff sold out within hours. Lightbulb moment: you can sell literally anything.
Now I visit anywhere with deals, hunting for name brands. I'll find something for a few dollars and make serious profit.
This takes effort? Absolutely. You're constantly listing and shipping. But I find it rewarding about discovering a diamond in the rough at the thrift store and making profit.
Plus: my children are fascinated when I score cool vintage stuff. Recently I scored a collectible item that my son absolutely loved. Flipped it for forty-five bucks. Score one for mom.
Real Talk Time
Real talk moment: side hustles take work. There's work involved, hence the name.
Certain days when I'm exhausted, asking myself what I'm doing. I wake up early getting stuff done while it's quiet, then all day mom-ing, then more hustle time after the kids are asleep.
But here's what matters? This income is mine. I'm not asking anyone to get the good coffee. I'm contributing to our financial goals. My kids see that you can be both.
What I Wish I Knew
For those contemplating a side gig, here's my advice:
Start with one thing. Don't try to start five businesses. Focus on one and get good at it before starting something else.
Use the time you have. If you only have evenings, that's fine. Even one focused hour is valuable.
Don't compare yourself to Instagram moms. That mom with the six-figure side hustle? They've been at it for years and has help. Focus on your own journey.
Don't be afraid to invest, but wisely. Free information exists. Don't spend thousands on courses until you've tried things out.
Do similar tasks together. This changed everything. Dedicate time blocks for different things. Make Monday content creation day. Wednesday could be admin and emails.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
I have to be real with you—the mom guilt is real. Sometimes when I'm hustling and my child is calling for me, and I feel guilty.
But I think about that I'm modeling for them that hard work matters. I'm teaching my kids that motherhood doesn't mean giving up your identity.
Additionally? Making my own money has improved my mental health. I'm more satisfied, which makes me more patient.
Income Reality Check
How much do I earn? Most months, between all my hustles, I bring in $3,000-5,000 per month. Some months are better, it fluctuates.
Will this make you wealthy? Not exactly. But this money covers vacations, home improvements, and that emergency vet bill that would've been really hard. It's also developing my career and skills that could become a full-time thing.
Wrapping This Up
Look, hustling as a mom takes work. There's no such thing as a secret sauce. Often I'm making it up as I go, fueled by espresso and stubbornness, and doing my best.
But I wouldn't change it. Every penny made is evidence of my capability. It's proof that I have identity beyond motherhood.
If you're on the fence about launching a mom business? Do it. Start messy. Your tomorrow self will be grateful.
Don't forget: You aren't only enduring—you're creating something amazing. Even when there's likely snack crumbs in your workspace.
Not even kidding. This is where it's at, despite the chaos.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
Let me be real with you—being a single parent wasn't on my vision board. Nor was building a creator business. But here I am, three years later, paying bills 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.
How It Started: When Everything Imploded
It was a few years ago when my divorce happened. I remember sitting in my half-empty apartment (he took what he wanted, I kept what mattered), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids were passed out. I had less than a thousand dollars in my account, two mouths to feed, and a job that barely covered rent. The stress was unbearable, y'all.
I'd been scrolling TikTok to numb the pain—because that's how we cope? when our lives are falling apart, right?—when I came across this solo parent talking about how she became debt-free through being a creator. I remember thinking, "She's lying or got lucky."
But desperation makes you brave. Or both. Often both.
I installed the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Me, no makeup, messy bun, venting about how I'd just put my last twelve dollars on a frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' lunches. I hit post and panicked. Who wants to watch my broke reality?
Spoiler alert, thousands of people.
That video got 47,000 views. 47,000 people watched me almost lose it over chicken nuggets. The comments section was this unexpected source of support—women in similar situations, folks in the trenches, all saying "I feel this." That was my turning point. People didn't want the highlight reel. They wanted raw.
Discovering My Voice: The Honest Single Parent Platform
Here's the secret about content creation: you need a niche. 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 wore the same leggings all week because executive dysfunction is real. Or the time I served cereal as a meal three nights in a row and called it "cereal week." Or that moment when my daughter asked where daddy went, and I had to discuss divorce to a kid who still believes in Santa.
My content wasn't polished. My lighting was trash. I filmed on a phone with a broken screen. But it was honest, and evidently, that's what hit.
After sixty days, I hit 10,000 followers. 90 days in, fifty thousand. By six months, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone blew my mind. These were real people who wanted to know my story. Little old me—a struggling single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" months before.
My Daily Reality: Content Creation Meets Real Life
Here's the reality of my typical day, because creating content solo is the opposite of those curated "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm sounds. I do want to throw my phone, but this is my hustle hours. I make coffee that will get cold, and I begin creating. Sometimes it's a GRWM talking about single mom finances. Sometimes it's me cooking while sharing co-parenting struggles. The lighting is whatever natural light comes through my kitchen window.
7:00am: Kids get up. Content creation ends. Now I'm in survival mode—making breakfast, hunting for that one shoe (where do they go), prepping food, referee duties. The chaos is next level.
8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom in the carpool line filming TikToks at red lights. Don't judge me, but content waits for no one.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my hustle time. House is quiet. I'm editing videos, responding to comments, ideating, sending emails, looking at stats. Folks imagine content creation is simple. It's not. 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 switch outfits so it seems like separate days. Pro tip: Keep several shirts ready for quick changes. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, talking to my camera in the driveway.
3:00pm: Pickup time. Back to parenting. But this is where it's complicated—often my viral videos come from this time. Recently, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I couldn't afford a expensive toy. I created a video in the parking lot afterward about handling public tantrums as a single parent. It got 2.3 million views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm usually too exhausted to create anything, but I'll schedule content, reply to messages, or prep for tomorrow. Some nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll work late because a client needs content.
The truth? There's no balance. It's just managed chaos with moments of success.
Let's Talk Income: How I Support My Family
Okay, let's discuss money because this is what you're wondering. Can you legitimately profit as a online creator? Yes. Is it straightforward? Nope.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Second month? Zero. Third month, I got my first paid partnership—a hundred and fifty bucks to feature a food subscription. I literally cried. That $150 covered food.
Fast forward, three years in, here's how I monetize:
Brand Deals: This is my main revenue. I work with brands that my followers need—affordable stuff, parenting tools, family items. I ask for anywhere from $500-5K per deal, depending on what's required. Last month, I did four collabs and made eight thousand dollars.
TikTok Fund: Creator fund pays basically nothing—maybe $200-400 per month for tons of views. YouTube money is better. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that took forever.
Affiliate Income: I post links to items I love—anything from my go-to coffee machine to the beds my kids use. If they buy using my link, I get a kickback. This brings in about $800-$1200/month.
Downloadables: I created a financial planner and a meal planning ebook. $15 apiece, and I sell 50-100 per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
Coaching/Consulting: Aspiring influencers pay me to guide them. I offer private coaching for two hundred dollars. I do about 5-10 each month.
My total income: Generally, I'm making $10-15K per month at this point. Certain months are better, others are slower. It's up and down, which is nerve-wracking when you're the only income source. But it's triple what I made at my corporate job, and I'm home when my kids need me.
The Hard Parts Nobody Shows You
From the outside it's great until you're having a breakdown because a video didn't perform, or reading hate comments from internet trolls.
The negativity is intense. I've been accused of being a bad mother, told I'm using my children, accused of lying about being a single mom. I'll never forget, "I'd leave too." That one destroyed me.
The platform changes. Certain periods you're getting millions of views. The next, you're lucky to break 1,000. Your income varies wildly. You're always on, always "on", worried that if you take a break, you'll fall behind.
The mom guilt is intense to the extreme. Everything I share, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Is this okay? Will they regret this when they're grown? I have strict rules—no faces of my kids without permission, nothing too personal, no embarrassing content. But the line is hard to see.
The exhaustion is real. Some weeks when I am empty. When I'm exhausted, talked out, and completely finished. But life doesn't stop. So I push through.
The Unexpected Blessings
But here's the thing—despite everything, this journey has blessed me with things I never imagined.
Economic stability for the first time in my life. I'm not wealthy, but I became debt-free. I have an emergency fund. We took a vacation last summer—the Mouse House, which felt impossible not long ago. I don't check my bank account with anxiety anymore.
Schedule freedom that's priceless. When my kid was ill last month, I didn't have to stress about missing work or panic. I worked anywhere. When there's a school event, I attend. I'm available in ways I wasn't with a regular job.
Community that saved me. The other creators I've met, especially other single parents, have become true friends. We support each other, help each other, lift each other up. My followers have become this incredible cheerleading squad. They cheer for me, lift me up, and show me I'm not alone.
Me beyond motherhood. For the first time since having kids, I have something for me. I'm not just an ex or just a mom. I'm a CEO. A businesswoman. A person who hustled.
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 trash. Mine did. That's normal. You improve over time, not by waiting.
Be authentic, not perfect. People can spot fake. Share your real life—the chaos. That's what works.
Keep them safe. Set boundaries early. Be intentional. Their privacy is sacred. I never share their names, protect their faces, and keep private things private.
Build multiple income streams. Diversify or a single source. The algorithm is unstable. Multiple streams = safety.
Batch create content. When you have available time, make a bunch. Next week you will thank yourself when you're burnt out.
Engage with your audience. Reply to comments. Check messages. Build real relationships. Your community is your foundation.
Analyze performance. Not all content is worth creating. If something takes forever and gets 200 views while something else takes 20 minutes and goes viral, adjust your strategy.
Take care of yourself. You need to fill your cup. Rest. Guard your energy. Your wellbeing matters more than going viral.
Stay patient. This is a marathon. It took me ages to make meaningful money. My first year, I made $15K total. Year 2, eighty grand. Year three, I'm making six figures. It's a long game.
Stay connected to your purpose. On hard days—and they happen—remember why you're doing this. For me, it's financial freedom, being there, and proving to myself that I'm capable of anything.
The Reality Check
Here's the deal, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. Being a single mom creator is challenging. Really hard. You're operating a business while being the lone caretaker of tiny humans who need you constantly.
Certain days I second-guess this. Days when the trolls hurt. Days when I'm burnt out and asking myself if I should quit this with a 401k.
But then my daughter says she's happy I'm here. Or I look at my savings. Or I read a message from a follower saying my content changed her life. And I know it's worth it.
My Future Plans
A few years back, I was scared and struggling what to do. Fast forward, I'm a content creator making triple what I earned in my old job, and I'm home when my kids get off the school bus.
My goals going forward? Hit 500,000 followers by this year. Launch a podcast for single parents. Maybe write a book. Continue building this business that makes everything possible.
Content creation gave me a lifeline when I was desperate. It gave me a way to take care of my children, be available, and create something meaningful. It's a surprise, but it's perfect.
To every single mom out there considering this: Yes you can. It will be challenging. You'll struggle. But you're handling the hardest job in the world—single parenting. You're more capable than you know.
Start imperfect. Stay consistent. Prioritize yourself. And know this, you're more than just surviving—you're creating something amazing.
BRB, I need to go create content about homework I forgot about and surprise!. Because that's this life—turning chaos into content, one video at a time.
Honestly. This journey? It's worth every struggle. Despite there's probably old snacks all over my desk. Dream life, one messy video at a time.