Let me tell you, mom life is not for the weak. But you know what's even crazier? Attempting to hustle for money while managing toddlers and their chaos.
I started my side hustle journey about three years ago when I discovered that my retail therapy sessions were getting out of hand. I needed some independent income.
The Virtual Assistant Life
So, I started out was doing VA work. And honestly? It was exactly what I needed. I was able to hustle while the kids slept, and all I needed was my laptop and decent wifi.
My first tasks were simple tasks like handling emails, scheduling social media posts, and basic admin work. Pretty straightforward. I charged about $20/hour, which felt cheap but when you don't know what you're doing yet, you gotta start somewhere.
What cracked me up? I'd be on a client call looking like I had my life together from the waist up—blazer, makeup, the works—while sporting pajama bottoms. Main character energy.
Selling on Etsy
Once I got comfortable, I ventured into the handmade marketplace scene. Literally everyone seemed to be on Etsy, so I was like "why not get in on this?"
My shop focused on designing PDF planners and wall art. The thing about selling digital stuff? Design it once, and it can keep selling indefinitely. Literally, I've earned money at midnight when I'm unconscious.
That initial sale? I lost my mind. He came running thinking there was an emergency. Nope—it was just me, doing a happy dance for my first five bucks. No shame in my game.
Content Creator Life
After that I ventured into the whole influencer thing. This one is not for instant gratification seekers, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it.
I created a blog about motherhood where I wrote about what motherhood actually looks like—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Not the highlight reel. Simply the actual truth about finding mystery stains on everything I own.
Getting readers was like watching paint dry. The first few months, it was basically creating content for crickets. But I persisted, and over time, things started clicking.
Now? I generate revenue through promoting products, sponsored posts, and display ads. Recently I generated over $2,000 from my blog income. Crazy, right?
SMM Side Hustle
After I learned my own content, small companies started reaching out if I could help them.
Here's the thing? Most small businesses suck at social media. They understand they have to be on it, but they don't have time.
This is my moment. I oversee social media for a handful of clients—various small businesses. I make posts, plan their posting schedule, handle community management, and track analytics.
I charge between $500-1500 per month per account, depending on the scope of work. Here's what's great? I can do most of it from my phone.
Freelance Writing Life
If you can write, freelance writing is where it's at. This isn't becoming Shakespeare—I mean commercial writing.
Companies always need writers. I've written articles about everything from dental hygiene to copyright. Being an expert isn't required, you just need the source here to be able to learn quickly.
I typically bill between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on the topic and length. Certain months I'll produce ten to fifteen pieces and bring in an extra $1,000-2,000.
What's hilarious: I was the person who hated writing papers. Currently I'm a professional writer. Talk about character development.
Tutoring Online
When COVID hit, virtual tutoring became huge. I used to be a teacher, so this was kind of a natural fit.
I signed up with a couple of online tutoring sites. It's super flexible, which is crucial when you have unpredictable little ones.
I mostly tutor basic subjects. The pay ranges from fifteen to twenty-five hourly depending on where you work.
The awkward part? Sometimes my kids will burst into the room mid-session. I've had to educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. The families I work with are very sympathetic because they get it.
Reselling and Flipping
Here me out, this particular venture happened accidentally. I was decluttering my kids' things and listed some clothes on Mercari.
Items moved within hours. Lightbulb moment: one person's trash is another's treasure.
At this point I frequent estate sales and thrift shops, on the hunt for name brands. I'll find something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
It's definitely work? For sure. There's photographing, listing, and shipping. But there's something satisfying about finding hidden treasures at Goodwill and making profit.
Additionally: my children are fascinated when I discover weird treasures. Recently I found a retro toy that my son absolutely loved. Got forty-five dollars for it. Mom for the win.
The Honest Reality
Truth bomb incoming: side hustles aren't passive income. It's called hustling because you're hustling.
There are moments when I'm completely drained, wondering why I'm doing this. I'm working before sunrise working before my kids wake up, then doing all the mom stuff, then back to work after everyone's in bed.
But here's the thing? I earned this money. I'm not asking anyone to treat myself. I'm helping with our financial goals. My kids see that you can be both.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
If you're considering a side hustle, this is what I've learned:
Start with one thing. Avoid trying to juggle ten things. Pick one thing and become proficient before starting something else.
Be realistic about time. Whatever time you have, that's okay. Even one focused hour is valuable.
Avoid comparing yourself to Instagram moms. That mom with the six-figure side hustle? They put in years of work and has help. Stay in your lane.
Learn and grow, but smartly. Start with free stuff first. Don't waste huge money on programs until you've tested the waters.
Batch your work. This is crucial. Block off certain times for certain work. Monday could be making stuff day. Make Wednesday handling business stuff.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
Let me be honest—I struggle with guilt. Certain moments when I'm working and my kid wants attention, and I hate it.
But then I remind myself that I'm modeling for them work ethic. I'm demonstrating to my children that women can be mothers and entrepreneurs.
Also? Making my own money has made me a better mom. I'm more satisfied, which makes me a better parent.
The Numbers
How much do I earn? Typically, between all my hustles, I earn three to five thousand monthly. It varies, others are slower.
Will this make you wealthy? Nope. But I've used it for so many things we needed that would've been impossible otherwise. It's also building my skills and experience that could turn into something bigger.
In Conclusion
Look, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship takes work. You won't find a perfect balance. Many days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, fueled by espresso and stubbornness, and doing my best.
But I wouldn't change it. Every single bit of income is proof that I can do hard things. It's proof that I'm more than just mom.
For anyone contemplating launching a mom business? Do it. Begin before you're ready. Future you will appreciate it.
Keep in mind: You're more than surviving—you're building something. Despite the fact that there's probably Goldfish crackers in your workspace.
Seriously. This is where it's at, mess included.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—being a single parent wasn't the dream. I also didn't plan on turning into an influencer. But yet here I am, three years later, earning income by creating content while doing this mom thing solo. And honestly? It's been scary AF but incredible of my life.
Rock Bottom: When Everything Changed
It was three years ago when my divorce happened. I remember sitting in my mostly empty place (he took the couch, I got the kids' art projects), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids were passed out. I had $847 in my bank account, little people counting on me, and a income that didn't cut it. The stress was unbearable, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to numb the pain—because that's self-care at 2am, right? when everything is chaos, right?—when I saw this divorced mom talking about how she became debt-free through posting online. I remember thinking, "That can't be real."
But when you're desperate, you try anything. Or stupid. Often both.
I got the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, sharing how I'd just spent my last $12 on a frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' lunch boxes. I hit post and panicked. Why would anyone care about my mess?
Turns out, way more people than I expected.
That video got 47K views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me get emotional over $12 worth of food. The comments section became this unexpected source of support—people who got it, folks in the trenches, all saying "same." That was my aha moment. People didn't want filtered content. They wanted authentic.
My Brand Evolution: The Honest Single Parent Platform
Here's the secret about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? It found me. I became the single mom who keeps it brutally honest.
I started filming the stuff no one shows. Like how I once wore the same yoga pants for four days straight because I couldn't handle laundry. Or when I let them eat Lucky Charms for dinner all week and called it "creative meal planning." 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 awful. I filmed on a ancient iPhone. But it was authentic, and apparently, that's what hit.
In just two months, I hit 10,000 followers. Three months later, fifty thousand. By month six, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone seemed fake. These were real people who wanted to follow me. Me—a financially unstable single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" recently.
The Actual Schedule: Balancing Content and Chaos
Here's what it actually looks like of my typical day, because being a single mom creator is not at all like those aesthetic "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm screams. I do not want to move, but this is my sacred content creation time. I make coffee that I'll reheat three times, and I start recording. Sometimes it's a GRWM discussing money struggles. Sometimes it's me making food while talking about 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 parent mode—making breakfast, the shoe hunt (it's always one shoe), packing lunches, stopping fights. The chaos is real.
8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom making videos while driving at red lights. Not proud of this, but content waits for no one.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my productive time. Peace and quiet. I'm editing videos, replying to DMs, brainstorming content ideas, pitching brands, analyzing metrics. People think content creation is just making TikToks. Nope. It's a full business.
I usually film in batches on certain days. That means filming 10-15 videos in a few hours. I'll switch outfits so it seems like separate days. Pro tip: Keep several shirts ready for outfit changes. My neighbors definitely think I'm crazy, making videos in public in the backyard.
3:00pm: School pickup. Parent time. But plot twist—sometimes my viral videos come from this time. Recently, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I refused to get a expensive toy. I created a video in the vehicle after about surviving tantrums as a lone parent. It got 2.3M views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm generally wiped out to create anything, but I'll queue up posts, reply to messages, or plan tomorrow's content. Some nights, after bedtime, I'll edit for hours because a client needs content.
The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just chaos with a plan with occasional wins.
The Money Talk: How I Really Earn Money
Okay, let's discuss money because this is what you're wondering. Can you make a living as a influencer? 100%. Is it easy? Not even close.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Second month? Zero. Third month, I got my first brand deal—one hundred fifty dollars to feature a meal kit service. I actually cried. That one-fifty paid for groceries.
Currently, years later, here's how I earn income:
Collaborations: This is my primary income. I work with brands that my followers need—affordable stuff, mom products, family items. I charge anywhere from five hundred to several thousand per partnership, depending on deliverables. This past month, I did four partnerships and made eight thousand dollars.
TikTok Fund: Creator fund pays very little—$200-$400 per month for massive numbers. YouTube money is actually decent. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that was a long process.
Link Sharing: I promote products to stuff I really use—anything from my beloved coffee maker to the bunk beds I bought. If anyone buys, I get a commission. This brings in about eight hundred to twelve hundred.
Online Products: I created a financial planner and a meal prep guide. They're $15 each, and I sell 50-100 per month. That's another $1-1.5K.
Consulting Services: People wanting to start pay me to show them how. I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for two hundred per hour. I do about several per month.
My total income: Generally, I'm making ten to fifteen thousand per month at this point. Some months are higher, others are slower. It's up and down, which is terrifying when there's no backup. But it's three times what I made at my previous job, and I'm home when my kids need me.
What They Don't Show Nobody Shows You
Content creation sounds glamorous until you're sobbing alone because a post tanked, or managing hate comments from strangers who think they know your life.
The negativity is intense. I've been told I'm a terrible parent, told I'm using my children, questioned about being a divorced parent. One person said, "I'd leave too." That one hurt so bad.
The algorithm is unpredictable. One month you're getting insane views. Then suddenly, you're getting nothing. Your income varies wildly. You're always on, always "on", worried that if you take a break, you'll lose momentum.
The guilt is crushing to the extreme. Each post, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Are my kids safe? Will they regret this when they're teenagers? I have non-negotiables—no faces of my kids without permission, no discussing their personal struggles, protecting their dignity. But the line is fuzzy.
The I get burnt out. Certain periods when I can't create. When I'm touched out, over it, and just done. But bills don't care about burnout. So I show up anyway.
The Beautiful Parts
But here's what's real—through it all, this journey has brought me things I never imagined.
Money security for the first time in my life. I'm not wealthy, but I became debt-free. I have an savings. We took a actual vacation last summer—Disney World, which was a dream two years ago. I don't check my bank account with anxiety anymore.
Control that's priceless. When my son got sick last month, I didn't have to ask permission or worry about money. I worked from the pediatrician's waiting room. When there's a school event, I attend. I'm in their lives in ways I wasn't able to be with a corporate job.
Support that saved me. The other creators I've found, especially other single parents, have become real friends. We connect, collaborate, have each other's backs. My followers have become this amazing support system. They cheer for me, support me, and validate me.
Me beyond motherhood. Finally, I have my own thing. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or just a mom. I'm a CEO. A creator. Someone who built something from nothing.
Advice for Aspiring Creators
If you're a solo parent wanting to start, here's what I'd tell you:
Start before you're ready. Your first videos will be trash. Mine did. Everyone starts there. You grow through creating, not by waiting.
Authenticity wins. People can sense inauthenticity. Share your true life—the unfiltered truth. That's what connects.
Prioritize their privacy. Create rules. Be intentional. Their privacy is everything. I protect their names, protect their faces, and protect their stories.
Diversify income streams. Don't put all eggs in one basket or one way to earn. The algorithm is unstable. More streams = less stress.
Batch create content. When you have free time, create multiple pieces. Future you will thank present you when you're burnt out.
Build community. Reply to comments. Check messages. Be real with them. Your community is everything.
Track metrics. Time is money. If something requires tons of time and tanks while a different post takes minutes and gets massive views, adjust your strategy.
Don't forget yourself. Self-care isn't selfish. Unplug. Create limits. Your wellbeing matters more than going viral.
Give it time. This takes time. It took me half a year to make any real money. Year one, I made maybe $15,000 total. The second year, eighty grand. Year three, I'm making six figures. It's a journey.
Remember why you started. On hard days—and there are many—remember why you're doing this. For me, it's money, time with my children, and showing myself that I'm stronger than I knew.
Being Real With You
Listen, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. Content creation as a single mom is difficult. Incredibly hard. You're basically running a business while being the single caregiver of kids who need everything.
Some days I question everything. Days when the trolls affect me. Days when I'm drained and wondering if I should quit this with a 401k.
But then my daughter tells me she loves that I'm home. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I receive a comment from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I know it's worth it.
What's Next
Years ago, I was terrified and clueless what to do. Currently, I'm a professional creator making more than I imagined in traditional work, and I'm present for everything.
My goals going forward? Hit 500K by end of year. Launch a podcast for single parents. Consider writing a book. Keep growing this business that changed my life.
This path gave me a path forward when I was drowning. It gave me a way to take care of my children, be available, and build something I'm genuinely proud of. It's unexpected, but it's exactly where I needed to be.
To any single parent wondering if you can do this: You absolutely can. It isn't simple. You'll doubt yourself. But you're currently doing the hardest job in the world—single parenting. You're powerful.
Jump in messy. Stay the course. Prioritize yourself. And always remember, you're not just surviving—you're changing your life.
Time to go, I need to go record a video about why my kid's school project is due tomorrow and surprise!. Because that's the reality—content from the mess, one video at a time.
For real. This path? It's worth it. Despite there's probably crumbs in my keyboard. Dream life, mess included.