Let me tell you, being a mom is absolutely wild. But plot twist? Attempting to hustle for money while juggling children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.
I entered the side gig world about a few years back when I discovered that my retail therapy sessions were becoming problematic. I needed funds I didn't have to justify spending.
Being a VA
So, my first gig was jumping into virtual assistance. And not gonna lie? It was perfect. I was able to get stuff done when the house was finally peaceful, and the only requirement was my laptop and decent wifi.
Initially I was doing simple tasks like organizing inboxes, posting on social media, and basic admin work. Not rocket science. My rate was about $20/hour, which wasn't much but for someone with zero experience, you gotta prove yourself first.
What cracked me up? I'd be on a video meeting looking like I had my life together from the shoulders up—full professional mode—while sporting pajama bottoms. That's the dream honestly.
My Etsy Journey
After getting my feet wet, I ventured into the whole Etsy thing. Literally everyone seemed to be on Etsy, so I was like "why not get in on this?"
I created creating PDF planners and wall art. What's great about digital products? You create it once, and it can keep selling indefinitely. Genuinely, I've made sales at times when I didn't even know.
The first time someone bought something? I actually yelled. My husband thought there was an emergency. But no—I was just, celebrating my five dollar sale. I'm not embarrassed.
Blogging and Creating
Next I ventured into writing and making content. This venture is a marathon not a sprint, real talk.
I launched a family lifestyle blog where I posted about my parenting journey—everything unfiltered. None of that Pinterest-perfect life. Just authentic experiences about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Building up views was a test of patience. The first few months, I was basically creating content for crickets. But I persisted, and after a while, things gained momentum.
At this point? I generate revenue through affiliate links, working with brands, and advertisements on my site. Last month I earned over two thousand dollars from my website. Insane, right?
The Social Media Management Game
When I became good with managing my blog's social media, small companies started inquiring if I could manage their accounts.
And honestly? Many companies struggle with social media. They realize they have to be on it, but they're too busy.
This is my moment. I currently run social media for three local businesses—various small businesses. I make posts, plan their posting schedule, handle community management, and monitor performance.
My rate is between $500-1500 per month per business, depending on how much work is involved. The best thing? I handle this from my phone during soccer practice.
Writing for Money
For the wordy folks, freelancing is where it's at. I'm not talking becoming Shakespeare—I mean commercial writing.
Brands and websites always need writers. I've written articles about everything from subjects I knew nothing about before Googling. Being an expert isn't required, you just need to know how to find information.
On average make between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on what's involved. When I'm hustling hard I'll create a dozen articles and make an extra $1,000-2,000.
Here's what's wild: Back in school I hated writing papers. These days I'm making money from copyright. Life's funny like that.
Virtual Tutoring
After lockdown started, virtual tutoring became huge. I was a teacher before kids, so this was right up my alley.
I started working with VIPKid and Tutor.com. You make your own schedule, which is non-negotiable when you have tiny humans who throw curveballs daily.
I mostly tutor elementary school stuff. Rates vary from fifteen to thirty bucks per this review hour depending on the platform.
Here's what's weird? Occasionally my kids will photobomb my lessons mid-session. There was a time I maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. My clients are very sympathetic because they're parents too.
Reselling and Flipping
So, this particular venture wasn't planned. During a massive cleanout my kids' things and put some things on various apps.
Things sold immediately. I had an epiphany: people will buy anything.
Currently I visit thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, searching for name brands. I'll buy something for $3 and sell it for $30.
It's labor-intensive? Yes. You're constantly listing and shipping. But there's something satisfying about spotting valuable items at the thrift store and earning from it.
Also: my kids are impressed when I discover weird treasures. Recently I grabbed a rare action figure that my son absolutely loved. Got forty-five dollars for it. Score one for mom.
Real Talk Time
Truth bomb incoming: side hustles take work. They're called hustles for a reason.
There are moments when I'm exhausted, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm working before sunrise getting stuff done while it's quiet, then being a full-time parent, then more hustle time after everyone's in bed.
But here's what matters? I earned this money. I don't have to ask permission to splurge on something nice. I'm supporting our financial goals. I'm teaching my children that you can have it all—sort of.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
For those contemplating a mom hustle, this is what I've learned:
Start with one thing. You can't start five businesses. Start with one venture and nail it down before adding more.
Use the time you have. Whatever time you have, that's perfectly acceptable. A couple of productive hours is valuable.
Avoid comparing yourself to what you see online. The successful ones you see? She probably started years ago and doesn't do it alone. Focus on your own journey.
Invest in yourself, but strategically. Start with free stuff first. Be careful about spending thousands on courses until you've tested the waters.
Batch tasks together. This changed everything. Dedicate time blocks for different things. Make Monday writing day. Wednesday could be handling business stuff.
The Mom Guilt is Real
Real talk—guilt is part of this. Certain moments when I'm focused on work while my kids need me, and I feel terrible.
But I think about that I'm showing them what dedication looks like. I'm demonstrating to my children that moms can have businesses.
Plus? Earning independently has improved my mental health. I'm happier, which makes me a better parent.
Income Reality Check
So what do I actually make? Typically, combining everything, I make three to five thousand monthly. It varies, some are tougher.
Is this getting-rich money? Nope. But it's paid for so many things we needed that would've stressed us out. Plus it's building my skills and expertise that could evolve into something huge.
Final Thoughts
Here's the bottom line, being a mom with a side hustle is hard. There's no such thing as a secret sauce. Most days I'm making it up as I go, surviving on coffee, and doing my best.
But I wouldn't change it. Each dollar earned is proof that I can do hard things. It demonstrates that I'm a multifaceted person.
If you're thinking about beginning your hustle journey? Do it. Start before it's perfect. Your future self will be grateful.
Keep in mind: You're more than making it through—you're creating something amazing. Even though there's probably snack crumbs on your keyboard.
For real. The whole thing is the life, chaos and all.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—single motherhood wasn't on my vision board. I also didn't plan on turning into an influencer. But fast forward to now, three years into this wild journey, earning income by sharing my life online while raising two kids basically solo. And not gonna lie? It's been the most terrifying, empowering, and unexpected blessing of my life.
The Starting Point: When Everything Came Crashing Down
It was a few years ago when my relationship fell apart. I will never forget sitting in my bare apartment (he took what he wanted, I kept what mattered), unable to sleep at 2am while my kids were finally quiet. I had less than a thousand dollars in my checking account, two mouths to feed, and a paycheck that wasn't enough. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I'd been scrolling TikTok to numb the pain—because that's self-care at 2am, right? when we're drowning, right?—when I saw this divorced mom talking about how she changed her life through being a creator. I remember thinking, "No way that's legit."
But being broke makes you bold. Or crazy. Probably both.
I got the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, venting about how I'd just used my last twelve bucks on a frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' school lunches. I shared it and felt sick. Who gives a damn about my broke reality?
Spoiler alert, tons of people.
That video got 47K views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me get emotional over $12 worth of food. The comments section was this validation fest—other single moms, other people struggling, all saying "me too." That was my turning point. People didn't want perfection. They wanted real.
Building My Platform: The Unfiltered Mom Content
The truth is about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? It chose me. I became the mom who tells the truth.
I started sharing the stuff people hide. Like how I didn't change pants for days because washing clothes was too much. Or the time I served cereal as a meal three nights in a row and called it "creative meal planning." Or that moment when my six-year-old asked why we don't live with dad, and I had to talk about complex things to a kid who believes in magic.
My content was rough. My lighting was terrible. I filmed on a ancient iPhone. But it was unfiltered, and evidently, that's what hit.
Two months later, I hit 10K. Month three, 50K. By month six, I'd crossed a hundred thousand. Each milestone felt surreal. These were real people who wanted to follow me. Little old me—a barely surviving single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" recently.
A Day in the Life: Juggling Everything
Let me show you of my typical day, because being a single mom creator is the opposite of those curated "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm blares. I do not want to move, but this is my precious quiet time. I make coffee that I'll microwave repeatedly, and I begin creating. Sometimes it's a get-ready-with-me sharing about budgeting. Sometimes it's me prepping lunches while talking about parenting coordination. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation pauses. Now I'm in survival mode—feeding humans, finding the missing shoe (seriously, always ONE), throwing food in bags, mediating arguments. The chaos is intense.
8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom creating content in traffic when stopped. Not proud of this, but I gotta post.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my power window. I'm alone finally. I'm editing content, responding to comments, thinking of ideas, doing outreach, looking at stats. People think content creation is only filming. Absolutely not. It's a full business.
I usually batch content on Monday and Wednesday. That means making a dozen videos in a few hours. I'll swap tops so it appears to be different times. Advice: Keep wardrobe options close for quick changes. My neighbors think I've lost it, making videos in public in the backyard.
3:00pm: Picking them up. Mom mode activated. But here's the thing—many times my biggest hits come from the chaos. A few days ago, my daughter had a massive breakdown in Target because I said no to a expensive toy. I made content in the vehicle afterward about surviving tantrums as a solo parent. It got 2.3 million views.
Evening: Dinner through bedtime. I'm generally wiped out to create anything, but I'll plan posts, reply to messages, or strategize. Often, after the kids are asleep, I'll edit videos until midnight because a partnership is due.
The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just controlled chaos with moments of success.
The Money Talk: How I Support My Family
Look, let's get into the finances because this is what people ask about. Can you really earn income as a content creator? Absolutely. Is it straightforward? Hell no.
My first month, I made $0. Month two? Still nothing. Third month, I got my first brand deal—$150 to post about a meal box. I actually cried. That one-fifty fed us.
Fast forward, three years in, here's how I make money:
Brand Deals: This is my biggest income source. I work with brands that fit my niche—things that help, parenting tools, family items. I ask for anywhere from five hundred to several thousand per campaign, depending on what's required. Last month, I did 4 sponsored posts and made eight grand.
Platform Payments: The TikTok fund pays not much—maybe $200-400 per month for huge view counts. YouTube ad revenue is actually decent. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that took forever.
Link Sharing: I share affiliate links to things I own—anything from my go-to coffee machine to the beds my kids use. If anyone buys, I get a commission. 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: Aspiring influencers pay me to guide them. I offer consulting calls for two hundred dollars. I do about 5-10 a month.
Overall monthly earnings: Typically, I'm making $10-15K per month at this point. Some months are higher, some are less. It's unpredictable, which is terrifying when there's no backup. But it's 3x what I made at my 9-5, and I'm present.
The Hard Parts Nobody Mentions
It looks perfect online until you're having a breakdown because a video flopped, or reading hate comments from random people.
The trolls are vicious. I've been mom-shamed, told I'm using my children, accused of lying about being a divorced parent. I'll never forget, "No wonder he left." That one hurt so bad.
The algorithm shifts. One month you're getting insane views. Then suddenly, you're barely hitting 1K. Your income varies wildly. You're never off, always working, worried that if you take a break, you'll fall behind.
The mom guilt is amplified beyond normal. Every upload, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Am I protecting my kids' privacy? Will they resent this when they're teenagers? I have clear boundaries—protected identities, no sharing their private stuff, protecting their dignity. But the line is hard to see.
The burnout hits hard. Some weeks when I am empty. When I'm touched out, over it, and totally spent. But life doesn't stop. So I push through.
The Wins
But here's what's real—despite the hard parts, this journey has given me things I never anticipated.
Financial freedom for the first time in my life. I'm not a millionaire, but I became debt-free. I have an savings. We took a family trip last summer—Orlando, which I never thought possible a couple years back. I don't stress about my account anymore.
Time freedom that's priceless. When my boy was sick last month, I didn't have to ask permission or lose income. I worked anywhere. When there's a class party, I attend. I'm in their lives in ways I couldn't be with a corporate job.
Connection that saved me. The other creators I've befriended, especially other moms, have become my people. We support each other, help each other, encourage each other. My followers have become this amazing support system. They hype me up, support me, and show me I'm not alone.
Me beyond motherhood. 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. An influencer. Someone who made it happen.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're a solo parent thinking about this, here's what I'd tell you:
Start before you're ready. Your first videos will be awful. Mine did. That's okay. You get better, not by waiting.
Be yourself. People can spot fake. Share your honest life—the unfiltered truth. That resonates.
Prioritize their privacy. Set boundaries early. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I don't use their names, rarely show their faces, and protect their stories.
Don't rely on one thing. Don't put all eggs in one basket or one way to earn. The algorithm is unreliable. Diversification = security.
Batch create content. When you have free time, record several. Next week you will thank yourself when you're unable to film.
Engage with your audience. Answer comments. Reply to messages. Create connections. Your community is what matters.
Monitor what works. Be strategic. If something takes four hours and gets 200 views while another video takes 20 minutes and gets massive views, change tactics.
Take care of yourself. Self-care isn't selfish. Take breaks. Protect your peace. Your mental health matters more than anything.
Stay patient. This is a marathon. It took me months to make decent money. Year one, I made maybe $15,000 total. Year 2, $80,000. Year 3, I'm hitting six figures. It's a long game.
Don't forget your why. On bad days—and trust me, there will be—remember your reason. For me, it's money, flexibility with my kids, and showing myself that I'm capable of anything.
The Honest Truth
Look, I'm being honest. This life is hard. Really hard. You're managing a business while being the sole caretaker of tiny humans who need you constantly.
Certain days I wonder what I'm doing. Days when the nasty comments get to me. Days when I'm completely spent and questioning if I should go back to corporate with a 401k.
But then suddenly my daughter says she appreciates this. Or I see financial progress. Or I read a message from a follower saying my content gave her courage. And I understand the impact.
Where I'm Going From Here
Three years ago, I was lost and broke what to do. Now, I'm a content creator making more money than I ever did in traditional work, and I'm available when they need me.
My goals moving forward? Reach 500K by December. Launch a podcast for other single moms. Maybe write a book. Expand this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
This journey gave me a path forward when I had nothing. It gave me a way to provide for my family, be available, and create something meaningful. It's unexpected, but it's perfect.
To every solo parent thinking about starting: Yes you can. It will be hard. You'll struggle. But you're already doing the toughest gig—raising humans alone. You're powerful.
Start messy. Stay consistent. Keep your boundaries. And know this, you're beyond survival mode—you're creating something amazing.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go create content about why my kid's school project is due tomorrow and nobody told me until now. Because that's the reality—making content from chaos, one video at a time.
Seriously. This journey? It's everything. Even if there might be Goldfish crackers all over my desk. Living the dream, mess included.