Let me tell you, being a mom is no joke. But here's the thing? Attempting to hustle for money while managing toddlers and their chaos.
I started my side hustle journey about several years ago when I figured out that my Target runs were reaching dangerous levels. It was time to get cash that was actually mine.
Being a VA
Okay so, my initial venture was becoming a virtual assistant. And real talk? It was chef's kiss. I could hustle while the kids slept, and literally all it took was my laptop and decent wifi.
I started with basic stuff like email sorting, posting on social media, and data entry. Pretty straightforward. I charged about fifteen to twenty bucks hourly, which felt cheap but for someone with zero experience, you gotta prove yourself first.
The funniest part? I would be on a video meeting looking like a real businesswoman from the waist up—full professional mode—while rocking pajama bottoms. Main character energy.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
After getting my feet wet, I thought I'd test out the selling on Etsy. All my mom friends seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I thought "why not me?"
I started designing digital planners and wall art. The beauty of printables? Make it one time, and it can sell forever. Genuinely, I've made sales at times when I didn't even know.
My first sale? I literally screamed. My partner was like I'd injured myself. Negative—it was just me, cheering about my five dollar sale. Judge me if you want.
Blogging and Creating
Then I ventured into the whole influencer thing. This hustle is a marathon not a sprint, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it.
I created a family lifestyle blog where I documented real mom life—all of it, no filter. Keeping it real. Only authentic experiences about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Getting readers was like watching paint dry. For months, I was basically my only readers were my mom and two bots. But I stayed consistent, and after a while, things gained momentum.
Currently? I generate revenue through affiliate marketing, working with brands, and ad revenue. This past month I brought in over $2K from my blog alone. Mind-blowing, right?
SMM Side Hustle
When I became good with social media for my own stuff, brands started inquiring if I could manage their accounts.
Here's the thing? Tons of businesses struggle with social media. They know they have to be on it, but they can't keep up.
Enter: me. I now manage social media for three local businesses—various small businesses. I create content, plan their posting schedule, interact with their audience, and monitor performance.
I bill between five hundred to fifteen hundred monthly per account, depending on what they need. The best thing? I handle this from my phone while sitting in the carpool line.
Freelance Writing Life
If you can write, freelance writing is incredibly lucrative. I don't mean becoming Shakespeare—I'm talking about commercial writing.
Brands and websites constantly need fresh content. I've created content about everything from dental hygiene to copyright. You don't need to be an expert, you just need to be able to learn quickly.
On average earn $50-150 per article, depending on length and complexity. When I'm hustling hard I'll create fifteen articles and earn one to two thousand extra.
Here's what's wild: I'm the same person who barely passed English class. These days a contextual reference I'm getting paid for it. The irony.
Tutoring Online
2020 changed everything, virtual tutoring became huge. I used to be a teacher, so this was an obvious choice.
I registered on several tutoring platforms. The scheduling is flexible, which is essential when you have kids with unpredictable schedules.
My sessions are usually elementary school stuff. You can make from fifteen to twenty-five hourly depending on the company.
The awkward part? Every now and then my kids will crash my tutoring session mid-session. I've literally had to educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. My clients are usually super understanding because they're living the same life.
The Reselling Game
So, this one wasn't planned. I was cleaning out my kids' closet and put some things on Facebook Marketplace.
Things sold instantly. Lightbulb moment: there's a market for everything.
Now I frequent estate sales and thrift shops, on the hunt for quality items. I purchase something for a few dollars and make serious profit.
Is it a lot of work? Not gonna lie. It's a whole process. But it's strangely fulfilling about spotting valuable items at Goodwill and turning a profit.
Additionally: the kids think it's neat when I score cool vintage stuff. Last week I found a collectible item that my son lost his mind over. Got forty-five dollars for it. Score one for mom.
Real Talk Time
Truth bomb incoming: this stuff requires effort. The word 'hustle' is there for a reason.
There are moments when I'm exhausted, doubting everything. I'm up at 5am working before my kids wake up, then being a full-time parent, then working again after bedtime.
But you know what? I earned this money. I can spend it guilt-free to get the good coffee. I'm adding to the family budget. My kids are learning that you can be both.
Tips if You're Starting Out
If you want to start a side gig, here are my tips:
Begin with something manageable. You can't start five businesses. Focus on one and nail it down before expanding.
Honor your limits. Whatever time you have, that's totally valid. Even one focused hour is valuable.
Avoid comparing yourself to what you see online. Those people with massive success? She probably started years ago and has help. Do your thing.
Invest in yourself, but strategically. Free information exists. Be careful about spending thousands on courses until you've tested the waters.
Do similar tasks together. This changed everything. Block off time blocks for different things. Monday might be content creation day. Wednesday might be administrative work.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
Let me be honest—the mom guilt is real. There are days when I'm on my laptop and they want to play, and I hate it.
However I remind myself that I'm showing them how to hustle. I'm proving to them that moms can have businesses.
Also? Making my own money has made me a better mom. I'm more satisfied, which translates to better parenting.
The Numbers
My actual income? Generally, combining everything, I bring in $3,000-5,000 per month. It varies, it fluctuates.
Will this make you wealthy? No. But I've used it for vacations, home improvements, and that emergency vet bill that would've caused financial strain. Plus it's building my skills and expertise that could become a full-time thing.
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship is hard. You won't find a perfect balance. Many days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, surviving on coffee, and crossing my fingers.
But I'm glad I'm doing this. Every single bit of income is validation of my effort. It's proof that I'm more than just mom.
For anyone contemplating beginning your hustle journey? Go for it. Start before it's perfect. Your tomorrow self will thank you.
Don't forget: You're more than making it through—you're building something. Despite the fact that there's probably snack crumbs everywhere.
Not even kidding. It's incredible, mess included.
From Survival Mode to Content Creator: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—single motherhood wasn't part of my five-year plan. Nor was making money from my phone. But yet here I am, three years later, supporting my family by creating content while raising two kids basically solo. And I'll be real? It's been the most terrifying, empowering, and unexpected blessing of my life.
Rock Bottom: When Everything Imploded
It was 2022 when my divorce happened. I remember sitting in my bare apartment (I kept the kids' stuff, he took everything else), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids were passed out. I had eight hundred forty-seven dollars in my account, two kids to support, and a income that didn't cut it. The panic was real, y'all.
I'd been scrolling TikTok to numb the pain—because that's what we do? when our lives are falling apart, right?—when I came across this divorced mom sharing how she paid off $30,000 in debt through posting online. I remember thinking, "That's either a scam or she's incredibly lucky."
But desperation makes you brave. Or crazy. Probably both.
I installed the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, talking about how I'd just used my last twelve bucks on a cheap food for my kids' lunches. I uploaded it and wanted to delete it. Who wants to watch my broke reality?
Plot twist, thousands of people.
That video got nearly 50,000 views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me get emotional over processed meat. The comments section turned into this validation fest—fellow solo parents, people living the same reality, all saying "I feel this." That was my aha moment. People didn't want the highlight reel. They wanted authentic.
My Brand Evolution: The Real Mom Life Brand
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: your niche matters. And my niche? It happened organically. I became the real one.
I started sharing the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I didn't change pants for days because I couldn't handle laundry. Or the time I served cereal as a meal all week and called it "breakfast for dinner week." Or that moment when my kid asked why daddy doesn't live here anymore, and I had to discuss divorce to a kid who thinks the tooth fairy is real.
My content was raw. My lighting was terrible. I filmed on a cracked iPhone 8. But it was honest, and apparently, that's what hit.
Two months later, I hit 10,000 followers. Three months later, 50,000. By month six, I'd crossed a hundred thousand. Each milestone felt impossible. People who wanted to hear what I had to say. Little old me—a barely surviving single mom who had to learn everything from scratch months before.
The Actual Schedule: Balancing Content and Chaos
Let me paint you a picture of my typical day, because creating content solo is totally different from those curated "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm goes off. I do want to throw my phone, but this is my work time. I make coffee that I'll forget about, and I get to work. Sometimes it's a GRWM discussing single mom finances. Sometimes it's me meal prepping while venting about dealing with my ex. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids wake up. Content creation stops. Now I'm in mommy mode—pouring cereal, finding the missing shoe (it's always one shoe), making lunch boxes, breaking up sibling fights. The chaos is overwhelming.
8:30am: Getting them to school. I'm that mom in the carpool line filming TikToks at stop signs. I know, I know, but the grind never stops.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my power window. Kids are at school. I'm in editing mode, replying to DMs, ideating, reaching out to brands, reviewing performance. They believe content creation is simple. It's not. It's a real job.
I usually film in batches on certain days. That means shooting multiple videos in a few hours. I'll swap tops so it seems like separate days. Hot tip: Keep different outfits accessible for easy transitions. My neighbors must think I'm insane, recording myself alone in the parking lot.
3:00pm: Pickup time. Back to parenting. But here's where it gets tricky—often my biggest hits come from these after-school moments. A few days ago, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I wouldn't buy a $40 toy. I recorded in the parking lot after about handling public tantrums as a single mom. It got over 2 million views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm usually too exhausted to make videos, but I'll plan posts, check DMs, or prep for tomorrow. Some nights, after they're down, I'll stay up editing because a brand deadline is looming.
The truth? There's no balance. It's just organized chaos with random wins.
The Financial Reality: How I Generate Income
Alright, let's talk dollars because this is what you're wondering. Can you really earn income as a creator? Yes. Is it simple? Hell no.
My first month, I made nothing. Second month? $0. Third month, I got my first paid partnership—$150 to share a meal kit service. I actually cried. That $150 bought groceries for two weeks.
Currently, three years later, here's how I make money:
Brand Deals: This is my main revenue. I work with brands that fit my niche—things that help, helpful services, family items. I ask for anywhere from $500 to $5,000 per campaign, depending on the scope. Just last month, I did four brand deals and made $8K.
Platform Payments: The TikTok fund pays very little—$200-$400 per month for tons of views. AdSense is way better. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Link Sharing: I share affiliate links to items I love—ranging from my go-to coffee machine to the bunk beds in their room. If someone purchases through my link, I get a kickback. This brings in about $1K monthly.
Digital Products: I created a single mom budget planner and a cooking guide. They're $15 each, and I sell 50-100 per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
Teaching Others: People wanting to start pay me to mentor them. I offer consulting calls for two hundred dollars. I do about 5-10 a month.
Overall monthly earnings: Most months, I'm making $10,000-15,000 per month currently. Some months I make more, some are lower. It's up and down, which is stressful when you're it. But it's 3x what I made at my corporate job, and I'm available for my kids.
The Hard Parts Nobody Shows You
It looks perfect online until you're sobbing alone because a video flopped, or managing vicious comments from random people.
The hate comments are real. I've been mom-shamed, told I'm exploiting my kids, accused of lying about being a single mom. Someone once commented, "I'd leave too." That one destroyed me.
The algorithm is unpredictable. Certain periods you're getting viral hits. The following week, you're barely hitting 1K. Your income fluctuates. You're always creating, always working, afraid to pause, you'll lose relevance.
The mom guilt is amplified beyond normal. Each post, I wonder: Am I sharing too much? Am I protecting my kids' privacy? Will they resent this when they're grown? I have clear boundaries—no faces of my kids without permission, no discussing their personal struggles, no embarrassing content. But the line is hard to see.
The burnout is real. Some weeks when I don't want to film anything. When I'm done, socially drained, and completely finished. But rent doesn't care. So I show up anyway.
The Wins
But listen—despite everything, this journey has given me things I never expected.
Financial stability for the first time ever. I'm not wealthy, but I cleared $18K. I have an emergency fund. We took a real vacation last summer—Disney World, which seemed impossible not long ago. I don't panic about money anymore.
Flexibility that's priceless. When my son got sick last month, I didn't have to stress about missing work or worry about money. I worked anywhere. When there's a field trip, I'm present. I'm available in ways I wasn't with a regular job.
Support that saved me. The other influencers I've befriended, especially single moms, have become true friends. We vent, collaborate, encourage each other. My followers have become this amazing support system. They cheer for me, send love, and make me feel seen.
Something that's mine. After years, I have my own thing. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or just a mom. I'm a CEO. A content creator. Someone who created this.
My Best Tips
If you're a single mother thinking about this, here's what I wish someone had told me:
Don't wait. Your first videos will be awful. Mine did. That's okay. You get better, not by overthinking.
Be authentic, not perfect. People can smell fake from a mile away. Share your actual life—the unfiltered truth. That resonates.
Prioritize their privacy. Set boundaries early. Have standards. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I never share their names, minimize face content, and never discuss anything that could embarrass them.
Multiple revenue sources. Diversify or one way to earn. The algorithm is fickle. Diversification = security.
Film multiple videos. When you have quiet time, create multiple pieces. Tomorrow you will thank present you when you're drained.
Interact. Engage. Answer DMs. Build real relationships. Your community is crucial.
Track your time and ROI. Some content isn't worth it. If something takes four hours and gets nothing while a different post takes minutes and blows up, shift focus.
Prioritize yourself. You need to fill your cup. Unplug. Guard your energy. Your sanity matters more than anything.
This takes time. This is a marathon. It took me eight months to make decent money. The first year, I made fifteen thousand. Year two, $80K. Year 3, I'm on track for six figures. It's a marathon.
Remember why you started. On difficult days—and trust me, there will be—recall your purpose. For me, it's money, being present, and proving to myself that I'm capable of more than I thought possible.
The Honest Truth
Listen, I'm keeping it 100. Being a single mom creator is difficult. Incredibly hard. You're operating a business while being the lone caretaker 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 asking myself if I should go back to corporate with stability.
But but then my daughter says she's proud that I work from home. Or I look at my savings. Or I see a message from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I remember my purpose.
What's Next
Years ago, I was broke, scared, and had no idea how to survive. Today, I'm a full-time creator making way more than I made in corporate America, and I'm home when my kids get off the school bus.
My goals going forward? Get to half a million followers by end of year. Launch a podcast for other single moms. Write a book eventually. Keep building this business that makes everything possible.
Content creation gave me a path forward when I was drowning. It gave me a way to support my kids, be present in their lives, and accomplish something incredible. It's unexpected, but it's meant to be.
To every solo parent on the fence: You absolutely can. It won't be easy. You'll doubt yourself. But you're currently doing the toughest gig—doing this alone. You're powerful.
Jump in messy. Keep showing up. Keep your boundaries. And remember, you're doing more than surviving—you're building an empire.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go film a TikTok about why my kid's school project is due tomorrow and I just learned about it. Because that's how it goes—chaos becomes content, one post at a time.
Honestly. Being a single mom creator? It's worth it. Despite there might be old snacks stuck to my laptop right now. That's the dream, imperfectly perfect.