Let me spill, being a mom is absolutely wild. But what's really wild? Working to hustle for money while dealing with tiny humans who think sleep is optional.
I started my side hustle journey about several years ago when I discovered that my impulse buys were getting out of hand. It was time to get my own money.
The Virtual Assistant Life
Okay so, I kicked things off was becoming a virtual assistant. And real talk? It was ideal. I was able to work during naptime, and the only requirement was my laptop and decent wifi.
I started with basic stuff like email management, scheduling social media posts, and basic admin work. Pretty straightforward. I charged about fifteen dollars an hour, which wasn't much but for someone with zero experience, you gotta start somewhere.
The funniest part? Picture this: me on a video meeting looking like I had my life together from the shoulders up—business casual vibes—while wearing pants I'd owned since 2015. Peak mom life.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
After a year, I decided to try the Etsy world. Everyone and their mother seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I figured "why not me?"
My shop focused on making downloadable organizers and home decor prints. The beauty of printables? One and done creation, and it can keep selling indefinitely. Actually, I've made sales at ungodly hours.
When I got my first order? I literally screamed. My partner was like I'd injured myself. But no—I was just, celebrating my five dollar sale. Don't judge me.
Content Creator Life
After that I discovered blogging and content creation. This particular side gig is definitely a slow burn, let me tell you.
I created a mom blog where I wrote about real mom life—all of it, no filter. Not the highlight reel. Simply authentic experiences about surviving tantrums in Target.
Building up views was a test of patience. For months, I was basically writing for myself and like three people. But I stayed consistent, and after a while, things started clicking.
Now? I earn income through affiliate links, brand partnerships, and advertisements on my site. Recently I earned over $2,000 from my blog income. Crazy, right?
Managing Social Media
As I mastered my own content, local businesses started asking if I could run their social media.
Truth bomb? Many companies struggle with social media. They recognize they need a presence, but they can't keep up.
That's where I come in. I oversee social media for several small companies—different types of businesses. I develop content, queue up posts, engage with followers, and check their stats.
My rate is between $500-1500 per month per client, depending on the scope of work. What I love? I handle this from my iPhone.
Writing for Money
If writing is your thing, freelance writing is where it's at. This isn't writing the next Great American Novel—I mean blog posts, articles, website copy, product descriptions.
Websites and businesses are desperate for content. I've written everything from literally everything under the sun. You just need to research, you just need to know how to find information.
Usually make $50-150 per article, depending on how complex it is. Some months I'll create fifteen articles and pull in an extra $1,000-2,000.
Plot twist: I was the person who struggled with essays. Now I'm making money from copyright. Life is weird.
The Online Tutoring Thing
When COVID hit, 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 choose when you work, which is absolutely necessary when you have children who keep you guessing.
I focus on elementary reading and math. Income ranges from fifteen to twenty-five hourly depending on which site you use.
What's hilarious? There are times when my own kids will interrupt mid-session. I've had to teach fractions while my toddler screamed about the wrong color cup. Other parents are usually super understanding because they get it.
Reselling and Flipping
Here me out, this particular venture wasn't planned. During a massive cleanout my kids' stuff and tried selling some outfits on Mercari.
Stuff sold out instantly. I suddenly understood: there's a market for everything.
Now I visit secondhand stores and sales, on the hunt for quality items. I'll buy something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
Is it a lot of work? For sure. There's photographing, listing, and shipping. But it's oddly satisfying about spotting valuable items at Goodwill and making profit.
Also: my children are fascinated when I find unique items. Just last week I discovered a rare action figure that my son lost his mind over. Flipped it for forty-five bucks. Victory for mom.
The Honest Reality
Here's the thing nobody tells you: this stuff requires effort. The word 'hustle' is there for a reason.
Some days when I'm exhausted, questioning my life choices. I'm grinding at dawn being productive before the madness begins, then all day mom-ing, then more hustle time after the kids are asleep.
But here's the thing? I earned this money. I'm not asking anyone to buy the fancy coffee. I'm adding to my family's finances. I'm teaching my children that moms can do anything.
What I Wish I Knew
For those contemplating a side hustle, here's what I'd tell you:
Start small. Don't try to start five a supporting article businesses. Choose one hustle and get good at it before adding more.
Work with your schedule. Your available hours, that's perfectly acceptable. A couple of productive hours is valuable.
Stop comparing to what you see online. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? She's been grinding forever and has support. Do your thing.
Learn and grow, but carefully. Start with free stuff first. Be careful about spending $5,000 on a coaching program until you've tested the waters.
Batch tasks together. This saved my sanity. Dedicate time blocks for different things. Make Monday content creation day. Wednesday could be admin and emails.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
Let me be honest—guilt is part of this. There are days when I'm hustling and my child is calling for me, and I hate it.
Yet I remind myself that I'm teaching them that hard work matters. I'm demonstrating to my children that moms can have businesses.
And honestly? Earning independently has been good for me. I'm more fulfilled, which makes me more patient.
Income Reality Check
My actual income? Most months, between all my hustles, I make $3K-5K. It varies, some are slower.
Will this make you wealthy? No. But it's paid for family trips and unexpected expenses that would've been impossible otherwise. It's also creating opportunities and expertise that could become a full-time thing.
Final Thoughts
Look, doing this mom hustle thing isn't easy. There's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach. A lot of days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, powered by caffeine, and praying it all works out.
But I don't regret it. Each dollar I earn is a testament to my hustle. It's proof that I'm more than just mom.
For anyone contemplating launching a mom business? Start now. Start before it's perfect. Your future self will appreciate it.
Don't forget: You're not merely enduring—you're creating something amazing. Even when there's likely snack crumbs stuck to your laptop.
For real. The whole thing is where it's at, despite the chaos.
Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom
Let me be real with you—being a single parent was never the plan. Nor was building a creator business. But fast forward to now, three years later, earning income by creating content while raising two kids basically solo. And not gonna lie? It's been the most terrifying, empowering, and unexpected blessing of my life.
The Beginning: When Everything Fell Apart
It was 2022 when my divorce happened. I can still picture sitting in my bare apartment (I kept the kids' stuff, he took everything else), unable to sleep at 2am while my kids slept. I had barely $850 in my account, two kids to support, and a salary that was a joke. The stress was unbearable, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to escape reality—because that's how we cope? when we're drowning, right?—when I found this single mom discussing how she changed her life through posting online. I remember thinking, "That can't be real."
But when you're desperate, you try anything. Or stupid. Usually both.
I got the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? Me, no makeup, messy bun, explaining how I'd just used my last twelve bucks on a pack of chicken nuggets and fruit snacks for my kids' lunches. I shared it and felt sick. Who wants to watch this disaster?
Plot twist, thousands of people.
That video got 47,000 views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me get emotional over processed meat. The comments section was this incredible community—people who got it, other people struggling, all saying "same." That was my turning point. People didn't want the highlight reel. They wanted raw.
Finding My Niche: The Hot Mess Single Mom Brand
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: your niche matters. And my niche? It chose me. I became the real one.
I started sharing the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I once wore the same yoga pants for four days straight because executive dysfunction is real. Or when I fed my kids cereal for dinner several days straight and called it "breakfast for dinner week." Or that moment when my daughter asked why daddy doesn't live here anymore, and I had to explain adult stuff to a kid who believes in magic.
My content wasn't pretty. My lighting was terrible. I filmed on a cracked iPhone 8. But it was real, and apparently, that's what resonated.
After sixty days, I hit 10K. Month three, fifty thousand. By month six, I'd crossed 100K. 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 figure this out from zero six months earlier.
My Daily Reality: Juggling Everything
Here's the reality of my typical day, because content creation as a single mom is the opposite of those aesthetic "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm goes off. I do want to throw my phone, but this is my hustle hours. I make coffee that I'll forget about, and I start filming. Sometimes it's a getting ready video talking about budgeting. Sometimes it's me meal prepping while sharing co-parenting struggles. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids get up. Content creation stops. Now I'm in survival mode—making breakfast, the shoe hunt (seriously, always ONE), throwing food in bags, stopping fights. The chaos is real.
8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom making videos while driving at stop signs. I know, I know, but I gotta post.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. House is quiet. I'm editing videos, replying to DMs, brainstorming content ideas, reaching out to brands, analyzing metrics. They believe content creation is only filming. Wrong. It's a full business.
I usually batch content on certain days. That means making a dozen videos in a few hours. I'll switch outfits so it seems like separate days. Life hack: Keep several shirts ready for outfit changes. My neighbors must think I'm insane, recording myself alone in the yard.
3:00pm: Picking them up. Mom mode activated. But here's the thing—frequently my biggest hits come from real life. A few days ago, my daughter had a massive breakdown in Target because I said no to a toy she didn't need. I created a video in the parking lot afterward about surviving tantrums as a solo parent. It got millions of views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm usually too exhausted to film, but I'll schedule uploads, check DMs, or strategize. Often, after bedtime, I'll edit for hours because a deadline is coming.
The truth? There's no balance. It's just organized chaos with moments of success.
The Money Talk: How I Support My Family
Okay, let's talk numbers because this is what you're wondering. Can you make a living as a online creator? For sure. Is it straightforward? Nope.
My first month, I made $0. Month two? Still nothing. Third month, I got my first brand deal—one hundred fifty dollars to post about a meal delivery. I cried real tears. That $150 paid for groceries.
Currently, three years later, here's how I monetize:
Sponsored Content: This is my largest income stream. I work with brands that make sense—practical items, mom products, kid essentials. I charge anywhere from five hundred to five thousand dollars per collaboration, depending on what they need. This past month, I did 4 sponsored posts and made $8,000.
Ad Money: The TikTok fund pays basically nothing—$200-$400 per month for huge view counts. YouTube money is more lucrative. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that was a long process.
Affiliate Links: I post links to products I actually use—everything from my beloved coffee maker to the beds my kids use. If someone purchases through my link, I get a commission. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.
Info Products: I created a single mom budget planner and a cooking guide. $15 apiece, 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 private coaching for $200 hourly. I do about several each month.
Combined monthly revenue: On average, I'm making ten to fifteen thousand per month now. Certain months are better, some are lower. It's inconsistent, which is terrifying when there's no backup. But it's triple what I made at my old job, and I'm there for them.
The Dark Side Nobody Shows You
Content creation sounds glamorous until you're crying in your car because a post tanked, or handling vicious comments from keyboard warriors.
The hate comments are real. I've been called a bad mom, told I'm problematic, questioned about being a divorced parent. I'll never forget, "Maybe your husband left because you're annoying." That one hurt so bad.
The algorithm is unpredictable. One week you're getting viral hits. The following week, you're getting nothing. Your income fluctuates. You're never off, always "on", worried that if you take a break, you'll be forgotten.
The mom guilt is amplified to the extreme. Everything I share, I wonder: Is this too much? Am I doing right by them? Will they regret this when they're older? I have strict rules—limited face shots, no discussing their personal struggles, no embarrassing content. But the line is fuzzy.
The burnout hits hard. There are weeks when I am empty. When I'm done, talked out, and just done. But rent doesn't care. So I show up anyway.
What Makes It Worth It
But listen—despite the hard parts, this journey has given me things I never anticipated.
Money security for the first time ever. I'm not loaded, but I cleared $18K. I have an safety net. We took a real vacation last summer—Orlando, which was a dream not long ago. I don't dread checking my balance anymore.
Flexibility that's priceless. When my son got sick last month, I didn't have to call in to work or worry about money. I worked anywhere. When there's a class party, I attend. I'm there for them in ways I wasn't with a corporate job.
Connection that saved me. The creator friends I've connected with, especially solo parents, have become actual friends. We vent, collaborate, have each other's backs. My followers have become this amazing support system. They hype me up, send love, and show me I'm not alone.
Identity beyond "mom". For the first time since having kids, I have something that's mine. I'm not defined by divorce or someone's mom. I'm a content creator. A creator. A person who hustled.
My Best Tips
If you're a single mother thinking about this, listen up:
Start before you're ready. Your first videos will be awful. Mine did. It's fine. You learn by doing, not by procrastinating.
Authenticity wins. People can tell when you're fake. Share your real life—the unfiltered truth. That's what works.
Protect your kids. Create rules. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is everything. I keep names private, rarely show their faces, and respect their dignity.
Don't rely on one thing. Spread it out or one revenue source. The algorithm is unpredictable. More streams = less stress.
Batch create content. When you have quiet time, create multiple pieces. Next week you will be grateful when you're burnt out.
Build community. Answer comments. Respond to DMs. Build real relationships. Your community is your foundation.
Track metrics. Be strategic. If something is time-intensive and gets nothing while another video takes no time and gets 200,000 views, pivot.
Prioritize yourself. You need to fill your cup. Rest. Protect your peace. Your wellbeing matters most.
This takes time. This requires patience. It took me half a year to make meaningful money. Year one, I made maybe $15,000 total. The second year, eighty thousand. Year 3, I'm hitting six figures. It's a journey.
Know your why. On tough days—and there will be many—remember why you're doing this. For me, it's independence, flexibility with my kids, and validating that I'm capable of more than I thought possible.
The Honest Truth
Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. Being a single mom creator is difficult. So damn hard. You're managing a business while being the sole caretaker of demanding little people.
Many days I second-guess this. Days when the trolls get to me. Days when I'm exhausted and stressed and wondering if I should just get a "normal" job with stability.
But but then my daughter says she loves that I'm home. Or I look at my savings. Or I read a message from a follower saying my content helped her leave an unhealthy relationship. And I know it's worth it.
What's Next
Three years ago, I was broke, scared, and had no idea what to do. Fast forward, I'm a content 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? Hit 500,000 followers by end of year. Launch a podcast for single moms. Possibly write a book. Keep building this business that changed my life.
This path gave me a path forward when I was drowning. It gave me a way to support my kids, be available, and build something I'm genuinely proud of. It's a surprise, but it's perfect.
To every single mom out there considering this: Hell yes you can. It isn't simple. You'll want to quit some days. But you're currently doing the hardest job—single parenting. You're powerful.
Begin messy. Stay consistent. Guard your peace. And remember, you're doing more than surviving—you're creating something amazing.
BRB, I need to go record a video about why my kid's school project is due tomorrow and surprise!. Because that's how it goes—making content from chaos, one TikTok at a time.
No cap. Being a single mom creator? It's everything. Even if I'm sure there's crumbs all over my desk. Living the dream, mess included.