Let me spill, mom life is a whole vibe. But you know what's even crazier? Attempting to hustle for money while juggling tiny humans who think sleep is optional.
I started my side hustle journey about a few years back when I realized that my impulse buys were getting out of hand. I needed cash that was actually mine.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
Right so, I started out was becoming a virtual assistant. And honestly? It was ideal. I was able to get stuff done when the house was finally peaceful, and literally all it took was a computer and internet.
Initially I was doing simple tasks like email management, doing social media scheduling, and entering data. Nothing fancy. My rate was about $15-20 per hour, which felt cheap but when you're just starting, you gotta begin at the bottom.
The funniest part? I'd be on a video meeting looking like a real businesswoman from the chest up—blazer, makeup, the works—while wearing my rattiest leggings. That's the dream honestly.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
About twelve months in, I decided to try the whole Etsy thing. All my mom friends seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I thought "why not join the party?"
My shop focused on creating printable planners and home decor prints. Here's why printables are amazing? One and done creation, and it can keep selling indefinitely. Actually, I've made sales at 3am while I was sleeping.
The first time someone bought something? I lost my mind. My partner was like I'd injured myself. Nope—just me, doing a happy dance for my $4.99 sale. No shame in my game.
Blogging and Creating
After that I ventured into writing and making content. This one is definitely a slow burn, let me tell you.
I launched a blog about motherhood where I posted about what motherhood actually looks like—all of it, no filter. Not the highlight reel. Only real talk about how I once found a chicken nugget in my bra.
Getting readers was a test of patience. Initially, I was basically my only readers were my mom and two bots. But I kept at it, and slowly but surely, things took off.
Now? I generate revenue through promoting products, working with brands, and ad revenue. Just last month I made over $2K from my website. Wild, right?
Managing Social Media
When I became good with running my own socials, small companies started inquiring if I could manage their accounts.
Real talk? Most small businesses don't understand social media. They realize they have to be on it, but they don't know how.
This is my moment. I currently run social media for a handful of clients—different types of businesses. I develop content, queue up posts, engage with followers, and track analytics.
I charge between $500-$1500/month per account, depending on the scope of work. What I love? I can do most of it from my phone during soccer practice.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
For those who can string sentences together, freelance writing is where it's at. I don't mean becoming Shakespeare—this is blog posts, articles, website copy, product descriptions.
Businesses everywhere constantly need fresh content. I've written everything from dental hygiene to copyright. You don't need to be an expert, you just need to know how to find information.
Generally make between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on how complex it is. Some months I'll produce 10-15 articles and bring in a couple thousand dollars.
Plot twist: Back in school I struggled with essays. And now I'm earning a living writing. Life's funny like that.
Virtual Tutoring
After lockdown started, virtual tutoring became huge. I used to be a teacher, so this was an obvious choice.
I started working with a couple of online tutoring sites. You choose when you work, which is non-negotiable when you have children who keep you guessing.
I mainly help with K-5 subjects. You can make from $15-$25/hour depending on the platform.
What's hilarious? There are times when my kids will photobomb my lessons mid-session. I've literally had to maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. My clients are incredibly understanding because they're parents too.
Reselling and Flipping
Alright, this side gig started by accident. While organizing my kids' closet and listed some clothes on various apps.
Items moved instantly. I had an epiphany: people will buy anything.
At this point I shop at secondhand stores and sales, hunting for things that will sell. I purchase something for cheap and resell at a markup.
It's labor-intensive? For sure. There's photographing, listing, and shipping. But I find it rewarding about finding a gem at the thrift store and making money.
Plus: my children are fascinated when I discover weird treasures. Recently I scored a vintage toy that my son freaked out about. Sold it for $45. Mom for the win.
Real Talk Time
Truth bomb incoming: these aren't get-rich-quick schemes. They're called hustles for a reason.
Some days when I'm running on empty, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm grinding at dawn getting stuff done while it's quiet, then doing all the mom stuff, then back to work after the kids are asleep.
But here's what matters? That money is MINE. No permission needed to treat myself. I'm supporting the family budget. My kids are learning that moms can do anything.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
If you're considering a side hustle, here's what I'd tell you:
Start with one thing. Don't attempt to do everything at once. Pick one thing and become proficient before taking on more.
Honor your limits. Your available hours, that's okay. Even one focused hour is more than enough to start.
Comparison is the thief of joy to Instagram moms. The successful ones you see? They put in years of work and doesn't do it alone. Do your thing.
Learn and grow, but wisely. Start with free stuff first. Don't waste $5,000 on a coaching program until you've tested the waters.
Batch tasks together. This changed everything. Set aside certain times for certain work. Monday might be content creation day. Make Wednesday administrative work.
The Mom Guilt is Real
I have to be real with you—I struggle with guilt. There are days when I'm focused on work while my kids need me, and I feel terrible.
Yet I think about that I'm teaching them how to hustle. I'm teaching my kids that you can be both.
Additionally? Having my own income has improved my mental health. I'm more content, which helps me be better.
The Numbers
The real numbers? Typically, combining everything, I bring in $3K-5K. Some months are lower, some are slower.
Is this millionaire money? Not exactly. But it's paid for family trips and unexpected expenses that would've caused financial strain. It's also building my skills and skills that could turn into something bigger.
Final Thoughts
Listen, hustling as a mom isn't easy. There's no magic formula. Many days I'm winging it, powered by caffeine, and doing my best.
But I don't regret it. Every single penny made is a testament to my hustle. It demonstrates that I have identity beyond motherhood.
For anyone contemplating starting a side hustle? Take the leap. Don't wait for perfect. Your tomorrow self will thank you.
Always remember: You aren't only getting by—you're hustling. Even though there's likely snack crumbs stuck to your laptop.
No cap. This mom hustle life is pretty amazing, chaos and all.
Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—single motherhood wasn't the dream. I also didn't plan on making money from my phone. But here I am, years into this crazy ride, supporting my family by posting videos while handling everything by myself. And real talk? It's been scary AF but incredible of my life.
The Beginning: When Everything Imploded
It was three years ago when my marriage ended. I will never forget sitting in my bare apartment (I kept the kids' stuff, he took everything else), unable to sleep at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had less than a thousand dollars in my account, two humans depending on me, and a paycheck that wasn't enough. The anxiety was crushing, y'all.
I'd been scrolling TikTok to escape reality—because that's self-care at 2am, right? when everything is chaos, right?—when I saw this divorced mom sharing how she paid off $30,000 in debt through posting online. I remember thinking, "No way that's legit."
But being broke makes you bold. Or both. Sometimes both.
I downloaded the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, sharing how I'd just blown my final $12 on a pack of chicken nuggets and fruit snacks for my kids' lunch boxes. I posted it and immediately regretted it. Who wants to watch someone's train wreck of a life?
Apparently, way more people than I expected.
That video got 47K views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me nearly cry over $12 worth of food. The comments section turned into this unexpected source of support—fellow solo parents, people living the same reality, all saying "me too." That was my turning point. People didn't want perfection. They wanted honest.
Discovering My Voice: The Honest Single Parent Platform
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: finding your niche is everything. And my niche? It found me. I became the real one.
I started creating content about the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I didn't change pants for days because laundry felt impossible. Or the time I let them eat Lucky Charms for dinner all week and called it "breakfast for dinner week." 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 is six years old.
My content was raw. My lighting was awful. I filmed on a ancient iPhone. But it was authentic, and apparently, that's what connected.
Two months later, I hit ten thousand followers. Three months later, 50,000. By half a year, I'd crossed a hundred thousand. Each milestone felt surreal. People who wanted to hear what I had to say. Me—a struggling single mom who had to figure this out from zero months before.
A Day in the Life: Balancing Content and Chaos
Here's the reality of my typical day, because creating content solo is totally different from those perfect "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm screams. I do want to throw my phone, but this is my precious quiet time. I make coffee that I'll reheat three times, and I start filming. Sometimes it's a morning routine discussing financial reality. Sometimes it's me cooking while sharing custody stuff. The lighting is natural and terrible.
7:00am: Kids get up. Content creation goes on hold. Now I'm in mommy mode—cooking eggs, hunting for that one shoe (seriously, always ONE), throwing food in bags, stopping fights. The chaos is overwhelming.
8:30am: Carpool line. I'm that mom creating content in traffic when stopped. I know, I know, but content waits for no one.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my power window. I'm alone finally. I'm editing content, being social, planning content, pitching brands, checking analytics. They believe content creation is just posting videos. It's not. It's a whole business.
I usually batch content on Monday and Wednesday. That means making a dozen videos in one go. I'll switch outfits so it appears to be different times. Life hack: Keep multiple tops nearby for quick changes. My neighbors must think I'm insane, filming myself talking to my phone in the parking lot.
3:00pm: Pickup time. Mom mode activated. But plot twist—many times my biggest hits come from these after-school moments. Just last week, my daughter had a complete meltdown in Target because I couldn't afford a $40 toy. I created a video in the parking lot later about surviving tantrums as a solo parent. It got millions of views.
Evening: All the evening things. I'm generally wiped out to make videos, but I'll queue up posts, check DMs, or strategize. Many nights, after bedtime, I'll work late because a brand deadline is looming.
The truth? No such thing as balance. It's just managed chaos with random wins.
The Financial Reality: How I Really Earn Money
Okay, let's talk numbers because this is what everyone's curious about. Can you make a living as a creator? For sure. Is it straightforward? Nope.
My first month, I made nothing. Second month? Still nothing. Third month, I got my first collaboration—one hundred fifty dollars to feature a meal kit service. I cried real tears. That one-fifty covered food.
Now, three years later, here's how I monetize:
Sponsored Content: This is my largest income stream. I work with brands that align with my audience—things that help, mom products, kid essentials. I ask for anywhere from $500-5K per collaboration, depending on what's required. This past month, I did four partnerships and made eight thousand dollars.
Ad Money: The TikTok fund pays basically nothing—$200-$400 per month for massive numbers. AdSense is way better. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that took forever.
Affiliate Links: I promote products to items I love—everything from my go-to coffee machine to the beds my kids use. If anyone buys, I get a kickback. This brings in about $800-$1200/month.
Digital Products: I created a financial planner and a meal planning ebook. Each costs $15, and I sell fifty to a hundred per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.
Coaching/Consulting: Aspiring influencers pay me to teach them the ropes. I offer private coaching for $200 hourly. I do about 5-10 per month.
Combined monthly revenue: Generally, I'm making $10,000-15,000 per month now. It varies, some are lower. It's up and down, which is stressful when you're the only income source. But it's three times what I made at my previous job, and I'm home when my kids need me.
The Dark Side Nobody Talks About
Content creation sounds glamorous until you're losing it because a post got no views, or managing hate comments from random people.
The negativity is intense. I've been mom-shamed, told I'm using my children, told I'm fake about being a single mom. A commenter wrote, "Maybe that's why he left." That one stuck with me.
The platform changes. One month you're getting millions of views. Then suddenly, you're barely hitting 1K. Your income is unstable. You're always on, always "on", afraid to pause, you'll lose momentum.
The mom guilt is worse exponentially. Every upload, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Am I doing right by them? Will they hate me for this when they're teenagers? I have firm rules—no faces of my kids without permission, no discussing their personal struggles, nothing humiliating. But the line is fuzzy.
The exhaustion is real. There are weeks when I can't create. When I'm done, talked out, and at my limit. But bills don't care about burnout. So I create anyway.
The Wins
But the truth is—despite the hard parts, this journey has created things I never imagined.
Financial stability for the first time in my life. I'm not loaded, but I paid off $18,000 in debt. I have an cushion. We took a family trip last summer—Disney World, which I never thought possible a couple years back. I don't dread checking my balance anymore.
Time freedom that's priceless. When my boy was sick last month, I didn't have to call in to work or lose income. I worked anywhere. When there's a class party, I attend. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I wasn't with a normal job.
Community that saved me. The fellow creators I've befriended, especially other single parents, have become my people. We support each other, exchange tips, support each other. My followers have become this amazing support system. They celebrate my wins, encourage me through rough patches, and validate me.
Identity beyond "mom". After years, I have something that's mine. I'm not just an ex or just a mom. I'm a content creator. A creator. Someone who built something from nothing.
Advice for Aspiring Creators
If you're a single mom considering content creation, here's my advice:
Start before you're ready. Your first videos will be trash. Mine did. Everyone starts there. You learn by doing, not by waiting until everything is perfect.
Keep it real. People a detailed post can spot fake. Share your real life—the mess. That's what works.
Protect your kids. Establish boundaries. Be intentional. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I never share their names, protect their faces, and respect their dignity.
Don't rely on one thing. Don't put all eggs in one basket or a single source. The algorithm is unpredictable. Multiple income streams = stability.
Film multiple videos. When you have quiet time, create multiple pieces. Future you will appreciate it when you're unable to film.
Interact. Respond to comments. Reply to messages. Create connections. Your community is everything.
Monitor what works. Not all content is worth creating. If something is time-intensive and gets nothing while something else takes no time and blows up, pivot.
Prioritize yourself. You matter too. Rest. Set boundaries. Your wellbeing matters more than anything.
This takes time. This is a marathon. It took me ages to make any real money. My first year, I made $15K total. Year two, $80K. Year 3, I'm projected for $100K+. It's a process.
Remember why you started. On hard days—and they happen—remember your reason. For me, it's financial freedom, being present, and proving to myself that I'm capable of anything.
The Reality Check
Look, I'm keeping it 100. Being a single mom creator is challenging. So damn hard. You're basically running a business while being the single caregiver of kids who need everything.
There are days I question everything. Days when the trolls affect me. Days when I'm burnt out and wondering if I should just get a "normal" job with insurance.
But but then my daughter says she loves that I'm home. Or I see financial progress. Or I receive a comment from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I remember my purpose.
The Future
A few years back, I was terrified and clueless how to make it work. Currently, I'm a full-time content creator making way more than I made in traditional work, and I'm available when they need me.
My goals going forward? Hit 500K by this year. Launch a podcast for other single moms. Write a book eventually. Continue building this business that makes everything possible.
Content creation gave me a path forward when I was desperate. It gave me a way to provide for my family, show up, and build something I'm genuinely proud of. It's unexpected, but it's meant to be.
To all the single moms thinking about starting: Hell yes you can. It won't be easy. You'll consider quitting. But you're currently doing the most difficult thing—parenting solo. You're more capable than you know.
Start imperfect. Be consistent. Keep your boundaries. And know this, you're not just surviving—you're building something incredible.
Gotta go now, I need to go create content about another last-minute project and surprise!. Because that's how it goes—turning chaos into content, one video at a time.
For real. This life? It's worth it. Even if I'm sure there's Goldfish crackers stuck to my laptop right now. That's the dream, one messy video at a time.