Let me spill, being a mom is no joke. But here's the thing? Working to secure the bag while juggling tiny humans who think sleep is optional.
I started my side hustle journey about three years ago when I figured out that my impulse buys were way too frequent. It was time to get cash that was actually mine.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
So, I kicked things off was jumping into virtual assistance. And not gonna lie? It was exactly what I needed. I could get stuff done when the house was finally peaceful, and the only requirement was my laptop and decent wifi.
I started with basic stuff like email sorting, posting on social media, and entering data. Pretty straightforward. My rate was about $20/hour, which felt cheap but when you don't know what you're doing yet, you gotta start somewhere.
The funniest part? There I was on a client call looking like a real businesswoman from the chest up—looking corporate—while wearing my rattiest leggings. Main character energy.
My Etsy Journey
About twelve months in, I decided to try the handmade marketplace scene. All my mom friends seemed to be on Etsy, so I thought "why not me?"
My shop focused on making digital planners and digital art prints. The beauty of printables? You create it once, and it can sell forever. Literally, I've gotten orders at times when I didn't even know.
When I got my first order? I freaked out completely. He came running thinking the house was on fire. Not even close—I was just, cheering about my first five bucks. I'm not embarrassed.
Content Creator Life
After that I started the whole influencer thing. This venture is a marathon not a sprint, trust me on this.
I started a parenting blog where I shared my parenting journey—all of it, no filter. None of that Pinterest-perfect life. Only honest stories about finding mystery stains on everything I own.
Getting readers was a test of patience. At the beginning, it was basically talking to myself. But I kept at it, and slowly but surely, things took off.
These days? I earn income through affiliate links, collaborations, and ad revenue. This past month I made over $2K from my website. Wild, right?
The Social Media Management Game
After I learned my own content, local businesses started reaching out if I could run their social media.
Real talk? Tons of businesses are terrible with social media. They recognize they should be posting, but they don't have time.
I swoop in. I currently run social media for several small companies—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I make posts, queue up posts, engage with followers, and track analytics.
They pay me between $500-1500 per month per client, depending on the scope of work. Here's what's great? I can do most of it from my phone during soccer practice.
Freelance Writing Life
For the wordy folks, freelancing is where it's at. This isn't literary fiction—I'm talking about content writing for businesses.
Brands and websites constantly need fresh content. My assignments have included everything from dental hygiene to copyright. You just need to research, you just need to know how to Google effectively.
On average charge $50-150 per article, depending on how complex it is. When I'm hustling hard this overview I'll write 10-15 articles and bring in $1-2K.
Here's what's wild: I was the person who thought writing was torture. And now I'm making money from copyright. The irony.
Virtual Tutoring
During the pandemic, tutoring went digital. I was a teacher before kids, so this was an obvious choice.
I joined a couple of online tutoring sites. The scheduling is flexible, which is essential when you have children who keep you guessing.
I focus on elementary school stuff. Rates vary from fifteen to thirty bucks per hour depending on which site you use.
Here's what's weird? Occasionally my kids will crash my tutoring session mid-session. I've had to teach fractions while my toddler screamed about the wrong color cup. The families I work with are incredibly understanding because they understand mom life.
The Reselling Game
Alright, this side gig I stumbled into. During a massive cleanout my kids' things and listed some clothes on various apps.
Items moved immediately. I suddenly understood: you can sell literally anything.
These days I shop at secondhand stores and sales, on the hunt for quality items. I purchase something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
Is it a lot of work? Yes. There's photographing, listing, and shipping. But it's strangely fulfilling about finding hidden treasures at Goodwill and turning a profit.
Additionally: the kids think it's neat when I bring home interesting finds. Just last week I scored a vintage toy that my son absolutely loved. Made $45 on it. Score one for mom.
Real Talk Time
Let me keep it real: side hustles take work. The word 'hustle' is there for a reason.
Certain days when I'm running on empty, questioning my life choices. I'm working before sunrise getting stuff done while it's quiet, then handling mom duties, then back to work after 8pm hits.
But here's the thing? I earned this money. I don't have to ask permission to get the good coffee. I'm adding to our household income. I'm teaching my children that you can be both.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
If you're thinking about a side gig, here's what I'd tell you:
Begin with something manageable. Avoid trying to juggle ten things. Start with one venture and nail it down before taking on more.
Work with your schedule. Your available hours, that's okay. Two hours of focused work is more than enough to start.
Don't compare yourself to other moms. That mom with the six-figure side hustle? She's been grinding forever and has support. Stay in your lane.
Spend money on education, but strategically. There are tons of free resources. Avoid dropping $5,000 on a coaching program until you've tried things out.
Batch tasks together. This changed everything. Use time blocks for different things. Monday might be writing day. Wednesday might be organizing and responding.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
I have to be real with you—guilt is part of this. Certain moments when I'm working and my kid wants attention, and I hate it.
But I think about that I'm modeling for them that hard work matters. I'm demonstrating to my children that you can be both.
Plus? Earning independently has improved my mental health. I'm more satisfied, which translates to better parenting.
Let's Talk Money
So what do I actually make? Typically, total from all sources, I earn three to five thousand monthly. Some months are lower, some are tougher.
Is this getting-rich money? Not exactly. But this money covers vacations, home improvements, and that emergency vet bill that would've stressed us out. Plus it's creating opportunities and expertise that could become a full-time thing.
Wrapping This Up
Listen, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship takes work. There's no such thing as a magic formula. Most days I'm making it up as I go, surviving on coffee, and praying it all works out.
But I don't regret it. Each bit of income is validation of my effort. It demonstrates that I have identity beyond motherhood.
If you're on the fence about diving into this? Start now. Start before it's perfect. Your tomorrow self will be grateful.
Don't forget: You're more than surviving—you're creating something amazing. Even when there's probably old cheerios in your workspace.
Seriously. This mom hustle life is the life, chaos and all.
From Survival Mode to Content Creator: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—becoming a single mom wasn't part of my five-year plan. I never expected to be building a creator business. But fast forward to now, three years into this wild journey, paying bills by being vulnerable on the internet while handling everything by myself. And real talk? It's been life-changing in every way of my life.
Rock Bottom: When Everything Fell Apart
It was a few years ago when my marriage ended. I will never forget sitting in my new apartment (he took the couch, I got the kids' art projects), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids slept. I had $847 in my checking account, little people counting on me, and a job that barely covered rent. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I'd been mindlessly scrolling to numb the pain—because that's how we cope? when we're drowning, right?—when I found this woman sharing how she became debt-free through making videos. I remember thinking, "That can't be real."
But being broke makes you bold. Or stupid. Probably both.
I downloaded the TikTok studio app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, talking about how I'd just used my last twelve bucks on a pack of chicken nuggets and fruit snacks for my kids' school lunches. I shared it and felt sick. Why would anyone care about someone's train wreck of a life?
Spoiler alert, thousands of people.
That video got forty-seven thousand views. 47,000 people watched me nearly cry over frozen nuggets. The comments section became this unexpected source of support—fellow solo parents, people living the same reality, all saying "same." That was my lightbulb moment. People didn't want perfect. They wanted authentic.
Finding My Niche: The Real Mom Life Brand
The truth is about content creation: your niche matters. And my niche? It found me. I became the unfiltered single mom.
I started filming the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I didn't change pants for days because laundry felt impossible. Or when I served cereal as a meal several days straight and called it "breakfast for dinner week." Or that moment when my child asked why we don't live with dad, and I had to discuss divorce to a kid who thinks the tooth fairy is real.
My content was rough. My lighting was trash. I filmed on a phone with a broken screen. But it was real, and apparently, that's what hit.
Within two months, I hit 10,000 followers. Month three, 50,000. By six months, I'd crossed a hundred thousand. Each milestone felt surreal. Actual humans who wanted to know my story. Little old me—a broke single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" months before.
A Day in the Life: Juggling Everything
Here's what it actually looks like of my typical day, because creating content solo is the opposite of those curated "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm screams. I do want to throw my phone, but this is my work time. I make coffee that will get cold, and I start filming. Sometimes it's a morning routine talking about budgeting. Sometimes it's me cooking while discussing dealing with my ex. The lighting is whatever natural light comes through my kitchen window.
7:00am: Kids wake up. Content creation ends. Now I'm in mommy mode—pouring cereal, locating lost items (where do they go), packing lunches, referee duties. The chaos is intense.
8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom making videos while driving at red lights. I know, I know, but content waits for no one.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. Kids are at school. I'm editing content, responding to comments, brainstorming content ideas, reaching out to brands, reviewing performance. Everyone assumes content creation is only filming. Absolutely not. It's a full business.
I usually batch-create content on certain days. That means filming 10-15 videos in a few hours. I'll change shirts between videos so it seems like separate days. Advice: Keep multiple tops nearby for outfit changes. My neighbors think I've lost it, making videos in public in the yard.
3:00pm: Getting the kids. Back to parenting. But this is where it's complicated—sometimes my best content ideas come from this time. A few days ago, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I couldn't afford a $40 toy. I made content in the car after about managing big emotions as a single mom. It got 2.3 million views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm completely exhausted to film, but I'll schedule content, check DMs, or outline content. 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 random wins.
Income Breakdown: How I Actually Make a Living
Look, let's get into the finances because this is what you're wondering. Can you really earn income as a content creator? For sure. Is it straightforward? Not even close.
My first month, I made zilch. Second month? Zero. Month three, I got my first collaboration—a hundred and fifty bucks to share a meal delivery. I cried real tears. That one-fifty fed us.
Now, three years in, here's how I generate revenue:
Brand Partnerships: This is my primary income. I work with brands that make sense—affordable stuff, single-parent resources, kid essentials. I ask for anywhere from five hundred to five thousand dollars per collaboration, depending on what they need. Last month, I did four partnerships and made eight grand.
Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: Creator fund pays very little—maybe $200-400 per month for millions of views. AdSense is way better. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that was a long process.
Affiliate Income: I share links to products I actually use—ranging from my beloved coffee maker to the bunk beds in their room. If they buy using my link, I get a cut. This brings in about $1K monthly.
Info Products: I created a single mom budget planner and a cooking guide. They sell for fifteen dollars, and I sell fifty to a hundred per month. That's another $1-1.5K.
One-on-One Coaching: Aspiring influencers pay me to guide them. I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for two hundred per hour. I do about 5-10 per month.
Combined monthly revenue: Generally, I'm making $10,000-15,000 per month these days. Some months I make more, some are tougher. It's up and down, which is scary when you're solo. But it's three times what I made at my corporate job, and I'm available for my kids.
What They Don't Show Nobody Shows You
It looks perfect online until you're having a breakdown because a video flopped, or dealing with hate comments from random people.
The haters are brutal. I've been called a bad mom, told I'm using my children, called a liar about being a divorced parent. A commenter wrote, "No wonder he left." That one destroyed me.
The algorithm is unpredictable. Certain periods you're getting insane views. Then suddenly, you're barely hitting 1K. Your income is unstable. You're always creating, always working, afraid to pause, you'll lose momentum.
The guilt is crushing exponentially. Each post, I wonder: Is this too much? Are my kids safe? Will they be angry about this when they're older? I have clear boundaries—limited face shots, no discussing their personal struggles, protecting their dignity. But the line is blurry sometimes.
The exhaustion is real. Sometimes when I have nothing. When I'm exhausted, over it, and totally spent. But bills don't care about burnout. So I show up anyway.
What Makes It Worth It
But here's the thing—through it all, this journey has created things I never dreamed of.
Economic stability for the first time ever. I'm not rich, but I paid off $18,000 in debt. I have an emergency fund. We took a actual vacation last summer—Disney World, which seemed impossible two years ago. I don't stress about my account anymore.
Schedule freedom that's priceless. When my son got sick last month, I didn't have to use PTO or stress about losing pay. I worked anywhere. When there's a class party, I'm present. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I wasn't able to be with a regular job.
Support that saved me. The other influencers I've found, especially solo parents, have become actual friends. We connect, help each other, have each other's backs. My followers have become this beautiful community. They celebrate my wins, lift me up, and show me I'm not alone.
Something that's mine. Finally, I have something that's mine. I'm more than an ex or just a mom. I'm a entrepreneur. A businesswoman. Someone who made it happen.
My Best Tips
If you're a single mom curious about this, here's what I'd tell you:
Start before you're ready. Your first videos will suck. Mine did. Everyone starts there. You get better, not by waiting.
Authenticity wins. People can smell fake from a mile away. Share your honest life—the unfiltered truth. That's what works.
Keep them safe. Create rules. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is sacred. I never share their names, protect their faces, and protect their stories.
Diversify income streams. Don't rely on just one platform or one way to earn. The algorithm is unreliable. Multiple income streams = stability.
Create in batches. When you have time alone, record several. Tomorrow you will thank present you when you're drained.
Build community. Reply to comments. Reply to messages. Be real with them. Your community is crucial.
Monitor what works. Some content isn't worth it. If something is time-intensive and flops while another video takes 20 minutes and goes viral, shift focus.
Take care of yourself. You need to fill your cup. Take breaks. Guard your energy. Your sanity matters more than going viral.
Stay patient. This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It took me eight months to make any real money. My first year, I made barely $15,000. Year 2, eighty grand. Year 3, I'm projected for $100K+. It's a long game.
Stay connected to your purpose. On bad days—and there will be many—think about your why. For me, it's supporting my kids, flexibility with my kids, and demonstrating that I'm capable of anything.
Real Talk Time
Listen, I'm keeping it 100. Being a single mom creator is challenging. Really hard. You're managing a business while being the only parent of demanding little people.
Some days I wonder what I'm doing. Days when the nasty comments affect me. Days when I'm burnt out and asking myself if I should quit this with consistent income.
But but then my daughter says she appreciates this. Or I see financial progress. Or I read a message from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I understand the impact.
What's Next
Years ago, I was broke, scared, and had no idea how I'd survive as a single mom. Now, I'm a full-time creator making triple what I earned in my old job, and I'm present for everything.
My goals for the future? Reach 500K by end of year. Create a podcast for solo parents. Maybe write a book. Keep growing this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
Being a creator gave me a path forward when I needed it most. It gave me a way to provide for my family, be there, and build something I'm genuinely proud of. It's not what I planned, but it's perfect.
To all the single moms wondering if you can do this: Yes you can. It will be hard. You'll struggle. But you're managing the hardest job—single parenting. You're more capable than you know.
Jump in messy. Stay the course. Guard your peace. And don't forget, you're beyond survival mode—you're changing your life.
BRB, I need to go create content about another last-minute project and I just learned about it. Because that's the content creator single mom life—chaos becomes content, one post at a time.
No cap. Being a single mom creator? It's the best decision. Despite there's probably old snacks in my keyboard. No regrets, chaos and all.