Let me tell you, being a mom is no joke. But plot twist? Working to hustle for money while juggling children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.
I entered the side gig world about three years ago when I realized that my Target runs were getting out of hand. I was desperate for cash that was actually mine.
The Virtual Assistant Life
Okay so, my first gig was becoming a virtual assistant. And I'll be real? It was ideal. I could get stuff done when the house was finally peaceful, and the only requirement was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
I began by simple tasks like handling emails, scheduling social media posts, and basic admin work. Pretty straightforward. I started at about fifteen to twenty bucks hourly, which seemed low but as a total beginner, you gotta start somewhere.
What cracked me up? Picture this: me on a Zoom call looking like I had my life together from the shoulders up—business casual vibes—while sporting sweatpants. Peak mom life.
My Etsy Journey
About twelve months in, I wanted to explore the whole Etsy thing. All my mom friends seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I was like "why not join the party?"
I created designing PDF planners and home decor prints. The beauty of printables? Design it once, and it can make money while you sleep. Literally, I've earned money at times when I didn't even know.
My first sale? I literally screamed. He came running thinking I'd injured myself. Negative—it was just me, cheering about my first five bucks. No shame in my game.
The Content Creation Grind
Then I got into the whole influencer thing. This one is playing the long game, trust me on this.
I began a family lifestyle blog where I wrote about what motherhood actually looks like—all of it, no filter. No Instagram-perfect nonsense. Simply honest stories about finding mystery stains on everything I own.
Building traffic was painfully slow. At the beginning, I was essentially writing for myself and like three people. But I kept at it, and eventually, things began working.
At this point? I make money through affiliate links, collaborations, and display ads. Recently I brought in over $2,000 from my blog income. Mind-blowing, right?
SMM Side Hustle
As I mastered social media for my own stuff, other businesses started reaching out if I could run their social media.
Here's the thing? Most small businesses struggle with social media. They understand they have to be on it, but they don't have time.
Enter: me. I now manage social media for several small companies—different types of businesses. I develop content, schedule posts, respond to comments, and analyze the metrics.
They pay me between $500-$1500/month per client, depending on the scope of work. What I love? I handle this from my phone during soccer practice.
Writing for Money
For those who can string sentences together, writing gigs is seriously profitable. This isn't literary fiction—this is blog posts, articles, website copy, product descriptions.
Websites and businesses constantly need fresh content. I've written everything from the most random topics. Google is your best friend, you just need to be good at research.
I typically bill $0.10-0.50 per word, depending on length and complexity. Certain months I'll crank out fifteen articles and make one to two thousand extra.
The funny thing is: I was that student who thought writing was torture. Currently I'm a professional writer. Life's funny like that.
The Online Tutoring Thing
When COVID hit, everyone needed online help. I was a teacher before kids, so this was perfect for me.
I started working with VIPKid and Tutor.com. You choose when you work, which is non-negotiable when you have kids with unpredictable schedules.
My sessions are usually basic subjects. Rates vary from fifteen to thirty bucks per hour depending on which site you use.
The funny thing? There are times when my own kids will interrupt mid-session. There was a time I be professional while chaos erupted behind me. The families I work with are incredibly understanding because they're living the same life.
Flipping Items for Profit
So, this one I stumbled into. I was cleaning out my kids' closet and listed some clothes on various apps.
Stuff sold out instantly. I suddenly understood: one person's trash is another's treasure.
Currently I hit up secondhand stores and sales, looking for quality items. I'll find something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
This takes effort? Not gonna lie. It's a whole process. But it's strangely fulfilling about spotting valuable items at a garage sale and making profit.
Additionally: my kids are impressed when I bring home interesting finds. Recently I grabbed a retro toy that my son freaked out about. Sold it for $45. Mom for the win.
The Honest Reality
Here's the thing nobody tells you: side hustles aren't passive income. There's work involved, hence the name.
Some days when I'm exhausted, questioning my life choices. I'm working before sunrise hustling before the chaos starts, then handling mom duties, then back to work after the kids are asleep.
But you know what? That money is MINE. I don't have to ask permission to treat myself. I'm contributing to my family's finances. My kids are learning that you can be both.
Tips if You're Starting Out
If you're considering a hustle of your own, here's my advice:
Don't go all in immediately. Don't try to launch everything simultaneously. Pick one thing and get good at it before adding more.
Work with your schedule. If you only have evenings, that's totally valid. Two hours of focused work is better than nothing.
Avoid comparing yourself to Instagram moms. That mom with the six-figure side hustle? She's been grinding forever and has resources you don't see. Do your thing.
Don't be afraid to invest, but wisely. Start with free stuff first. Don't waste massive amounts on training until you've tested the waters.
Batch tasks together. I learned this the hard way. Dedicate time blocks for different things. Use Monday for making stuff day. Wednesday might be handling business stuff.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
Real talk—the mom guilt is real. There are days when I'm hustling and my child is calling for me, and I feel guilty.
But I consider that I'm modeling for them work ethic. I'm showing my daughter that motherhood doesn't mean giving up your identity.
And honestly? Financial independence has been good for me. I'm more fulfilled, which makes me a better parent.
The Numbers
The real numbers? Typically, between all my hustles, I pull in three to the online guide five thousand monthly. Certain months are higher, some are slower.
Is this millionaire money? Nope. But I've used it for vacations, home improvements, and that emergency vet bill that would've been impossible otherwise. Plus it's giving me confidence and skills 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 perfect balance. Most days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, powered by caffeine, and hoping for the best.
But I'm glad I'm doing this. Every penny made is validation of my effort. It's evidence that I have identity beyond motherhood.
So if you're considering launching a mom business? Start now. Start before it's perfect. You in six months will thank you.
And remember: You aren't only enduring—you're creating something amazing. Even when there's probably snack crumbs everywhere.
Not even kidding. It's the life, despite the chaos.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
Here's the truth—being a single parent was never the plan. Neither was building a creator business. But here we are, years into this crazy ride, earning income by posting videos while raising two kids basically solo. And not gonna lie? It's been the most terrifying, empowering, and unexpected blessing of my life.
How It Started: When Everything Fell Apart
It was 2022 when my life exploded. I can still picture sitting in my mostly empty place (he got the furniture, I got the memories), wide awake at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had barely $850 in my account, two kids to support, and a salary that was a joke. The anxiety was crushing, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to avoid my thoughts—because that's what we do? when everything is chaos, right?—when I found this woman discussing how she changed her life through being a creator. I remember thinking, "No way that's legit."
But rock bottom gives you courage. Or both. Probably both.
I grabbed the TikTok studio app the next morning. My first video? Me, no makeup, messy bun, sharing how I'd just spent my last $12 on a pack of chicken nuggets and fruit snacks for my kids' lunch boxes. I posted it and immediately regretted it. Who gives a damn about my broke reality?
Spoiler alert, tons of people.
That video got nearly 50,000 views. 47,000 people watched me almost lose it over $12 worth of food. The comments section turned into this unexpected source of support—people who got it, folks in the trenches, all saying "me too." That was my lightbulb moment. People didn't want filtered content. They wanted honest.
Building My Platform: The Real Mom Life Brand
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: you need a niche. And my niche? It chose me. I became the mom who tells the truth.
I started sharing the stuff everyone keeps private. Like how I didn't change pants for days because executive dysfunction is real. Or the time I fed my kids cereal for dinner multiple nights and called it "breakfast for dinner week." Or that moment when my child asked about the divorce, and I had to discuss divorce to a kid who is six years old.
My content was raw. My lighting was terrible. I filmed on a ancient iPhone. But it was honest, and turns out, that's what hit.
After sixty days, I hit 10K. Month three, 50,000. By six months, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone blew my mind. People who wanted to follow me. Me—a barely surviving single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" not long ago.
My Daily Reality: Managing It All
Let me paint you a picture of my typical day, because content creation as a single mom is not at all like those curated "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm sounds. I do want to throw my phone, but this is my work time. I make coffee that will get cold, and I begin creating. Sometimes it's a morning routine talking about single mom finances. Sometimes it's me cooking while sharing parenting coordination. The lighting is not great.
7:00am: Kids get up. Content creation ends. Now I'm in mommy mode—pouring cereal, locating lost items (seriously, always ONE), making lunch boxes, referee duties. The chaos is intense.
8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom in the carpool line filming TikToks when stopped. Not proud of this, but content waits for no one.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. Peace and quiet. I'm in editing mode, engaging with followers, ideating, pitching brands, checking analytics. People think content creation is just making TikToks. It's not. It's a full business.
I usually film in batches on certain days. That means shooting multiple videos in one sitting. I'll change shirts between videos so it looks varied. Life hack: Keep wardrobe options close for easy transitions. My neighbors think I've lost it, talking to my camera in the yard.
3:00pm: School pickup. Transition back to mom mode. But plot twist—frequently my best content ideas come from this time. Just last week, my daughter had a massive breakdown in Target because I wouldn't buy a forty dollar toy. I filmed a video in the Target parking lot once we left about dealing with meltdowns as a solo parent. It got 2.3 million views.
Evening: Dinner, homework, bath time, bedtime routines. I'm completely exhausted to create anything, but I'll schedule uploads, respond to DMs, or strategize. Certain nights, after the kids are asleep, I'll work late because a deadline is coming.
The truth? No such thing as balance. It's just chaos with a plan with occasional wins.
Income Breakdown: How I Support My Family
Look, let's talk numbers because this is what everyone's curious about. Can you really earn income as a influencer? For sure. Is it effortless? Nope.
My first month, I made $0. Second month? Zero. Month three, I got my first sponsored post—$150 to promote a meal box. I broke down. That hundred fifty dollars bought groceries for two weeks.
Now, years later, here's how I monetize:
Brand Partnerships: This is my biggest income source. I work with brands that my followers need—things that help, helpful services, family items. I ask for anywhere from $500-5K per deal, depending on what's required. Last month, I did four collabs and made $8K.
TikTok Fund: Creator fund pays basically nothing—two to four hundred per month for huge view counts. YouTube revenue is actually decent. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that took forever.
Link Sharing: I share links to stuff I really use—ranging from my go-to coffee machine to the kids' beds. If anyone buys, I get a kickback. This brings in about $1K monthly.
Online Products: I created a financial planner and a meal planning ebook. They sell for fifteen dollars, and I sell maybe 50-100 per month. That's another $1-1.5K.
Consulting Services: Aspiring influencers pay me to guide them. I offer private coaching for $200 hourly. I do about five to ten each month.
My total income: Typically, I'm making between ten and fifteen grand per month these days. Some months I make more, some are tougher. It's variable, which is scary when you're the only income source. But it's triple what I made at my 9-5, and I'm there for them.
What They Don't Show Nobody Shows You
It looks perfect online until you're crying in your car because a video flopped, or reading nasty DMs from keyboard warriors.
The hate comments are real. I've been called a bad mom, told I'm problematic, questioned about being a solo parent. Someone once commented, "Maybe your husband left because you're annoying." That one stung for days.
The algorithm shifts. Sometimes you're getting huge numbers. The following week, you're lucky to break 1,000. Your income is unstable. You're constantly creating, always working, scared to stop, you'll lose momentum.
The guilt is crushing times a thousand. Each post, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Am I doing right by them? Will they resent this when they're grown? I have clear boundaries—protected identities, keeping their stories private, protecting their dignity. But the line is blurry sometimes.
The burnout is real. Certain periods when I have nothing. When I'm done, talked out, and totally spent. But life doesn't stop. So I create anyway.
The Unexpected Blessings
But here's what's real—even with the struggles, this journey has created things I never imagined.
Financial freedom for the first time ever. I'm not rich, but I became debt-free. I have an emergency fund. We took a vacation last summer—the Mouse House, which felt impossible a couple years back. I don't stress about my account anymore.
Control that's priceless. When my boy was sick last month, I didn't have to call in to work or worry about money. I worked from the doctor's office. When there's a class party, I'm there. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I couldn't manage with a corporate job.
Community that saved me. The fellow creators I've connected with, especially other moms, have become true friends. We vent, help each other, lift each other up. My followers have become this incredible cheerleading squad. They support me, send love, and show me I'm not alone.
Identity beyond "mom". Finally, I have my own thing. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or just a mom. I'm a entrepreneur. A creator. Someone who created this.
Advice for Aspiring Creators
If you're a solo parent curious about this, listen up:
Just start. Your first videos will be awful. Mine did. It's fine. You grow through creating, not by overthinking.
Be yourself. People can smell fake from a mile away. Share your honest life—the unfiltered truth. That's what works.
Guard their privacy. Set limits. Know your limits. Their privacy is everything. I keep names private, limit face shots, and respect their dignity.
Don't rely on one thing. Don't put all eggs in one basket or one income stream. The algorithm is unreliable. Multiple income streams = stability.
Create in batches. When you have quiet time, film multiple videos. Tomorrow you will be grateful when you're unable to film.
Connect with followers. Respond to comments. Respond to DMs. Build real relationships. Your community is crucial.
Track your time and ROI. Time is money. If something takes forever and flops while another video takes no time and blows up, change tactics.
Prioritize yourself. Self-care isn't selfish. Take breaks. Set boundaries. Your sanity matters more than anything.
Give it time. This is a marathon. It took me half a year to make meaningful money. The first year, I made maybe $15,000 total. Year 2, eighty thousand. This year, I'm projected for $100K+. It's a long game.
Know your why. On tough days—and they happen—recall your purpose. For me, it's independence, being present, and showing myself that I'm capable of anything.
Being Real With You
Real talk, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. This life is hard. Like, really freaking hard. You're running a whole business while being the only parent of kids who need everything.
There are days I wonder what I'm doing. Days when the negativity hurt. Days when I'm drained and questioning if I should get a regular job with insurance.
But then my daughter mentions she's happy I'm here. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I see a message from a follower saying my content helped her leave an unhealthy relationship. And I remember my purpose.
What's Next
Years ago, I was lost and broke how I'd survive as a single mom. Fast forward, I'm a content creator making way more than I made in my 9-5, and I'm available when they need me.
My goals moving forward? Hit 500,000 followers by end of year. Create a podcast for single moms. Possibly write a book. Expand this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
This journey gave me a way out when I needed it most. It gave me a way to support my kids, be available, and create something meaningful. It's not what I planned, but it's where I belong.
To every single mom out there wondering if you can do this: You absolutely can. It will be hard. You'll doubt yourself. But you're currently doing the toughest gig—parenting solo. You're stronger than you think.
Begin messy. Stay the course. Guard your peace. And don't forget, you're doing more than surviving—you're building something incredible.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go make a video about homework I forgot about and surprise!. Because that's how it goes—content from the mess, one video at a time.
Seriously. This life? It's worth it. Even when there might be old snacks in my keyboard. Dream life, chaos and all.