Let me spill, being a mom is absolutely wild. But here's the thing? Working to hustle for money while handling tiny humans who think sleep is optional.
I entered the side gig world about several years ago when I figured out that my random shopping trips were reaching dangerous levels. I had to find cash that was actually mine.
The Virtual Assistant Life
Here's what happened, I kicked things off was jumping into virtual assistance. And real talk? It was ideal. It let me work during naptime, and literally all it took was a computer and internet.
Initially I was doing basic stuff like email sorting, posting on social media, and basic admin work. Pretty straightforward. I charged about $15-20 per hour, which seemed low but when you don't know what you're doing yet, you gotta build up your portfolio.
What cracked me up? I'd be on a video meeting looking like I had my life together from the waist up—full professional mode—while sporting pajama bottoms. That's the dream honestly.
My Etsy Journey
Once I got comfortable, I wanted to explore the Etsy world. All my mom friends seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I thought "why not me?"
I started designing printable planners and wall art. Here's why printables are amazing? Design it once, and it can keep selling indefinitely. Actually, I've made sales at times when I didn't even know.
My first sale? I actually yelled. My husband thought there was an emergency. Not even close—just me, cheering about my glorious $4.99. No shame in my game.
Blogging and Creating
Then I discovered blogging and content creation. This hustle is playing the long game, real talk.
I started a blog about motherhood where I wrote about real mom life—everything unfiltered. None of that Pinterest-perfect life. Only the actual truth about how I once found a chicken nugget in my bra.
Building traffic was a test of patience. At the beginning, I was essentially writing for myself and like three people. But I persisted, and after a while, things began working.
Currently? I make money through affiliate links, brand partnerships, and ad revenue. This past month I generated over two grand from my blog income. Mind-blowing, right?
SMM Side Hustle
Once I got decent at managing my blog's social media, other businesses started asking if I could help them.
Truth bomb? A lot of local businesses don't understand social media. They know they need to be there, but they don't know how.
That's where I come in. I oversee social media for three local businesses—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I create content, queue up posts, handle community management, and track analytics.
I charge between five hundred to fifteen hundred monthly per business, depending on the complexity. What I love? I handle this from my phone while sitting in the carpool line.
Writing for Money
If you can write, freelancing is a goldmine. Not like literary fiction—I mean blog posts, articles, website copy, product descriptions.
Websites and businesses always need writers. My assignments have included everything from dental hygiene to copyright. You just need to research, you just need to be able to learn quickly.
Generally charge $0.10-0.50 per word, depending on how complex it is. On good months I'll write ten to fifteen pieces and pull in one to two thousand extra.
Here's what's wild: I was that student who barely passed English class. And now I'm making money from copyright. Life's funny like that.
Virtual Tutoring
2020 changed everything, everyone needed online help. As a former educator, so this was an obvious choice.
I signed up with various tutoring services. The scheduling is flexible, which is absolutely necessary when you have unpredictable little ones.
I mainly help with elementary reading and math. Rates vary from fifteen to thirty bucks per hour depending on the company.
What's hilarious? Sometimes my kids will crash my tutoring session mid-session. I've had to maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. My clients are incredibly understanding because they get it.
Reselling and Flipping
Okay, this one wasn't planned. During a massive cleanout my kids' stuff and put some things on Facebook Marketplace.
They sold so fast. Lightbulb moment: one person's trash is another's treasure.
Currently I frequent thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, looking for name brands. I'll find something for a few dollars and make serious profit.
It's definitely work? Not gonna lie. You're constantly listing and shipping. But I find it rewarding about discovering a diamond in the rough at a garage sale and making money.
Bonus: my children are fascinated when I find unique items. Last week I discovered a vintage toy that my son freaked out about. Flipped it for forty-five bucks. Victory for mom.
The Honest Reality
Let me keep it real: side hustles take work. There's work involved, hence the name.
Some days when I'm exhausted, questioning my life choices. I'm working before sunrise working before my kids wake up, then doing all the mom stuff, then back at it after everyone's in bed.
But here's the thing? This income is mine. No permission needed to splurge on something nice. I'm supporting the family budget. I'm teaching my children that you can be both.
What I Wish I Knew
If you want to start a mom hustle, here's my advice:
Start with one thing. Avoid trying to juggle ten things. Pick one thing and nail it down before taking on more.
Work with your schedule. Your available hours, that's fine. 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 support. Run your own race.
Invest in yourself, but smartly. Free information exists. Be careful about spending massive amounts on training until you've proven the concept.
Do similar tasks together. This is crucial. Use certain times for certain work. Use Monday for content creation day. Make Wednesday administrative work.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
I'm not gonna lie—mom guilt is a thing. Sometimes when I'm working and my kid wants attention, and I feel guilty.
But I think about that I'm teaching them what dedication looks like. I'm demonstrating to my children that motherhood doesn't mean giving up your identity.
And honestly? Making my own money has helped me feel more like myself. I'm more satisfied, which translates to better parenting.
Let's Talk Money
My actual income? On average, total from all sources, I earn $3,000-5,000 per month. Some months are lower, some are slower.
Is this millionaire money? Not exactly. But it's paid for stuff that matters to us that would've stressed us out. And it's building my skills and expertise that could become a full-time thing.
Wrapping This Up
Here's the bottom line, being a mom with a side hustle isn't easy. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach. A lot of days I'm making it up as I go, fueled by espresso and stubbornness, and praying it all works out.
But I'm proud of this journey. Every single dollar earned is evidence of my capability. It shows that I'm not just someone's mother.
If you're thinking about diving into this? Take the leap. Don't wait for perfect. Future you will appreciate it.
And remember: You're not just enduring—you're building something. Even when there's probably snack crumbs on your keyboard.
Seriously. The whole thing is the life, mess included.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
Here's the truth—single motherhood wasn't the dream. I also didn't plan on building a creator business. But fast forward to now, three years into this wild journey, paying bills by posting videos while doing this mom thing solo. And honestly? It's been the best worst decision of my life.
How It Started: When Everything Changed
It was three years ago when my divorce happened. I will never forget sitting in my bare apartment (I kept the kids' stuff, he took everything else), wide awake at 2am while my kids were passed out. I had $847 in my account, two mouths to feed, and a job that barely covered rent. The panic was real, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to numb the pain—because that's what we do? in crisis mode, right?—when I stumbled on this solo parent sharing how she paid off $30,000 in debt through making videos. I remember thinking, "That's either a scam or she's incredibly lucky."
But rock bottom gives you courage. Or both. Sometimes both.
I got the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Me, no makeup, messy bun, talking about how I'd just put my last twelve dollars on a frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' lunches. I uploaded it and wanted to delete it. Why would anyone care about this disaster?
Plot twist, way more people than I expected.
That video got forty-seven thousand views. Forty-seven thousand people watched me get emotional over chicken nuggets. The comments section was this validation fest—people who got it, people living the same reality, all saying "I feel this." That was my lightbulb moment. People didn't want filtered content. They wanted real.
My Brand Evolution: The Real Mom Life Brand
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? It happened organically. I became the unfiltered single mom.
I started creating content about the stuff everyone keeps private. Like how I didn't change pants for days because I couldn't handle laundry. Or the time I gave them breakfast for dinner several days straight and called it "creative meal planning." Or that moment when my six-year-old asked about the divorce, and I had to have big conversations to a kid who still believes in Santa.
My content wasn't polished. My lighting was terrible. I filmed on a busted phone. But it was unfiltered, and turns out, that's what connected.
Within two months, I hit 10,000 followers. 90 days in, 50,000. By six months, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone felt surreal. Real accounts who wanted to listen to me. Little old me—a struggling single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" recently.
My Daily Reality: Managing It All
Here's the reality of my typical day, because content creation as a single mom is not at all like those pretty "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm blares. I do want to throw my phone, but this is my work time. I make coffee that I'll microwave repeatedly, and I start recording. Sometimes it's a getting ready video sharing about money struggles. Sometimes it's me prepping lunches while venting about parenting coordination. The lighting is whatever natural light comes through my kitchen window.
7:00am: Kids emerge. Content creation ends. Now I'm in survival mode—feeding humans, hunting for that one shoe (where do they go), packing lunches, referee duties. The chaos is overwhelming.
8:30am: Getting them to school. I'm that mom making videos while driving when stopped. Not my proudest moment, but I gotta post.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. I'm alone finally. I'm cutting clips, responding to comments, ideating, reaching out to brands, looking at stats. Folks imagine content creation is just posting videos. Absolutely not. It's a full business.
I usually create multiple videos on Mondays and Wednesdays. That means shooting multiple videos in one go. I'll switch outfits so it seems like separate days. Life hack: Keep wardrobe options close for easy transitions. My neighbors think I've lost it, making videos in public in the backyard.
3:00pm: Picking them up. Mom mode activated. But here's the thing—often my viral videos come from real life. Just last week, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I couldn't afford a toy she didn't need. I recorded in the parking lot after about dealing with meltdowns as a single parent. It got 2.3 million views.
Evening: All the evening things. I'm generally wiped out to create anything, but I'll schedule content, reply to messages, or outline content. Many nights, after they're down, I'll stay up editing because a deadline is coming.
The truth? There's no balance. It's just controlled chaos with moments of success.
The Financial Reality: How I Generate Income
Alright, let's get into the finances because this is what you're wondering. Can you really earn income as a influencer? 100%. Is it simple? Absolutely not.
My first month, I made zilch. Second month? Still nothing. Third month, I got my first sponsored post—one hundred fifty dollars to share a food subscription. I literally cried. That hundred fifty dollars paid for groceries.
Fast forward, years later, here's how I make money:
Collaborations: This is my largest income stream. I work with brands that my followers need—things that help, mom products, children's products. I get paid anywhere from five hundred to five thousand dollars per partnership, depending on the scope. Just last month, I did four brand deals and made eight grand.
Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: Creator fund pays very little—two to four hundred per month for tons of views. YouTube revenue is better. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Link Sharing: I promote products to things I own—ranging from my favorite coffee maker to the kids' beds. If someone purchases through my link, I get a cut. This brings in about $800-$1200/month.
Digital Products: I created a money management guide and a cooking guide. $15 apiece, and I sell 50-100 per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
Coaching/Consulting: New creators pay me to teach them the ropes. I offer 1:1 sessions for $200 hourly. I do about 5-10 a month.
Overall monthly earnings: On average, I'm making between ten and fifteen grand per month these days. It varies, some are lower. It's unpredictable, which is scary when you're it. But it's three times what I made at my previous job, and I'm present.
What They Don't Show Nobody Shows You
Content creation sounds glamorous until you're crying in your car because a video didn't perform, or handling hate comments from internet trolls.
The haters are brutal. I've been told I'm a terrible parent, told I'm using my children, questioned about being a solo parent. One person said, "Maybe that's why he left." That one destroyed me.
The platform changes. One week you're getting huge numbers. Next month, you're getting nothing. Your income is unstable. You're constantly creating, always "on", nervous about slowing down, you'll lose momentum.
The mom guilt is intense exponentially. Everything I share, I wonder: Is this too much? Am I doing right by them? Will the content here they hate me for this when they're teenagers? I have firm rules—protected identities, keeping their stories private, protecting their dignity. But the line is fuzzy.
The burnout hits hard. Sometimes when I am empty. When I'm done, socially drained, and just done. But the mortgage is due. So I create anyway.
What Makes It Worth It
But the truth is—despite everything, this journey has blessed me with things I never dreamed of.
Money security for the first damn time. I'm not a millionaire, but I became debt-free. I have an emergency fund. We took a vacation last summer—Disney, which was a dream not long ago. I don't stress about my account anymore.
Schedule freedom that's priceless. When my kid was ill last month, I didn't have to call in to work or lose income. I worked from the doctor's office. When there's a school thing, I attend. I'm in their lives in ways I wasn't with a corporate job.
Community that saved me. The other influencers I've found, especially single moms, have become real friends. We vent, exchange tips, support each other. My followers have become this incredible cheerleading squad. They hype me up, encourage me through rough patches, and make me feel seen.
Something that's mine. For the first time since having kids, I have an identity. I'm more than an ex or someone's mom. I'm a entrepreneur. A creator. Someone who built something from nothing.
My Best Tips
If you're a single parent considering content creation, here's what I wish someone had told me:
Don't wait. Your first videos will suck. Mine did. That's normal. You learn by doing, not by waiting.
Authenticity wins. People can sense inauthenticity. Share your honest life—the messy, imperfect, chaotic reality. That's what connects.
Protect your kids. Set boundaries early. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is everything. I protect their names, rarely show their faces, and respect their dignity.
Don't rely on one thing. Spread it out or a single source. The algorithm is unpredictable. More streams = less stress.
Create in batches. When you have available time, film multiple videos. Future you will be grateful when you're burnt out.
Interact. Answer comments. Respond to DMs. Be real with them. Your community is what matters.
Monitor what works. Some content isn't worth it. If something takes four hours and gets nothing while a different post takes no time and goes viral, shift focus.
Prioritize yourself. You need to fill your cup. Step away. Create limits. Your wellbeing matters more than going viral.
Be patient. This is a marathon. It took me ages to make real income. My first year, I made barely $15,000. The second year, eighty grand. This year, I'm projected for $100K+. It's a process.
Don't forget your why. On bad days—and trust me, there will be—recall your purpose. For me, it's financial freedom, being there, and proving to myself that I'm capable of more than I thought possible.
Being Real With You
Real talk, I'm keeping it 100. This life is challenging. Like, really freaking hard. You're running a whole business while being the lone caretaker of tiny humans who need you constantly.
There are days I question everything. Days when the nasty comments affect me. Days when I'm exhausted and stressed and asking myself if I should go back to corporate with stability.
But then my daughter shares she's proud that I work from home. Or I look at my savings. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I remember why I do this.
The Future
Years ago, I was lost and broke how to survive. Today, I'm a professional creator making more money than I ever did in traditional work, and I'm available when they need me.
My goals for the future? Hit 500,000 followers by this year. Launch a podcast for single moms. Write a book eventually. Expand this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
Content creation gave me a lifeline when I was desperate. It gave me a way to take care of my children, be available, and build something real. It's unexpected, but it's where I belong.
To every single mom out there thinking about starting: You can. It will be challenging. You'll struggle. But you're already doing the hardest job in the world—doing this alone. You're powerful.
Start messy. Stay consistent. Guard your peace. And remember, you're not just surviving—you're creating something amazing.
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, video by video.
Honestly. This life? It's everything. Even when there's definitely crushed cheerios in my keyboard. Living the dream, chaos and all.