I'm gonna be honest with you, being a mom is literally insane. But plot twist? Working to secure the bag while dealing with children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.
I started my side hustle journey about several years ago when I had the epiphany that my impulse buys were becoming problematic. I was desperate for funds I didn't have to justify spending.
The Virtual Assistant Life
Here's what happened, I started out was becoming a virtual assistant. And honestly? It was perfect. It let me work during naptime, and all I needed was my laptop and decent wifi.
My first tasks were simple tasks like organizing inboxes, doing social media scheduling, and entering data. 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 begin at the bottom.
The funniest part? Picture this: me on a video meeting looking like I had my life together from the chest up—blazer, makeup, the works—while sporting sweatpants. That's the dream honestly.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
About twelve months in, I decided to try the selling on Etsy. Literally everyone seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I thought "why not start one too?"
I started crafting digital planners and digital art prints. What's great about digital products? Make it one time, and it can generate passive income forever. Actually, I've made sales at ungodly hours.
The first time someone bought something? I freaked out completely. My husband thought I'd injured myself. Not even close—just me, celebrating my $4.99 sale. Don't judge me.
The Content Creation Grind
Next I got into blogging and content creation. This particular side gig is not for instant gratification seekers, trust me on this.
I began a blog about motherhood where I documented my parenting journey—the messy truth. Keeping it real. Only honest stories about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Getting readers was a test of patience. For months, it was basically writing for myself and like three people. But I stayed consistent, and over time, things began working.
Currently? I earn income through affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and advertisements on my site. This past month I earned over $2,000 from my website. Mind-blowing, right?
The Social Media Management Game
As I mastered social media for my own stuff, other businesses started inquiring if I could do the same for them.
And honestly? Most small businesses are terrible with social media. They realize they should be posting, but they can't keep up.
This is my moment. I currently run social media for several small companies—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I develop content, queue up posts, respond to comments, and monitor performance.
They pay me between five hundred to a thousand dollars per month per business, depending on the complexity. The best thing? I can do most of it from my phone during soccer practice.
Writing for Money
For the wordy folks, freelance writing is incredibly lucrative. Not like writing the next Great American Novel—I'm talking about commercial writing.
Brands and websites always need writers. I've written everything from subjects I knew nothing about before Googling. You just need to research, you just need to know how to find information.
Generally bill between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on how complex it is. When I'm hustling hard I'll write a dozen articles and bring in an extra $1,000-2,000.
Plot twist: I'm the same person who struggled with essays. Currently I'm a professional writer. Talk about character development.
Virtual Tutoring
During the pandemic, virtual tutoring became huge. With my teaching background, so this was perfect for me.
I registered on various tutoring services. You make your own schedule, which is non-negotiable when you have children who keep you guessing.
I mostly tutor elementary school stuff. The pay ranges from $15-25 per hour depending on the platform.
The awkward part? There are times when my children will interrupt mid-session. There was a time I maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. The families I work with are very sympathetic because they're living the same life.
The Reselling Game
Okay, this particular venture I stumbled into. While organizing my kids' things and tried selling some outfits on copyright.
Things sold within hours. Lightbulb moment: you can sell literally anything.
Currently I hit up thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, hunting for good brands. I purchase something for cheap and resell at a markup.
Is it a lot of work? Not gonna lie. You're constantly listing and shipping. But it's oddly satisfying about discovering a diamond in the rough at Goodwill and making profit.
Bonus: my kids are impressed when I discover weird treasures. Recently I found a collectible item that my son absolutely loved. Flipped it for forty-five bucks. Mom win.
The Truth About Side Hustles
Let me keep it real: side hustles aren't passive income. There's work involved, hence the name.
There are moments when I'm exhausted, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm grinding at dawn getting stuff done while it's quiet, then all day mom-ing, then back to work after bedtime.
But here's what matters? These are my earnings. I'm not asking anyone to buy the fancy coffee. I'm contributing to my family's finances. I'm showing my kids that women can hustle.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
If you're thinking about a side gig, here are my tips:
Begin with something manageable. Don't attempt to do everything at once. Choose one hustle and become proficient before starting something else.
Use the time you have. Your available hours, that's fine. Two hours of focused work is more than enough to start.
Stop comparing to what you see online. The successful ones you see? She probably started years ago and has support. Focus on your own journey.
Invest in yourself, but carefully. There are tons of free resources. Don't waste massive amounts on training until you've tested the waters.
Do similar tasks together. I learned this the hard way. Use time blocks for different things. Make Monday writing day. Wednesday could be admin and emails.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
Let me be honest—guilt is part of this. Certain moments when I'm focused on work while my kids need me, and I hate it.
But then I remind myself that I'm modeling for them that hard work matters. I'm proving to them that moms can have businesses.
And honestly? Financial independence has made me a better mom. I'm happier, which helps me be better.
The Numbers
So what do I actually make? On average, combining everything, I bring in between three and five grand. Some months are better, some are slower.
Is this millionaire money? Not really. But it's paid for vacations, home improvements, and that emergency vet bill that would've caused financial strain. It's giving me confidence and expertise that could grow into more.
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, doing this mom hustle thing is challenging. It's not a secret sauce. Many days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, surviving on coffee, and hoping for the best.
But I'm proud of this journey. Every dollar earned is evidence of my capability. It's evidence that I'm not just someone's mother.
If you're on the fence about starting a side hustle? Go for it. Don't wait for perfect. Your future self will be so glad you did.
Always remember: You aren't only surviving—you're hustling. Even when there's likely snack crumbs on your keyboard.
No cap. This is where it's at, chaos and all.
Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—being a single parent was never the plan. I also didn't plan on turning into an influencer. But here I am, three years later, earning income by posting videos while parenting alone. And not gonna lie? It's been life-changing in every way of my life.
Rock Bottom: When Everything Imploded
It was three years ago when my divorce happened. I remember sitting in my half-empty apartment (I kept the kids' stuff, he took everything else), unable to sleep at 2am while my kids were passed out. I had barely $850 in my bank account, two mouths to feed, and a paycheck that wasn't enough. The anxiety was crushing, y'all.
I was on TikTok to numb the pain—because that's the move? in crisis mode, right?—when I saw this solo parent sharing how she became debt-free through being a creator. I remember thinking, "That's either a scam or she's incredibly lucky."
But rock bottom gives you courage. Or both. Sometimes both.
I installed the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, explaining how I'd just blown my final $12 on a cheap food for my kids' lunch boxes. I uploaded it and wanted to delete it. Why would anyone care about this disaster?
Apparently, way more people than I expected.
That video got nearly 50,000 views. Forty-seven thousand people watched me breakdown over $12 worth of food. The comments section became this validation fest—other single moms, folks in the trenches, all saying "me too." That was my turning point. People didn't want perfection. They wanted raw.
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? I stumbled into it. I became the real one.
I started filming the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I lived in one outfit because laundry felt impossible. Or when I let them eat Lucky Charms for dinner multiple nights and called it "cereal week." Or that moment when my kid asked why we don't live with dad, and I had to have big conversations to a kid who believes in magic.
My content was raw. My lighting was awful. I filmed on a busted phone. But it was unfiltered, and apparently, that's what connected.
In just two months, I hit 10,000 followers. Month three, 50,000. By month six, I'd crossed 100,000. Each milestone felt impossible. People who wanted to listen to me. Plain old me—a struggling single mom who had to ask Google what this meant months before.
My Daily Reality: Content Creation Meets Real Life
Here's what it actually looks like of my typical day, because this life is not at all like those curated "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm blares. I do NOT want to get up, but this is my work time. I make coffee that will get cold, and I start recording. Sometimes it's a morning routine sharing about budgeting. Sometimes it's me prepping lunches while discussing dealing with my ex. The lighting is whatever natural light comes through my kitchen window.
7:00am: Kids get up. Content creation ends. Now I'm in survival mode—pouring cereal, the shoe hunt (seriously, always ONE), prepping food, stopping fights. The chaos is overwhelming.
8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom making videos while driving in the car. Not proud of this, but I gotta post.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my productive time. Kids are at school. I'm cutting clips, responding to comments, thinking of ideas, reaching out to brands, checking analytics. They believe content creation is just posting videos. Absolutely not. It's a full business.
I usually batch content on Monday and Wednesday. That means filming 10-15 videos in a few hours. I'll switch outfits so it seems like separate days. Pro tip: Keep multiple tops nearby for quick changes. My neighbors definitely think I'm crazy, recording myself alone in the backyard.
3:00pm: Getting the kids. Transition back to mom mode. But here's where it gets tricky—many times my biggest hits come from the chaos. Last week, my daughter had a epic meltdown in Target because I refused to get a expensive toy. I made content in the Target parking lot afterward about managing big emotions as a lone parent. It got 2.3 million views.
Evening: All the evening things. I'm usually too exhausted to create anything, but I'll schedule content, reply to messages, or prep for tomorrow. Often, after bedtime, I'll stay up editing because a deadline is coming.
The truth? Balance doesn't exist. It's just controlled chaos with some victories.
The Money Talk: How I Really Earn Money
Look, let's talk numbers because this is what everyone wants to know. Can you actually make money as a influencer? 100%. Is it easy? Nope.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Month two? Also nothing. Third month, I got my first sponsored post—a hundred and fifty bucks to feature a meal box. I actually cried. That $150 paid for groceries.
Today, years later, here's how I monetize:
Sponsored Content: This is my main revenue. I work with brands that my followers need—budget-friendly products, parenting tools, family items. I charge anywhere from five hundred to five thousand dollars per collaboration, depending on the scope. Last month, I did four brand deals and made eight grand.
Ad Money: The TikTok fund pays not much—maybe $200-400 per month for millions of views. YouTube revenue is way better. I make about fifteen hundred a month from YouTube, but that was a long process.
Link Sharing: I post links to things I own—ranging from my beloved coffee maker to the bunk beds in their room. If anyone buys, I get a kickback. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.
Online Products: I created a budget template and a meal planning ebook. They're $15 each, and I sell maybe 50-100 per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.
Coaching/Consulting: Aspiring influencers pay me to teach them the ropes. I offer 1:1 sessions for $200/hour. I do about 5-10 a month.
Total monthly income: Most months, I'm making between ten and fifteen grand per month at this point. Certain months are better, some are tougher. It's inconsistent, which is terrifying when you're solo. But it's three times what I made at my previous job, and I'm available for my kids.
The Hard Parts Nobody Posts About
From the outside it's great until you're crying in your car because a video didn't perform, or managing cruel messages from keyboard warriors.
The trolls are vicious. I've been mom-shamed, told I'm problematic, called a liar about being a solo parent. I'll never forget, "Maybe your husband left because you're annoying." That one destroyed me.
The platform changes. Certain periods you're getting insane views. The following week, you're lucky to break 1,000. Your income fluctuates. You're never off, never resting, scared to stop, you'll be forgotten.
The guilt is crushing beyond normal. Every video I post, I wonder: Is this too much? Are my kids safe? Will they resent this when they're adults? I have clear boundaries—limited face shots, no sharing their private stuff, no embarrassing content. But the line is not always clear.
The burnout hits hard. There are weeks when I don't want to film anything. When I'm touched out, socially drained, and completely finished. But rent doesn't care. So I create anyway.
The Wins
But listen—even with the struggles, this journey has given me things I never imagined.
Money security for the first time ever. I'm not rich, but I eliminated my debt. I have an cushion. We took a real vacation last summer—Orlando, which felt impossible a couple years back. I don't panic about money anymore.
Schedule freedom that's priceless. When my son got sick 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 event, I can go. I'm in their lives in ways I wasn't with a regular job.
Connection that saved me. The other creators I've befriended, especially other single parents, have become my people. We connect, share strategies, lift each other up. My followers have become this family. They support me, support me, and validate me.
My own identity. Since becoming a mom, I have my own thing. I'm not defined by divorce or just a mom. I'm a business owner. An influencer. Someone who created this.
Tips for Single Moms Wanting to Start
If you're a single mother wanting to start, here's what I'd tell you:
Just start. Your first videos will be awful. Mine did. Everyone starts there. You get better, not by overthinking.
Authenticity wins. People can sense inauthenticity. Share your true life—the mess. That resonates.
Guard their privacy. Set limits. Have standards. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I don't use their names, rarely show their faces, and never discuss anything that could embarrass them.
Build multiple income streams. Spread it out or a single source. The algorithm is unpredictable. More streams = less stress.
Batch create content. When you have quiet time, film multiple videos. Future you will appreciate it when you're drained.
Engage with your audience. Answer comments. Answer DMs. Be real with them. Your community is your foundation.
Track metrics. Not all content is worth creating. If something requires tons of time and gets nothing while a different post takes very little time and goes viral, adjust your strategy.
Prioritize yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Unplug. Guard your energy. Your health matters more than going viral.
Give it time. This takes time. It took me ages to make meaningful money. The first year, I made maybe $15,000 total. The second year, eighty grand. Year 3, I'm making six figures. It's a marathon.
Stay connected to your purpose. On hard days—and there are many—think about your why. For me, it's money, time with my children, and the content below proving to myself that I'm more than I believed.
The Reality Check
Real talk, I'm telling the truth. Being a single mom creator is hard. Really hard. You're managing a business while being the only parent of demanding little people.
Certain days I second-guess this. Days when the trolls affect me. Days when I'm burnt out and questioning if I should go back to corporate with stability.
But then suddenly my daughter tells me she's happy I'm here. Or I look at my savings. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content gave her courage. And I remember my purpose.
What's Next
A few years back, I was terrified and clueless how I'd survive as a single mom. Now, I'm a full-time content creator making triple what I earned in my old job, and I'm present for everything.
My goals now? Get to half a million followers by year-end. Launch a podcast for other single moms. Possibly write a book. Keep building this business that supports my family.
Being a creator gave me a path forward when I had nothing. It gave me a way to support my kids, be available, and create something meaningful. It's not the path I expected, but it's exactly where I needed to be.
To any single parent wondering if you can do this: Hell yes you can. It will be challenging. You'll want to quit some days. But you're managing the hardest job—raising humans alone. You're tougher than you realize.
Start messy. Stay the course. Guard your peace. And always remember, you're not just surviving—you're building an empire.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go make a video about the project I just found out about and I just learned about it. Because that's how it goes—chaos becomes content, one TikTok at a time.
No cap. This journey? It's the best decision. Even when there's probably crumbs everywhere. Dream life, imperfectly perfect.