Real talk, being a mom is a whole vibe. But what's really wild? Working to earn extra income while juggling children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.
I entered the side gig world about a few years back when I discovered that my retail therapy sessions were getting the supporting article out of hand. I was desperate for some independent income.
Being a VA
Right so, my first gig was becoming a virtual assistant. And honestly? It was ideal. I could grind during those precious quiet hours, and all I needed was a computer and internet.
I began by easy things like email sorting, managing social content, and entering data. Pretty straightforward. My rate was about fifteen to twenty bucks hourly, which felt cheap but when you're just starting, you gotta begin at the bottom.
Here's what was wild? There I was on a Zoom call looking completely put together from the shoulders up—blazer, makeup, the works—while wearing sweatpants. Living my best life.
My Etsy Journey
Once I got comfortable, I ventured into the selling on Etsy. Literally everyone seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I was like "why not join the party?"
I created making PDF planners and digital art prints. The thing about selling digital stuff? Design it once, and it can keep selling indefinitely. Genuinely, I've gotten orders at ungodly hours.
That initial sale? I literally screamed. My husband thought I'd injured myself. Negative—I was just, celebrating my five dollar sale. No shame in my game.
The Content Creation Grind
Eventually I ventured into blogging and content creation. This venture is not for instant gratification seekers, real talk.
I started a family lifestyle blog where I documented what motherhood actually looks like—the messy truth. Not the highlight reel. Simply the actual truth about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Getting readers was painfully slow. At the beginning, I was essentially talking to myself. But I persisted, and eventually, things began working.
At this point? I earn income through affiliate links, working with brands, and display ads. Last month I made over two thousand dollars from my blog income. Crazy, right?
The Social Media Management Game
As I mastered my own content, local businesses started asking if I could do the same for them.
And honestly? Many companies suck at social media. They know they should be posting, but they're too busy.
Enter: me. I currently run social media for three local businesses—various small businesses. I create content, queue up posts, handle community management, and analyze the metrics.
I charge between $500-$1500/month per business, depending on the complexity. What I love? I manage everything from my phone during soccer practice.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
If you can write, content writing is where it's at. Not like becoming Shakespeare—I'm talking about business content.
Brands and websites need content constantly. I've written everything from dental hygiene to copyright. You just need to research, you just need to be good at research.
I typically bill fifty to one hundred fifty bucks per piece, depending on length and complexity. Certain months I'll write fifteen articles and bring in a couple thousand dollars.
What's hilarious: I was that student who thought writing was torture. Currently I'm making money from copyright. Life is weird.
Tutoring Online
After lockdown started, everyone needed online help. I was a teacher before kids, so this was kind of a natural fit.
I joined VIPKid and Tutor.com. You make your own schedule, which is absolutely necessary when you have tiny humans who throw curveballs daily.
I mostly tutor K-5 subjects. Rates vary from $15-25 per hour depending on the company.
What's hilarious? Occasionally my children will crash my tutoring session mid-session. I've literally had to educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. The families I work with are very sympathetic because they're living the same life.
Reselling and Flipping
Okay, this particular venture wasn't planned. I was decluttering my kids' stuff and posted some items on Mercari.
Things sold within hours. I suddenly understood: people will buy anything.
Currently I shop at secondhand stores and sales, hunting for quality items. I'll buy something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
It's labor-intensive? Yes. It's a whole process. But it's oddly satisfying about finding a gem at Goodwill and making money.
Additionally: my kids think I'm cool when I bring home interesting finds. Recently I found a retro toy that my son went crazy for. Got forty-five dollars for it. Mom for the win.
The Truth About Side Hustles
Let me keep it real: side hustles take work. There's work involved, hence the name.
There are days when I'm surviving on caffeine and spite, wondering why I'm doing this. I wake up early hustling before the chaos starts, then being a full-time parent, then working again after the kids are asleep.
But this is what's real? This income is mine. I can spend it guilt-free to buy the fancy coffee. I'm adding to the family budget. I'm showing my kids that you can be both.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
If you're thinking about a hustle of your own, here are my tips:
Start with one thing. Don't try to juggle ten things. Choose one hustle and master it before expanding.
Honor your limits. If naptime is your only free time, that's totally valid. Two hours of focused work is more than enough to start.
Stop comparing to the highlight reels. The successful ones you see? She probably started years ago and doesn't do it alone. Stay in your lane.
Invest in yourself, but carefully. Start with free stuff first. Don't waste $5,000 on a coaching program until you've tried things out.
Batch tasks together. This changed everything. Block off certain times for certain work. Use Monday for creation day. Wednesday could be organizing and responding.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
I have to be real with you—guilt is part of this. There are days when I'm hustling and my child is calling for me, and I hate it.
However I remember that I'm demonstrating to them what dedication looks like. I'm showing my daughter that moms can have businesses.
Plus? Having my own income has helped me feel more like myself. I'm happier, which makes me more patient.
The Numbers
How much do I earn? Typically, between all my hustles, I pull in $3K-5K. Some months are lower, it fluctuates.
Is this getting-rich money? No. But we've used it to pay for so many things we needed that would've been really hard. It's also giving me confidence and experience that could grow into more.
Final Thoughts
Listen, being a mom with a side hustle is hard. There's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach. Many days I'm making it up as I go, powered by caffeine, and crossing my fingers.
But I don't regret it. Each bit of income is evidence of my capability. It demonstrates that I'm more than just mom.
For anyone contemplating starting a side hustle? Do it. Don't wait for perfect. You in six months will be grateful.
Don't forget: You aren't only getting by—you're growing something incredible. Even when there's probably old cheerios in your workspace.
No cap. This is the life, chaos and all.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
Let me be real with you—single motherhood wasn't the dream. Neither was building a creator business. But here I am, three years into this wild journey, earning income by creating content while doing this mom thing solo. And real talk? It's been the most terrifying, empowering, and unexpected blessing of my life.
The Beginning: When Everything Imploded
It was three years ago when my divorce happened. I can still picture sitting in my new apartment (he took the couch, I got the kids' art projects), staring at my phone at 2am while my kids were passed out. I had less than a thousand dollars in my checking account, little people counting on me, and a income that didn't cut it. The anxiety was crushing, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to numb the pain—because that's self-care at 2am, right? when everything is chaos, right?—when I came across this single mom talking about how she changed her life through posting online. I remember thinking, "No way that's legit."
But when you're desperate, you try anything. Or both. Usually both.
I installed the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, venting about how I'd just blown my final $12 on a frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' lunches. I shared it and felt sick. Why would anyone care about my broke reality?
Plot twist, tons of people.
That video got 47K views. 47,000 people watched me get emotional over frozen nuggets. The comments section turned into this incredible community—women in similar situations, others barely surviving, all saying "I feel this." That was my aha moment. People didn't want the highlight reel. They wanted honest.
My Brand Evolution: The Hot Mess Single Mom Brand
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? It chose me. I became the unfiltered single mom.
I started sharing the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I didn't change pants for days because I couldn't handle laundry. Or the time I fed my kids cereal for dinner several days straight and called it "breakfast for dinner week." Or that moment when my kid asked about the divorce, and I had to discuss divorce to a kid who thinks the tooth fairy is real.
My content wasn't pretty. My lighting was awful. I filmed on a cracked iPhone 8. But it was real, and turns out, that's what hit.
Within two months, I hit 10,000 followers. 90 days in, 50,000. By month six, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone felt surreal. People who wanted to listen to me. Little old me—a financially unstable single mom who had to figure this out from zero six months earlier.
My Daily Reality: Balancing Content and Chaos
Let me show you of my typical day, because being a single mom creator is the opposite of those pretty "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm sounds. I do not want to move, but this is my sacred content creation time. I make coffee that I'll reheat three times, and I get to work. Sometimes it's a morning routine sharing about financial reality. Sometimes it's me prepping lunches while talking about co-parenting struggles. The lighting is whatever natural light comes through my kitchen window.
7:00am: Kids get up. Content creation ends. Now I'm in mommy mode—cooking eggs, locating lost items (seriously, always ONE), throwing food in bags, mediating arguments. The chaos is real.
8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom in the carpool line filming TikToks when stopped. Not proud of this, but the grind never stops.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. Kids are at school. I'm in editing mode, replying to DMs, thinking of ideas, sending emails, analyzing metrics. They believe content creation is just posting videos. Absolutely not. It's a entire operation.
I usually film in batches on Mondays and Wednesdays. That means filming 10-15 videos in one go. I'll switch outfits so it looks like different days. Pro tip: Keep different outfits accessible for outfit changes. My neighbors must think I'm insane, recording myself alone in the parking lot.
3:00pm: Pickup time. Back to parenting. But this is where it's complicated—many times my top performing content come from this time. Recently, my daughter had a massive breakdown in Target because I said no to a toy she didn't need. I recorded in the Target parking lot after about handling public tantrums as a solo parent. It got 2.3 million views.
Evening: Dinner, homework, bath time, bedtime routines. I'm completely exhausted to create content, but I'll queue up posts, respond to DMs, or strategize. Certain nights, after the kids are asleep, I'll stay up editing because a client needs content.
The truth? No such thing as balance. It's just organized chaos with moments of success.
Income Breakdown: How I Really Earn Money
Alright, let's get into the finances because this is what everyone wants to know. Can you really earn income as a creator? Yes. Is it easy? Hell no.
My first month, I made nothing. Month two? Zero. Third month, I got my first collaboration—a hundred and fifty bucks to promote a meal delivery. I actually cried. That $150 paid for groceries.
Currently, years later, here's how I make money:
Collaborations: This is my biggest income source. I work with brands that align with my audience—affordable stuff, mom products, children's products. I ask for anywhere from five hundred to five thousand dollars per campaign, depending on the scope. This past month, I did four partnerships and made $8,000.
Platform Payments: The TikTok fund pays not much—two to four hundred per month for millions of views. AdSense is better. I make about $1.5K monthly from YouTube, but that required years.
Affiliate Links: I post links to stuff I really use—ranging from my beloved coffee maker to the kids' beds. If someone purchases through my link, I get a kickback. This brings in about $1K monthly.
Downloadables: I created a financial planner and a meal prep guide. Each costs $15, and I sell maybe 50-100 per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.
Consulting Services: People wanting to start pay me to show them how. I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for $200 hourly. I do about 5-10 of these monthly.
Total monthly income: Typically, I'm making ten to fifteen thousand per month currently. It varies, some are tougher. It's variable, which is stressful when there's no backup. But it's 3x what I made at my previous job, and I'm present.
The Dark Side Nobody Talks About
This sounds easy until you're crying in your car because a post tanked, or handling vicious comments from random people.
The negativity is intense. I've been told I'm a terrible parent, told I'm using my children, accused of lying about being a single mom. One person said, "I'd leave too." That one destroyed me.
The algorithm is unpredictable. One month you're getting millions of views. Then suddenly, you're lucky to break 1,000. Your income is unstable. You're always creating, 24/7, nervous about slowing down, you'll lose momentum.
The mom guilt is amplified exponentially. Each post, I wonder: Is this too much? Am I doing right by them? Will they hate me for this when they're grown? I have non-negotiables—protected identities, no discussing their personal struggles, nothing that could embarrass them. But the line is not always clear.
The burnout is real. Some weeks when I can't create. When I'm exhausted, socially drained, and totally spent. But bills don't care about burnout. So I do it anyway.
The Unexpected Blessings
But here's what's real—through it all, this journey has brought me things I never anticipated.
Economic stability for once in my life. I'm not wealthy, but I paid off $18,000 in debt. I have an savings. We took a actual vacation last summer—Orlando, which was a dream a couple years back. I don't stress about my account anymore.
Time freedom that's priceless. When my boy was sick last month, I didn't have to use PTO or worry about money. I worked anywhere. When there's a class party, I'm present. I'm available in ways I couldn't manage with a traditional 9-5.
My people that saved me. The other creators I've found, especially single moms, have become real friends. We connect, share strategies, encourage each other. My followers have become this family. They celebrate my wins, send love, and validate me.
Something that's mine. For the first time since having kids, I have my own thing. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or just a mom. I'm a business owner. A businesswoman. Someone who created this.
My Best Tips
If you're a single parent wanting to start, here's what I wish someone had told me:
Don't wait. Your first videos will suck. Mine did. Everyone starts there. You improve over time, not by overthinking.
Be authentic, not perfect. People can tell when you're fake. Share your actual life—the unfiltered truth. That's what connects.
Keep them safe. Establish boundaries. Have standards. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I protect their names, limit face shots, and respect their dignity.
Don't rely on one thing. Don't rely on just one platform or one way to earn. The algorithm is unpredictable. Multiple streams = safety.
Batch create content. When you have available time, make a bunch. Next week you will thank yourself when you're too exhausted to create.
Connect with followers. Respond to comments. Respond to DMs. Be real with them. Your community is crucial.
Track metrics. Not all content is worth creating. If something is time-intensive and gets 200 views while a different post takes 20 minutes and gets 200,000 views, adjust your strategy.
Take care of yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Unplug. Protect your peace. Your wellbeing matters more than going viral.
Stay patient. This is a marathon. It took me eight months to make real income. The first year, I made fifteen thousand. The second year, eighty grand. Year 3, I'm projected for $100K+. It's a process.
Stay connected to your purpose. On hard days—and there will be many—remember your reason. For me, it's supporting my kids, being there, and proving to myself that I'm stronger than I knew.
Being Real With You
Real talk, I'm keeping it 100. This journey is hard. Incredibly hard. You're operating a business while being the single caregiver of kids who need everything.
Many days I question everything. Days when the nasty comments get to me. Days when I'm drained and wondering if I should get a regular job with consistent income.
But then suddenly my daughter mentions she loves that I'm home. Or I look at my savings. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content changed her life. And I know it's worth it.
Where I'm Going From Here
Not long ago, I was scared and struggling how to make it work. Now, I'm a full-time content creator making triple what I earned in my old job, and I'm there for my kids.
My goals moving forward? Get to half a million followers by year-end. Launch a podcast for solo parents. Maybe write a book. Keep building this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
Content creation gave me a lifeline when I had nothing. It gave me a way to support my kids, show up, and create something meaningful. It's unexpected, but it's perfect.
To every single mom out there thinking about starting: Yes you can. It isn't simple. You'll consider quitting. But you're currently doing the toughest gig—doing this alone. You're more capable than you know.
Begin messy. Stay the course. Protect your peace. And remember, you're doing more than surviving—you're creating something amazing.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go film a TikTok about another last-minute project and nobody told me until now. Because that's how it goes—making content from chaos, one post at a time.
Seriously. This path? It's the best decision. Despite I'm sure there's old snacks in my keyboard. Dream life, chaos and all.