Let me tell you, mom life is a whole vibe. But here's the thing? Attempting to secure the bag while handling kids, laundry, and approximately 47 snack requests per day.
I started my side hustle journey about a few years back when I realized that my Target runs were becoming problematic. I had to find some independent income.
The Virtual Assistant Life
Right so, my initial venture was doing VA work. And not gonna lie? It was perfect. I was able to grind during those precious quiet hours, and all I needed was a computer and internet.
I began by easy things like handling emails, posting on social media, and entering data. Super simple stuff. I charged about fifteen dollars an hour, which seemed low but when you don't know what you're doing yet, you gotta prove yourself first.
The funniest part? I would be on a client call looking all professional from the shoulders up—blazer, makeup, the works—while sporting sweatpants. Peak mom life.
My Etsy Journey
After a year, I wanted to explore the handmade marketplace scene. Every mom I knew seemed to be on Etsy, so I thought "why not start one too?"
My shop focused on crafting downloadable organizers and digital art prints. Here's why printables are amazing? One and done creation, and it can sell forever. Actually, I've gotten orders at 3am while I was sleeping.
My first sale? I actually yelled. He came running thinking there was an emergency. But no—I was just, celebrating my glorious $4.99. Don't judge me.
Blogging and Creating
Next I ventured into the whole influencer thing. This venture is a marathon not a sprint, let me tell you.
I created a family lifestyle blog where I wrote about what motherhood actually looks like—everything unfiltered. No Instagram-perfect nonsense. Simply real talk about surviving tantrums in Target.
Building traffic was like watching paint dry. For months, I was essentially writing for myself and like three people. But I persisted, and eventually, things began working.
Currently? I generate revenue through affiliate links, working with brands, and display ads. Last month I generated over two thousand dollars from my website. Insane, right?
The Social Media Management Game
Once I got decent at running my own socials, brands started reaching out if I could manage their accounts.
Truth bomb? Tons of businesses suck at social media. They know they have to be on it, but they're clueless about the algorithm.
Enter: me. I currently run social media for three local businesses—various small businesses. I develop content, schedule posts, handle community management, and analyze the metrics.
They pay me between five hundred to fifteen hundred monthly per client, depending on how much work is involved. Best part? I manage everything from my phone during soccer practice.
Writing for Money
For the wordy folks, freelancing is seriously profitable. I don't mean becoming Shakespeare—I mean business content.
Companies always need writers. I've written articles about everything from literally everything under the sun. Google is your best friend, you just need to know how to find information.
On average earn between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on what's involved. When I'm hustling hard I'll crank out ten to fifteen pieces and make an extra $1,000-2,000.
What's hilarious: Back in school I hated writing papers. Now I'm a professional writer. Talk about character development.
Virtual Tutoring
After lockdown started, tutoring went digital. I used to be a teacher, so this was kind of a natural fit.
I signed up with a couple of online tutoring sites. The scheduling is flexible, which is absolutely necessary when you have unpredictable little ones.
I mainly help with elementary school stuff. The pay ranges from $15-25 per hour depending on where you work.
What's hilarious? Occasionally my kids will crash my tutoring session mid-session. I've literally had to be professional while chaos erupted behind me. My clients are very sympathetic because they're living the same life.
The Reselling Game
So, this side gig started by accident. I was cleaning out my kids' things and tried selling some outfits on Mercari.
They sold immediately. I had an epiphany: you can sell literally anything.
These days I shop at estate sales and thrift shops, searching for good brands. I'll buy something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
It's definitely work? For sure. It's a whole process. But it's strangely fulfilling about finding a gem at Goodwill and earning from it.
Plus: my kids are impressed when I score cool vintage stuff. Last week I scored a rare action figure that my son lost his mind over. Got forty-five dollars for it. Mom for the win.
The Truth About Side Hustles
Here's the thing nobody tells you: side hustles take work. The word 'hustle' is there for a reason.
There are days when I'm exhausted, questioning my life choices. I'm up at 5am being productive before the madness begins, then all day mom-ing, then back at it after 8pm hits.
But here's what matters? These are my earnings. I'm not asking anyone to get the good coffee. I'm adding to our financial goals. I'm showing my kids that women can hustle.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
For those contemplating a hustle of your own, here's my advice:
Start small. Don't try to start five businesses. Pick one thing and master it before adding more.
Be realistic about time. Your available hours, that's okay. A couple of productive hours is valuable.
Stop comparing to Instagram moms. Those people with massive success? They put in years of work and has help. Run your own race.
Learn and grow, but strategically. Free information exists. Be careful about spending thousands on courses until you've proven the concept.
Work in batches. This is crucial. Dedicate certain times for certain work. Use Monday for content creation day. Make Wednesday handling business stuff.
The Mom Guilt is Real
I have to be real with you—guilt is part of this. There are times when I'm hustling and my child is calling for me, and I feel terrible.
Yet I remind myself that I'm demonstrating to them that hard work matters. I'm showing my daughter that women can be mothers and entrepreneurs.
Also? Earning independently has helped me feel more like myself. I'm more content, which makes me more patient.
Let's Talk Money
So what do I actually make? On average, total from all sources, I earn between three and five grand. Certain months are higher, some are slower.
Is this getting-rich money? No. But I've used it for stuff that matters to us that would've caused financial strain. It's giving me confidence and experience that could evolve into something huge.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship is hard. There's no such thing as a perfect balance. Many days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, fueled by espresso and stubbornness, and hoping for the best.
But I don't regret it. Every single dollar earned is a testament to my hustle. It's proof that I have identity beyond motherhood.
So if you're considering launching a mom business? Go for it. Start before it's perfect. Future you will be so glad you did.
Keep in mind: You're not merely surviving—you're hustling. Despite the fact that there's probably Goldfish crackers stuck to your laptop.
Not even kidding. This is pretty amazing, mess included.
My Content Creator Journey: My Journey as a Single Mom
Real talk—becoming a single mom was never the plan. I also didn't plan on building a creator business. But here we are, years into this crazy ride, earning income by sharing my life online while raising two kids basically solo. And I'll be real? It's been the best worst decision of my life.
Rock Bottom: When Everything Imploded
It was a few years ago when my divorce happened. I remember sitting in my bare apartment (he got the furniture, I got the memories), staring at my phone at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had eight hundred forty-seven dollars in my checking account, two humans depending on me, and a paycheck that wasn't enough. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to avoid my thoughts—because that's what we do? when our lives are falling apart, right?—when I found this divorced mom talking about how she paid off $30,000 in debt through being a creator. I remember thinking, "That's either a scam or she's incredibly lucky."
But rock bottom gives you courage. Or crazy. Probably both.
I grabbed the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, sharing how I'd just spent my last $12 on a pack of chicken nuggets and fruit snacks for my kids' lunch boxes. I shared it and felt sick. Who wants to watch my mess?
Apparently, tons of people.
That video got nearly 50,000 views. Forty-seven thousand people watched me breakdown over chicken nuggets. The comments section became this incredible community—people who got it, other people struggling, all saying "me too." That was my aha moment. People didn't want filtered content. They wanted honest.
Finding My Niche: The Honest Single Parent Platform
The truth is about content creation: finding your niche is everything. And my niche? It happened organically. I became the real one.
I started sharing the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I didn't change pants for days because executive dysfunction is real. Or the time I served cereal as a meal all week and called it "creative meal planning." Or that moment when my child asked why daddy doesn't live here anymore, and I had to have big conversations to a kid who still believes in Santa.
My content wasn't polished. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a busted phone. But it was authentic, and apparently, that's what worked.
Two months later, I hit 10,000 followers. Three months later, 50K. By half a year, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone blew my mind. Actual humans who wanted to listen to me. Plain old me—a struggling single mom who had to figure this out from zero months before.
The Daily Grind: Juggling Everything
Let me show you of my typical day, because being a single mom creator is totally different from those aesthetic "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm screams. I do absolutely not want to wake up, but this is my work time. I make coffee that will get cold, and I begin creating. Sometimes it's a get-ready-with-me discussing money struggles. Sometimes it's me meal prepping while discussing parenting coordination. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation goes on hold. Now I'm in full mom mode—making breakfast, hunting for that one shoe (why is it always one shoe), packing lunches, referee duties. The chaos is real.
8:30am: Carpool line. I'm that mom in the carpool line filming TikToks in the car. Don't judge me, but bills don't care.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my productive time. I'm alone finally. I'm editing videos, replying to DMs, thinking of ideas, doing outreach, analyzing metrics. They believe content creation is simple. Nope. It's a full business.
I usually batch content on Mondays and Wednesdays. That means shooting multiple videos in one sitting. I'll swap tops so it looks like different days. Pro tip: Keep multiple tops nearby for fast swaps. My neighbors must think I'm insane, talking to my camera in the driveway.
3:00pm: School pickup. Mom mode activated. But here's where it gets tricky—frequently my best content ideas come from this time. Recently, my daughter had a massive breakdown in Target because I wouldn't buy a toy she didn't need. I recorded in the vehicle after about surviving tantrums as a lone parent. It got 2.3M views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm completely exhausted to create content, but I'll schedule uploads, answer messages, or prep for tomorrow. Some nights, after they're down, I'll edit videos until midnight because a brand deadline is looming.
The truth? Balance doesn't exist. It's just organized chaos with occasional wins.
Let's Talk Income: How I Really Earn Money
Okay, let's talk dollars because this is what you're wondering. Can you really earn income as a creator? 100%. Is it straightforward? Nope.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Second month? Also nothing. Third month, I got my first sponsored post—a hundred and fifty bucks to share a meal kit service. I literally cried. That one-fifty paid for groceries.
Currently, years later, here's how I generate revenue:
Brand Partnerships: This is my primary income. I work with brands that make sense—budget-friendly products, mom products, kid essentials. I ask for anywhere from $500-5K per collaboration, depending on what they need. This past month, I did four brand deals and made eight grand.
Ad Money: Creator fund pays very little—maybe $200-400 per month for massive numbers. AdSense is actually decent. I make about fifteen hundred a month from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Affiliate Income: I share affiliate links to stuff I really use—ranging from my go-to coffee machine to the bunk beds I bought. If someone clicks and buys, I get a kickback. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.
Info Products: I created a single mom budget planner and a meal prep guide. They're $15 each, and I sell fifty to a hundred per month. That's another $1-1.5K.
Teaching Others: New creators pay me to guide them. I offer private coaching for $200 hourly. I do about several each month.
Combined monthly revenue: Most months, I'm making between ten and fifteen grand per month now. Some months I make more, others are slower. It's inconsistent, which is stressful when there's no backup. But it's 3x what I made at my previous job, and I'm there for them.
The Hard Parts Nobody Posts About
Content creation sounds glamorous until you're having a breakdown because a video didn't perform, or managing nasty DMs from internet trolls.
The hate comments are real. I've been accused of being a bad mother, told I'm a bad influence, questioned about being a divorced parent. One person said, "I'd leave too." That one stung for days.
The algorithm shifts. One week you're getting millions the relevant source of views. Then suddenly, you're getting nothing. Your income fluctuates. You're constantly creating, 24/7, worried that if you take a break, you'll lose momentum.
The mom guilt is worse times a thousand. Each post, I wonder: Is this too much? Am I protecting my kids' privacy? Will they regret this when they're adults? I have firm rules—minimal identifying info, no discussing their personal struggles, nothing humiliating. But the line is fuzzy.
The exhaustion is real. Some weeks when I can't create. When I'm done, socially drained, and just done. But life doesn't stop. So I create anyway.
What Makes It Worth It
But here's what's real—through it all, this journey has given me things I never imagined.
Economic stability for the first time in my life. I'm not loaded, but I cleared $18K. I have an safety net. We took a family trip last summer—Disney, 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 ask permission or lose income. I handled business at urgent care. When there's a school thing, I'm present. I'm there for them in ways I couldn't manage with a traditional 9-5.
Community that saved me. The fellow creators I've befriended, especially single moms, have become real friends. We support each other, collaborate, lift each other up. My followers have become this incredible cheerleading squad. They support me, support me, and validate me.
Me beyond motherhood. Since becoming a mom, I have an identity. I'm more than an ex or somebody's mother. I'm a entrepreneur. A businesswoman. Someone who created this.
Tips for Single Moms Wanting to Start
If you're a single mother curious about this, here's what I wish someone had told me:
Start before you're ready. Your first videos will be trash. Mine did. It's fine. You grow through creating, not by waiting until everything is perfect.
Be yourself. People can spot fake. Share your real life—the chaos. That's what works.
Protect your kids. Establish boundaries. Have standards. Their privacy is sacred. I keep names private, rarely show their faces, and never discuss anything that could embarrass them.
Don't rely on one thing. Don't rely on just one platform or a single source. The algorithm is fickle. Multiple streams = safety.
Create in batches. When you have available time, make a bunch. Tomorrow you will appreciate it when you're too exhausted to create.
Build community. Answer comments. Reply to messages. Be real with them. Your community is what matters.
Analyze performance. Some content isn't worth it. If something takes four hours and tanks while something else takes 20 minutes and gets massive views, shift focus.
Self-care matters. You can't pour from an empty cup. Rest. Create limits. Your mental health matters most.
Be patient. This takes time. It took me half a year to make meaningful money. My first year, I made maybe $15,000 total. Year two, eighty thousand. Now, I'm projected for $100K+. It's a journey.
Remember why you started. On hard days—and trust me, there will be—remember your reason. For me, it's financial freedom, time with my children, and demonstrating that I'm stronger than I knew.
Real Talk Time
Look, I'm telling the truth. Being a single mom creator is hard. Really hard. You're running a whole business while being the lone caretaker of kids who need everything.
Certain days I question everything. Days when the hate comments hurt. Days when I'm burnt out and wondering if I should quit this with a 401k.
But then my daughter says she appreciates this. Or I see financial progress. Or I see a message from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I remember my purpose.
My Future Plans
Not long ago, I was broke, scared, and had no idea how to make it work. Currently, I'm a professional creator making triple what I earned in corporate America, and I'm available when they need me.
My goals now? Hit 500K by this year. Start a podcast for single moms. Maybe write a book. Keep building this business that supports my family.
This journey gave me a second chance when I needed it most. It gave me a way to take care of my children, be there, and build something real. It's unexpected, but it's where I belong.
To every solo parent thinking about starting: Hell yes you can. It will be hard. You'll want to quit some days. But you're handling the hardest job—parenting solo. You're stronger than you think.
Start imperfect. Stay consistent. Guard your peace. And don't forget, you're not just surviving—you're changing your life.
BRB, I need to go record a video about another last-minute project and I'm just now hearing about it. Because that's the content creator single mom life—content from the mess, one video at a time.
For real. Being a single mom creator? It's worth every struggle. Even if I'm sure there's Goldfish crackers all over my desk. No regrets, chaos and all.