I'm gonna be honest with you, motherhood is not for the weak. But plot twist? Attempting to hustle for money while juggling children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.
I started my side hustle journey about a few years back when I realized that my impulse buys were reaching dangerous levels. I was desperate for my own money.
Being a VA
Right so, I kicked things off was doing VA work. And real talk? It was chef's kiss. I could hustle while the kids slept, and literally all it took was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
My first tasks were basic stuff like email sorting, posting on social media, and data entry. Not rocket science. I charged about $15-20 per hour, which felt cheap but when you're just starting, you gotta begin at the bottom.
The funniest part? I would be on a client call looking like a real businesswoman from the waist up—business casual vibes—while sporting pajama bottoms. Peak mom life.
My Etsy Journey
About twelve months in, I thought I'd test out the selling on Etsy. Everyone and their mother seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I figured "why not start one too?"
I created making printable planners and wall art. Here's why printables are amazing? One and done creation, and it can make money while you sleep. For real, I've made sales at 3am while I was sleeping.
That initial sale? I actually yelled. He came running thinking the house was on fire. Not even close—I was just, doing a happy dance for my first five bucks. I'm not embarrassed.
The Content Creation Grind
Next I ventured into writing and making content. This hustle is definitely a slow burn, real talk.
I launched a mom blog where I shared my parenting journey—all of it, no filter. None of that Pinterest-perfect life. Only real talk about finding mystery stains on everything I own.
Growing an audience was a test of patience. For months, I was essentially writing for myself and like three people. But I didn't give up, and slowly but surely, things took off.
At this point? I earn income through affiliate links, sponsored posts, and display ads. Recently I made over two thousand dollars from my blog alone. Crazy, right?
Managing Social Media
Once I got decent at running my own socials, small companies started asking if I could do the same for them.
Here's the thing? Most small businesses are terrible with social media. They understand they have to be on it, but they're too busy.
That's where I come in. I handle social media for a handful of clients—various small businesses. I develop content, queue up posts, handle community management, and monitor performance.
My rate is between $500-1500 per month per account, depending on the complexity. Here's what's great? I do this work from my phone while sitting in the carpool line.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
If you can write, content writing is seriously profitable. I'm not talking writing the next Great American Novel—I'm talking about commercial writing.
Companies need content constantly. I've written articles about everything from subjects I knew nothing about before Googling. Being an expert isn't required, you just need to know how to Google effectively.
I typically make $0.10-0.50 per word, depending on length and complexity. On good months I'll crank out 10-15 articles and make one to two thousand extra.
Plot twist: I was that student who barely passed English class. And now I'm earning a living writing. Talk about character development.
Virtual Tutoring
During the pandemic, tutoring went digital. With my teaching background, so this was right up my alley.
I started working with several tutoring platforms. The scheduling is flexible, which is essential when you have children who keep you guessing.
I mainly help with elementary reading and math. The pay ranges from $15-25 per hour depending on where you work.
What's hilarious? Every now and then my children will photobomb my lessons mid-session. There was a time I be professional while chaos erupted behind me. The families I work with are totally cool about it because they get it.
Reselling and Flipping
Okay, this particular venture I stumbled into. During a massive cleanout my kids' things and tried selling some outfits on Facebook Marketplace.
They sold immediately. I suddenly understood: there's a market for everything.
These days I hit up anywhere with deals, looking for things that will sell. I'll find something for a few dollars and make serious profit.
Is it a lot of work? Yes. It's a whole process. But I find it rewarding about finding a gem at the thrift store and turning a profit.
Additionally: my children are fascinated when I bring home interesting finds. Just last week I scored a rare action figure that my son freaked out about. Got forty-five dollars for it. Score one for mom.
The Truth About Side Hustles
Truth bomb incoming: this stuff requires effort. The word 'hustle' is there for a reason.
Some days when I'm exhausted, questioning my life choices. I'm working before sunrise working before my kids wake up, then handling mom duties, then working again after the kids are asleep.
But you know what? That money is MINE. I'm not asking anyone to splurge on something nice. I'm contributing to the family budget. I'm showing my kids that moms can do anything.
What I Wish I Knew
For those contemplating a side hustle, here's what I'd tell you:
Don't go all in immediately. Don't try to do everything at once. Start with one venture and nail it down before expanding.
Honor your limits. If you only have evenings, that's totally valid. Two hours of focused work is more than enough to start.
Don't compare yourself to Instagram moms. Those people with massive success? They put in years of work and has help. Focus on your own journey.
Learn and grow, but smartly. You don't need expensive courses. Be careful about spending huge money on programs until you've validated your idea.
Work in batches. This saved my sanity. Use specific days for specific tasks. Use Monday for content creation day. Wednesday might be organizing and responding.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
I have to be real with you—I struggle with guilt. Certain moments when I'm focused on work while my kids need me, and I hate it.
But I remind myself that I'm showing them work ethic. I'm proving to them that women can be mothers and entrepreneurs.
Plus? Having my own income has helped me feel more like myself. I'm happier, which makes me more patient.
Income Reality Check
How much do I earn? On average, combining everything, I make three to five thousand monthly. Some months are lower, some are slower.
Is this getting-rich money? Not exactly. But this money covers stuff that matters to us that would've been really hard. Plus it's developing my career and skills that could become a full-time thing.
Wrapping This Up
Listen, hustling as a mom takes work. There's no one-size-fits-all approach. Most days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, fueled by espresso the content below and stubbornness, and doing my best.
But I don't regret it. Each penny made is evidence of my capability. It demonstrates that I'm a multifaceted person.
If you're thinking about diving into this? Do it. Begin before you're ready. Your tomorrow self will appreciate it.
Always remember: You're not just making it through—you're growing something incredible. Even when there's probably snack crumbs in your workspace.
For real. The whole thing is pretty amazing, despite the chaos.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—becoming a single mom wasn't the dream. I never expected to be making money from my phone. But here we are, three years into this wild journey, making a living by creating content while raising two kids basically solo. And not gonna lie? It's been the most terrifying, empowering, and unexpected blessing of my life.
The Beginning: When Everything Imploded
It was a few years ago when my marriage ended. 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 asleep. I had $847 in my account, two humans depending on me, and a salary that was a joke. The anxiety was crushing, y'all.
I'd been scrolling TikTok to distract myself from the anxiety—because that's the move? when everything is chaos, right?—when I came across this divorced mom discussing how she paid off $30,000 in debt through content creation. I remember thinking, "That can't be real."
But rock bottom gives you courage. Or crazy. Often both.
I got the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, venting about how I'd just used my last twelve bucks on a cheap food for my kids' school lunches. I shared it and felt sick. Why would anyone care about my broke reality?
Plot twist, thousands of people.
That video got 47K views. 47,000 people watched me nearly cry over processed meat. The comments section was this validation fest—other single moms, folks in the trenches, all saying "me too." That was my epiphany. People didn't want perfection. They wanted honest.
Discovering My Voice: The Unfiltered Mom Content
The truth is about content creation: you need a niche. And my niche? I stumbled into it. I became the mom who tells the truth.
I started sharing the stuff everyone keeps private. Like how I lived in one outfit because laundry felt impossible. Or the time I gave them breakfast for dinner multiple nights and called it "survival mode." Or that moment when my child asked why we don't live with dad, and I had to have big conversations to a kid who thinks the tooth fairy is real.
My content wasn't polished. My lighting was terrible. I filmed on a cracked iPhone 8. But it was honest, and apparently, that's what resonated.
In just two months, I hit 10,000 followers. 90 days in, fifty thousand. By half a year, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone felt surreal. These were real people who wanted to listen to me. Little old me—a barely surviving single mom who had to figure this out from zero recently.
The Actual Schedule: Balancing Content and Chaos
Here's what it actually looks like of my typical day, because creating content solo is nothing like those curated "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm sounds. I do not want to move, but this is my hustle hours. I make coffee that I'll reheat three times, and I start filming. Sometimes it's a morning routine discussing single mom finances. Sometimes it's me cooking while talking about parenting coordination. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids wake up. Content creation pauses. Now I'm in full mom mode—cooking eggs, finding the missing shoe (where do they go), prepping food, breaking up sibling fights. The chaos is overwhelming.
8:30am: Carpool line. 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. Peace and quiet. I'm editing videos, replying to DMs, ideating, doing outreach, looking at stats. Everyone assumes content creation is simple. Absolutely not. It's a real job.
I usually batch-create content on Monday and Wednesday. That means shooting multiple videos in a few hours. I'll swap tops so it looks varied. Hot tip: Keep multiple tops nearby for fast swaps. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, recording myself alone in the driveway.
3:00pm: School pickup. Parent time. But here's the thing—many times my top performing content come from this time. A few days ago, my daughter had a complete meltdown in Target because I refused to get a $40 toy. I made content in the parking lot once we left about dealing with meltdowns as a single parent. It got millions of views.
Evening: Dinner through bedtime. I'm generally wiped out to create anything, but I'll plan posts, reply to messages, or prep for tomorrow. Some nights, after they're down, I'll edit videos until midnight because a client needs content.
The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just controlled chaos with some victories.
The Financial Reality: How I Support My Family
Okay, let's talk numbers because this is what everyone wants to know. Can you actually make money as a online creator? For sure. Is it straightforward? Not even close.
My first month, I made $0. Month two? Also nothing. Third month, I got my first brand deal—$150 to post about a meal box. I broke down. That hundred fifty dollars covered food.
Today, years later, here's how I generate revenue:
Brand Deals: This is my primary income. I work with brands that align with my audience—budget-friendly products, helpful services, kids' stuff. I charge anywhere from $500 to $5,000 per collaboration, depending on the scope. This past month, I did four partnerships and made $8,000.
Ad Money: Creator fund pays pennies—two to four hundred per month for massive numbers. YouTube ad revenue is way better. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that was a long process.
Affiliate Income: I post links to things I own—ranging from my go-to coffee machine to the beds my kids use. If anyone buys, I get a cut. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.
Info Products: I created a single mom budget planner and a food prep planner. They sell for fifteen dollars, and I sell maybe 50-100 per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
Teaching Others: New creators pay me to show them how. I offer consulting calls for $200 hourly. I do about 5-10 each month.
Overall monthly earnings: Most months, I'm making ten to fifteen thousand per month currently. Some months are higher, some are tougher. It's inconsistent, which is nerve-wracking when you're it. But it's 3x what I made at my corporate job, and I'm available for my kids.
The Struggles Nobody Mentions
From the outside it's great until you're crying in your car because a video didn't perform, or reading hate comments from keyboard warriors.
The haters are brutal. I've been accused of being a bad mother, told I'm a bad influence, called a liar about being a solo parent. A commenter wrote, "I'd leave too." That one destroyed me.
The algorithm changes constantly. Sometimes you're getting insane views. Next month, you're getting nothing. Your income goes up and down. You're never off, always working, afraid to pause, you'll be forgotten.
The mom guilt is worse times a thousand. Every upload, I wonder: Is this too much? Am I protecting my kids' privacy? Will they regret this when they're adults? I have firm rules—protected identities, no discussing their personal struggles, nothing humiliating. But the line is hard to see.
The burnout hits hard. Sometimes when I can't create. When I'm touched out, socially drained, and at my limit. But bills don't care about burnout. So I create anyway.
The Unexpected Blessings
But here's the thing—despite everything, this journey has created things I never dreamed of.
Financial stability for the first damn time. I'm not wealthy, but I paid off $18,000 in debt. I have an cushion. We took a family trip last summer—Orlando, which I never thought possible a couple years back. I don't panic about money anymore.
Time freedom that's priceless. When my child had a fever last month, I didn't have to ask permission or lose income. I worked anywhere. When there's a school event, I attend. I'm there for them in ways I couldn't manage with a normal job.
Support that saved me. The other influencers I've befriended, especially solo parents, have become actual friends. We vent, share strategies, support each other. My followers have become this family. They hype me up, encourage me through rough patches, and show me I'm not alone.
Identity beyond "mom". For the first time since having kids, I have my own thing. I'm not just an ex or only a parent. I'm a CEO. A creator. Someone who created this.
Advice for Aspiring Creators
If you're a solo parent curious about this, here's what I wish someone had told me:
Just start. Your first videos will be trash. Mine did. It's fine. You improve over time, not by waiting until everything is perfect.
Keep it real. People can sense inauthenticity. Share your actual life—the chaos. That's what connects.
Prioritize their privacy. Create rules. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is everything. I keep names private, protect their faces, and protect their stories.
Diversify income streams. Spread it out or one revenue source. The algorithm is unreliable. More streams = less stress.
Create in batches. When you have available time, make a bunch. Tomorrow you will thank yourself when you're drained.
Connect with followers. Respond to comments. Respond to DMs. Build real relationships. Your community is crucial.
Monitor what works. Be strategic. If something is time-intensive and tanks while a different post takes very little time and blows up, shift focus.
Don't forget yourself. You need to fill your cup. Step away. Set boundaries. Your mental health matters most.
Give it time. This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It took me ages to make any real money. My first year, I made maybe $15,000 total. Year 2, $80,000. Year 3, I'm on track for six figures. It's a process.
Remember why you started. On difficult days—and trust me, there will be—remember your reason. For me, it's independence, being present, and showing myself that I'm capable of more than I thought possible.
The Honest Truth
Here's the deal, I'm being honest. Content creation as a single mom is difficult. Incredibly hard. You're running a whole business while being the only parent of kids who need everything.
There are days I doubt myself. Days when the hate comments affect me. Days when I'm drained and wondering if I should get a regular job with insurance.
But and then my daughter shares she's happy I'm here. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I receive a comment from a follower saying my content gave her courage. And I remember why I do this.
What's Next
Years ago, I was scared and struggling how I'd survive as a single mom. Currently, I'm a full-time content creator making more money than I ever did in my old job, and I'm there for my kids.
My goals moving forward? Reach 500K by December. Begin podcasting for single moms. Possibly write a book. Continue building this business that supports my family.
This path gave me a lifeline when I had nothing. It gave me a way to provide for my family, show up, and accomplish something incredible. It's a surprise, but it's perfect.
To every single mom out there considering this: You absolutely can. It will be hard. You'll doubt yourself. But you're currently doing the hardest job in the world—raising humans alone. You're tougher than you realize.
Begin messy. Stay the course. Guard your peace. And remember, you're not just surviving—you're building something incredible.
BRB, I need to go film a TikTok about another last-minute project and nobody told me until now. Because that's the content creator single mom life—content from the mess, one TikTok at a time.
Honestly. This journey? It's worth every struggle. Even if I'm sure there's crumbs everywhere. Dream life, imperfectly perfect.