Let me spill, being a mom is not for the weak. But plot twist? Working to secure the bag while managing kids, laundry, and approximately 47 snack requests per day.
I entered the side gig world about a few years back when I realized that my impulse buys were becoming problematic. I had to find some independent income.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
Okay so, my initial venture was doing VA work. And I'll be real? It was exactly what I needed. I was able to work during naptime, and all I needed was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
My first tasks were easy things like email management, doing social media scheduling, and basic admin work. Nothing fancy. 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.
What cracked me up? There I was on a Zoom call looking like I had my life together from the chest up—blazer, makeup, the works—while rocking my rattiest leggings. That's the dream honestly.
Selling on Etsy
After a year, I thought I'd test out the selling on Etsy. All my mom friends seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I was like "why not me?"
I started designing downloadable organizers and home decor prints. The beauty of printables? You create it once, and it can make money while you sleep. Actually, I've gotten orders at 3am while I was sleeping.
When I got my first order? I lost my mind. He came running thinking I'd injured myself. Negative—I was just, celebrating my $4.99 sale. Don't judge me.
The Content Creation Grind
Eventually I ventured into writing and making content. This venture is playing the long game, let me tell you.
I began a mom blog where I wrote about real mom life—the good, the bad, and the ugly. None of that Pinterest-perfect life. Only honest stories about how I once found a chicken nugget in my bra.
Getting readers was like watching paint dry. The first few months, I was basically creating content for crickets. But I stayed consistent, and slowly but surely, things took off.
Now? I generate revenue through promoting products, sponsored posts, and ad revenue. Last month I earned over two thousand dollars from my blog income. Insane, right?
SMM Side Hustle
After I learned social media for my own stuff, small companies started reaching out if I could help them.
Here's the thing? Tons of businesses suck at social media. They recognize they need to be there, but they don't have time.
Enter: me. I now manage social media for three local businesses—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I create content, plan their posting schedule, respond to comments, and track analytics.
My rate is between five hundred to a thousand dollars per month per business, depending on what they need. Here's what's great? I manage everything from my phone during soccer practice.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
For the wordy folks, freelance writing is a goldmine. Not like writing the next Great American Novel—I mean business content.
Websites and businesses need content constantly. My assignments have included everything from the most random topics. You just need to research, you just need to be good at research.
Usually charge $0.10-0.50 per word, depending on what's involved. Certain months I'll crank out a dozen articles and bring in one to two thousand extra.
Plot twist: I was that student who struggled with essays. Currently I'm earning a living writing. Talk about character development.
Tutoring Online
During the pandemic, tutoring went digital. With my teaching background, so this was kind of a natural fit.
I signed up with several tutoring platforms. You make your own schedule, which is absolutely necessary when you have kids with unpredictable schedules.
I focus on elementary reading and math. You can make from $15-25 per hour depending on where you work.
Here's what's weird? There are times when my children will interrupt mid-session. I've had to teach fractions while my toddler screamed about the wrong color cup. Other parents are very sympathetic because they're living the same life.
The Reselling Game
Alright, this hustle happened accidentally. During a massive cleanout my kids' room and posted some items on Mercari.
Things sold instantly. Lightbulb moment: there's a market for everything.
Now I shop at estate sales and thrift shops, looking for good brands. I purchase something for cheap and resell at a markup.
It's definitely work? Not gonna lie. It's a whole process. But it's strangely fulfilling about finding a gem at Goodwill and earning from it.
Bonus: the kids think it's neat when I find unique items. Just last week I discovered a rare action figure that my son absolutely loved. Got forty-five dollars for it. Mom win.
The Honest Reality
Truth bomb incoming: side hustles take work. It's called hustling because you're hustling.
There are moments when I'm completely drained, wondering why I'm doing this. I wake up early working before my kids wake up, then all day mom-ing, then working again after the kids are asleep.
But you know what? I earned this money. I don't have to ask permission to treat myself. I'm contributing to our household income. My kids see that women can hustle.
What I Wish I Knew
If you want to start a side gig, here's what I'd tell you:
Begin with something manageable. Don't try to start five businesses. Focus on one and become proficient before taking on more.
Honor your limits. If naptime is your only free time, that's perfectly acceptable. Even one focused hour is better than nothing.
Comparison is the thief of joy to the highlight reels. Those people with massive success? She probably started years ago and has resources you don't see. Focus on your own journey.
Spend money on education, but carefully. Start with free stuff first. Be careful about spending thousands on courses until you've tested the waters.
Work in batches. This is crucial. Dedicate specific days for specific tasks. Use Monday for content creation day. Use Wednesday for admin and emails.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
I'm not gonna lie—mom guilt is a thing. There are times when I'm focused on work while my kids need me, and I struggle with it.
Yet I remember that I'm demonstrating to them work ethic. I'm proving to them that motherhood doesn't mean giving up your identity.
Additionally? Having my own income has helped me feel more like myself. I'm happier, which makes me a better parent.
Let's Talk Money
So what do I actually make? Typically, total from all sources, I bring in $3K-5K. Certain months are higher, it fluctuates.
Is it life-changing money? No. But I've used it for stuff that matters to us that would've stressed us out. It's developing my career and knowledge that could turn into something bigger.
Final Thoughts
Here's the bottom line, hustling as a mom isn't easy. You won't find a one-size-fits-all approach. Most days I'm making it up as I go, surviving on coffee, and crossing my fingers.
But I wouldn't change it. Every dollar I earn is proof that I can do hard things. It shows that I'm not just someone's mother.
If you're on the fence about diving into this? Do it. Start messy. You in six months will be grateful.
And remember: You're not merely getting by—you're creating something amazing. Despite the fact that you probably have mysterious crumbs stuck to your laptop.
No cap. This is the life, despite the chaos.
My Content Creator Journey: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—becoming a single mom wasn't the dream. Neither was making money from my phone. But here we are, three years later, supporting my family by being vulnerable on the internet 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 Changed
It was a few years ago when my life exploded. I will never forget sitting in my new apartment (he took what he wanted, I kept what mattered), wide awake at 2am while my kids slept. I had barely $850 in my account, two kids to support, and a job that barely covered rent. The anxiety was crushing, y'all.
I'd been mindlessly scrolling to distract myself from the anxiety—because that's the move? when our lives are falling apart, right?—when I found this single mom discussing how she changed her life through posting online. I remember thinking, "She's lying or got lucky."
But rock bottom gives you courage. Or stupid. Sometimes both.
I got the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Me, no makeup, messy bun, sharing how I'd just put my last twelve dollars on a frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' lunches. I shared it and felt sick. Who wants to watch my mess?
Plot twist, tons of people.
That video got nearly 50,000 views. Forty-seven thousand people watched me breakdown over processed meat. The comments section was this unexpected source of support—people who got it, folks in the trenches, all saying "I feel this." That was my aha moment. People didn't want filtered content. They wanted authentic.
My Brand Evolution: The Real Mom Life Brand
The truth is about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? It chose me. I became the mom who tells the truth.
I started posting about the stuff everyone keeps private. Like how I lived in one outfit 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 was raw. My lighting was trash. I filmed on a ancient iPhone. But it was unfiltered, and turns out, that's what hit.
In just two months, I hit 10,000 followers. 90 days in, 50,000. By six months, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone felt impossible. Real accounts who wanted to listen to me. Little old me—a broke single mom who had to learn everything from scratch six months earlier.
The Daily Grind: Managing It All
Let me paint you a picture of my typical day, because creating content solo is not at all like those perfect "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm blares. I do want to throw my phone, but this is my precious quiet time. I make coffee that I'll reheat three times, and I start filming. Sometimes it's a GRWM discussing money struggles. Sometimes it's me making food while talking about custody stuff. The lighting is not great.
7:00am: Kids get up. Content creation stops. Now I'm in mommy mode—cooking eggs, finding the missing shoe (seriously, always ONE), throwing food in bags, mediating arguments. The chaos is intense.
8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom filming at red lights at stop signs. Not proud of this, but bills don't care.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my power window. House is quiet. I'm editing content, replying to DMs, brainstorming content ideas, sending emails, analyzing metrics. Folks imagine content creation is only filming. Absolutely not. It's a real job.
I usually film in batches on Monday and Wednesday. That means making a dozen videos in one session. I'll change clothes so it looks like different days. Hot tip: Keep wardrobe options close for fast swaps. My neighbors must think I'm insane, making videos in public in the backyard.
3:00pm: Picking them up. Transition back to mom mode. But plot twist—often my best content ideas come from real life. A few days ago, my daughter had a complete meltdown in Target because I refused to get a expensive toy. I filmed a video in the Target parking lot later about surviving tantrums as a single mom. It got 2.3M views.
Evening: Dinner through bedtime. I'm typically drained to create content, but I'll schedule content, check DMs, or prep for tomorrow. Often, after bedtime, I'll edit videos until midnight because a brand deadline is looming.
The truth? There's no balance. It's just managed chaos with random wins.
The Financial Reality: How I Really Earn Money
Look, let's talk numbers because this is what people ask about. Can you legitimately profit as a creator? 100%. Is it easy? Not even close.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Month two? Zero. Third month, I got my first sponsored post—$150 to feature a food subscription. I cried real tears. That $150 covered food.
Now, three years later, here's how I earn income:
Collaborations: This is my primary income. I work with brands that align with my audience—budget-friendly products, helpful services, family items. I charge anywhere from $500 to $5,000 per collaboration, depending on deliverables. Just last month, I did four partnerships and made eight grand.
Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: Creator fund pays not much—$200-$400 per month for massive numbers. YouTube ad revenue is more lucrative. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that required years.
Link Sharing: I promote products to things I own—ranging from my favorite coffee maker to the bunk beds I bought. If anyone buys, I get a commission. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.
Info Products: I created a financial planner and a meal planning ebook. Each costs $15, and I sell 50-100 per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
Consulting Services: People wanting to start pay me to mentor them. I offer consulting calls for two hundred dollars. I do about 5-10 a month.
Combined monthly revenue: Generally, I'm making between ten and fifteen grand per month now. Some months I make more, some are tougher. It's up and down, which is nerve-wracking when you're the only income source. But it's triple what I made at my old job, and I'm present.
The Struggles Nobody Posts About
This sounds easy until you're sobbing alone because a post got no views, or handling cruel messages from random people.
The haters are brutal. I've been mom-shamed, told I'm problematic, questioned about being a divorced parent. Someone once commented, "I'd leave too." That one destroyed me.
The algorithm changes constantly. One month you're getting viral hits. Next month, you're struggling for views. Your income fluctuates. You're constantly creating, always "on", worried that if you take a break, you'll lose relevance.
The mom guilt is amplified times a thousand. Every video I post, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Am I protecting my kids' privacy? Will they resent this when they're teenagers? I have firm rules—protected identities, keeping their stories private, no embarrassing content. But the line is fuzzy.
The I get burnt out. Some weeks when I don't want to film anything. When I'm done, socially drained, and at my limit. But life doesn't stop. So I create anyway.
The Wins
But here's what's real—through it all, this journey has given me things I never anticipated.
Money security for the first time ever. I'm not loaded, but I cleared $18K. I have an safety net. We took a vacation last summer—the Mouse House, which felt impossible not long ago. I don't panic about money anymore.
Schedule freedom that's priceless. When my boy was sick last month, I didn't have to call in to work or stress about losing pay. I worked from the doctor's office. When there's a field trip, I attend. I'm available in ways I couldn't be with a regular job.
Community that saved me. The other influencers I've befriended, especially solo parents, have become real friends. We vent, exchange tips, lift each other up. My followers have become this incredible cheerleading squad. They celebrate my wins, send love, and remind me I'm not alone.
My own identity. For the first time since having kids, I have an identity. I'm not defined by divorce or someone's mom. I'm a entrepreneur. A businesswoman. Someone who made it happen.
Tips for Single Moms Wanting to Start
If you're a single parent curious about this, listen up:
Begin now. Your first videos will be terrible. Mine did. That's okay. You get better, not by waiting until everything is perfect.
Keep it real. People can spot fake. Share your honest life—the messy, imperfect, chaotic reality. That's what works.
Prioritize their privacy. Set limits. Be intentional. Their privacy is sacred. I don't use their names, rarely show their faces, and respect their dignity.
Build multiple income streams. Spread it out or a single source. The algorithm is unreliable. Multiple income streams = stability.
Batch your content. When you have time alone, make a bunch. Future you will be grateful when you're too exhausted to create.
Engage with your audience. Engage. Respond to DMs. Be real with them. Your community is what matters.
Track metrics. Not all content is worth creating. If something takes four hours and tanks while another video takes very little time and goes viral, change tactics.
Don't forget yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Take breaks. Protect your peace. Your wellbeing matters more than anything.
Give it time. This requires patience. It took me ages to make decent money. Year one, I made fifteen thousand. Year 2, $80K. Year 3, I'm making six figures. It's a journey.
Remember why you started. On tough days—and trust me, there will be—think about your why. For me, it's supporting my kids, time with my children, and validating that I'm more than I believed.
The Reality Check
Look, I'm keeping it 100. This life is hard. So damn hard. You're running a whole business while being the sole caretaker of tiny humans who need you constantly.
Certain days I wonder what I'm doing. Days when the nasty comments get to me. Days when I'm completely spent and asking myself if I should quit this with insurance.
But then my daughter mentions she's proud that I work from home. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I see a message from a follower saying my content gave her courage. And I know it's worth it.
What's Next
A few years back, I was lost and broke how to make it work. Currently, I'm a content creator making more than I imagined in my 9-5, and I'm available when they need me.
My goals now? Hit 500,000 followers by December. Begin podcasting for other single moms. Possibly write a book. Keep building this business that makes everything possible.
Content creation gave me a lifeline when I had nothing. It gave me a way to provide for my family, be present in their lives, and accomplish something incredible. It's a surprise, but it's perfect.
To every solo parent on the fence: You absolutely can. It won't be easy. You'll consider quitting. But you're handling the hardest job—single parenting. You're more capable than check here you know.
Start messy. Keep showing up. Guard your peace. And know this, you're beyond survival mode—you're building something incredible.
Time to go, I need to go film a TikTok about the project I just found out about and nobody told me until now. Because that's the reality—chaos becomes content, video by video.
Honestly. This journey? It's the best decision. Even when there might be crumbs everywhere. That's the dream, chaos and all.