Let me tell you, being a mom is not for the weak. But you know what's even crazier? Trying to get that bread while juggling tiny humans who think sleep is optional.
This whole thing started for me about several years ago when I figured out that my retail therapy sessions were way too frequent. I needed funds I didn't have to justify spending.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
Right so, I kicked things off was becoming a virtual assistant. And not gonna lie? It was chef's kiss. It let me grind during those precious quiet hours, and all I needed was a computer and internet.
Initially I was doing basic stuff like email sorting, scheduling social media posts, and entering data. Not rocket science. I started at about fifteen to twenty bucks hourly, which felt cheap but when you're just starting, you gotta build up your portfolio.
The funniest part? There I was on a client call looking completely put together from the waist up—full professional mode—while sporting sweatpants. Living my best life.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
Once I got comfortable, I decided to try the selling on Etsy. Every mom I knew seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I thought "why not join the party?"
I started crafting digital planners and wall art. What's great about digital products? One and done creation, and it can generate passive income forever. Actually, I've gotten orders at midnight when I'm unconscious.
My first sale? I lost my mind. My husband thought there was an emergency. But no—just me, doing a happy dance for my first five bucks. No shame in my game.
The Content Creation Grind
Then I discovered blogging and content creation. This one is a marathon not a sprint, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it.
I launched a parenting blog where I documented the chaos of parenting—all of it, no filter. Keeping it real. Simply honest stories about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Growing an audience was a test of patience. The first few months, I was essentially writing for myself and like three people. But I persisted, and eventually, things started clicking.
At this point? I earn income through promoting products, collaborations, and advertisements on my site. Last month I generated over $2K from my website. Wild, right?
SMM Side Hustle
When I became good with running my own socials, local businesses started reaching out if I could manage their accounts.
Real talk? Many companies suck at social media. They know they should be posting, but they don't have time.
I swoop in. I oversee social media for a handful of clients—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I develop content, queue up posts, respond to comments, and monitor performance.
My rate is between $500-$1500/month per client, depending on the complexity. What I love? I do this work from my iPhone.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
If you can write, freelancing is where it's at. Not like literary fiction—I'm talking about content writing for businesses.
Businesses everywhere always need writers. I've created content about everything from subjects I knew nothing about before Googling. You just need to research, you just need to be able to learn quickly.
I typically charge fifty to one hundred fifty bucks per piece, depending on how complex it is. Certain months I'll produce ten to fifteen pieces and make an extra $1,000-2,000.
Plot the content here twist: Back in school I thought writing was torture. Now I'm getting paid for it. The irony.
Tutoring Online
When COVID hit, everyone needed online help. I was a teacher before kids, so this was an obvious choice.
I joined a couple of online tutoring sites. It's super flexible, which is crucial when you have children who keep you guessing.
I mainly help with basic subjects. The pay ranges from fifteen to twenty-five hourly depending on which site you use.
The funny thing? Occasionally my own kids will burst into the room mid-session. I once had to educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. My clients are totally cool about it because they're parents too.
Flipping Items for Profit
Okay, this particular venture wasn't planned. I was decluttering my kids' things and tried selling some outfits on Facebook Marketplace.
Stuff sold out within hours. I suddenly understood: one person's trash is another's treasure.
Currently I shop at anywhere with deals, on the hunt for things that will sell. I purchase something for $3 and sell it for $30.
Is it a lot of work? Not gonna lie. You're constantly listing and shipping. But it's strangely fulfilling about finding hidden treasures at the thrift store and turning a profit.
Bonus: my children are fascinated when I find unique items. Just last week I grabbed a vintage toy that my son freaked out about. Got forty-five dollars for it. Mom win.
The Honest Reality
Here's the thing nobody tells you: side hustles take work. There's work involved, hence the name.
Certain days when I'm running on empty, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm grinding at dawn being productive before the madness begins, then doing all the mom stuff, then working again after 8pm hits.
But this is what's real? I earned this money. I don't have to ask permission to splurge on something nice. I'm adding to our financial goals. My kids are learning that you can be both.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're thinking about a mom hustle, this is what I've learned:
Start small. Avoid trying to juggle ten things. Focus on one and nail it down before starting something else.
Honor your limits. Your available hours, that's totally valid. Whatever time you can dedicate is better than nothing.
Stop comparing to Instagram moms. The successful ones you see? They put in years of work and has resources you don't see. Stay in your lane.
Learn and grow, but strategically. You don't need expensive courses. Be careful about spending massive amounts on training until you've tested the waters.
Batch your work. I learned this the hard way. Block off certain times for certain work. Monday could be content creation day. Wednesday could be admin and emails.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
Real talk—I struggle with guilt. Certain moments when I'm working and my kid wants attention, and I hate it.
However I remind myself that I'm modeling for them what dedication looks like. I'm showing my daughter that moms can have businesses.
And honestly? Having my own income has been good for me. I'm more fulfilled, which translates to better parenting.
Let's Talk Money
My actual income? On average, between all my hustles, I bring in between three and five grand. Some months are lower, some are tougher.
Is this millionaire money? Not exactly. But this money covers stuff that matters to us that would've been really hard. It's giving me confidence and expertise that could grow into more.
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, being a mom with a side hustle is hard. There's no such thing as a secret sauce. A lot of days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, powered by caffeine, and praying it all works out.
But I wouldn't change it. Every single bit of income is evidence of my capability. It demonstrates that I'm a multifaceted person.
If you're on the fence about starting a side hustle? Take the leap. Begin before you're ready. You in six months will appreciate it.
Don't forget: You're not just enduring—you're growing something incredible. Even if there's likely snack crumbs in your workspace.
No cap. This is where it's at, despite the chaos.
Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—becoming a single mom wasn't the dream. Neither was becoming a content creator. But here we are, years into this crazy ride, making a living by creating content while doing this mom thing solo. And not gonna lie? It's been the most terrifying, empowering, and unexpected blessing of my life.
The Starting Point: When Everything Imploded
It was 2022 when my divorce happened. I will never forget sitting in my mostly empty place (he got the furniture, I got the memories), staring at my phone at 2am while my kids were passed out. I had $847 in my account, two kids to support, and a income that didn't cut it. The stress was unbearable, y'all.
I'd been scrolling TikTok to numb the pain—because that's self-care at 2am, right? when everything is chaos, right?—when I came across this solo parent talking about how she made six figures through being a creator. I remember thinking, "That's either a scam or she's incredibly lucky."
But when you're desperate, you try anything. Or both. Probably both.
I got the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? Completely unpolished, talking about 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. Why would anyone care about my mess?
Plot twist, a lot of people.
That video got 47K views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me nearly cry over $12 worth of food. The comments section was this safe space—people who got it, others barely surviving, all saying "same." That was my aha moment. People didn't want perfect. They wanted authentic.
Discovering My Voice: The Hot Mess Single Mom Brand
Here's what they don't say about content creation: your niche matters. And my niche? I stumbled into it. I became the single mom who keeps it brutally honest.
I started filming the stuff no one shows. Like how I didn't change pants for days because laundry felt impossible. Or when I gave them breakfast for dinner multiple nights and called it "survival mode." Or that moment when my six-year-old 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 pretty. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a cracked iPhone 8. But it was honest, and apparently, that's what hit.
Two months later, I hit 10K. 90 days in, fifty thousand. By month six, I'd crossed 100,000. Each milestone seemed fake. Real accounts who wanted to hear what I had to say. Plain old me—a broke single mom who had to figure this out from zero six months earlier.
A Day in the Life: Balancing Content and Chaos
Let me show you of my typical day, because content creation as a single mom is nothing like those aesthetic "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm screams. I do not want to move, but this is my hustle hours. I make coffee that I'll forget about, and I start recording. Sometimes it's a GRWM discussing budgeting. Sometimes it's me meal prepping while sharing dealing with my ex. The lighting is natural and terrible.
7:00am: Kids emerge. Content creation ends. Now I'm in survival mode—cooking eggs, the shoe hunt (why is it always one shoe), throwing food in bags, breaking up sibling fights. The chaos is overwhelming.
8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom creating content in traffic when stopped. Don't judge me, but the grind never stops.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my power window. I'm alone finally. I'm in editing mode, being social, brainstorming content ideas, reaching out to brands, reviewing performance. Folks imagine content creation is only filming. It's not. It's a entire operation.
I usually create multiple videos on Mondays and Wednesdays. That means making a dozen videos in one sitting. I'll swap tops so it appears to be different times. Hot tip: Keep several shirts ready for easy transitions. My neighbors definitely think I'm crazy, talking to my camera in the parking lot.
3:00pm: Picking them up. Parent time. But here's where it gets tricky—sometimes my top performing content come from these after-school moments. Last week, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I said no to a forty dollar toy. I filmed a video in the car once we left about handling public tantrums as a lone parent. It got 2.3 million views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm usually too exhausted to make videos, but I'll queue up posts, answer messages, or outline content. Many nights, after they're down, I'll stay up editing because a client needs content.
The truth? No such thing as balance. It's just controlled chaos with some victories.
The Money Talk: How I Really Earn Money
Okay, let's talk dollars because this is what you're wondering. Can you really earn income as a content creator? Yes. Is it effortless? Absolutely not.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Second month? Also nothing. Third month, I got my first collaboration—$150 to share a meal delivery. I actually cried. That one-fifty bought groceries for two weeks.
Fast forward, years later, here's how I earn income:
Brand Partnerships: This is my primary income. I work with brands that align with my audience—things that help, helpful services, children's products. I ask for anywhere from $500-5K per partnership, depending on what they need. Last month, I did four collabs and made eight thousand dollars.
Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: TikTok's creator fund pays basically nothing—a few hundred dollars per month for huge view counts. YouTube money is better. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Affiliate Income: I share affiliate links to stuff I really use—ranging from my beloved coffee maker to the kids' beds. If someone clicks and buys, I get a cut. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.
Digital Products: I created a financial planner and a meal planning ebook. They're $15 each, and I sell 50-100 per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.
One-on-One Coaching: People wanting to start pay me to guide them. I offer 1:1 sessions for two hundred per hour. I do about several per month.
Total monthly income: Most months, I'm making $10-15K per month these days. Some months are higher, some are lower. It's up and down, which is stressful when you're solo. But it's 3x what I made at my old job, and I'm present.
The Dark Side Nobody Posts About
This sounds easy until you're losing it because a post got no views, or dealing with vicious comments from keyboard warriors.
The haters are brutal. I've been mom-shamed, told I'm exploiting my kids, told I'm fake about being a solo parent. I'll never forget, "I'd leave too." That one hurt so bad.
The algorithm changes constantly. Sometimes you're getting millions of views. The following week, you're struggling for views. Your income varies wildly. You're never off, always working, nervous about slowing down, you'll fall behind.
The mom guilt is intense exponentially. Everything I share, I wonder: Am I oversharing? Is this okay? Will they hate me for this when they're adults? I have firm rules—minimal identifying info, no sharing their private stuff, protecting their dignity. But the line is fuzzy.
The exhaustion is real. Some weeks when I have nothing. When I'm touched out, socially drained, and just done. But life doesn't stop. So I create anyway.
The Wins
But here's what's real—even with the struggles, this journey has given me things I never imagined.
Financial stability for once in my life. I'm not a millionaire, but I cleared $18K. I have an emergency fund. We took a real vacation last summer—Disney, which felt impossible two years ago. I don't panic about money anymore.
Time freedom that's priceless. When my boy was sick last month, I didn't have to call in to work or panic. I worked from the doctor's office. When there's a school thing, I can go. I'm in their lives in ways I wasn't able to be with a traditional 9-5.
My people that saved me. The other creators I've befriended, especially single moms, have become true friends. We vent, collaborate, support each other. My followers have become this beautiful community. They cheer for me, lift me up, and make me feel seen.
My own identity. For the first time since having kids, I have something for me. I'm not just an ex or someone's mom. I'm a CEO. A content creator. A person who hustled.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're a single mom considering content creation, here's what I wish someone had told me:
Just start. Your first videos will be awful. Mine did. Everyone starts there. You grow through creating, not by waiting.
Keep it real. People can smell fake from a mile away. Share your actual life—the mess. That's what works.
Keep them safe. Establish boundaries. Know your limits. Their privacy is the priority. I never share their names, protect their faces, and never discuss anything that could embarrass them.
Diversify income streams. Don't put all eggs in one basket or one way to earn. The algorithm is unreliable. More streams = less stress.
Film multiple videos. When you have time alone, record several. Future you will thank present you when you're drained.
Build community. Reply to comments. Respond to DMs. Build real relationships. Your community is everything.
Monitor what works. Time is money. If something requires tons of time and gets nothing while something else takes 20 minutes and blows up, adjust your strategy.
Prioritize yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Take breaks. Set boundaries. Your health matters more than anything.
Give it time. This takes time. It took me ages to make decent money. My first year, I made maybe $15,000 total. The second year, $80K. Year 3, I'm hitting six figures. It's a process.
Don't forget your why. On bad days—and they happen—remember your reason. For me, it's supporting my kids, being present, and proving to myself that I'm stronger than I knew.
Being Real With You
Real talk, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. Being a single mom creator is tough. So damn hard. You're managing a business while being the only parent of demanding little people.
There are days I question everything. Days when the trolls get to me. Days when I'm completely spent and asking myself if I should go back to corporate with a 401k.
But but then my daughter tells me she loves that I'm home. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I know it's worth it.
Where I'm Going From Here
Years ago, I was lost and broke how to make it work. Currently, I'm a content creator making triple what I earned in corporate America, and I'm there for my kids.
My goals now? Hit 500,000 followers by December. Create a podcast for solo parents. Write a book eventually. Keep building this business that changed my life.
This path gave me a path forward when I was drowning. It gave me a way to support my kids, be available, and build something real. It's not what I planned, but it's meant to be.
To every solo parent wondering if you can do this: You absolutely can. It will be challenging. You'll struggle. But you're handling the hardest job—parenting solo. You're tougher than you realize.
Jump in messy. Keep showing up. Keep your boundaries. And don't forget, you're not just surviving—you're building something incredible.
Gotta go now, I need to go create content about homework I forgot about and I'm just now hearing about it. Because that's the content creator single mom life—making content from chaos, one video at a time.
No cap. Being a single mom creator? It's worth it. Even though there might be old snacks stuck to my laptop right now. Living the dream, one messy video at a time.