Here's the tea, mom life is a whole vibe. But you know what's even crazier? Trying to make some extra cash while juggling tiny humans who think sleep is optional.
My hustle life began about several years ago when I figured out that my retail therapy sessions were way too frequent. It was time to get funds I didn't have to justify spending.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
Here's what happened, I started out was jumping into virtual assistance. And real talk? It was chef's kiss. I was able to get stuff done when the house was finally peaceful, and literally all it took was a computer and internet.
My first tasks were simple tasks like email sorting, managing social content, and data entry. Pretty straightforward. My rate was about fifteen dollars an hour, which felt cheap but when you're just starting, you gotta build up your portfolio.
What cracked me up? I would be on a Zoom call looking like a real businesswoman from the waist up—full professional mode—while wearing my rattiest leggings. Main character energy.
Selling on Etsy
After a year, I decided to try the handmade marketplace scene. Every mom I knew seemed to be on Etsy, so I thought "why not join the party?"
I created making digital planners and wall art. What's great about digital products? You create it once, and it can sell forever. Genuinely, I've gotten orders at 3am while I was sleeping.
When I got my first order? I actually yelled. He came running thinking I'd injured myself. Nope—just me, cheering about my glorious $4.99. I'm not embarrassed.
Blogging and Creating
Next I ventured into creating content online. This hustle is a marathon not a sprint, real talk.
I launched a family lifestyle blog where I documented real mom life—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Keeping it real. Only the actual truth about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Building traffic was painfully slow. The first few months, I was essentially writing for myself and like three people. But I stayed consistent, and after a while, things took off.
At this point? I generate revenue through affiliate links, collaborations, and display ads. Last month I generated over $2K from my website. Insane, right?
SMM Side Hustle
When I became good with social media for my own stuff, small companies started reaching out if I could manage their accounts.
And honestly? Most small businesses suck at social media. They realize they should be posting, but they don't know how.
This is my moment. I currently run social media for three local businesses—various small businesses. I create content, plan their posting schedule, interact with their audience, and monitor performance.
I bill between five hundred to fifteen hundred monthly per account, depending on what they need. What I love? I handle this from my phone during soccer practice.
Writing for Money
If you can write, freelancing is seriously profitable. I'm not talking becoming Shakespeare—this is blog posts, articles, website copy, product descriptions.
Websites and businesses are desperate for content. I've written everything from dental hygiene to copyright. Being an expert isn't required, you just need to be able to learn quickly.
I typically charge between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on how complex it is. Some months I'll write ten to fifteen pieces and earn $1-2K.
The funny thing is: I was the person who thought writing was torture. And now I'm a professional writer. Life's funny like that.
The Online Tutoring Thing
When COVID hit, virtual tutoring became huge. I used to be a teacher, so this was kind of a natural fit.
I joined various tutoring services. You make your own schedule, which is non-negotiable when you have unpredictable little ones.
I mostly tutor elementary reading and math. Income ranges from fifteen to twenty-five hourly depending on where you work.
Here's what's weird? Sometimes my children will photobomb my lessons mid-session. There was a time I teach fractions while my toddler screamed about the wrong color cup. The parents on the other end are incredibly understanding because they get it.
Reselling and Flipping
So, this side gig I stumbled into. While organizing my kids' room and posted some items on Facebook Marketplace.
Stuff sold out instantly. That's when I realized: you can sell literally anything.
Now I visit anywhere with deals, searching for name brands. I purchase something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
It's labor-intensive? Absolutely. It's a whole process. But there's something satisfying about finding a gem at a garage sale and making money.
Also: my kids think I'm cool when I bring home interesting finds. Last week I found a collectible item that my son went crazy for. Got forty-five dollars for it. Mom for the win.
The Honest Reality
Real talk moment: side hustles take work. There's work involved, hence the name.
Certain days when I'm exhausted, questioning my life choices. I wake up early working before my kids wake up, then being a full-time parent, then back at it after bedtime.
But this is what's real? These are my earnings. I don't have to ask permission to treat myself. I'm contributing to my family's finances. My kids see that moms can do anything.
What I Wish I Knew
If you want to start a mom hustle, here are my tips:
Start with one thing. Avoid trying to start five businesses. Pick one thing and nail it down before expanding.
Work with your schedule. If you only have evenings, that's okay. Two hours of focused work is better than nothing.
Don't compare yourself to Instagram moms. Those people with massive success? She probably started years ago and doesn't do it alone. Do your thing.
Spend money on education, but strategically. There are tons of free resources. Don't spend huge money on programs until you've tested the waters.
Batch tasks together. This is crucial. Dedicate days for specific hustles. Make Monday content creation day. Wednesday could be organizing and responding.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
I'm not gonna lie—the mom guilt is real. Sometimes when I'm focused on work while my kids need me, and I hate it.
But then I remember that I'm modeling for them what dedication looks like. I'm teaching my kids that you can be both.
And honestly? Making my own money has improved my mental health. I'm more fulfilled, which helps me be better.
Let's Talk Money
How much do I earn? Most months, total from all sources, I make between three and five grand. Certain months are higher, some are tougher.
Will this make you wealthy? Nope. But I've used it for so many things we needed that would've caused financial strain. Plus it's creating opportunities and knowledge that could evolve into something huge.
Wrapping This Up
Listen, hustling as a mom takes work. There's no such thing as a secret sauce. A lot of days I'm improvising everything, running on coffee and determination, and doing my best.
But I wouldn't change it. Every single dollar I earn is proof that I can do hard things. It demonstrates that I'm a multifaceted person.
So if you're considering diving into this? Start now. Start messy. Your tomorrow self will appreciate it.
Don't forget: You're more than making it through—you're hustling. Despite the fact that there's probably snack crumbs on your keyboard.
Seriously. This mom hustle life is the life, mess included.
Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom
Let me be real with you—single motherhood wasn't part of my five-year plan. Nor was becoming a content creator. But here I am, three years into this wild journey, supporting my family by being vulnerable on the internet while handling everything by myself. And honestly? It's been the most terrifying, empowering, and unexpected blessing of my life.
Rock Bottom: When Everything Imploded
It was three years ago when my relationship fell apart. I can still picture sitting in my half-empty apartment (he got the furniture, I got the memories), unable to sleep at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had barely $850 in my checking account, two mouths to feed, and a job that barely covered rent. The stress was unbearable, y'all.
I'd been mindlessly scrolling to escape reality—because that's what we do? when we're drowning, right?—when I came across this solo parent talking about how she changed her life through content creation. I remember thinking, "No way that's legit."
But being broke makes you bold. Or crazy. Probably both.
I downloaded the TikTok studio app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, sharing how I'd just blown my final $12 on a pack of chicken nuggets and fruit snacks for my kids' school lunches. I uploaded it and wanted to delete it. Who gives a damn about someone's train wreck of a life?
Apparently, way more people than I expected.
That video got forty-seven thousand views. 47,000 people watched me get emotional over frozen nuggets. The comments section became this safe space—women in similar situations, other people struggling, all saying "this is my life." That was my lightbulb moment. People didn't want the highlight reel. They wanted honest.
Finding My Niche: The Honest Single Parent Platform
The truth is about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? It happened organically. I became the real one.
I started creating content about the stuff everyone keeps private. Like how I wore the same leggings all week because I couldn't handle laundry. Or the time I let them eat Lucky Charms for dinner multiple nights and called it "creative meal planning." Or that moment when my child asked about the divorce, and I had to discuss divorce to a kid who is six years old.
My content wasn't polished. My lighting was terrible. I filmed on a busted phone. But it was authentic, and apparently, that's what worked.
In just two months, I hit 10,000 followers. Month three, 50K. By month six, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone blew my mind. Real accounts who wanted to listen to me. Me—a struggling single mom who had to learn everything from scratch recently.
A Day in the Life: Juggling Everything
Here's the reality of my typical day, because creating content solo is nothing like those pretty "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 get to work. Sometimes it's a get-ready-with-me discussing money struggles. Sometimes it's me cooking while talking about co-parenting struggles. The lighting is natural and terrible.
7:00am: Kids emerge. Content creation pauses. Now I'm in parent mode—feeding humans, hunting for that one shoe (it's always one shoe), making lunch boxes, breaking up sibling fights. The chaos is real.
8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom in the carpool line filming TikToks when stopped. I know, I know, but the grind never stops.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my hustle time. I'm alone finally. I'm in editing mode, being social, ideating, reaching out to brands, looking at stats. People think content creation is only filming. Nope. It's a real job.
I usually batch-create content on Monday and Wednesday. That means making a dozen videos in one session. I'll swap tops so it appears to be different times. Advice: Keep wardrobe options close for easy transitions. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, filming myself talking to my phone in the yard.
3:00pm: Pickup time. Transition back to mom mode. But here's the thing—frequently my biggest hits come from these after-school moments. Last week, my daughter had a massive breakdown in Target because I wouldn't buy a toy she didn't need. I made content in the parking lot once we left about dealing with meltdowns as a solo parent. It got 2.3M views.
Evening: Dinner, homework, bath time, bedtime routines. I'm typically drained to create content, but I'll schedule content, answer messages, or strategize. Certain nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll work late because a client needs content.
The truth? There's no balance. It's just managed chaos with moments of success.
The Money Talk: How I Actually Make a Living
Okay, let's get into the finances because this is what you're wondering. Can you actually make money as a online creator? For sure. Is it effortless? Absolutely not.
My first month, I made zilch. Second month? $0. Month three, I got my first collaboration—$150 to post about a food subscription. I cried real tears. That $150 fed us.
Today, years later, here's how I monetize:
Sponsored Content: This is my biggest income source. I work with brands that make sense—budget-friendly products, single-parent resources, kid essentials. I bill anywhere from five hundred to several thousand per partnership, depending on what's required. Just last month, I did 4 sponsored posts and made eight grand.
Platform Payments: The TikTok fund pays very little—a few hundred dollars per month for millions of views. YouTube revenue is better. I make about fifteen hundred a month from YouTube, but that was a long process.
Affiliate Income: I post links to products I actually use—anything from my go-to coffee machine to the bunk beds in their room. If someone purchases through my link, I get a commission. This brings in about $1K monthly.
Info Products: I created a financial planner and a meal prep guide. They're $15 each, and I sell dozens per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
Coaching/Consulting: Aspiring influencers pay me to show them how. I offer 1:1 sessions for two hundred per hour. I do about 5-10 per month.
Overall monthly earnings: Typically, I'm making $10-15K per month now. It varies, others are slower. It's variable, which is stressful when you're solo. But it's triple what I made at my 9-5, and I'm present.
The Dark Side Nobody Posts About
It looks perfect online until you're losing it because a post got no views, or reading vicious comments from random people.
The haters are brutal. I've been called a bad mom, told I'm a bad influence, called a liar about being a solo parent. One person said, "I'd leave too." That one stung for days.
The platform changes. Sometimes you're getting insane views. Then suddenly, you're struggling for views. Your income goes up and down. You're always creating, always "on", scared to stop, you'll fall behind.
The mom guilt is amplified to the extreme. Every video I post, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Are my kids safe? Will they hate me for this when they're grown? I have non-negotiables—no faces of my kids without permission, keeping their stories private, protecting their dignity. But the line is fuzzy.
The burnout is real. Some weeks when I have nothing. When I'm exhausted, socially drained, and completely finished. But rent doesn't care. So I create anyway.
The Unexpected Blessings
But listen—even with the struggles, this journey has brought me things I never anticipated.
Economic stability for the first damn time. I'm not loaded, but I eliminated my debt. I have an savings. We took a vacation last summer—Disney, which was a dream not long ago. I don't panic about money anymore.
Control that's priceless. When my boy was sick last month, I didn't have to ask permission or worry about money. I worked from the doctor's office. When there's a school event, I can go. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I couldn't manage with a normal job.
Support that saved me. The fellow creators I've met, especially single moms, have become real friends. We talk, share strategies, encourage each other. My followers have become this amazing support system. They hype me up, encourage me through rough patches, 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 CEO. A content creator. Someone who created this.
Tips for Single Moms Wanting to Start
If you're a single mom wanting to start, here's my advice:
Don't wait. Your first videos will suck. Mine did. That's normal. You get better, not by waiting.
Keep it real. People can tell when you're fake. Share your honest life—the messy, imperfect, chaotic reality. That's what connects.
Prioritize their privacy. Create rules. Know your limits. Their privacy is the priority. I keep names private, rarely show their faces, and respect their dignity.
Multiple revenue sources. Diversify or one income stream. The algorithm is unreliable. Multiple income streams = stability.
Batch your content. When you have free time, create multiple pieces. Future you will appreciate it when you're burnt out.
Interact. Respond to comments. Answer DMs. Build real relationships. Your community this example is your foundation.
Analyze performance. Be strategic. If something takes forever and tanks while a different post takes 20 minutes and gets 200,000 views, shift focus.
Don't forget yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Unplug. Set boundaries. Your sanity matters more than going viral.
Be patient. This is a marathon. It took me half a year to make real income. The first year, I made fifteen thousand. Year two, eighty thousand. Year three, I'm hitting six figures. It's a journey.
Remember why you started. On tough days—and there will be many—think about your why. For me, it's financial freedom, flexibility with my kids, and validating that I'm stronger than I knew.
The Reality Check
Real talk, I'm telling the truth. Content creation as a single mom is tough. Incredibly hard. You're managing a business while being the only parent of tiny humans who need you constantly.
There are days I question everything. Days when the hate comments affect me. Days when I'm burnt out and wondering if I should get a regular job with insurance.
But then suddenly my daughter says she's proud that I work from home. 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 know it's worth it.
What's Next
Not long ago, I was scared and struggling how to survive. Today, I'm a professional creator making triple what I earned in my 9-5, and I'm home when my kids get off the school bus.
My goals for the future? Reach 500K by end of year. Launch a podcast for single parents. Write a book eventually. Keep building this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
This journey gave me a lifeline when I was desperate. It gave me a way to support my kids, be there, and build something I'm genuinely proud of. It's not what I planned, but it's where I belong.
To all the single moms wondering if you can do this: Hell yes you can. It isn't simple. You'll want to quit some days. But you're managing the hardest job in the world—raising humans alone. You're stronger than you think.
Start messy. Keep showing up. Guard your peace. And remember, you're beyond survival mode—you're building an empire.
BRB, I need to go create content about the project I just found out about and nobody told me until now. Because that's how it goes—making content from chaos, one TikTok at a time.
Honestly. This path? It's worth it. Despite there's probably crushed cheerios in my keyboard. That's the dream, mess included.