Let me spill, motherhood is no joke. But you know what's even crazier? Trying to make some extra cash while juggling toddlers and their chaos.
I started my side hustle journey about three years ago when I figured out that my impulse buys were getting out of hand. I had to find cash that was actually mine.
The Virtual Assistant Life
Okay so, I started out was doing VA work. And real talk? It was exactly what I needed. I could work during naptime, and literally all it took was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
I began by simple tasks like handling emails, scheduling social media posts, and basic admin work. Pretty straightforward. My rate was about fifteen to twenty bucks hourly, which seemed low but for someone with zero experience, you gotta prove yourself first.
Here's what was wild? Picture this: me on a video meeting looking all professional from the chest up—full professional mode—while sporting pants I'd owned since 2015. Living my best life.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
After getting my feet wet, I thought I'd test out the Etsy world. Literally everyone seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I figured "why not get in on this?"
I created creating PDF planners and digital art prints. The thing about selling digital stuff? One and done creation, and it can sell forever. For real, I've made sales at 3am while I was sleeping.
My first sale? I literally screamed. My husband thought I'd injured myself. But no—just me, doing a happy dance for my first five bucks. I'm not embarrassed.
Blogging and Creating
After that I discovered the whole influencer thing. This venture is definitely a slow burn, let me tell you.
I started a family lifestyle blog where I documented what motherhood actually looks like—all of it, no filter. None of that Pinterest-perfect life. Only honest stories about surviving tantrums in Target.
Getting readers was painfully slow. The first few months, I was basically creating content for crickets. But I stayed consistent, and after a while, things took off.
At this point? I make money through affiliate links, collaborations, and ad revenue. Last month I made over $2,000 from my blog income. Insane, right?
Managing Social Media
After I learned my own content, brands started reaching out if I could help them.
Truth bomb? Most small businesses are terrible with social media. They recognize they have to be on it, but they can't keep up.
This is my moment. I now manage social media for three local businesses—different types of businesses. I develop content, queue up posts, respond to comments, and track analytics.
I bill between $500-1500 per month per business, depending on the complexity. Here's what's great? I handle this from my phone.
Freelance Writing Life
If writing is your thing, content writing is a goldmine. This isn't becoming Shakespeare—I'm talking about business content.
Businesses everywhere always need the article here writers. My assignments have included everything from the most random topics. Google is your best friend, you just need to know how to Google effectively.
Generally make between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on how complex it is. On good months I'll crank out fifteen articles and bring in one to two thousand extra.
What's hilarious: I'm the same person who thought writing was torture. And now I'm earning a living writing. Life is weird.
Tutoring Online
2020 changed everything, tutoring went digital. With my teaching background, so this was right up my alley.
I registered on various tutoring services. It's super flexible, which is crucial when you have children who keep you guessing.
My sessions are usually elementary school stuff. Income ranges from fifteen to twenty-five hourly depending on where you work.
The funny thing? Occasionally my own kids will interrupt mid-session. I've literally had to teach fractions while my toddler screamed about the wrong color cup. My clients are very sympathetic because they're parents too.
The Reselling Game
So, this one happened accidentally. During a massive cleanout my kids' things and listed some clothes on Facebook Marketplace.
Stuff sold out instantly. I had an epiphany: one person's trash is another's treasure.
Currently I hit up anywhere with deals, on the hunt for good brands. I'll buy something for $3 and sell it for $30.
It's labor-intensive? Not gonna lie. I'm photographing items, writing descriptions, shipping packages. But there's something satisfying about discovering a diamond in the rough at the thrift store and making profit.
Additionally: my kids think I'm cool when I bring home interesting finds. Just last week I found a rare action figure that my son freaked out about. Sold it for $45. Score one for mom.
The Honest Reality
Real talk moment: these aren't get-rich-quick schemes. It's called hustling because you're hustling.
There are days when I'm surviving on caffeine and spite, wondering why I'm doing this. I wake up early working before my kids wake up, then being a full-time parent, then working again after the kids are asleep.
But here's the thing? That money is MINE. I don't have to ask permission to buy the fancy coffee. I'm supporting our household income. I'm teaching my children that women can hustle.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're considering a side hustle, here's my advice:
Don't go all in immediately. Don't try to start five businesses. Pick one thing and master it before taking on more.
Work with your schedule. If you only have evenings, that's fine. Even one focused hour is valuable.
Stop comparing to Instagram moms. The successful ones you see? They've been at it for years and doesn't do it alone. Do your thing.
Learn and grow, but smartly. There are tons of free resources. Don't spend huge money on programs until you've validated your idea.
Batch your work. I learned this the hard way. Set aside specific days for specific tasks. Use Monday for writing day. Use Wednesday for admin and emails.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
I have to be real with you—mom guilt is a thing. Sometimes when I'm hustling and my child is calling for me, and I feel guilty.
Yet I think about that I'm modeling for them that hard work matters. I'm proving to them that moms can have businesses.
Additionally? Earning independently has improved my mental health. I'm more satisfied, which makes me more patient.
Income Reality Check
How much do I earn? Most months, between all my hustles, I earn between three and five grand. Some months are lower, some are tougher.
Will this make you wealthy? Not really. But it's paid for stuff that matters to us that would've stressed us out. Plus it's developing my career and expertise that could turn into something bigger.
In Conclusion
Look, being a mom with a side hustle is hard. There's no one-size-fits-all approach. Often I'm improvising everything, powered by caffeine, and hoping for the best.
But I'm proud of this journey. Every single bit of income is validation of my effort. It demonstrates that I'm not just someone's mother.
If you're thinking about beginning your hustle journey? Start now. Start messy. Future you will appreciate it.
Don't forget: You're not just making it through—you're building something. Even though you probably have mysterious crumbs on your keyboard.
No cap. This is where it's at, despite the chaos.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
Let me be real with you—becoming a single mom wasn't on my vision board. I also didn't plan on turning into an influencer. But here I am, three years into this wild journey, earning income by sharing my life online while doing this mom thing solo. And honestly? It's been the best worst decision of my life.
The Starting Point: When Everything Imploded
It was 2022 when my divorce happened. I will never forget sitting in my half-empty apartment (he got the furniture, I got the memories), staring at my phone at 2am while my kids slept. I had barely $850 in my account, two humans depending on me, and a income that didn't cut it. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to avoid my thoughts—because that's how we cope? when everything is chaos, right?—when I stumbled on this solo parent discussing how she changed her life through being a creator. I remember thinking, "That can't be real."
But desperation makes you brave. Or both. Probably both.
I installed the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, venting about how I'd just spent my last $12 on a frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' lunch boxes. I posted it and immediately regretted it. Why would anyone care about my mess?
Plot twist, way more people than I expected.
That video got 47K views. 47,000 people watched me breakdown over processed meat. The comments section turned into this validation fest—women in similar situations, other people struggling, all saying "this is my life." That was my epiphany. People didn't want perfection. They wanted authentic.
Building My Platform: The Honest Single Parent Platform
The truth is about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? It chose me. I became the unfiltered single mom.
I started creating content about the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I wore the same leggings all week because laundry felt impossible. Or when I served cereal as a meal three nights in a row and called it "survival mode." Or that moment when my child asked why we don't live with dad, and I had to discuss divorce to a kid who still believes in Santa.
My content was raw. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a ancient iPhone. But it was honest, and apparently, that's what connected.
Two months later, I hit ten thousand followers. Three months later, 50K. By month six, I'd crossed 100,000. Each milestone blew my mind. Real accounts who wanted to follow me. Me—a financially unstable single mom who had to learn everything from scratch six months earlier.
A Day in the Life: Juggling Everything
Let me paint you a picture of my typical day, because being a single mom creator is totally different from 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 sacred content creation time. I make coffee that I'll forget about, and I get to work. Sometimes it's a morning routine discussing financial reality. Sometimes it's me making food while discussing dealing with my ex. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids get up. Content creation ends. Now I'm in mommy mode—making breakfast, locating lost items (where do they go), making lunch boxes, breaking up sibling fights. The chaos is real.
8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom creating content in traffic when stopped. Not my proudest moment, but content waits for no one.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my power window. Kids are at school. I'm editing content, responding to comments, ideating, doing outreach, analyzing metrics. Everyone assumes content creation is just making TikToks. Nope. It's a whole business.
I usually batch-create content on Mondays and Wednesdays. That means creating 10-15 pieces in one go. I'll switch outfits so it looks like different days. Hot tip: Keep several shirts ready for quick changes. My neighbors think I've lost it, talking to my camera in the parking lot.
3:00pm: School pickup. Mom mode activated. But here's the thing—many times my top performing content come from this time. Last week, my daughter had a massive breakdown in Target because I couldn't afford a expensive toy. I filmed a video in the parking lot afterward about dealing with meltdowns as a solo parent. It got 2.3M views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm usually too exhausted to make videos, but I'll plan posts, check DMs, or prep for tomorrow. Some nights, after bedtime, I'll stay up editing because a brand deadline is looming.
The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just managed chaos with moments of success.
Income Breakdown: How I Generate Income
Okay, let's get into the finances because this is what people ask about. Can you legitimately profit as a online creator? Absolutely. Is it straightforward? Not even close.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Second month? $0. Third month, I got my first sponsored post—a hundred and fifty bucks to share a food subscription. I literally cried. That one-fifty covered food.
Currently, three years later, here's how I earn income:
Collaborations: This is my main revenue. I work with brands that my followers need—things that help, helpful services, kids' stuff. I bill anywhere from five hundred to five thousand dollars per campaign, depending on deliverables. Last month, I did four partnerships and made $8K.
Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: The TikTok fund pays very little—$200-$400 per month for tons of views. YouTube money is way better. I make about fifteen hundred a month from YouTube, but that required years.
Affiliate Links: I promote products to stuff I really use—ranging from my beloved coffee maker to the bunk beds in their room. If someone purchases through my link, I get a cut. This brings in about eight hundred to twelve hundred.
Digital Products: I created a budget template and a food prep planner. They're $15 each, and I sell 50-100 per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.
One-on-One Coaching: Aspiring influencers pay me to guide them. I offer 1:1 sessions for $200/hour. I do about 5-10 a month.
Overall monthly earnings: Generally, I'm making $10,000-15,000 per month these days. It varies, some are lower. It's inconsistent, which is terrifying when there's no backup. But it's three times what I made at my corporate job, and I'm present.
What They Don't Show Nobody Talks About
From the outside it's great until you're crying in your car because a post got no views, or dealing with hate comments from internet trolls.
The negativity is intense. I've been told I'm a terrible parent, told I'm a bad influence, questioned about being a divorced parent. Someone once commented, "Maybe that's why he left." That one destroyed me.
The platform changes. Certain periods you're getting insane views. The next, you're struggling for views. Your income fluctuates. You're never off, always working, scared to stop, you'll lose relevance.
The mom guilt is amplified times a thousand. Each post, I wonder: Am I oversharing? Is this okay? Will they be angry about this when they're older? I have firm rules—minimal identifying info, no discussing their personal struggles, protecting their dignity. But the line is fuzzy.
The exhaustion is real. Sometimes when I am empty. When I'm done, socially drained, and totally spent. But rent doesn't care. So I do it anyway.
The Unexpected Blessings
But listen—despite everything, this journey has given me things I never imagined.
Economic stability for the first time in my life. I'm not a millionaire, but I eliminated my debt. I have an cushion. We took a actual vacation last summer—Disney World, which I never thought possible two years ago. I don't check my bank account with anxiety anymore.
Flexibility that's priceless. When my son got sick last month, I didn't have to use PTO or worry about money. I worked from the doctor's office. When there's a school thing, I'm there. I'm there for them in ways I wasn't able to be with a traditional 9-5.
Support that saved me. The other creators I've befriended, especially solo parents, have become true friends. We support each other, exchange tips, lift each other up. My followers have become this incredible cheerleading squad. They support me, support me, and remind me I'm not alone.
Me beyond motherhood. For the first time since having kids, I have something for me. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or just a mom. I'm a business owner. A businesswoman. A person who hustled.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're a solo parent thinking about this, here's what I wish someone had told me:
Just start. Your first videos will be terrible. Mine did. That's okay. You grow through creating, not by overthinking.
Authenticity wins. People can spot fake. Share your real life—the messy, imperfect, chaotic reality. That resonates.
Prioritize their privacy. Establish boundaries. Know your limits. Their privacy is everything. I protect their names, limit face shots, and respect their dignity.
Don't rely on one thing. Spread it out or one income stream. The algorithm is unpredictable. More streams = less stress.
Create in batches. When you have time alone, make a bunch. Future you will thank yourself when you're too exhausted to create.
Interact. Reply to comments. Check messages. Connect authentically. Your community is crucial.
Track your time and ROI. Some content isn't worth it. If something requires tons of time and gets nothing while a different post takes no time and gets massive views, adjust your strategy.
Take care of yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Step away. Set boundaries. Your mental health matters more than views.
Be patient. This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It took me eight months to make real income. The first year, I made fifteen thousand. Year 2, $80K. Now, I'm making six figures. It's a marathon.
Don't forget your why. On tough days—and they happen—remember your reason. For me, it's independence, being present, and demonstrating that I'm more than I believed.
Real Talk Time
Real talk, I'm being honest. Being a single mom creator is challenging. Incredibly hard. You're running a whole business while being the only parent of kids who need everything.
Some days I second-guess this. Days when the negativity hurt. Days when I'm completely spent and wondering if I should just get a "normal" job with benefits and a steady paycheck.
But then my daughter says 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 changed her life. And I know it's worth it.
What's Next
Not long ago, I was scared and struggling how to make it work. Now, I'm a full-time content creator making more than I imagined in corporate America, and I'm home when my kids get off the school bus.
My goals for the future? Hit 500K by year-end. Begin podcasting for single moms. Maybe write a book. Keep building this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
This journey gave me a path forward when I had nothing. It gave me a way to provide for my family, be there, and build something real. It's not what I planned, but it's perfect.
To all the single moms wondering if you can do this: Yes you can. It will be challenging. You'll doubt yourself. But you're already doing the hardest job—parenting solo. You're tougher than you realize.
Start messy. Stay consistent. Keep your boundaries. And don't forget, you're not just surviving—you're changing your life.
Gotta go now, I need to go film a TikTok about homework I forgot about and nobody told me until now. Because that's how it goes—making content from chaos, video by video.
Honestly. This journey? It's the best decision. Even though I'm sure there's crushed cheerios all over my desk. Living the dream, chaos and all.