Let me spill, motherhood is a whole vibe. But you know what's even crazier? Trying to secure the bag while juggling kids, laundry, and approximately 47 snack requests per day.
I entered the side gig world about several years ago when I figured out that my impulse buys were getting out of hand. I had to find my own money.
Being a VA
Here's what happened, I started out was jumping into virtual assistance. And honestly? It was perfect. I was able to work during naptime, and literally all it took was my laptop and decent wifi.
I started with easy things like handling emails, doing social media scheduling, and basic admin work. Super simple stuff. I started at about $15-20 per hour, which wasn't much but when you're just starting, you gotta start somewhere.
Here's what was wild? I would be on a video meeting looking like I had my life together from the chest up—blazer, makeup, the works—while sporting pants I'd owned since 2015. That's the dream honestly.
My Etsy Journey
After getting my feet wet, I decided to try the selling on Etsy. Everyone and their mother seemed to be on Etsy, so I was like "why not me?"
I began crafting downloadable organizers and home decor prints. What's great about digital products? One and done creation, and it can generate passive income forever. Actually, I've earned money at midnight when I'm unconscious.
The first time someone bought something? I lost my mind. He came running thinking I'd injured myself. But no—just me, celebrating my five dollar sale. No shame in my game.
Content Creator Life
Next I discovered blogging and content creation. This hustle is definitely a slow burn, trust me on this.
I created a blog about motherhood where I posted about my parenting journey—the messy truth. Keeping it real. Only honest stories about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Building up views was slow. For months, I was essentially creating content for crickets. But I stayed consistent, and slowly but surely, things took off.
Now? I earn income through promoting products, sponsored posts, and display ads. Recently I brought in over $2K from my blog alone. Crazy, right?
SMM Side Hustle
Once I got decent at managing my blog's social media, local businesses started asking if I could manage their accounts.
And honestly? Tons of businesses don't understand social media. They realize they need to be there, but they can't keep up.
This is my moment. I now manage social media for several small companies—different types of businesses. I create content, schedule posts, respond to comments, and check their stats.
They pay me between five hundred to fifteen hundred monthly per client, depending on what they need. Best part? I manage everything from my iPhone.
Writing for Money
For the wordy folks, freelance writing is incredibly lucrative. This isn't becoming Shakespeare—I'm talking about commercial writing.
Businesses everywhere always need writers. I've created content about everything from literally everything under the sun. 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 the topic and length. Certain months I'll create a dozen articles and bring in an extra $1,000-2,000.
Plot twist: I was that student who barely passed English class. Now I'm making money from copyright. Life's funny like that.
Tutoring Online
When COVID hit, everyone needed online help. I used to be a teacher, so this was an obvious choice.
I joined a couple of online tutoring sites. You make your own schedule, which is absolutely necessary when you have kids with unpredictable schedules.
I mostly tutor elementary reading and math. You can make from $15-25 per hour depending on the platform.
What's hilarious? Sometimes my kids will interrupt mid-session. There was a time I maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. The parents on the other end are incredibly understanding because they're living the same life.
Flipping Items for Profit
Here me out, this hustle started by accident. While organizing my kids' things and tried selling some outfits on Facebook Marketplace.
Things sold immediately. That's when I realized: people will buy anything.
These days I visit thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, on the hunt for things that will sell. I purchase something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
This takes effort? Yes. I'm photographing items, writing descriptions, shipping packages. But there's something satisfying about spotting valuable items at Goodwill and earning from it.
Additionally: the kids think it's neat when I bring home interesting finds. Recently I found a retro 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: these aren't get-rich-quick schemes. They're called hustles for a reason.
Some days when I'm running on empty, doubting everything. I'm grinding at dawn working before my kids wake up, then being a full-time parent, then back at it after 8pm hits.
But here's the thing? That money is MINE. No permission needed to treat myself. I'm supporting our financial goals. My kids are learning that moms can do anything.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
If you're considering a side gig, this is what I've learned:
Begin with something manageable. Don't attempt to start five businesses. Choose one hustle and get good at it before expanding.
Use the time you have. Your available hours, that's fine. A couple of productive hours is a great beginning.
Stop comparing to other moms. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? She's been grinding forever and has help. Run your own race.
Invest in yourself, but strategically. Start with free stuff first. Don't spend massive amounts on training until you've validated your idea.
Batch tasks together. This is crucial. Dedicate specific days for specific tasks. Monday could be creation day. Wednesday might be admin and emails.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
I have to be real with you—mom guilt is a thing. Certain moments when I'm on my laptop and they want to play, and I struggle with it.
Yet I remind myself that I'm demonstrating to them how to hustle. I'm demonstrating to my children that you can be both.
And honestly? Making my own money has made me a better mom. I'm happier, which makes me a better parent.
The Numbers
So what do I actually make? On average, combining everything, I make between three and five grand. Some months are better, it fluctuates.
Is this millionaire money? Not really. But it's paid for so many things we needed that would've been really hard. And it's building my skills and experience that could become a full-time thing.
Final Thoughts
Listen, doing this mom hustle thing is hard. You won't find a magic formula. Most days I'm winging it, fueled by espresso and stubbornness, and praying it all works out.
But I don't regret it. Every single dollar earned is validation of my effort. It shows that I have identity beyond motherhood.
If you're on the fence about launching a mom business? Go for it. Start before it's perfect. You in six months will thank you.
And remember: You're more than enduring—you're building something. Despite the fact that you probably have Goldfish crackers stuck to your laptop.
No cap. The whole thing is pretty amazing, complete with all the chaos.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
Let me be real with you—single motherhood wasn't part of my five-year plan. I never expected to be becoming a content creator. But fast forward to now, three years later, paying bills by creating content while handling everything by myself. And not gonna lie? It's been life-changing in every way of my life.
How It Started: When Everything Changed
It was a few years ago when my life exploded. I can still picture sitting in my half-empty apartment (he took what he wanted, I kept what mattered), unable to sleep at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had eight hundred forty-seven dollars in my account, two kids to support, and a paycheck that wasn't enough. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to avoid my thoughts—because that's self-care at 2am, right? in crisis mode, right?—when I came across this woman sharing how she changed her life through being a creator. I remember thinking, "She's lying or got lucky."
But being broke makes you bold. Or both. Often both.
I installed the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, sharing how I'd just put my last twelve dollars on a cheap food for my kids' lunches. I hit post and panicked. Who gives a damn about this disaster?
Apparently, tons of people.
That video got 47,000 views. Forty-seven thousand people watched me nearly cry over chicken nuggets. The comments section turned into this unexpected source of support—women in similar situations, folks in the trenches, all saying "same." That was my aha moment. People didn't want filtered content. They wanted raw.
Finding My Niche: The Hot Mess Single Mom 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 nobody talks about. Like how I lived in one outfit because executive dysfunction is real. Or when I fed my kids cereal for dinner all week and called it "creative meal planning." Or that moment when my six-year-old asked about the divorce, and I had to explain adult stuff to a kid who thinks the tooth fairy is real.
My content wasn't pretty. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a ancient iPhone. But it was honest, and apparently, that's what hit.
After sixty days, I hit 10,000 followers. Month three, 50,000. By six months, I'd crossed a hundred thousand. Each milestone felt impossible. Actual humans who wanted to listen to me. Little old me—a financially unstable single mom who had to ask Google what this meant six months earlier.
My Daily Reality: Content Creation Meets Real Life
Let me show you of my typical day, because this life is not at all like those perfect "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm sounds. I do NOT want to get up, but this is my sacred content creation time. I make coffee that I'll microwave repeatedly, and I get to work. Sometimes it's a get-ready-with-me discussing money struggles. Sometimes it's me meal prepping while discussing dealing with my ex. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids wake up. Content creation pauses. Now I'm in parent mode—making breakfast, finding the missing shoe (seriously, always ONE), packing lunches, referee duties. The chaos is overwhelming.
8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom making videos while driving when stopped. I know, I know, but I gotta post.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my power window. Peace and quiet. I'm cutting clips, replying to DMs, ideating, reaching out to brands, analyzing metrics. Everyone assumes content creation is just making TikToks. It's not. It's a full business.
I usually batch content on Monday and Wednesday. That means filming 10-15 videos in a few hours. I'll switch outfits so it looks like different days. Pro tip: Keep several shirts ready for easy transitions. My neighbors definitely think I'm crazy, talking to my camera in the driveway.
3:00pm: Picking them up. Mom mode activated. But here's the thing—many times my biggest hits come from this time. Recently, my daughter had a epic meltdown in Target because I couldn't afford a forty dollar toy. I made content in the Target parking lot afterward about dealing with meltdowns as a lone parent. It got millions of views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm typically drained to create content, but I'll schedule content, respond to DMs, or strategize. Some nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll edit for hours because a brand deadline is looming.
The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just chaos with a plan with some victories.
The Financial Reality: How I Actually Make a Living
Okay, let's get into the finances because this is what people ask about. Can you make a living as a influencer? For sure. Is it straightforward? Absolutely not.
My first month, I made nothing. Month two? Still nothing. Third month, I got my first collaboration—a hundred and fifty bucks to post about a food subscription. I actually cried. That one-fifty fed us.
Currently, three years later, here's how I earn income:
Brand Deals: This is my main revenue. I work with brands that make sense—practical items, parenting tools, kids' stuff. I charge anywhere from $500 to $5,000 per partnership, depending on what's required. Just last month, I did four brand deals and made eight grand.
Ad Money: TikTok's creator fund pays basically nothing—maybe $200-400 per month for huge view counts. AdSense is better. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that required years.
Link Sharing: I post links to items I love—anything from my beloved coffee maker to the beds my kids use. If they buy using my link, I get a commission. This brings in about eight hundred to twelve hundred.
Online Products: I created a financial planner and a meal prep guide. Each costs $15, and I sell fifty to a hundred per month. That's another $1,000-1,500.
One-on-One Coaching: Aspiring influencers pay me to guide them. I offer consulting calls for two hundred per hour. I do about five to ten a month.
Total monthly income: Generally, I'm making $10-15K per month currently. Some months I make more, some are tougher. It's unpredictable, which is nerve-wracking when there's no backup. But it's triple what I made at my 9-5, and I'm home when my kids need me.
The Dark Side Nobody Talks About
This sounds easy until you're crying in your car because a video flopped, or handling nasty DMs from keyboard warriors.
The negativity is intense. I've been called a bad mom, told I'm exploiting my kids, called a liar about being a divorced parent. I'll never forget, "Maybe your husband left because you're annoying." That one stung for days.
The algorithm changes constantly. Sometimes you're getting viral hits. Next month, you're getting nothing. Your income is unstable. You're always on, always working, scared to stop, you'll fall behind.
The mom guilt is amplified exponentially. Every video I post, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Is this okay? Will they be angry about this when they're grown? I have firm rules—no faces of my kids without permission, keeping their stories private, protecting their dignity. But the line is not always clear.
The burnout is real. Sometimes when I am empty. When I'm depleted, talked out, and at my limit. But rent doesn't care. So I show up anyway.
The Unexpected Blessings
But here's the thing—despite the hard parts, this journey has blessed me with things I never dreamed of.
Money security for the first time in my life. I'm not a millionaire, but I eliminated my debt. I have an cushion. We took a vacation last summer—Disney, which was a dream a couple years back. I don't stress about my account anymore.
Flexibility that's priceless. When my kid was ill last month, I didn't have to call in to work or lose income. I worked from the doctor's office. When there's a class party, I'm present. I'm in their lives in ways I wasn't able to be with a regular job.
Community that saved me. The other creators I've met, especially other single parents, have become real friends. We connect, help each other, encourage each other. My followers have become this beautiful community. They cheer for me, encourage me through rough patches, and validate me.
Me beyond motherhood. Since becoming a mom, I have an identity. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or just a mom. I'm a entrepreneur. A content creator. a good example Someone who created this.
My Best Tips
If you're a single parent curious about this, here's what I wish someone had told me:
Just start. Your first videos will be terrible. Mine did. It's fine. You get better, not by procrastinating.
Authenticity wins. People can smell fake from a mile away. Share your real life—the chaos. That's what connects.
Prioritize their privacy. Establish boundaries. Be intentional. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I never share their names, rarely show their faces, and respect their dignity.
Don't rely on one thing. Don't put all eggs in one basket or one income stream. The algorithm is unreliable. Diversification = security.
Batch your content. When you have available time, film multiple videos. Next week you will appreciate it when you're too exhausted to create.
Connect with followers. Reply to comments. Answer DMs. Create connections. Your community is your foundation.
Track your time and ROI. Time is money. If something takes four hours and gets 200 views while a different post takes very little time and gets massive views, change tactics.
Prioritize yourself. Self-care isn't selfish. Unplug. Guard your energy. Your sanity matters more than anything.
This takes time. This is a marathon. It took me eight months to make any real money. Year one, I made maybe $15,000 total. The second year, $80K. Now, I'm hitting six figures. It's a journey.
Know your why. On tough days—and they happen—remember why you're doing this. For me, it's independence, being present, and validating that I'm capable of more than I thought possible.
The Honest Truth
Real talk, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. This life is challenging. Like, really freaking hard. You're operating a business while being the only parent of tiny humans who need you constantly.
There are days I wonder what I'm doing. Days when the hate comments get to me. Days when I'm completely spent and questioning if I should just get a "normal" job with benefits and a steady paycheck.
But then my daughter tells me 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 inspired her. And I understand the impact.
What's Next
Three years ago, I was scared and struggling how to make it work. Now, I'm a full-time content creator making way more than I made in my old job, and I'm home when my kids get off the school bus.
My goals going forward? Hit 500K by December. Start a podcast for single parents. Write a book eventually. Expand this business that makes everything possible.
Being a creator gave me a path forward when I was drowning. It gave me a way to provide for my family, show up, and build something real. It's not what I planned, but it's where I belong.
To any single parent on the fence: Hell yes you can. It won't be easy. You'll struggle. But you're already doing the most difficult thing—raising humans alone. You're more capable than you know.
Start messy. Stay the course. Prioritize yourself. And always remember, you're beyond survival mode—you're building an empire.
BRB, I need to go film a TikTok about why my kid's school project is due tomorrow and nobody told me until now. Because that's the reality—turning chaos into content, one TikTok at a time.
No cap. Being a single mom creator? It's everything. Even though I'm sure there's crumbs stuck to my laptop right now. No regrets, imperfectly perfect.