Real talk, motherhood is no joke. But what's really wild? Attempting to hustle for money while juggling children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.
I entered the side gig world about three years ago when I had the epiphany that my Target runs were becoming problematic. I had to find some independent income.
The Virtual Assistant Life
Right so, I kicked things off was doing VA work. And not gonna lie? It was chef's kiss. I was able to hustle while the kids slept, and literally all it took was a computer and internet.
I began by basic stuff like email sorting, managing social content, and entering data. Nothing fancy. My rate was about $15-20 per hour, which wasn't much but when you're just starting, you gotta start somewhere.
Honestly the most hilarious thing? There I was on a Zoom call looking like a real businesswoman from the waist up—blazer, makeup, the works—while rocking pants I'd owned since 2015. Peak mom life.
My Etsy Journey
About twelve months in, I thought I'd test out the selling on Etsy. Literally everyone seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I thought "why not start one too?"
I created creating downloadable organizers and home decor prints. The beauty of printables? Make it one time, and it can make money while you sleep. Actually, I've earned money at 3am while I was sleeping.
My first sale? I actually yelled. My husband thought I'd injured myself. But no—it was just me, celebrating my glorious $4.99. No shame in my game.
Content Creator Life
Eventually I discovered the whole influencer thing. This hustle is definitely a slow burn, let me tell you.
I began a family lifestyle blog where I shared real mom life—everything unfiltered. Keeping it real. Just honest stories about finding mystery stains on everything I own.
Growing an audience was like watching paint dry. The first few months, it was basically talking to myself. But I kept at it, and eventually, things started clicking.
Now? I generate revenue through promoting products, sponsored posts, and advertisements on my site. Last month I brought in over two grand from my blog income. Crazy, right?
The Social Media Management Game
When I became good with managing my blog's social media, brands started inquiring if I could help them.
And honestly? A lot of local businesses struggle with social media. They recognize they have to be on it, but they don't know how.
Enter: me. I oversee social media for several small companies—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I plan their content, schedule posts, respond to comments, and track analytics.
They pay me between five hundred to a thousand dollars per month per client, depending on the complexity. Here's what's great? I handle this from my phone while sitting in the carpool line.
Writing for Money
For those who can string sentences together, writing gigs is seriously profitable. I'm not talking literary fiction—this is commercial writing.
Businesses everywhere need content constantly. I've written articles about everything from dental hygiene to copyright. You don't need to be an expert, you just need to be good at research.
I typically charge between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on the topic and length. On good months I'll crank out 10-15 articles and earn one to two thousand extra.
Here's what's wild: I was that student who hated writing papers. Now I'm getting paid for it. The irony.
Virtual Tutoring
2020 changed everything, online tutoring exploded. I was a teacher before kids, so this was perfect for me.
I signed up with a couple of online tutoring sites. You choose when you work, which is crucial when you have unpredictable little ones.
I focus on K-5 subjects. The pay ranges from fifteen to thirty bucks per hour depending on where you work.
Here's what's weird? Sometimes my children will interrupt mid-session. There was a time I educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. Other parents are incredibly understanding because they're living the same life.
The Reselling Game
Here me out, this one happened accidentally. I was decluttering my an introduction here kids' room and put some things on Mercari.
Items moved immediately. I had an epiphany: you can sell literally anything.
Now I visit estate sales and thrift shops, looking for things that will sell. I purchase something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
This takes effort? Absolutely. It's a whole process. But I find it rewarding about discovering a diamond in the rough at a yard sale and making money.
Also: my kids are impressed when I find unique items. Just last week I scored a collectible item that my son lost his mind over. Got forty-five dollars for it. Victory for mom.
The Truth About Side Hustles
Truth bomb incoming: side hustles aren't passive income. There's work involved, hence the name.
There are days when I'm completely drained, questioning my life choices. I'm up at 5am hustling before the chaos starts, then handling mom duties, 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 my family's finances. I'm showing my kids that you can have it all—sort of.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
For those contemplating a side hustle, here are my tips:
Don't go all in immediately. Avoid trying to juggle ten things. Focus on one and nail it down before expanding.
Honor your limits. If naptime is your only free time, that's fine. Two hours of focused work is a great beginning.
Don't compare yourself to the highlight reels. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? She probably started years ago and has support. Run your own race.
Learn and grow, but wisely. Free information exists. Don't spend huge money on programs until you've validated your idea.
Work in batches. This changed everything. Use specific days for specific tasks. Make Monday writing day. Use Wednesday for organizing and responding.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
I have to be real with you—the mom guilt is real. Certain moments when I'm on my laptop and they want to play, and I hate it.
However I consider that I'm demonstrating to them how to hustle. I'm teaching my kids that women can be mothers and entrepreneurs.
Additionally? Financial independence has made me a better mom. I'm more fulfilled, which translates to better parenting.
Let's Talk Money
How much do I earn? Most months, between all my hustles, I earn three to five thousand monthly. Certain months are higher, it fluctuates.
Is this getting-rich money? Nope. But it's paid for family trips and unexpected expenses that would've been really hard. It's developing my career and expertise that could grow into more.
In Conclusion
Listen, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship is challenging. There's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach. Many days I'm making it up as I go, surviving on coffee, and doing my best.
But I wouldn't change it. Every penny made is validation of my effort. It demonstrates that I'm not just someone's mother.
So if you're considering starting a side hustle? Take the leap. Don't wait for perfect. Your tomorrow self will thank you.
Don't forget: You aren't only surviving—you're hustling. Even if there's probably mysterious crumbs stuck to your laptop.
No cap. It's pretty amazing, mess included.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
Let me be real with you—single motherhood wasn't on my vision board. Neither was turning into an influencer. But here we are, years into this crazy ride, supporting my family by posting videos while parenting alone. And honestly? It's been life-changing in every way of my life.
The Beginning: When Everything Fell Apart
It was a few years ago when my life exploded. I will never forget sitting in my new apartment (he took the couch, I got the kids' art projects), unable to sleep at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had $847 in my bank account, two kids to support, and a income that didn't cut it. The anxiety was crushing, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to escape reality—because that's what we do? in crisis mode, right?—when I saw this single mom discussing how she changed her life through content creation. I remember thinking, "She's lying or got lucky."
But being broke makes you bold. Or both. Usually both.
I installed the TikTok studio app the next morning. My first video? Me, no makeup, messy bun, sharing how I'd just blown my final $12 on a frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' lunches. I shared it and felt sick. Who gives a damn about someone's train wreck of a life?
Apparently, thousands of people.
That video got 47K views. Forty-seven thousand people watched me almost lose it over $12 worth of food. The comments section was this validation fest—women in similar situations, others barely surviving, all saying "same." That was my turning point. People didn't want perfect. They wanted authentic.
Finding My Niche: The Hot Mess Single Mom Brand
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? It happened organically. I became the mom who tells the truth.
I started filming the stuff no one shows. Like how I wore the same leggings all week because I couldn't handle laundry. Or when I served cereal as a meal multiple nights and called it "cereal week." Or that moment when my six-year-old asked about the divorce, and I had to explain adult stuff to a kid who believes in magic.
My content was raw. My lighting was awful. I filmed on a cracked iPhone 8. But it was authentic, and turns out, that's what resonated.
Two months later, I hit 10,000 followers. Month three, 50K. By month six, I'd crossed a hundred thousand. Each milestone felt surreal. Actual humans who wanted to hear what I had to say. Plain old me—a broke single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" recently.
The Actual Schedule: Balancing Content and Chaos
Let me paint you a picture of my typical day, because this life is nothing like those aesthetic "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm goes off. I do not want to move, but this is my hustle hours. I make coffee that I'll reheat three times, and I get to work. Sometimes it's a morning routine talking about financial reality. Sometimes it's me meal prepping while sharing co-parenting struggles. The lighting is whatever natural light comes through my kitchen window.
7:00am: Kids emerge. Content creation pauses. Now I'm in parent mode—feeding humans, locating lost items (seriously, always ONE), packing lunches, stopping fights. The chaos is overwhelming.
8:30am: Getting them to school. I'm that mom in the carpool line filming TikToks at red lights. Not proud of this, but bills don't care.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my power window. Kids are at school. I'm in editing mode, replying to DMs, ideating, reaching out to brands, checking analytics. People think content creation is simple. Nope. It's a real job.
I usually film in batches on Mondays and Wednesdays. That means filming 10-15 videos in one session. I'll swap tops so it seems like separate days. Life hack: Keep several shirts ready for fast swaps. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, recording myself alone in the parking lot.
3:00pm: School pickup. Parent time. But this is where it's complicated—often my biggest hits come from real life. Recently, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I said no to a forty dollar toy. I created a video in the Target parking lot once we left about dealing with meltdowns as a single mom. It got 2.3 million views.
Evening: Dinner through bedtime. I'm completely exhausted to create anything, but I'll queue up posts, respond to DMs, or outline content. Some nights, after the kids are asleep, I'll edit videos until midnight because a deadline is coming.
The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just organized chaos with occasional wins.
Let's Talk Income: How I Support My Family
Look, let's talk dollars because this is what everyone wants to know. Can you legitimately profit as a creator? 100%. Is it effortless? Not even close.
My first month, I made $0. Second month? Zero. Third month, I got my first brand deal—$150 to post about a meal box. I literally cried. That hundred fifty dollars fed us.
Currently, three years in, here's how I earn income:
Brand Deals: This is my primary income. I work with brands that my followers need—things that help, mom products, kids' stuff. I ask for anywhere from five hundred to several thousand per campaign, depending on deliverables. Last month, I did four brand deals and made eight thousand dollars.
Ad Money: TikTok's creator fund pays pennies—two to four hundred per month for millions of views. AdSense is actually decent. I make about $1.5K monthly from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Affiliate Income: I promote products to stuff I really use—ranging from my beloved coffee maker to the bunk beds I bought. If someone clicks and buys, I get a commission. This brings in about $1K monthly.
Downloadables: I created a budget template and a meal prep guide. Each costs $15, and I sell dozens per month. That's another $1-1.5K.
Consulting Services: Other aspiring creators pay me to show them how. I offer 1:1 sessions for $200/hour. I do about 5-10 a month.
Combined monthly revenue: Typically, I'm making between ten and fifteen grand per month at this point. Certain months are better, others are slower. It's inconsistent, which is terrifying when you're the only income source. But it's triple what I made at my corporate job, and I'm present.
What They Don't Show Nobody Posts About
Content creation sounds glamorous until you're losing it because a post tanked, or managing vicious comments from internet trolls.
The haters are brutal. I've been called a bad mom, told I'm using my children, called a liar about being a solo parent. One person said, "Maybe that's why he left." That one stuck with me.
The algorithm changes constantly. One week you're getting huge numbers. Then suddenly, you're getting nothing. Your income is unstable. You're always creating, always "on", nervous about slowing down, you'll fall behind.
The mom guilt is worse beyond normal. Each post, I wonder: Is this too much? Am I doing right by them? Will they hate me for this when they're grown? I have non-negotiables—protected identities, keeping their stories private, nothing humiliating. But the line is blurry sometimes.
The burnout is real. Some weeks when I am empty. When I'm exhausted, talked out, and completely finished. But rent doesn't care. So I push through.
The Beautiful Parts
But here's what's real—through it all, this journey has brought me things I never dreamed of.
Financial freedom for the first damn time. I'm not wealthy, but I paid off $18,000 in debt. I have an savings. We took a vacation last summer—Disney World, which was a dream two years ago. I don't stress about my account anymore.
Time freedom that's priceless. When my son got sick last month, I didn't have to ask permission or worry about money. I handled business at urgent care. When there's a class party, I can go. I'm there for them in ways I couldn't be with a corporate job.
Community that saved me. The other influencers I've met, especially solo parents, have become real friends. We vent, share strategies, support each other. My followers have become this beautiful community. They support me, lift me up, and remind me I'm not alone.
Something that's mine. Finally, I have something for me. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or someone's mom. I'm a CEO. A creator. Someone who made it happen.
My Best Tips
If you're a single parent thinking about this, here's my advice:
Don't wait. Your first videos will be terrible. Mine did. Everyone starts there. You improve over time, not by procrastinating.
Keep it real. People can sense inauthenticity. Share your real life—the unfiltered truth. That resonates.
Prioritize their privacy. Set limits. Know your limits. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I never share their names, limit face shots, and never discuss anything that could embarrass them.
Multiple revenue sources. Don't put all eggs in one basket or a single source. The algorithm is unstable. Multiple streams = safety.
Batch create content. When you have quiet time, film multiple videos. Future you will thank yourself when you're too exhausted to create.
Connect with followers. Respond to comments. Reply to messages. Connect authentically. Your community is everything.
Track metrics. Some content isn't worth it. If something requires tons of time and flops while something else takes very little time and gets massive views, shift focus.
Self-care matters. Self-care isn't selfish. Take breaks. Guard your energy. Your sanity matters more than views.
Stay patient. This takes time. It took me half a year to make real income. Year one, I made fifteen thousand. The second year, $80K. Now, I'm making six figures. It's a journey.
Remember why you started. On hard days—and there will be many—think about your why. For me, it's independence, being there, and proving to myself that I'm more than I believed.
Being Real With You
Listen, I'm keeping it 100. This life is tough. So damn hard. You're managing a business while being the single caregiver of kids who need everything.
There are days I second-guess this. Days when the negativity sting. Days when I'm burnt out and asking myself if I should go back to corporate with a 401k.
But and then my daughter mentions she appreciates this. Or I see financial progress. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I remember why I do this.
What's Next
Years ago, I was broke, scared, and had no idea what to do. Fast forward, I'm a full-time content creator making more than I imagined in traditional work, and I'm home when my kids get off the school bus.
My goals moving forward? Hit 500K by December. Start a podcast for solo parents. Maybe write a book. Continue building this business that supports my family.
This journey gave me a lifeline when I was desperate. It gave me a way to support my kids, be present in their lives, and create something meaningful. It's unexpected, but it's exactly where I needed to be.
To every single mom out there on the fence: Yes you can. It isn't simple. You'll consider quitting. But you're already doing the toughest gig—raising humans alone. You're powerful.
Start messy. Stay consistent. Keep your boundaries. And know this, you're not just surviving—you're changing your life.
BRB, I need to go create content about another last-minute project and surprise!. Because that's the content creator single mom life—making content from chaos, video by video.
No cap. This life? It's the best decision. Despite there's probably Goldfish crackers all over my desk. No regrets, mess included.