Real talk, motherhood is absolutely wild. But what's really wild? Working to get that bread while dealing with toddlers and their chaos.
I entered the side gig world about three years ago when I discovered that my Target runs were getting out of hand. I had to find some independent income.
Being a VA
So, my first gig was becoming a virtual assistant. And not gonna lie? It was chef's kiss. I was able to grind during those precious quiet hours, and all I needed was a computer and internet.
My first tasks were basic stuff like email sorting, scheduling social media posts, and entering data. Super simple stuff. I charged about $20/hour, 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 like I had my life together from the chest up—looking corporate—while sporting my rattiest leggings. Main character energy.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
About twelve months in, I thought I'd test out the whole Etsy thing. Every mom I knew seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I figured "why not me?"
I created creating PDF planners and wall art. Here's why printables are amazing? Make it one time, and it can generate passive income forever. For real, I've made sales at times when I didn't even know.
When I got my first order? I freaked out completely. He came running thinking I'd injured myself. Negative—it was just me, celebrating my $4.99 sale. Judge me if you want.
The Content Creation Grind
Next I ventured into creating content online. This hustle is a marathon not a sprint, let me tell you.
I began a parenting blog where I shared real mom life—the good, the bad, and the ugly. None of that Pinterest-perfect life. Just the actual truth about finding mystery stains on everything I own.
Growing an audience was slow. The first few months, I was essentially writing for myself and like three people. But I kept at it, and eventually, things gained momentum.
These days? I generate revenue through affiliate marketing, working with brands, and display ads. Just last month I generated over $2,000 from my blog income. Mind-blowing, right?
The Social Media Management Game
Once I got decent at my own content, local businesses started reaching out if I could help them.
Here's the thing? Most small businesses are terrible with social media. They understand they need to be there, but they're too busy.
I swoop in. I oversee social media for a handful of clients—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I make posts, plan their posting schedule, respond to comments, and monitor performance.
My rate is between five hundred to a thousand dollars per month per business, depending on the scope of work. Here's what's great? I can do most of it from my phone.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
If writing is your thing, content writing is a goldmine. I'm not talking becoming Shakespeare—I mean blog posts, articles, website copy, product descriptions.
Companies always need writers. I've written everything from the most random topics. You don't need to be an expert, you just need to be good at research.
Usually bill between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on the topic and length. Certain months I'll crank out ten to fifteen pieces and bring in one to two thousand extra.
Here's what's wild: Back in school I barely passed English class. And now I'm getting paid for it. Talk about character development.
Tutoring Online
2020 changed everything, tutoring went digital. I used to be a teacher, so this was perfect for me.
I started working with several tutoring platforms. You choose when you work, which is non-negotiable when you have unpredictable little ones.
I focus on basic subjects. You can make from fifteen to twenty-five hourly depending on the company.
The awkward part? Occasionally my own kids will interrupt mid-session. I've had to educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. The families I work with are usually super understanding because they get it.
Reselling and Flipping
Alright, this hustle wasn't planned. I was decluttering my kids' stuff and put some things on various apps.
Items moved so fast. I suddenly understood: one person's trash is another's treasure.
At this point I hit up anywhere with deals, on the hunt for quality items. I purchase something for a few dollars and make serious profit.
This takes effort? Not gonna lie. I'm photographing items, writing descriptions, shipping packages. But I find it rewarding about finding a gem at a garage sale and making money.
Bonus: my children are fascinated when I bring home interesting finds. Recently I grabbed a rare action figure that my son freaked out about. Made $45 on it. Victory for mom.
Real Talk Time
Truth bomb incoming: side hustles aren't passive income. They're called hustles for a reason.
There are moments when I'm exhausted, questioning my life choices. I wake up early being productive before the madness begins, then doing all the mom stuff, then more hustle time after 8pm hits.
But this is what's real? I earned this money. No permission needed to buy the fancy coffee. I'm helping with our household income. I'm teaching my children that moms can do anything.
What I Wish I Knew
If you want to start a mom hustle, here's my advice:
Begin with something manageable. Don't attempt to do everything at once. Choose one hustle and become proficient the reference material before adding more.
Work with your schedule. Whatever time you have, that's perfectly acceptable. Whatever time you can dedicate is a great beginning.
Stop comparing to Instagram moms. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? They put in years of work and has resources you don't see. Do your thing.
Invest in yourself, but smartly. Free information exists. Avoid dropping thousands on courses until you've proven the concept.
Batch your work. I learned this the hard way. Dedicate time blocks for different things. Monday might be making stuff day. Wednesday could be organizing and responding.
The Mom Guilt is Real
I'm not gonna lie—I struggle with guilt. Certain moments when I'm focused on work while my kids need me, and I feel guilty.
But then I remind myself that I'm teaching them how to hustle. I'm demonstrating to my children that you can be both.
Also? Having my own income has made me a better mom. I'm more satisfied, which helps me be better.
The Numbers
The real numbers? On average, combining everything, I bring in $3K-5K. It varies, some are slower.
Is this millionaire money? Not really. But this money covers vacations, home improvements, and that emergency vet bill that would've caused financial strain. And it's building my skills and expertise that could become a full-time thing.
In Conclusion
Listen, doing this mom hustle thing is hard. There's no such thing as a perfect balance. Most days I'm making it up as I go, powered by caffeine, and praying it all works out.
But I wouldn't change it. Every dollar I earn is validation of my effort. It shows that I'm more than just mom.
For anyone contemplating launching a mom business? Go for it. Start messy. You in six months will appreciate it.
Always remember: You're not merely making it through—you're creating something amazing. Even when you probably have mysterious crumbs everywhere.
Not even kidding. It's the life, complete with all 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 the dream. I never expected to be turning into an influencer. But fast forward to now, years into this crazy ride, earning income by creating content while raising two kids basically solo. And honestly? It's been life-changing in every way of my life.
How It Started: When Everything Came Crashing Down
It was three years ago when my marriage ended. I will never forget sitting in my bare apartment (he took the couch, I got the kids' art projects), wide awake at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had less than a thousand dollars in my checking account, two kids to support, and a income that didn't cut it. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I'd been mindlessly scrolling to numb the pain—because that's self-care at 2am, right? when everything is chaos, right?—when I found this solo parent sharing how she paid off $30,000 in debt through making videos. I remember thinking, "No way that's legit."
But rock bottom gives you courage. Or crazy. Often both.
I got the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, venting about how I'd just put my last twelve dollars on a cheap food 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?
Plot twist, tons of people.
That video got nearly 50,000 views. 47,000 people watched me nearly cry over $12 worth of food. The comments section became this safe space—fellow solo parents, others barely surviving, all saying "I feel this." That was my aha moment. People didn't want the highlight reel. They wanted honest.
Building My Platform: The Real Mom Life Brand
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? It found me. I became the single mom who keeps it brutally honest.
I started creating content about the stuff everyone keeps private. Like how I lived in one outfit because washing clothes was too much. Or the time I let them eat Lucky Charms for dinner three nights in a row and called it "creative meal planning." Or that moment when my kid asked where daddy went, and I had to have big conversations to a kid who thinks the tooth fairy is real.
My content was rough. My lighting was terrible. I filmed on a cracked iPhone 8. But it was honest, and apparently, that's what worked.
After sixty days, I hit 10K. Month three, 50K. By half a year, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone felt impossible. People who wanted to listen to me. Me—a broke single mom who had to figure this out from zero recently.
A Day in the Life: Content Creation Meets Real Life
Let me paint you a picture of my typical day, because content creation as a single mom is totally different from those aesthetic "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm sounds. I do not want to move, but this is my sacred content creation time. I make coffee that I'll reheat three times, and I start filming. Sometimes it's a get-ready-with-me sharing about single mom finances. Sometimes it's me meal prepping while sharing custody stuff. The lighting is whatever natural light comes through my kitchen window.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation pauses. Now I'm in parent mode—making breakfast, the shoe hunt (seriously, always ONE), throwing food in bags, stopping fights. The chaos is overwhelming.
8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom in the carpool line filming TikToks in the car. Not proud of this, but the grind never stops.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my productive time. House is quiet. I'm cutting clips, replying to DMs, brainstorming content ideas, sending emails, analyzing metrics. They believe content creation is simple. It's not. It's a real job.
I usually batch content on certain days. That means making a dozen videos in one sitting. I'll change clothes so it looks like different days. Life hack: Keep different outfits accessible for easy transitions. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, making videos in public in the yard.
3:00pm: Picking them up. Mom mode activated. But here's where it gets tricky—often my viral videos come from these after-school moments. Recently, my daughter had a complete meltdown in Target because I couldn't afford a toy she didn't need. I filmed a video in the car later about handling public tantrums as a solo parent. It got millions of views.
Evening: All the evening things. I'm generally wiped out to create content, but I'll plan posts, answer messages, or strategize. Some nights, after the kids are asleep, I'll stay up editing because a partnership is due.
The truth? Balance doesn't exist. It's just organized chaos with occasional wins.
Income Breakdown: How I Support My Family
Okay, let's discuss money because this is what everyone's curious about. Can you legitimately profit as a creator? For sure. Is it easy? Hell no.
My first month, I made $0. Month two? Also nothing. Third month, I got my first sponsored post—a hundred and fifty bucks to post about a meal box. I actually cried. That $150 paid for groceries.
Fast forward, three years later, here's how I monetize:
Collaborations: This is my largest income stream. I work with brands that align with my audience—budget-friendly products, helpful services, kids' stuff. I get paid anywhere from five hundred to five thousand dollars per deal, depending on the scope. This past month, I did four collabs and made eight thousand dollars.
Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: Creator fund pays pennies—maybe $200-400 per month for millions of views. YouTube money is more lucrative. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that required years.
Affiliate Marketing: I post links to stuff I really use—everything from my favorite coffee maker to the kids' beds. If someone clicks and buys, I get a commission. This brings in about $800-$1200/month.
Digital Products: I created a money management guide and a food prep planner. They sell for fifteen dollars, and I sell 50-100 per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
Consulting Services: Other aspiring creators pay me to show them how. I offer private coaching for $200 hourly. I do about several a month.
My total income: On average, I'm making $10-15K per month now. It varies, some are less. It's unpredictable, which is nerve-wracking when you're the only income source. But it's three times what I made at my corporate job, and I'm home when my kids need me.
The Hard Parts Nobody Posts About
This sounds easy until you're sobbing alone because a video didn't perform, or reading vicious comments from keyboard warriors.
The negativity is intense. I've been accused of being a bad mother, told I'm a bad influence, questioned about being a single mom. One person said, "Maybe your husband left because you're annoying." That one destroyed me.
The platform changes. Certain periods you're getting insane views. Then suddenly, you're struggling for views. Your income goes up and down. You're always on, always "on", scared to stop, you'll be forgotten.
The mom guilt is intense to the extreme. Everything I share, I wonder: Am I sharing too much? Am I protecting my kids' privacy? Will they resent this when they're adults? I have clear boundaries—limited face shots, no sharing their private stuff, nothing humiliating. But the line is blurry sometimes.
The exhaustion is real. Certain periods when I can't create. When I'm depleted, over it, and just done. But the mortgage is due. So I show up anyway.
The Beautiful Parts
But here's what's real—despite everything, this journey has brought me things I never dreamed of.
Money security for the first time in my life. I'm not a millionaire, but I became debt-free. I have an savings. We took a actual vacation last summer—Orlando, which was a dream two years ago. I don't stress about my account anymore.
Time freedom that's priceless. When my child had a fever last month, I didn't have to call in to work or worry about money. I handled business at urgent care. When there's a school thing, I'm there. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I wasn't with a normal job.
My people that saved me. The other creators I've found, especially solo parents, have become actual friends. We support each other, exchange tips, have each other's backs. My followers have become this family. They hype me up, send love, and show me I'm not alone.
My own identity. After years, I have something for me. I'm more than an ex or just a mom. I'm a business owner. A creator. A person who hustled.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're a single parent thinking about this, here's what I'd tell you:
Just start. Your first videos will be awful. Mine did. Everyone starts there. You get better, not by overthinking.
Be yourself. People can sense inauthenticity. Share your honest life—the unfiltered truth. That resonates.
Guard their privacy. Set boundaries early. Be intentional. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I keep names private, limit face shots, and keep private things private.
Multiple revenue sources. Diversify or one revenue source. The algorithm is unstable. Multiple income streams = stability.
Film multiple videos. When you have quiet time, film multiple videos. Next week you will be grateful when you're unable to film.
Interact. Engage. Respond to DMs. Connect authentically. Your community is your foundation.
Analyze performance. Not all content is worth creating. If something is time-intensive and flops while something else takes no time and blows up, change tactics.
Don't forget yourself. You need to fill your cup. Step away. Create limits. Your mental health matters most.
Stay patient. This is a marathon. It took me months to make meaningful money. Year one, I made $15K total. The second year, eighty grand. Year three, I'm making six figures. It's a journey.
Remember why you started. On bad days—and they happen—remember your reason. For me, it's independence, flexibility with my kids, and showing myself that I'm stronger than I knew.
The Honest Truth
Look, I'm telling the truth. Being a single mom creator is tough. So damn hard. You're running a whole business while being the sole caretaker of children who require constant attention.
There are days I wonder what I'm doing. Days when the nasty comments sting. Days when I'm burnt out and asking myself if I should just get a "normal" job with a 401k.
But then suddenly my daughter shares she appreciates this. Or I look at my savings. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I remember why I do this.
Where I'm Going From Here
A few years back, I was lost and broke how to make it work. Now, I'm a full-time creator making more money than I ever did in my 9-5, and I'm available when they need me.
My goals going forward? Get to half a million followers by December. Start a podcast for single moms. Possibly write a book. Expand this business that changed my life.
This path gave me a path forward when I was desperate. It gave me a way to take care of my children, be available, and build something I'm genuinely proud of. It's not the path I expected, but it's exactly where I needed to be.
To every solo parent wondering if you can do this: You can. It will be hard. You'll want to quit some days. But you're handling the toughest gig—raising humans alone. You're more capable than you know.
Jump in messy. Be consistent. Keep your boundaries. And always remember, you're not just surviving—you're creating something amazing.
Time to go, I need to go create content about homework I forgot about and nobody told me until now. Because that's how it goes—turning chaos into content, video by video.
No cap. This life? It's everything. Despite there might be Goldfish crackers stuck to my laptop right now. Living the dream, one messy video at a time.