Real talk, being a mom is a whole vibe. But you know what's even crazier? Attempting to hustle for money while juggling kids, laundry, and approximately 47 snack requests per day.
This whole thing started for me about three years ago when I had the epiphany that my retail therapy sessions were reaching dangerous levels. I needed my own money.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
Here's what happened, I started out was becoming a virtual assistant. And honestly? It was exactly what I needed. I was able to grind during those precious quiet hours, and the only requirement was my laptop and decent wifi.
Initially I was doing simple tasks like handling emails, doing social media scheduling, and data entry. Super simple stuff. My rate was about fifteen to twenty bucks hourly, which seemed low but when you're just starting, you gotta begin at the bottom.
The funniest part? There I was on a Zoom call looking all professional from the shoulders up—business casual vibes—while wearing sweatpants. Living my best life.
Selling on Etsy
Once I got comfortable, I ventured into the handmade marketplace scene. Everyone and their mother seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I figured "why not start one too?"
My shop focused on making downloadable organizers and wall art. What's great about digital products? One and done creation, and it can keep selling indefinitely. Genuinely, I've gotten orders at midnight when I'm unconscious.
My first sale? I freaked out completely. My partner was like I'd injured myself. Not even close—I was just, doing a happy dance for my glorious $4.99. Don't judge me.
The Content Creation Grind
After that I got into writing and making content. This particular side gig is definitely a slow burn, real talk.
I created a mom click here blog where I posted about what motherhood actually looks like—the messy truth. Not the highlight reel. Only honest stories about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Growing an audience was painfully slow. For months, I was basically talking to myself. But I stayed consistent, and slowly but surely, things took off.
Currently? I generate revenue through promoting products, collaborations, and display ads. Just last month I earned over two thousand dollars from my website. Crazy, right?
SMM Side Hustle
When I became good with running my own socials, small companies started asking if I could run their social media.
Real talk? Most small businesses are terrible with social media. They know they have to be on it, but they're too busy.
Enter: me. I handle social media for three local businesses—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I plan their content, queue up posts, handle community management, 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 do this work from my phone while sitting in the carpool line.
Freelance Writing Life
For the wordy folks, writing gigs is seriously profitable. I don't mean becoming Shakespeare—I'm talking about blog posts, articles, website copy, product descriptions.
Businesses everywhere always need writers. My assignments have included everything from dental hygiene to copyright. You just need to research, you just need to know how to Google effectively.
I typically earn $50-150 per article, depending on length and complexity. When I'm hustling hard I'll create 10-15 articles and earn one to two thousand extra.
What's hilarious: Back in school I thought writing was torture. Currently I'm getting paid for it. Life is weird.
The Online Tutoring Thing
After lockdown started, online tutoring exploded. As a former educator, so this was perfect for me.
I joined several tutoring platforms. You choose when you work, which is crucial when you have unpredictable little ones.
My sessions are usually elementary school stuff. Income ranges from fifteen to thirty bucks per hour depending on the company.
The awkward part? Every now and then my own kids will interrupt mid-session. I've had to teach fractions while my toddler screamed about the wrong color cup. Other parents are totally cool about it because they're parents too.
Flipping Items for Profit
Here me out, this one happened accidentally. While organizing my kids' room and tried selling some outfits on various apps.
Things sold immediately. I had an epiphany: you can sell literally anything.
At this point I hit up anywhere with deals, looking for things that will sell. I purchase something for a few dollars and make serious profit.
This takes effort? For sure. You're constantly listing and shipping. But there's something satisfying about finding hidden treasures at a garage sale and earning from it.
Also: my kids are impressed when I find unique items. Recently I scored a collectible item that my son absolutely loved. Flipped it for forty-five bucks. Victory for mom.
The Honest Reality
Real talk moment: side hustles take work. They're called hustles for a reason.
Some days when I'm surviving on caffeine and spite, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm up at 5am getting stuff done while it's quiet, then being a full-time parent, then back to work after everyone's in bed.
But here's the thing? That money is MINE. I can spend it guilt-free to get the good coffee. I'm contributing to our household income. My kids see that you can have it all—sort of.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
If you're thinking about a hustle of your own, here's what I'd tell you:
Begin with something manageable. You can't juggle ten things. Focus on one and nail it down before starting something else.
Honor your limits. If you only have evenings, that's perfectly acceptable. Even one focused hour is valuable.
Stop comparing to what you see online. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? She's been grinding forever and has help. Do your thing.
Don't be afraid to invest, but carefully. Free information exists. Avoid dropping massive amounts on training until you've validated your idea.
Batch your work. This changed everything. Set aside specific days for specific tasks. Use Monday for making stuff day. Wednesday could be administrative work.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
Real talk—I struggle with guilt. There are times when I'm hustling and my child is calling for me, and I struggle with it.
But I consider that I'm demonstrating to them how to hustle. I'm demonstrating to my children that women can be mothers and entrepreneurs.
And honestly? Making my own money has helped me feel more like myself. I'm more fulfilled, which translates to better parenting.
Income Reality Check
How much do I earn? Most months, between all my hustles, I pull in $3K-5K. Certain months are higher, it fluctuates.
Is this getting-rich money? Nope. But this money covers vacations, home improvements, and that emergency vet bill that would've caused financial strain. Plus it's building my skills and skills that could turn into something bigger.
Wrapping This Up
At the end of the day, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship is challenging. It's not a secret sauce. Many days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, surviving on coffee, and doing my best.
But I'm glad I'm doing this. Every single dollar I earn is evidence of my capability. It demonstrates that I'm a multifaceted person.
For anyone contemplating beginning your hustle journey? Start now. Start before it's perfect. Your tomorrow self will thank you.
Always remember: You're not merely making it through—you're creating something amazing. Even though there's probably mysterious crumbs stuck to your laptop.
Not even kidding. The whole thing is the life, complete with all the chaos.
My Content Creator Journey: My Journey as a Single Mom
Real talk—single motherhood wasn't on my vision board. Nor was building a creator business. But fast forward to now, three years into this wild journey, earning income by creating content while parenting alone. And honestly? It's been the most terrifying, empowering, and unexpected blessing of my life.
The Starting Point: When Everything Fell Apart
It was three years ago when my divorce happened. I will never forget sitting in my half-empty apartment (he took what he wanted, I kept what mattered), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids were finally quiet. I had $847 in my bank account, two mouths to feed, and a income that didn't cut it. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to distract myself from the anxiety—because that's what we do? when everything is chaos, right?—when I stumbled on this woman sharing how she made six figures through posting online. I remember thinking, "That's either a scam or she's incredibly lucky."
But desperation makes you brave. Maybe both. Often both.
I grabbed the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, talking about how I'd just used my last twelve bucks on a pack of chicken nuggets and fruit snacks for my kids' lunches. I shared it and felt sick. Who wants to watch my broke reality?
Plot twist, tons of people.
That video got 47,000 views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me nearly cry over $12 worth of food. The comments section became this safe space—people who got it, others barely surviving, all saying "same." That was my aha moment. People didn't want perfection. They wanted real.
Finding My Niche: The Real Mom Life Brand
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: your niche matters. And my niche? I stumbled into it. I became the mom who tells the truth.
I started filming the stuff no one shows. Like how I once wore the same yoga pants for four days straight 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 "survival mode." Or that moment when my daughter asked why we don't live with dad, and I had to talk about complex things to a kid who still believes in Santa.
My content wasn't polished. My lighting was awful. I filmed on a busted phone. But it was honest, and apparently, that's what resonated.
In just two months, I hit ten thousand followers. Month three, 50K. By half a year, I'd crossed a hundred thousand. Each milestone felt surreal. Real accounts who wanted to hear what I had to say. Plain old me—a barely surviving single mom who had to learn everything from scratch months before.
The Actual Schedule: Juggling Everything
Let me paint you a picture of my typical day, because creating content solo is the opposite of those perfect "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm blares. I do want to throw my phone, but this is my precious quiet time. I make coffee that I'll microwave repeatedly, and I begin creating. Sometimes it's a getting ready video sharing about budgeting. Sometimes it's me cooking while venting about parenting coordination. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids emerge. Content creation ends. Now I'm in parent mode—cooking eggs, locating lost items (where do they go), throwing food in bags, stopping fights. The chaos is overwhelming.
8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom filming at red lights at red lights. I know, I know, but bills don't care.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. Peace and quiet. I'm editing videos, engaging with followers, planning content, pitching brands, looking at stats. They believe content creation is only filming. It's not. It's a real job.
I usually batch-create content on Monday and Wednesday. That means making a dozen videos in one go. I'll switch outfits so it looks like different days. Pro tip: Keep different outfits accessible for outfit changes. My neighbors must think I'm insane, making videos in public in the driveway.
3:00pm: School pickup. Transition back to mom mode. But this is where it's complicated—sometimes my top performing content come from these after-school moments. A few days ago, my daughter had a massive breakdown in Target because I said no to a $40 toy. I created a video in the vehicle once we left about dealing with meltdowns as a single parent. It got 2.3 million views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm generally wiped out to make videos, but I'll queue up posts, reply to messages, or outline content. Certain nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll edit videos until midnight because a deadline is coming.
The truth? There's no balance. It's just organized chaos with random wins.
The Money Talk: How I Support My Family
Alright, let's discuss money because this is what people ask about. Can you actually make money as a content creator? Absolutely. Is it effortless? Hell no.
My first month, I made nothing. Month two? Also nothing. Third month, I got my first sponsored post—$150 to promote a meal box. I broke down. That one-fifty paid for groceries.
Fast forward, three years later, here's how I generate revenue:
Sponsored Content: This is my primary income. I work with brands that my followers need—practical items, helpful services, family items. I ask for anywhere from $500-5K per deal, depending on what's required. This past month, I did four brand deals and made $8,000.
TikTok Fund: The TikTok fund pays pennies—a few hundred dollars per month for tons of views. AdSense is way better. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that was a long process.
Affiliate Income: I share affiliate links to things I own—ranging from my go-to coffee machine to the beds my kids use. If anyone buys, I get a cut. This brings in about $800-$1200/month.
Digital Products: I created a money management guide and a food prep planner. $15 apiece, and I sell dozens per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.
Teaching Others: People wanting to start pay me to mentor them. I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for $200 hourly. I do about several a month.
Combined monthly revenue: Typically, I'm making ten to fifteen thousand per month at this point. Certain months are better, others are slower. It's inconsistent, which is scary when you're it. But it's three times what I made at my old job, and I'm there for them.
What They Don't Show Nobody Posts About
This sounds easy until you're losing it because a post got no views, or reading hate comments from internet trolls.
The haters are brutal. I've been mom-shamed, told I'm a bad influence, questioned about being a divorced parent. A commenter wrote, "I'd leave too." That one stung for days.
The algorithm changes constantly. Certain periods you're getting viral hits. Then suddenly, you're struggling for views. Your income varies wildly. You're constantly creating, 24/7, worried that if you take a break, you'll fall behind.
The mom guilt is intense exponentially. Each post, I wonder: Am I oversharing? Am I protecting my kids' privacy? Will they hate me for this when they're older? I have firm rules—minimal identifying info, keeping their stories private, protecting their dignity. But the line is hard to see.
The exhaustion is real. Some weeks when I can't create. When I'm exhausted, over it, and completely finished. But bills don't care about burnout. So I push through.
The Beautiful Parts
But here's the thing—even with the struggles, this journey has given me things I never imagined.
Money security for once in my life. I'm not wealthy, but I cleared $18K. I have an savings. We took a vacation last summer—Disney World, which seemed impossible a couple years back. I don't stress about my account anymore.
Schedule freedom that's priceless. When my son got sick last month, I didn't have to ask permission or stress about losing pay. I worked from the pediatrician's waiting room. When there's a class party, I attend. I'm available in ways I couldn't manage with a corporate job.
Support that saved me. The fellow creators I've found, especially solo parents, have become real friends. We talk, exchange tips, support each other. My followers have become this beautiful community. They cheer for me, support me, 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 entrepreneur. A businesswoman. Someone who made it happen.
Advice for Aspiring Creators
If you're a solo parent thinking about this, listen up:
Start before you're ready. Your first videos will be awful. Mine did. Everyone starts there. You grow through creating, not by waiting until everything is perfect.
Keep it real. People can tell when you're fake. Share your honest life—the mess. That's what works.
Prioritize their privacy. Set limits. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is everything. I keep names private, limit face shots, and respect their dignity.
Don't rely on one thing. Diversify or a single source. The algorithm is fickle. More streams = less stress.
Film multiple videos. When you have time alone, film multiple videos. Future you will thank present you when you're unable to film.
Interact. Engage. Check messages. Connect authentically. Your community is everything.
Monitor what works. Time is money. If something is time-intensive and gets 200 views while another video takes very little time and blows up, change tactics.
Prioritize yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Unplug. Protect your peace. Your sanity matters more than going viral.
Be patient. This requires patience. It took me half a year to make any real money. Year one, I made fifteen thousand. Year 2, eighty grand. Year three, I'm on track for six figures. It's a process.
Know your why. On difficult days—and trust me, there will be—think about your why. For me, it's independence, flexibility with my kids, and demonstrating that I'm stronger than I knew.
Being Real With You
Listen, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. Content creation as a single mom is difficult. Incredibly hard. You're running a whole business while being the sole caretaker of tiny humans who need you constantly.
Many days I doubt myself. Days when the negativity hurt. Days when I'm completely spent and asking myself if I should get a regular job with consistent income.
But but then my daughter shares she loves that I'm home. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I remember my purpose.
The Future
Three years ago, I was lost and broke what to do. Today, I'm a full-time content creator making more money than I ever did in my old job, and I'm present for everything.
My goals moving forward? Get to half a million followers by this year. Create a podcast for solo parents. Write a book eventually. Continue building this business that supports my family.
This journey gave me a path forward when I was drowning. It gave me a way to take care of my children, be present in their lives, and accomplish something incredible. It's unexpected, but it's meant to be.
To all the single moms considering this: Hell yes you can. It won't be easy. You'll struggle. But you're handling the hardest job in the world—doing this alone. You're more capable than you know.
Begin messy. Stay the course. Keep your boundaries. And remember, you're more than just surviving—you're creating something amazing.
Gotta go now, I need to go film a TikTok about the project I just found out about and I just learned about it. Because that's how it goes—turning chaos into content, one TikTok at a time.
Seriously. Being a single mom creator? It's everything. Even though there might be Goldfish crackers stuck to my laptop right now. Living the dream, chaos and all.