Let me spill, mom life is absolutely wild. But what's really wild? Attempting to secure the bag while handling children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.
This whole thing started for me about several years ago when I realized that my Target runs were becoming problematic. I needed some independent income.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
Here's what happened, my first gig was doing VA work. And real talk? It was exactly what I needed. I was able to hustle while the kids slept, and the only requirement was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
My first tasks were simple tasks like email management, scheduling social media posts, and data entry. Nothing fancy. I started at about $20/hour, which wasn't much but as a total beginner, you gotta prove yourself first.
The funniest part? I'd be on a video meeting looking completely put together from the shoulders up—blazer, makeup, the works—while sporting pants I'd owned since 2015. Peak mom life.
Selling on Etsy
About twelve months in, I wanted to explore the selling on Etsy. Every mom I knew seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I figured "why not join the party?"
I started making printable planners and wall art. The beauty of printables? You create it once, and it can sell forever. Actually, I've gotten orders at ungodly hours.
That initial sale? I freaked out completely. My partner was like I'd injured myself. Not even close—just me, cheering about my five dollar sale. Don't judge me.
The Content Creation Grind
Eventually I discovered creating content online. This particular side gig is playing the long game, real talk.
I launched a blog about motherhood where I shared real mom life—all of it, no filter. Keeping it real. Just authentic experiences about finding mystery stains on everything I own.
Getting readers was a test of patience. At the beginning, it was basically writing for myself and like three people. But I didn't give up, and over time, things began working.
At this point? I make money through promoting products, brand partnerships, and display ads. Recently I generated over $2,000 from my blog income. Crazy, right?
The Social Media Management Game
When I became good with managing my blog's social media, brands started reaching out if I could do the same for them.
Real talk? Many companies struggle with social media. They know they should be posting, but they can't keep up.
I swoop in. I currently run social media for several small companies—different types of businesses. I make posts, plan their posting schedule, engage with followers, and track analytics.
I charge between $500-1500 per month per business, depending on what they need. Best part? I manage everything from my phone while sitting in the carpool line.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
For those who can string sentences together, content writing is incredibly lucrative. I don't mean literary fiction—I'm talking about content writing for businesses.
Companies need content constantly. I've written everything from dental hygiene to copyright. Being an expert isn't required, you just need to know how to find information.
Generally make fifty to one hundred fifty bucks per piece, depending on the topic and length. When I'm hustling hard I'll produce 10-15 articles and make $1-2K.
The funny thing is: Back in school I thought writing was torture. And now I'm a professional writer. Talk about character development.
Virtual Tutoring
During the pandemic, virtual tutoring became huge. As a former educator, so this was an obvious choice.
I joined a couple of online tutoring sites. It's super flexible, which is absolutely necessary when you have children who keep you guessing.
I mostly tutor K-5 subjects. Rates vary from $15-25 per hour depending on the platform.
The awkward part? There are times when my own kids will photobomb my lessons mid-session. I've literally had to educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. Other parents are incredibly understanding because they're living the same life.
Flipping Items for Profit
So, this side gig started by accident. While organizing my kids' things and tried selling some outfits on Facebook Marketplace.
Stuff sold out instantly. That's when I realized: one person's trash is another's treasure.
At this point I shop at thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, looking for name brands. I grab something for $3 and sell it for $30.
This takes effort? Absolutely. There's photographing, listing, and shipping. But it's oddly satisfying about finding a gem at a garage sale and earning from it.
Bonus: my kids are impressed when I discover weird treasures. Recently I scored a vintage toy that my son freaked out about. Flipped it for forty-five bucks. Victory for mom.
Real Talk Time
Here's the thing nobody tells you: side hustles aren't passive income. They're called hustles for a reason.
Some days when I'm running on empty, wondering why I'm doing this. I wake up early hustling before the chaos starts, then doing all the mom stuff, then working again after 8pm hits.
But you know what? This income is mine. I don't have to ask permission to get the good coffee. I'm adding to the family budget. My kids are learning that moms can do anything.
What I Wish I Knew
If you want to start a side hustle, here's my advice:
Start small. Don't try to do everything at once. Pick one thing and nail it down before taking on more.
Use the time you have. If naptime is your only free time, that's fine. A couple of productive hours is valuable.
Stop comparing to the highlight reels. Those people with massive success? She's been grinding forever and has support. Focus on your own journey.
Don't be afraid to invest, but carefully. Free information exists. Don't spend $5,000 on a coaching program until you've validated your idea.
Batch your work. This is crucial. Use days for specific hustles. Make Monday writing day. Make Wednesday handling business stuff.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
Let me be honest—mom guilt is a thing. Sometimes when I'm working and my kid wants attention, and I struggle with it.
But then I remember that I'm demonstrating to them work ethic. I'm teaching my kids that moms can have businesses.
Additionally? Having my own income has made me a better mom. I'm happier, which helps me be better.
Let's Talk Money
My actual income? Typically, combining everything, I make $3,000-5,000 per month. It varies, it fluctuates.
Will this make you wealthy? Not really. But it's paid for stuff that matters to us that would've been really hard. Plus it's developing my career and skills that could evolve into something huge.
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship is challenging. You won't find a magic formula. Often I'm flying by the seat of my pants, fueled by espresso and stubbornness, and crossing my fingers.
But I don't regret it. Every single bit of income is evidence of my capability. It's evidence that I'm not just someone's mother.
If you're on the fence about beginning your hustle journey? Go for it. Start messy. You in six months will appreciate it.
Keep in mind: You're not merely getting by—you're creating something amazing. Despite the fact that you probably have Goldfish crackers in your workspace.
No cap. This is pretty amazing, 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 part of my five-year plan. Nor was turning into an influencer. But here I am, years into this crazy ride, paying bills by posting videos while parenting alone. And not gonna lie? It's been the most terrifying, empowering, and unexpected blessing of my life.
How It Started: When Everything Fell Apart
It was three years ago when my life exploded. I will never forget sitting in my half-empty apartment (he took the couch, I got the kids' art projects), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had barely $850 in my account, two kids to support, and a job that barely covered rent. The stress was unbearable, y'all.
I was on TikTok to distract myself from the anxiety—because that's what we do? when we're drowning, right?—when I saw this divorced mom talking about how she changed her life through making videos. I remember thinking, "That can't be real."
But being broke makes you bold. Or crazy. Probably both.
I got the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, talking about how I'd just put my last twelve dollars on a dinosaur nuggets and snacks for my kids' lunch boxes. I posted it and immediately regretted it. Who gives a damn about someone's train wreck of a life?
Turns out, thousands of people.
That video got forty-seven thousand views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me breakdown over processed meat. The comments section became this safe space—people who got it, others barely surviving, all saying "me too." That was my turning point. People didn't want perfect. They wanted raw.
Building My Platform: The Unfiltered Mom Content
The truth is about content creation: you need a niche. And my niche? It found me. I became the real one.
I started sharing the stuff people hide. Like how I didn't change pants for days because laundry felt impossible. Or when I served cereal as a meal multiple nights and called it "creative meal planning." Or that moment when my six-year-old asked where daddy went, and I had to talk about complex things to a kid who thinks the tooth fairy is real.
My content wasn't polished. My lighting was terrible. I filmed on a ancient iPhone. But it was honest, and evidently, that's what worked.
In just two months, I hit 10,000 followers. Month three, 50K. By six months, I'd crossed 100,000. Each milestone felt impossible. Real accounts who wanted to listen to me. Me—a struggling single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" recently.
The Daily Grind: Content Creation Meets Real Life
Let me show you of my typical day, because content creation as a single mom is nothing like 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 recording. Sometimes it's a GRWM sharing about money struggles. Sometimes it's me making food while talking about co-parenting struggles. The lighting is not great.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation goes on hold. Now I'm in survival mode—pouring cereal, the shoe hunt (it's always one shoe), making lunch boxes, referee duties. The chaos is next level.
8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom creating content in traffic in the car. I know, I know, but content waits for no one.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. Peace and quiet. I'm editing content, responding to comments, brainstorming content ideas, pitching brands, reviewing performance. Everyone assumes content creation is only filming. Wrong. It's a whole business.
I usually batch-create content on specific days. That means making a dozen videos in one sitting. I'll switch outfits so it looks like different days. Pro tip: Keep wardrobe options close for outfit changes. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, filming myself talking to my phone in the backyard.
3:00pm: Getting the kids. Back to parenting. But here's where it gets tricky—frequently my biggest hits come from real life. Just last week, my daughter had a epic meltdown in Target because I couldn't afford a expensive toy. I created a video in the vehicle later about managing big emotions as a single mom. It got 2.3M views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm generally wiped out to make videos, but I'll schedule content, respond to DMs, or prep for tomorrow. Often, after bedtime, I'll stay up editing because a partnership is due.
The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just chaos with a plan with occasional wins.
The Financial Reality: How I Really Earn Money
Okay, let's talk numbers because this is what everyone wants to know. Can you legitimately profit as a online creator? Yes. Is it easy? Not even close.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Month two? Also nothing. Month three, I got my first collaboration—$150 to promote a meal delivery. I actually cried. That hundred fifty dollars paid for groceries.
Currently, three years in, here's how I monetize:
Sponsored Content: This is my biggest income source. I work with brands that align with my audience—affordable stuff, single-parent resources, children's products. I get paid anywhere from $500 to $5,000 per collaboration, depending on what they need. Just last month, I did four collabs and made $8,000.
TikTok Fund: TikTok's creator fund pays not much—maybe $200-400 per month for massive numbers. YouTube ad revenue is way better. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Affiliate Income: I share links to things I own—anything from my beloved coffee maker to the beds my kids use. If someone purchases through my link, I get a percentage. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.
Downloadables: I created a money management guide and a meal prep guide. Each costs $15, and I sell dozens per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.
One-on-One Coaching: People wanting to start pay me to show them how. I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for two hundred per hour. I do about 5-10 each 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 variable, which is nerve-wracking when you're solo. But it's three times what I made at my corporate job, and I'm home when my kids need me.
What They Don't Show Nobody Shows You
From the outside it's great until you're sobbing alone because a post tanked, or handling cruel messages from random people.
The trolls are vicious. I've been mom-shamed, told I'm problematic, told I'm fake about being a divorced parent. One person said, "Maybe that's why he left." That one hurt so bad.
The algorithm changes constantly. Sometimes you're getting insane views. Then suddenly, you're barely hitting 1K. Your income varies wildly. You're constantly creating, never resting, scared to stop, you'll lose momentum.
The mom guilt is amplified to the extreme. Everything I share, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Am I protecting my kids' privacy? Will they hate me for this when they're teenagers? I have clear boundaries—limited face shots, no sharing their private stuff, nothing humiliating. But the line is not always clear.
The burnout is real. Sometimes when I have nothing. When I'm done, talked out, and at my limit. But bills don't care about burnout. So I show up anyway.
The Unexpected Blessings
But here's the thing—through it all, this journey has given me things I never imagined.
Financial stability for the first time ever. I'm not rich, but I eliminated my debt. I have an cushion. We took a real vacation last summer—Disney World, which felt impossible two years ago. I don't dread checking my balance anymore.
Flexibility that's priceless. When my kid was ill last month, I didn't have to use PTO or worry about money. I worked from the pediatrician's waiting room. When there's a school thing, I can go. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I couldn't manage with a traditional 9-5.
Connection that saved me. The other influencers I've befriended, especially other single parents, have become real friends. We connect, help each other, lift each other up. My followers have become this family. They celebrate my wins, support me, and remind me I'm not alone.
My own identity. Finally, I have an identity. I'm more than an ex or someone's mom. I'm a content creator. A content creator. Someone who created this.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're a single mother wanting to start, here's my advice:
Just start. Your first videos will be awful. Mine did. That's normal. You learn by doing, not by waiting until everything is perfect.
Be authentic, not perfect. People can sense inauthenticity. Share your honest life—the messy, imperfect, chaotic reality. That resonates.
Prioritize their privacy. Create rules. Have standards. Their privacy is everything. I keep names private, minimize face content, and protect their stories.
Diversify income streams. Spread it out or one way to earn. The algorithm is unstable. Multiple income streams = stability.
Film multiple videos. When you have time alone, film multiple videos. Next week you will appreciate it when you're unable to film.
Engage with your audience. Respond to comments. Reply to messages. Build real relationships. Your community is what matters.
Track your time and ROI. Some content isn't worth it. If something is time-intensive and gets nothing while another video takes very little time and goes viral, shift focus.
Self-care matters. Self-care isn't selfish. Unplug. Create limits. Your mental health matters more than going viral.
Give it time. This requires patience. It took me ages to make meaningful money. My first year, I made fifteen thousand. The second year, $80K. Now, I'm on track for six figures. It's a process.
Know your why. On difficult days—and they happen—remember why you're doing this. For me, it's money, being there, and proving to myself that I'm stronger than I knew.
The Reality Check
Look, I'm being honest. Content creation as a single mom is difficult. So damn hard. You're operating a business while being the sole caretaker of kids who need everything.
There are days I question everything. Days when the negativity sting. Days when I'm burnt out and questioning if I should get a regular job with consistent income.
But and then my daughter shares she appreciates this. Or I see financial progress. Or I read a message from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I remember my purpose.
My Future Plans
Years ago, I was lost and broke how to survive. Fast forward, I'm a content creator making more than I imagined in my old job, and I'm present for everything.
My goals now? Hit 500K by end of year. Start a the original post podcast for solo parents. Possibly write a book. Keep growing this business that changed my life.
This path gave me a second chance when I needed it most. It gave me a way to feed my babies, be available, and accomplish something incredible. It's not what I planned, but it's where I belong.
To all the single moms thinking about starting: Yes you can. It will be challenging. You'll consider quitting. But you're already doing the most difficult thing—single parenting. You're stronger than you think.
Jump in messy. Keep showing up. Prioritize yourself. And remember, you're more than just surviving—you're changing your life.
Gotta go now, I need to go create content about another last-minute project and nobody told me until now. Because that's how it goes—turning chaos into content, one video at a time.
No cap. This life? It's everything. Despite there might be old snacks stuck to my laptop right now. Dream life, mess included.