Let me tell you, being a mom is not for the weak. But you know what's even crazier? Trying to hustle for money while juggling kids, laundry, and approximately 47 snack requests per day.
My hustle life began about several years ago when I had the epiphany that my impulse buys were reaching dangerous levels. I had to find my own money.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
Right so, my first gig was doing VA work. And not gonna lie? It was ideal. I could hustle while the kids slept, and all I needed was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
My first tasks were easy things like handling emails, posting on social media, and basic admin work. Super simple stuff. I charged about fifteen to twenty bucks hourly, which seemed low but when you're just starting, you gotta prove yourself first.
Honestly the most hilarious thing? I would be on a client call looking all professional from the waist up—full professional mode—while sporting pajama bottoms. That's the dream honestly.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
After getting my feet wet, I decided to try the selling on Etsy. All my mom friends seemed to be on Etsy, so I figured "why not start one too?"
I created creating printable planners and home decor prints. The thing about selling digital stuff? Design it once, and it can keep selling indefinitely. Literally, I've earned money at 3am while I was sleeping.
The first time someone bought something? I actually yelled. My husband thought there was an emergency. Not even close—I was just, doing a happy dance for my glorious $4.99. I'm not embarrassed.
Content Creator Life
Eventually I got into the whole influencer thing. This hustle is not for instant gratification seekers, real talk.
I created a mom blog where I shared real mom life—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Not the highlight reel. Simply authentic experiences about surviving tantrums in Target.
Building traffic was like watching paint dry. For months, I was basically talking to myself. But I didn't give up, and slowly but surely, things began working.
Now? I earn income through affiliate links, sponsored posts, and advertisements on my site. Recently I brought in over two grand from my blog income. Wild, right?
Managing Social Media
As I mastered managing my blog's social media, brands started asking if I could do the same for them.
Here's the thing? Many companies struggle with social media. They understand they need a presence, but they're too busy.
Enter: me. I handle social media for several small companies—different types of businesses. I make posts, schedule posts, engage with followers, and analyze the metrics.
They pay me between five hundred to a thousand dollars per month per client, depending on the complexity. What I love? I can do most of it from my phone while sitting in the carpool line.
Freelance Writing Life
If you can write, freelance writing is seriously profitable. This isn't writing the next Great American Novel—this is business content.
Companies are desperate for content. My assignments have included everything from subjects I knew nothing about before Googling. Google is your best friend, you just need to know how to Google effectively.
I typically earn $50-150 per article, depending on how complex it is. Certain months I'll write a dozen articles and pull in one to two thousand extra.
The funny thing is: Back in school I thought writing was torture. These days I'm earning a living writing. The irony.
Virtual Tutoring
During the pandemic, tutoring went digital. With my teaching background, so this was an obvious choice.
I registered on VIPKid and Tutor.com. The scheduling is flexible, which is essential when you have children who keep you guessing.
I focus on K-5 subjects. Rates vary from fifteen to thirty bucks per hour depending on the company.
Here's what's weird? Sometimes my children will burst into the room mid-session. I once had to educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. Other parents are totally cool about it because they're living the same life.
The Reselling Game
Alright, this hustle started by accident. I was decluttering my kids' stuff and posted some items on various apps.
Things sold within hours. I had an epiphany: you can sell literally anything.
These days I frequent thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, searching for good brands. I'll find something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
It's definitely work? For sure. You're constantly listing and shipping. But it's strangely fulfilling about finding a gem at Goodwill and making profit.
Plus: my children are fascinated when I find unique items. Last week I found a collectible item that my son absolutely loved. Got forty-five dollars for it. Mom for the win.
Real Talk Time
Truth bomb incoming: this stuff requires effort. There's work involved, hence the name.
Certain days when I'm surviving on caffeine and spite, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm grinding at dawn getting stuff done while it's quiet, then handling mom duties, get more info then working again after 8pm hits.
But this is what's real? That money is MINE. I'm not asking anyone to get the good coffee. I'm contributing to our household income. My kids see that you can have it all—sort of.
What I Wish I Knew
If you want to start a hustle of your own, here's my advice:
Don't go all in immediately. Don't attempt to launch everything simultaneously. Choose one hustle and nail it down before taking on more.
Use the time you have. Your available hours, that's fine. Even one focused hour is valuable.
Don't compare yourself to what you see online. The successful ones you see? They put in years of work and doesn't do it alone. Run your own race.
Invest in yourself, but carefully. Start with free stuff first. Don't waste huge money on programs until you've validated your idea.
Batch your work. This is crucial. Set aside certain times for certain work. Monday could be writing day. Wednesday could be organizing and responding.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
Real talk—I struggle with guilt. Certain moments when I'm hustling and my child is calling for me, and I struggle with it.
But then I think about that I'm showing them that hard work matters. I'm proving to them that moms can have businesses.
Also? Making my own money has made me a better mom. I'm more fulfilled, which makes me a better parent.
Income Reality Check
How much do I earn? Generally, total from all sources, I earn $3,000-5,000 per month. Some months are better, others are slower.
Is this millionaire money? Not exactly. But I've used it for vacations, home improvements, and that emergency vet bill that would've been really hard. Plus it's giving me confidence and skills that could become a full-time thing.
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, doing this mom hustle thing is hard. It's not a magic formula. Most days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, fueled by espresso and stubbornness, and hoping for the best.
But I wouldn't change it. Every single penny made is validation of my effort. It's evidence that I have identity beyond motherhood.
If you're thinking about beginning your hustle journey? Do it. Don't wait for perfect. Future you will thank you.
Don't forget: You're not merely enduring—you're building something. Even when there's probably mysterious crumbs everywhere.
Seriously. This is the life, complete with all the chaos.
Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom
Real talk—single motherhood was never the plan. I also didn't plan on making money from my phone. But yet here I am, three years into this wild journey, supporting my family by being vulnerable on the internet while doing this mom thing solo. And I'll be real? It's been the best worst decision of my life.
Rock Bottom: When Everything Changed
It was three years ago when my life exploded. I will never forget sitting in my half-empty apartment (I kept the kids' stuff, he took everything else), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids were passed out. I had barely $850 in my account, little people counting on me, and a income that didn't cut it. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I'd been scrolling TikTok to escape reality—because that's the move? when we're drowning, right?—when I came across this woman discussing how she made six figures through making videos. I remember thinking, "She's lying or got lucky."
But desperation makes you brave. Maybe both. Usually both.
I got the TikTok 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. Why would anyone care about this disaster?
Plot twist, a lot of people.
That video got forty-seven thousand views. Forty-seven thousand people watched me nearly cry over frozen nuggets. The comments section turned into this unexpected source of support—people who got it, folks in the trenches, all saying "I feel this." That was my aha moment. People didn't want perfect. They wanted authentic.
Building My Platform: The Unfiltered Mom Content
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: finding your niche is everything. And my niche? It happened organically. I became the single mom who keeps it brutally honest.
I started posting about the stuff everyone keeps private. Like how I didn't change pants for days because I couldn't handle laundry. Or when I served cereal as a meal three nights in a row and called it "cereal week." Or that moment when my child asked why daddy doesn't live here anymore, and I had to talk about complex things to a kid who still believes in Santa.
My content was raw. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a busted phone. But it was authentic, and evidently, that's what resonated.
After sixty days, I hit 10K. 90 days in, 50K. By six months, I'd crossed a hundred thousand. Each milestone blew my mind. These were real people who wanted to follow me. Me—a barely surviving single mom who had to figure this out from zero recently.
My Daily Reality: Managing It All
Here's what it actually looks like of my typical day, because being a single mom creator is the opposite of those curated "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm screams. I do want to throw my phone, but this is my precious quiet time. I make coffee that I'll reheat three times, and I get to work. Sometimes it's a get-ready-with-me discussing financial reality. Sometimes it's me making food while sharing custody stuff. The lighting is natural and terrible.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation ends. Now I'm in mommy mode—feeding humans, the shoe hunt (it's always one shoe), throwing food in bags, mediating arguments. The chaos is real.
8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom creating content in traffic when stopped. Don't judge me, but I gotta post.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my power window. House is quiet. I'm editing content, responding to comments, brainstorming content ideas, sending emails, looking at stats. They believe content creation is just posting videos. Absolutely not. It's a whole business.
I usually batch content on Monday and Wednesday. That means creating 10-15 pieces in one session. I'll switch outfits so it appears to be different times. Advice: Keep several shirts ready for quick changes. My neighbors think I've lost it, recording myself alone in the backyard.
3:00pm: Pickup time. Parent time. But here's where it gets tricky—frequently my top performing content come from this time. Recently, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I said no to a expensive toy. I created a video in the parking lot later about managing big emotions as a single mom. It got 2.3 million views.
Evening: All the evening things. I'm usually too exhausted to create content, but I'll schedule content, check DMs, or plan tomorrow's content. Many nights, after the kids are asleep, I'll stay up editing because a client needs content.
The truth? There's no balance. It's just controlled chaos with some victories.
Let's Talk Income: How I Really Earn Money
Alright, let's talk dollars because this is what everyone's curious about. Can you actually make money as a online creator? 100%. Is it simple? Absolutely not.
My first month, I made zilch. Second month? Also nothing. Third month, I got my first collaboration—$150 to feature a meal delivery. I literally cried. That hundred fifty dollars covered food.
Currently, three years in, here's how I make money:
Sponsored Content: This is my main revenue. I work with brands that make sense—budget-friendly products, single-parent resources, kid essentials. I ask for anywhere from five hundred to several thousand per deal, depending on deliverables. Last month, I did four partnerships and made eight thousand dollars.
TikTok Fund: TikTok's creator fund pays not much—maybe $200-400 per month for tons of views. YouTube ad revenue is more lucrative. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that required years.
Affiliate Links: I post links to products I actually use—anything from my beloved coffee maker to the bunk beds I bought. If someone purchases through my link, I get a commission. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.
Online Products: I created a financial planner and a meal planning ebook. $15 apiece, and I sell fifty to a hundred per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
Teaching Others: Other aspiring creators pay me to guide them. I offer 1:1 sessions for $200/hour. I do about five to ten per month.
My total income: On average, I'm making ten to fifteen thousand per month currently. Some months are higher, some are less. It's inconsistent, which is stressful when you're solo. But it's triple what I made at my 9-5, and I'm home when my kids need me.
The Dark Side Nobody Posts About
From the outside it's great until you're losing it because a video didn't perform, or dealing with nasty DMs from strangers who think they know your life.
The negativity is intense. I've been told I'm a terrible parent, told I'm problematic, called a liar about being a single mom. Someone once commented, "Maybe that's why he left." That one stung for days.
The algorithm is unpredictable. One month you're getting insane views. The next, you're barely hitting 1K. Your income fluctuates. You're always creating, always working, scared to stop, you'll lose relevance.
The mom guilt is amplified to the extreme. Every upload, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Am I doing right by them? Will they be angry about this when they're older? I have firm rules—minimal identifying info, no discussing their personal struggles, no embarrassing content. But the line is hard to see.
The exhaustion is real. Certain periods when I have nothing. When I'm depleted, over it, and just done. But life doesn't stop. So I create anyway.
The Beautiful Parts
But listen—despite everything, this journey has blessed me with things I never anticipated.
Financial freedom for the first time ever. I'm not loaded, but I became debt-free. I have an cushion. We took a real vacation last summer—Disney, which seemed impossible a couple years back. I don't check my bank account with anxiety anymore.
Flexibility that's priceless. When my kid was ill 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'm present. I'm there for them in ways I wasn't with a normal job.
My people that saved me. The other creators I've met, especially other moms, have become my people. We vent, share strategies, encourage each other. My followers have become this amazing support system. They support me, lift me up, and validate me.
My own identity. After years, I have something for me. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or somebody's mother. I'm a entrepreneur. A creator. Someone who built something from nothing.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're a single parent considering content creation, listen up:
Just start. Your first videos will suck. Mine did. It's fine. You grow through creating, not by overthinking.
Authenticity wins. People can tell when you're fake. Share your true life—the mess. That's what connects.
Keep them safe. Set limits. Know your limits. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I keep names private, minimize face content, and never discuss anything that could embarrass them.
Don't rely on one thing. Spread it out or one revenue source. The algorithm is fickle. Diversification = security.
Batch your content. When you have free time, record several. Future you will be grateful when you're burnt out.
Build community. Engage. Check messages. Build real relationships. Your community is crucial.
Track metrics. Some content isn't worth it. If something requires tons of time and tanks while a different post takes very little time and gets 200,000 views, shift focus.
Take care of yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Unplug. Guard your energy. Your mental health matters more than views.
Stay patient. This requires patience. It took me months to make decent money. My first year, I made fifteen thousand. The second year, eighty grand. Now, I'm projected for $100K+. It's a long game.
Stay connected to your purpose. On difficult days—and there will be many—remember why you're doing this. For me, it's supporting my kids, being there, and showing myself that I'm stronger than I knew.
Being Real With You
Here's the deal, I'm telling the truth. This life is hard. Like, really freaking hard. You're managing a business while being the lone caretaker of kids who need everything.
Many days I question everything. Days when the nasty comments get to me. Days when I'm exhausted and stressed and questioning if I should go back to corporate with insurance.
But then suddenly my daughter mentions she's happy I'm here. Or I see financial progress. Or I read a message from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I remember why I do this.
My Future Plans
Not long ago, I was lost and broke what to do. Fast forward, I'm a professional creator making triple what I earned in corporate America, and I'm present for everything.
My goals now? Reach 500K by December. Start a podcast for other single moms. Write a book eventually. Expand this business that supports my family.
Being a creator gave me a way out when I needed it most. It gave me a way to support my kids, be there, and create something meaningful. It's a surprise, but it's meant to be.
To every solo parent on the fence: You absolutely can. It will be challenging. You'll doubt yourself. But you're currently doing the most difficult thing—raising humans alone. You're stronger than you think.
Begin messy. Be consistent. Prioritize yourself. And always remember, you're doing more than surviving—you're creating something amazing.
BRB, I need to go record a video about the project I just found out about and surprise!. Because that's how it goes—chaos becomes content, one post at a time.
For real. This life? It's worth it. Even though there's definitely old snacks stuck to my laptop right now. No regrets, mess included.