I'm gonna be honest with you, mom life is literally insane. But what's really wild? Trying to secure the bag while dealing with children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.
I entered the side gig world about several years ago when I discovered that my retail therapy sessions were becoming problematic. I had to find funds I didn't have to justify spending.
Being a VA
Okay so, I kicked things off was jumping into virtual assistance. And I'll be real? It was chef's kiss. I could grind during those precious quiet hours, and the only requirement was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
My first tasks were simple tasks like organizing inboxes, scheduling social media posts, and entering data. Not rocket science. My rate was about $20/hour, which felt cheap but when you're just starting, you gotta start somewhere.
Honestly the most hilarious thing? There I was on a video meeting looking completely put together from the waist up—full professional mode—while rocking pajama bottoms. Peak mom life.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
About twelve months in, I ventured into the selling on Etsy. All my mom friends seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I figured "why not me?"
My shop focused on designing downloadable organizers and digital art prints. Here's why printables are amazing? You create it once, and it can sell forever. For real, I've gotten orders at times when I didn't even know.
The first time someone bought something? I freaked out completely. He came running thinking I'd injured myself. Negative—just me, doing a happy dance for my $4.99 sale. No shame in my game.
The Content Creation Grind
Eventually I discovered creating content online. This venture is definitely a slow burn, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it.
I began a family lifestyle blog where I documented what motherhood actually looks like—the messy truth. None of that Pinterest-perfect life. Simply real talk about surviving tantrums in Target.
Growing an audience was painfully slow. At the beginning, it was basically writing for myself and like three people. But I kept at it, and after a while, things began working.
Currently? I make money through affiliate links, brand partnerships, and advertisements on my site. Last month I generated over two grand from my blog alone. Mind-blowing, right?
The Social Media Management Game
As I mastered social media for my own stuff, brands started reaching out if I could do the same for them.
And honestly? Tons of businesses don't understand social media. They understand they need a presence, but they can't keep up.
Enter: me. I now manage social media for a handful of clients—various small businesses. I create content, schedule posts, handle community management, and check their stats.
My rate is between $500-$1500/month per account, depending on what they need. What I love? I can do most of it from my iPhone.
Writing for Money
If writing is your thing, freelancing is seriously profitable. Not like writing the next Great American Novel—this is blog posts, articles, website copy, product descriptions.
Brands and websites are desperate for content. I've created content about everything from dental hygiene to copyright. Google is your best friend, you just need to know how to Google effectively.
Generally charge $50-150 per article, depending on the topic and length. Some months I'll crank out fifteen articles and earn one to two thousand extra.
Plot twist: I was the person who struggled with essays. These days I'm making money from copyright. Life's funny like that.
Virtual Tutoring
2020 changed everything, online tutoring exploded. With my teaching background, so this was perfect for me.
I registered on various tutoring services. It's super flexible, which is non-negotiable when you have children who keep you guessing.
My sessions are usually elementary reading and math. Income ranges from $15-$25/hour depending on which site you use.
Here's what's weird? Every now and then my own kids will interrupt mid-session. I've had to maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. My clients are totally cool about it because they get it.
The Reselling Game
Alright, this one wasn't planned. While organizing my kids' room and put some things on copyright.
Things sold within hours. That's when I realized: one person's trash is another's treasure.
Now I visit thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, looking for things that will sell. I'll find something for $3 and sell it for $30.
Is it a lot of work? Not gonna lie. I'm photographing items, writing descriptions, shipping packages. But it's strangely fulfilling about finding hidden treasures at a yard sale and turning a profit.
Bonus: my kids think I'm cool when I find unique items. Last week I scored a collectible item that my son lost his mind over. Got forty-five dollars for it. Mom for the win.
The Honest Reality
Here's the thing nobody tells you: this stuff requires effort. They're called hustles for a reason.
There are moments when I'm surviving on caffeine and spite, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm working before sunrise being productive before the madness begins, then all day mom-ing, then working again after everyone's in bed.
But here's what matters? I earned this money. I don't have to ask permission to buy the fancy coffee. I'm this overview supporting our household income. My kids are learning that you can have it all—sort of.
Tips if You're Starting Out
For those contemplating a hustle of your own, this is what I've learned:
Begin with something manageable. Avoid trying to launch everything simultaneously. Choose one hustle and become proficient before taking on more.
Use the time you have. If you only have evenings, that's perfectly acceptable. Whatever time you can dedicate is more than enough to start.
Don't compare yourself to Instagram moms. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? They put in years of work and has support. Stay in your lane.
Don't be afraid to invest, but wisely. Start with free stuff first. Don't waste thousands on courses until you've validated your idea.
Batch your work. I learned this the hard way. Block off time blocks for different things. Monday might be making stuff day. Use Wednesday for admin and emails.
The Mom Guilt is Real
I have to be real with you—mom guilt is a thing. There are times when I'm hustling and my child is calling for me, and I feel terrible.
But I consider that I'm demonstrating to them what dedication looks like. I'm proving to them that motherhood doesn't mean giving up your identity.
And honestly? Earning independently has improved my mental health. I'm more satisfied, which helps me be better.
The Numbers
How much do I earn? Typically, from all my side gigs, I bring in $3,000-5,000 per month. Some months are lower, it fluctuates.
Is this millionaire money? Nope. But I've used it for vacations, home improvements, and that emergency vet bill that would've stressed us out. It's creating opportunities and experience that could evolve into something huge.
Wrapping This Up
Here's the bottom line, doing this mom hustle thing takes work. There's no such thing as a perfect balance. Many days I'm winging it, surviving on coffee, and praying it all works out.
But I'm proud of this journey. Every single bit of income is a testament to my hustle. It shows that I'm more than just mom.
So if you're considering starting a side hustle? Do it. Start before it's perfect. Your tomorrow self will appreciate it.
Always remember: You're more than surviving—you're building something. Even though you probably have snack crumbs everywhere.
Seriously. This is where it's at, despite the chaos.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—being a single parent wasn't part of my five-year plan. Neither was making money from my phone. But here I am, three years later, supporting my family by creating content while parenting alone. And honestly? It's been the best worst decision of my life.
How It Started: When Everything Came Crashing Down
It was three years ago when my marriage ended. I remember sitting in my half-empty apartment (he took the couch, I got the kids' art projects), staring at my phone at 2am while my kids slept. I had barely $850 in my checking account, two mouths to feed, and a salary that was a joke. 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 came across this single mom sharing how she paid off $30,000 in debt through posting online. I remember thinking, "No way that's legit."
But when you're desperate, you try anything. Or stupid. Often both.
I grabbed the TikTok studio app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, explaining how I'd just blown my final $12 on a cheap food for my kids' school lunches. I shared it and felt sick. Who wants to watch my mess?
Apparently, way more people than I expected.
That video got 47K views. 47,000 people watched me nearly cry over $12 worth of food. The comments section became this safe space—fellow solo parents, other people struggling, all saying "this is my life." That was my lightbulb moment. People didn't want perfect. They wanted real.
My Brand Evolution: The Real Mom Life Brand
The truth is about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? It found me. I became the unfiltered single mom.
I started filming the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I lived in one outfit because laundry felt impossible. Or when I served cereal as a meal three nights in a row and called it "cereal week." Or that moment when my kid asked about the divorce, and I had to explain adult stuff to a kid who is six years old.
My content was raw. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a phone with a broken screen. But it was unfiltered, and apparently, that's what worked.
In just two months, I hit 10,000 followers. Month three, 50K. By month six, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone blew my mind. These were real people who wanted to follow me. Me—a financially unstable single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" six months earlier.
My Daily Reality: Managing It All
Here's what it actually looks like of my typical day, because content creation as a single mom is nothing like those perfect "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm sounds. I do absolutely not want to wake up, but this is my work time. I make coffee that will get cold, and I get to work. Sometimes it's a getting ready video sharing about budgeting. Sometimes it's me prepping lunches while venting about parenting coordination. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids get up. Content creation pauses. Now I'm in survival mode—cooking eggs, hunting for that one shoe (seriously, always ONE), packing lunches, stopping fights. The chaos is overwhelming.
8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom in the carpool line filming TikToks when stopped. Don't judge me, but I gotta post.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my productive time. Kids are at school. I'm editing videos, engaging with followers, ideating, pitching brands, analyzing metrics. Everyone assumes content creation is just making TikToks. Nope. It's a full business.
I usually batch-create content on Mondays and Wednesdays. That means making a dozen videos in one session. I'll change shirts between videos so it looks varied. Hot tip: Keep multiple tops nearby for outfit changes. My neighbors think I've lost it, filming myself talking to my phone in the parking lot.
3:00pm: Picking them up. Parent time. But this is where it's complicated—many times my biggest hits come from real life. Recently, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I wouldn't buy a expensive toy. I made content in the parking lot after about dealing with meltdowns as a single mom. It got 2.3 million views.
Evening: All the evening things. I'm typically drained to make videos, but I'll schedule uploads, respond to DMs, or outline content. Certain nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll stay up editing because a partnership is due.
The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just organized chaos with some victories.
The Financial Reality: How I Support My Family
Alright, let's discuss money because this is what everyone's curious about. Can you really earn income as a creator? 100%. Is it simple? Hell no.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Second month? Still nothing. Third month, I got my first brand deal—a hundred and fifty bucks to post about a meal box. I cried real tears. That hundred fifty dollars covered food.
Fast forward, three years in, here's how I earn income:
Collaborations: This is my largest income stream. I work with brands that make sense—practical items, mom products, family items. I charge anywhere from five hundred to several thousand per partnership, depending on the scope. This past month, I did four partnerships and made eight grand.
Ad Money: The TikTok fund pays very little—a few hundred dollars per month for massive numbers. YouTube revenue is better. I make about $1.5K monthly from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Affiliate Marketing: I promote products to stuff I really use—anything from my go-to coffee machine to the bunk beds I bought. If anyone buys, I get a percentage. This brings in about eight hundred to twelve hundred.
Digital Products: I created a single mom budget planner and a meal prep guide. They're $15 each, and I sell 50-100 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 5-10 per month.
Total monthly income: Generally, I'm making $10-15K per month at this point. Some months are higher, some are lower. It's variable, which is nerve-wracking when you're it. But it's 3x what I made at my previous job, and I'm there for them.
The Dark Side Nobody Talks About
It looks perfect online until you're sobbing alone because a post got no views, or dealing with vicious comments from random people.
The hate comments are real. I've been called a bad mom, told I'm using my children, called a liar about being a single mom. Someone once commented, "I'd leave too." That one destroyed me.
The algorithm changes constantly. Sometimes you're getting viral hits. Then suddenly, you're barely hitting 1K. Your income goes up and down. You're never off, never resting, scared to stop, you'll lose momentum.
The mom guilt is worse beyond normal. Everything I share, I wonder: Is this too much? Am I protecting my kids' privacy? Will they hate me for this when they're adults? I have strict rules—limited face shots, no sharing their private stuff, protecting their dignity. But the line is not always clear.
The burnout hits hard. There are weeks when I can't create. When I'm depleted, socially drained, and totally spent. But bills don't care about burnout. So I create anyway.
The Unexpected Blessings
But here's the thing—even with the struggles, this journey has given me things I never dreamed of.
Financial stability for the first damn time. I'm not rich, but I became debt-free. I have an cushion. We took a real vacation last summer—Orlando, which I never thought possible two years ago. I don't panic about money anymore.
Flexibility that's priceless. When my kid was ill last month, I didn't have to stress about missing work or lose income. I worked from the doctor's office. When there's a field trip, I attend. I'm available in ways I couldn't be with a corporate job.
Support that saved me. The fellow creators I've connected with, especially other moms, have become real friends. We vent, collaborate, support each other. My followers have become this beautiful community. They cheer for me, send love, and remind me I'm not alone.
Identity beyond "mom". Finally, I have something for me. I'm more than an ex or just a mom. I'm a business owner. A content creator. A person who hustled.
My Best Tips
If you're a single mom considering content creation, here's my advice:
Don't wait. Your first videos will suck. Mine did. That's okay. You grow through creating, not by overthinking.
Authenticity wins. People can tell when you're fake. Share your true life—the chaos. That's what connects.
Guard their privacy. Establish boundaries. Have standards. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I never share their names, protect their faces, and never discuss anything that could embarrass them.
Build multiple income streams. Spread it out or one income stream. The algorithm is unreliable. More streams = less stress.
Batch create content. When you have quiet time, create multiple pieces. Tomorrow you will thank present you when you're unable to film.
Connect with followers. Engage. Answer DMs. Be real with them. Your community is what matters.
Track your time and ROI. Time is money. If something requires tons of time and gets 200 views while another video takes minutes and goes viral, adjust your strategy.
Prioritize yourself. Self-care isn't selfish. Take breaks. Guard your energy. Your sanity matters more than views.
This takes time. This takes time. It took me eight months to make decent money. Year one, I made fifteen thousand. Year 2, eighty thousand. Year three, I'm on track for six figures. It's a process.
Stay connected to your purpose. On tough days—and they happen—recall your purpose. For me, it's independence, time with my children, and showing myself that I'm more than I believed.
Real Talk Time
Look, I'm being honest. Content creation as a single mom is hard. So damn hard. You're operating a business while being the only parent of children who require constant attention.
Some days I second-guess this. Days when the hate comments sting. Days when I'm drained and asking myself if I should just get a "normal" job with a 401k.
But and then my daughter mentions she appreciates this. Or I see financial progress. Or I see a message from a follower saying my content changed her life. And I know it's worth it.
My Future Plans
Not long ago, I was lost and broke how to make it work. Fast forward, I'm a full-time content creator making triple what I earned in my old job, and I'm present for everything.
My goals moving forward? Reach 500K by end of year. Create a podcast for other single moms. Maybe write a book. Expand this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
Content creation gave me a second chance when I needed it most. It gave me a way to provide for my family, show up, and create something meaningful. It's a surprise, but it's meant to be.
To every single mom out there on the fence: Hell yes you can. It isn't simple. You'll consider quitting. But you're handling the hardest job—single parenting. You're more capable than you know.
Jump in messy. Stay consistent. Keep your boundaries. And always remember, you're more than just surviving—you're building an empire.
BRB, I need to go record a video about homework I forgot about and surprise!. Because that's the reality—chaos becomes content, one post at a time.
Seriously. This journey? It's worth it. Despite there's probably old snacks in my keyboard. That's the dream, chaos and all.