Here's the tea, motherhood is literally insane. But plot twist? Trying to secure the bag while dealing with kids, laundry, and approximately 47 snack requests per day.
My hustle life began about three years ago when I figured out that my Target runs were becoming problematic. It was time to get funds I didn't have to justify spending.
Being a VA
So, I kicked things off was doing VA work. And honestly? It was exactly what I needed. I could grind during those precious quiet hours, and literally all it took was a computer and internet.
My first tasks were simple tasks like organizing inboxes, doing social media scheduling, and data entry. Super simple stuff. My rate was about fifteen dollars an hour, which felt cheap but as a total beginner, you gotta build up your portfolio.
Here's what was wild? I would be on a client call looking like I had my life together from the shoulders up—looking corporate—while sporting pants I'd owned since 2015. Main character energy.
My Etsy Journey
After a year, I decided to try the Etsy world. Literally everyone seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I figured "why not me?"
I created creating PDF planners and home decor prints. The thing about selling digital stuff? One and done creation, and it can generate passive income forever. For real, I've earned money at 3am while I was sleeping.
The first time someone bought something? I actually yelled. My husband thought I'd injured myself. Nope—I was just, cheering about my $4.99 sale. No shame in my game.
The Content Creation Grind
After that I ventured into creating content online. This one is not for instant gratification seekers, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it.
I created a parenting blog where I shared the chaos of parenting—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Keeping it real. Just real talk about surviving tantrums in Target.
Building traffic was slow. For months, it was basically creating content for crickets. But I didn't give up, and after a while, things began working.
These days? I generate revenue through affiliate marketing, working with brands, and advertisements on my site. Last month I earned over two thousand dollars from my website. Mind-blowing, right?
The Social Media Management Game
When I became good with social media for my own stuff, other businesses started inquiring if I could run their social media.
Real talk? Many companies don't understand social media. They realize they need to be there, but they can't keep up.
That's where I come in. I handle social media for a handful of clients—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I create content, schedule posts, handle community management, and analyze the metrics.
They pay me between five hundred to fifteen hundred monthly per business, depending on what they need. Here's what's great? I can do most of it from my phone while sitting in the carpool line.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
For those who can string sentences together, freelancing is seriously profitable. Not like writing the next Great American Novel—this is blog posts, articles, website copy, product descriptions.
Brands and websites constantly need fresh content. I've created content about everything from subjects I knew nothing about before Googling. Google is your best friend, you just need to be good at research.
On average earn $50-150 per article, depending on the topic and length. Some months I'll write a dozen articles and pull in an extra $1,000-2,000.
What's hilarious: I was the person who thought writing was torture. And now I'm a professional writer. Life is weird.
Virtual Tutoring
When COVID hit, everyone needed online help. As a former educator, so this was kind of a natural fit.
I signed up with various tutoring services. The scheduling is flexible, which is non-negotiable when you have children who keep you guessing.
I focus on elementary reading and math. Rates vary from $15-25 per hour depending on where you work.
The funny thing? Every now and then my own kids will interrupt mid-session. I've literally had to be professional while chaos erupted behind me. Other parents are incredibly understanding because they get it.
Flipping Items for Profit
So, this particular venture I stumbled into. I was decluttering my kids' room and posted some items on Mercari.
They sold instantly. I had an epiphany: there's a market for everything.
At this point I shop at anywhere with deals, hunting for quality items. I grab something for $3 and sell it for $30.
This takes effort? Yes. There's photographing, listing, and shipping. But it's strangely fulfilling about finding hidden treasures at the thrift store and earning from it.
Plus: my children are fascinated when I bring home interesting finds. Recently I scored a vintage toy that my son freaked out about. Made $45 on it. Mom for the win.
Real Talk Time
Let me keep it real: side hustles take work. The word 'hustle' is there for a reason.
Some days when I'm running on empty, wondering why I'm doing this. I'm grinding at dawn hustling before the chaos starts, then all day mom-ing, then working again after 8pm hits.
But here's what matters? These are my earnings. I'm not asking anyone to treat myself. I'm supporting my family's finances. I'm teaching my children that moms can do anything.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're considering a side hustle, here are my tips:
Start small. Don't attempt to launch everything simultaneously. Pick one thing and become proficient before starting something else.
Use the time you have. Whatever time you have, that's perfectly acceptable. Two hours of focused work is better than nothing.
Avoid comparing yourself to other moms. The successful ones you see? She's been grinding forever and has support. Stay in your lane.
Spend money on education, but strategically. Start with free stuff first. Don't waste $5,000 on a coaching program until you've tested the waters.
Do similar tasks together. This is crucial. Dedicate specific days for specific tasks. Monday might be writing day. Wednesday might be administrative work.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
Real talk—mom guilt is a thing. Certain moments when I'm working and my kid wants attention, and I hate it.
However I remind myself that I'm demonstrating to them what dedication looks like. I'm teaching my kids that moms can have businesses.
And honestly? Making my own money has improved my mental health. I'm more satisfied, which makes me a better parent.
The Numbers
So what do I actually make? Typically, combining everything, I make between three and five grand. It varies, it fluctuates.
Is it life-changing money? Nope. But this money covers family trips and unexpected expenses that would've caused financial strain. It's also developing my career and experience that could become a full-time thing.
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, being a mom with a side hustle isn't easy. You this overview won't find a perfect balance. Most days I'm making it up as I go, powered by caffeine, and hoping for the best.
But I'm proud of this journey. Every dollar earned is validation of my effort. It's evidence that I'm not just someone's mother.
If you're thinking about launching a mom business? Go for it. Begin before you're ready. You in six months will be so glad you did.
And remember: You're not just surviving—you're hustling. Even if you probably have Goldfish crackers stuck to your laptop.
Seriously. This mom hustle life is pretty amazing, mess included.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
Here's the truth—being a single parent wasn't part of my five-year plan. I also didn't plan on becoming a content creator. But fast forward to now, years into this crazy ride, earning income by sharing my life online while doing this mom thing solo. And I'll be real? It's been the most terrifying, empowering, and unexpected blessing of my life.
How It Started: When Everything Imploded
It was a few years ago when my divorce happened. I can still picture sitting in my half-empty apartment (he took what he wanted, I kept what mattered), unable to sleep at 2am while my kids were passed out. I had less than a thousand dollars in my bank account, two humans depending on me, and a job that barely covered rent. The anxiety was crushing, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to escape reality—because that's what we do? when we're drowning, right?—when I stumbled on this solo parent talking about how she made six figures through posting online. I remember thinking, "No way that's legit."
But desperation makes you brave. Or crazy. Sometimes both.
I downloaded the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? Me, no makeup, messy bun, explaining how I'd just blown my final $12 on a dinosaur nuggets and snacks for my kids' lunches. I shared it and felt sick. Why would anyone care about someone's train wreck of a life?
Plot twist, way more people than I expected.
That video got 47,000 views. 47,000 people watched me breakdown over chicken nuggets. The comments section turned into this validation fest—women in similar situations, others barely surviving, all saying "same." That was my aha moment. People didn't want the highlight reel. They wanted authentic.
My Brand Evolution: The Hot Mess Single Mom Brand
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? It found me. I became the mom who tells the truth.
I started creating content about the stuff people hide. Like how I once wore the same yoga pants for four days straight because laundry felt impossible. Or the time I fed my kids cereal for dinner all week and called it "creative meal planning." Or that moment when my child asked about the divorce, and I had to discuss divorce to a kid who still believes in Santa.
My content was rough. My lighting was awful. I filmed on a phone with a broken screen. But it was honest, and evidently, that's what resonated.
In just two months, I hit ten thousand followers. Month three, 50,000. By six months, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone felt surreal. People who wanted to hear what I had to say. Little old me—a financially unstable single mom who had to learn everything from scratch months before.
A Day in the Life: Managing It All
Here's the reality of my typical day, because this life is nothing like those aesthetic "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm goes off. I do want to throw my phone, but this is my hustle hours. I make coffee that I'll forget about, and I start recording. Sometimes it's a GRWM talking about single mom finances. Sometimes it's me prepping lunches while venting about parenting coordination. The lighting is whatever natural light comes through my kitchen window.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation stops. Now I'm in full mom mode—pouring cereal, finding the missing shoe (seriously, always ONE), throwing food in bags, referee duties. The chaos is real.
8:30am: Getting them to school. I'm that mom filming at red lights in the car. Not my proudest moment, but bills don't care.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. I'm alone finally. I'm editing content, being social, thinking of ideas, pitching brands, checking analytics. Everyone assumes content creation is just posting videos. Absolutely not. It's a full business.
I usually batch content on Mondays and Wednesdays. That means shooting multiple videos in one go. I'll change shirts between videos so it looks varied. Life hack: Keep wardrobe options close for easy transitions. My neighbors must think I'm insane, filming myself talking to my phone in the driveway.
3:00pm: Pickup time. Transition back to mom mode. But here's the thing—sometimes my top performing content come from the chaos. A few days ago, my daughter had a massive breakdown in Target because I couldn't afford a forty dollar toy. I created a video in the Target parking lot afterward about dealing with meltdowns as a solo parent. It got millions of views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm typically drained to make videos, but I'll schedule uploads, answer messages, or prep for tomorrow. Many nights, after bedtime, I'll edit for hours because a partnership is due.
The truth? Balance doesn't exist. It's just controlled chaos with moments of success.
Income Breakdown: How I Generate Income
Look, let's get into the finances because this is what everyone wants to know. Can you legitimately profit as a influencer? 100%. Is it easy? Not even close.
My first month, I made $0. Month two? $0. Third month, I got my first sponsored post—a hundred and fifty bucks to share a meal box. I actually cried. That hundred fifty dollars covered food.
Now, years later, here's how I monetize:
Brand Deals: This is my biggest income source. I work with brands that my followers need—things that help, mom products, children's products. I ask for anywhere from $500 to $5,000 per campaign, depending on what's required. This past month, I did 4 sponsored posts and made $8,000.
Ad Money: TikTok's creator fund pays not much—$200-$400 per month for tons of views. YouTube money is actually decent. I make about $1.5K monthly from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Affiliate Income: I share affiliate links to items I love—anything from my go-to coffee machine to the kids' beds. If someone clicks and buys, I get a percentage. This brings in about eight hundred to twelve hundred.
Info Products: I created a financial planner and a meal planning ebook. They're $15 each, and I sell 50-100 per month. That's another $1,000-1,500.
Teaching Others: Aspiring influencers pay me to mentor them. I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for $200 hourly. I do about several each month.
Total monthly income: On average, I'm making between ten and fifteen grand per month now. Certain months are better, others are slower. It's up and down, which is terrifying when there's no backup. But it's 3x what I made at my old job, and I'm there for them.
The Hard Parts Nobody Talks About
This sounds easy until you're sobbing alone because a post got no views, or handling cruel messages from keyboard warriors.
The trolls are vicious. I've been accused of being a bad mother, told I'm a bad influence, told I'm fake about being a divorced parent. Someone once commented, "Maybe that's why he left." That one stung for days.
The platform changes. Certain periods you're getting insane views. Then suddenly, you're getting nothing. Your income fluctuates. You're never off, always "on", scared to stop, you'll lose relevance.
The mom guilt is worse times a thousand. Every upload, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Are my kids safe? Will they be angry about this when they're adults? I have non-negotiables—minimal identifying info, keeping their stories private, nothing humiliating. But the line is fuzzy.
The exhaustion is real. Certain periods when I have nothing. When I'm depleted, over it, and at my limit. But the mortgage is due. So I create anyway.
The Beautiful Parts
But listen—despite the hard parts, this journey has created things I never dreamed of.
Money security for the first time ever. I'm not loaded, but I paid off $18,000 in debt. I have an safety net. We took a actual vacation last summer—Disney, which I never thought possible two years ago. I don't check my bank account with anxiety anymore.
Time freedom that's priceless. When my son got sick last month, I didn't have to call in to work or lose income. I worked from the doctor's office. When there's a class party, I can go. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I couldn't be with a regular job.
Community that saved me. The creator friends I've found, especially solo parents, have become actual friends. We vent, share strategies, support each other. My followers have become this amazing support system. They celebrate my wins, support me, and show me I'm not alone.
Me beyond motherhood. After years, I have something for me. I'm not just an ex or only a parent. I'm a business owner. A content creator. Someone who built something from nothing.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're a solo parent thinking about this, listen up:
Start before you're ready. Your first videos will be trash. Mine did. It's fine. You learn by doing, not by overthinking.
Be yourself. People can tell when you're fake. Share your true life—the messy, imperfect, chaotic reality. That resonates.
Guard their privacy. Set limits. Be intentional. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I keep names private, limit face shots, and protect their stories.
Multiple revenue sources. Don't put all eggs in one basket or one income stream. The algorithm is fickle. Multiple income streams = stability.
Batch your content. When you have quiet time, film multiple videos. Future you will appreciate it when you're drained.
Build community. Reply to comments. Answer DMs. Build real relationships. Your community is everything.
Monitor what works. Not all content is worth creating. If something takes four hours and flops while something else takes minutes and gets massive views, shift focus.
Prioritize yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Rest. Protect your peace. Your health matters more than anything.
Give it time. This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It took me months to make real income. The first year, I made fifteen thousand. The second year, $80,000. Year three, I'm on track for six figures. It's a process.
Know your why. On bad days—and there are many—remember your reason. For me, it's money, being present, and showing myself that I'm capable of more than I thought possible.
The Reality Check
Listen, I'm keeping it 100. This life is challenging. Like, really freaking hard. You're running a whole business while being the only parent of demanding little people.
Certain days I wonder what I'm doing. Days when the negativity sting. Days when I'm drained and wondering if I should go back to corporate with insurance.
But then my daughter says she's proud that I work from home. Or I check my balance and see money. Or I read a message from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I remember why I do this.
Where I'm Going From Here
Not long ago, I was broke, scared, and had no idea how I'd survive as a single mom. Currently, I'm a full-time content creator making more money than I ever did in my old job, and I'm home when my kids get off the school bus.
My goals going forward? Get to half a million followers by year-end. Begin podcasting for single moms. Write a book eventually. Keep building this business that makes everything possible.
This journey gave me a second chance when I needed it most. It gave me a way to take care of my children, be there, and accomplish something incredible. 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 most difficult thing—doing this alone. You're stronger than you think.
Begin messy. Keep showing up. Keep your boundaries. And don't forget, you're more than just surviving—you're creating something amazing.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go create content about why my kid's school project is due tomorrow and nobody told me until now. Because that's the reality—turning chaos into content, one TikTok at a time.
No cap. Being a single mom creator? It's worth every struggle. Even when there's definitely crumbs in my keyboard. That's the dream, one messy video at a time.