Let me spill, mom life is literally insane. But what's really wild? Attempting to secure the bag while managing tiny humans who think sleep is optional.
My hustle life began about several years ago when I realized that my Target runs were becoming problematic. It was time to get funds I didn't have to justify spending.
Being a VA
Right so, my first gig was becoming a virtual assistant. And honestly? It was ideal. I was able to hustle while the kids slept, and all I needed was a computer and internet.
Initially I was doing simple tasks like handling emails, managing social content, and basic admin work. Nothing fancy. I started at about $15-20 per hour, which wasn't much but as a total beginner, you gotta prove yourself first.
The funniest part? I would be on a video meeting looking all professional from the shoulders up—looking corporate—while wearing my rattiest leggings. That's the dream honestly.
My Etsy Journey
After a year, I wanted to explore the handmade marketplace scene. All my mom friends seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I thought "why not join the party?"
My shop focused on designing printable planners and home decor prints. The thing about selling digital stuff? Make it one time, and it can make money while you sleep. Actually, I've made sales at ungodly hours.
My first sale? I actually yelled. My husband thought something was wrong. Nope—it was just me, cheering about my five dollar sale. Judge me if you want.
Blogging and Creating
Next I discovered creating content online. This particular side gig is definitely a slow burn, let me tell you.
I launched a parenting blog where I shared the chaos of parenting—the messy truth. Keeping it real. Only authentic experiences about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Growing an audience was painfully slow. For months, it was basically writing for myself and like three people. But I stayed consistent, and after a while, things started clicking.
Currently? I generate revenue through affiliate marketing, collaborations, and display ads. This past month I brought in over two grand from my blog income. Insane, right?
The Social Media Management Game
Once I got decent at social media for my own stuff, brands started reaching out if I could do the same for them.
Here's the thing? Most small businesses are terrible with social media. They know they should be posting, but they're clueless about the algorithm.
I swoop in. I currently run social media for several small companies—various small businesses. I develop content, plan their posting schedule, engage with followers, and check their stats.
I bill between five hundred to fifteen hundred monthly per account, depending on what they need. What I love? I manage everything from my phone.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
For the wordy folks, freelancing is a goldmine. This isn't becoming Shakespeare—I'm talking about blog posts, articles, website copy, product descriptions.
Companies need content constantly. I've written articles about everything from the most random topics. You don't need to be an expert, you just need to know how to find information.
Generally charge $0.10-0.50 per word, depending on length and complexity. On good months I'll write a dozen articles and make an extra $1,000-2,000.
The funny thing is: Back in school I struggled with essays. And now I'm a professional writer. Life's funny like that.
The Online Tutoring Thing
After lockdown started, virtual tutoring became huge. With my teaching background, so this was kind of a natural fit.
I registered on a couple of online tutoring sites. It's super flexible, which is essential when you have children who keep you guessing.
I mostly tutor elementary reading and math. Rates vary from fifteen to thirty bucks per hour depending on where you work.
The funny thing? There are times when my children will interrupt mid-session. I've had to educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. The parents on the other end are totally cool about it because they get it.
Reselling and Flipping
Alright, this particular venture I stumbled into. During a massive cleanout my kids' closet and put some things on Mercari.
Stuff sold out instantly. That's when I realized: one person's trash is another's treasure.
Currently I frequent thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, searching for name brands. I'll find something for $3 and sell it for $30.
It's definitely work? Not gonna lie. I'm photographing items, writing descriptions, shipping packages. But I find it rewarding about spotting valuable items at a garage sale and making money.
Additionally: my kids are impressed when I discover weird treasures. Just last week I discovered a collectible item that my son absolutely loved. Flipped it for forty-five bucks. Mom win.
Real Talk Time
Here's the thing nobody tells you: these aren't get-rich-quick schemes. It's called hustling because you're hustling.
Certain days when I'm exhausted, doubting everything. I'm grinding at dawn getting stuff done while it's quiet, then all day mom-ing, then more hustle time after bedtime.
But you know what? That money is MINE. No permission needed to buy the fancy coffee. I'm contributing to the family budget. I'm showing my kids that you can have it all—sort of.
Tips if You're Starting Out
If you're thinking about a mom hustle, this is what I've learned:
Don't go all in immediately. Don't attempt to juggle ten things. Pick one thing and master it before expanding.
Honor your limits. Your available hours, that's fine. Whatever time you can dedicate is valuable.
Avoid comparing yourself to the highlight reels. The successful ones you see? She's been grinding forever and doesn't do it alone. Do your thing.
Spend money on education, but smartly. Start with free stuff first. Don't waste massive amounts on training until you've validated your idea.
Do similar tasks together. This changed everything. Use days for specific hustles. Monday might be creation day. Wednesday might be organizing and responding.
The Mom Guilt is Real
I have to be real with you—guilt is part of this. There are times when I'm on my laptop and they want to play, and I feel terrible.
But I consider that I'm teaching them that hard work matters. I'm showing my daughter that you can be both.
Plus? Having my own income has helped me feel more like myself. I'm more content, which helps me be better.
The Numbers
So what do I actually make? On average, combining everything, I make $3,000-5,000 per month. It varies, some are tougher.
Is this millionaire money? Not really. But this money covers vacations, home improvements, and that emergency vet bill that would've stressed us out. It's giving me confidence and expertise that could turn into something bigger.
Final Thoughts
Listen, doing this mom hustle thing isn't easy. There's no secret sauce. Often I'm improvising everything, running on coffee and determination, and crossing my fingers.
But I'm glad I'm doing this. Each penny made is evidence of my capability. It's evidence that I'm a multifaceted person.
For anyone contemplating starting a side hustle? Take the leap. Start messy. Your tomorrow self will thank you.
And remember: You're not merely enduring—you're building something. Despite the fact that there's probably snack crumbs in your workspace.
Not even kidding. The whole thing is where it's at, despite the chaos.
From Survival Mode to Content Creator: My Journey as a Single Mom
Let me be real with you—becoming a single mom was never the plan. I also didn't plan on becoming a content creator. But fast forward to now, years into this crazy ride, supporting my family by posting videos while handling everything by myself. And real talk? It's been life-changing in every way of my life.
The Beginning: When Everything Imploded
It was 2022 when my life exploded. I can still picture sitting in my mostly empty place (I kept the kids' stuff, he took everything else), unable to sleep at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had barely $850 in my bank account, little people counting on me, and a job that barely covered rent. The anxiety was crushing, y'all.
I'd been mindlessly scrolling to numb the pain—because that's self-care at 2am, right? when everything is chaos, right?—when I found this single mom discussing how she made six figures through being a creator. I remember thinking, "No way that's legit."
But desperation makes you brave. Or crazy. Sometimes both.
I got the TikTok studio app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, explaining how I'd just used my last twelve bucks on a dinosaur nuggets and snacks for my kids' lunch boxes. I uploaded it and wanted to delete it. Who gives a damn about my mess?
Spoiler alert, tons of people.
That video got 47K views. 47,000 people watched me get emotional over frozen nuggets. The comments section turned into this safe space—other single moms, others barely surviving, all saying "same." That was my lightbulb moment. People didn't want perfect. They wanted real.
My Brand Evolution: The Real Mom Life Brand
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? It chose me. I became the mom who tells the truth.
I started filming the stuff no one shows. Like how I lived in one outfit because washing clothes was too much. Or the time I fed my kids cereal for dinner all week and called it "survival mode." Or that moment when my child asked why we don't live with dad, and I had to explain adult stuff to a kid who thinks the tooth fairy is real.
My content wasn't pretty. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a cracked iPhone 8. But it was real, and evidently, that's what connected.
Within two months, I hit ten thousand followers. 90 days in, 50K. By month six, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone felt surreal. Real accounts who wanted to listen to me. Little old me—a financially unstable single mom who had to figure this out from zero not long ago.
A Day in the Life: Managing It All
Here's the reality of my typical day, because being a single mom creator is not at all 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 I'll forget about, and I start recording. Sometimes it's a get-ready-with-me sharing about budgeting. Sometimes it's me meal prepping while sharing parenting coordination. The lighting is natural and terrible.
7:00am: Kids wake up. Content creation ends. Now I'm in survival mode—making breakfast, finding the missing shoe (where do they go), prepping food, referee duties. The chaos is real.
8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom in the carpool line filming TikToks when stopped. Not my proudest moment, but bills don't care.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. I'm alone finally. I'm cutting clips, engaging with followers, planning content, sending emails, reviewing performance. Everyone assumes content creation is just making TikToks. Nope. It's a entire operation.
I usually batch content on certain days. That means making a dozen videos in one sitting. I'll swap tops so it appears to be different times. Hot tip: Keep wardrobe options close for outfit changes. My neighbors definitely think I'm crazy, talking to my camera in the yard.
3:00pm: Pickup time. Back to parenting. But here's the thing—often my best content ideas come from these after-school moments. Recently, my daughter had a complete meltdown in Target because I said no to a forty dollar toy. I filmed a video in the Target parking lot after about surviving tantrums as a single mom. It got 2.3M views.
Evening: Dinner through bedtime. I'm typically drained to create anything, but I'll plan posts, reply to messages, or prep for tomorrow. Certain nights, after the kids are asleep, I'll stay up editing because a partnership is due.
The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just chaos with a plan with some victories.
Let's Talk Income: How I Generate Income
Okay, let's talk numbers because this is what everyone's curious about. Can you make a living as a influencer? 100%. Is it easy? Nope.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Second month? Also nothing. Month three, I got my first sponsored post—a hundred and fifty bucks to promote a meal kit service. I broke down. That hundred fifty dollars paid for groceries.
Now, years later, here's how I earn income:
Sponsored Content: This is my main revenue. I work with brands that align with my audience—things that help, mom products, family items. I get paid anywhere from $500-5K per campaign, depending on the scope. Last month, I did 4 sponsored posts and made eight grand.
Ad Money: The TikTok fund pays very little—two to four hundred per month for massive numbers. YouTube revenue is actually decent. I make about fifteen hundred a month from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Affiliate Income: I post links to products I actually use—everything from my beloved coffee maker to the beds my kids use. If anyone buys, I get a kickback. This brings in about $800-$1200/month.
Digital Products: I created a money management guide and a cooking guide. They sell for fifteen dollars, and I sell dozens per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.
One-on-One Coaching: People wanting to start pay me to guide them. I offer private coaching for two hundred dollars. I do about several each month.
Overall monthly earnings: Generally, I'm making $10,000-15,000 per month now. Some months I make more, some are less. It's up and down, which is stressful when you're solo. But it's triple what I made at my old job, and I'm home when my kids need me.
The Dark Side Nobody Shows You
Content creation sounds glamorous until you're losing it because a video flopped, or managing cruel messages from random people.
The negativity is intense. I've been told I'm a terrible parent, told I'm problematic, questioned about being a single mom. One person said, "Maybe your husband left because you're annoying." That one stuck with me.
The algorithm is unpredictable. Sometimes you're getting millions of views. The following week, you're barely hitting 1K. Your income is unstable. You're never off, always "on", afraid to pause, you'll lose momentum.
The guilt is crushing times a thousand. Every upload, I wonder: Is this too much? Am I doing right by them? Will they hate me for this when they're older? I have non-negotiables—no faces of my kids without permission, no discussing their personal struggles, nothing that could embarrass them. But the line is not always clear.
The burnout is real. Sometimes when I can't create. When I'm exhausted, over it, and at my limit. But life doesn't stop. So I create anyway.
The Wins
But here's the thing—despite the hard parts, this journey has given me things I never imagined.
Financial stability for the first damn time. this post I'm not a millionaire, but I paid off $18,000 in debt. I have an emergency fund. We took a vacation last summer—Disney, which seemed impossible two years ago. I don't dread checking my balance anymore.
Flexibility that's priceless. When my boy was sick last month, I didn't have to stress about missing work or panic. I worked from the pediatrician's waiting room. When there's a school thing, I'm there. I'm in their lives in ways I wasn't able to be with a corporate job.
Connection that saved me. The other creators I've met, especially single moms, have become true friends. We vent, help each other, lift each other up. My followers have become this incredible cheerleading squad. They cheer for me, encourage me through rough patches, and validate me.
Identity beyond "mom". After years, I have something for me. I'm more than an ex or someone's mom. I'm a CEO. A creator. Someone who created this.
Tips for Single Moms Wanting to Start
If you're a solo parent wanting to start, listen up:
Begin now. Your first videos will suck. Mine did. That's okay. You grow through creating, not by overthinking.
Keep it real. People can tell when you're fake. Share your honest life—the chaos. That's what connects.
Guard their privacy. Set boundaries early. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is the priority. I never share their names, protect their faces, and never discuss anything that could embarrass them.
Build multiple income streams. Don't put all eggs in one basket or one way to earn. The algorithm is fickle. Multiple streams = safety.
Batch create content. When you have time alone, film multiple videos. Tomorrow you will be grateful when you're burnt out.
Build community. Reply to comments. Check messages. Connect authentically. Your community is your foundation.
Track your time and ROI. Not all content is worth creating. If something takes four hours and gets nothing while a different post takes 20 minutes and gets massive views, pivot.
Prioritize yourself. You matter too. Unplug. Create limits. Your sanity matters more than anything.
This takes time. This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It took me months to make decent money. My first year, I made barely $15,000. Year two, eighty grand. Year 3, I'm making six figures. It's a process.
Stay connected to your purpose. On bad days—and they happen—remember why you're doing this. For me, it's money, being present, and validating that I'm capable of anything.
Real Talk Time
Listen, I'm being honest. Being a single mom creator is hard. Like, really freaking hard. You're basically running a business while being the lone caretaker of tiny humans who need you constantly.
Many days I second-guess this. Days when the hate comments get to me. Days when I'm drained and asking myself if I should quit this with benefits and a steady paycheck.
But and then my daughter shares she appreciates this. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content changed her life. And I understand the impact.
Where I'm Going From Here
Years ago, I was terrified and clueless how to make it work. Now, I'm a professional creator making more than I imagined in my 9-5, and I'm home when my kids get off the school bus.
My goals moving forward? Reach 500K by December. Create a podcast for other single moms. Maybe write a book. Keep growing this business that supports my family.
This journey gave me a path forward when I needed it most. It gave me a way to provide for my family, be present in their lives, and build something I'm genuinely proud of. It's a surprise, but it's perfect.
To every solo parent considering this: You can. It isn't simple. You'll doubt yourself. But you're already doing the hardest job in the world—raising humans alone. You're more capable than you know.
Start imperfect. Keep showing up. Keep your boundaries. And remember, you're beyond survival mode—you're changing your life.
Time to go, I need to go create content about homework I forgot about and I just learned about it. Because that's this life—chaos becomes content, one video at a time.
Honestly. This life? It's worth it. Even when I'm sure there's crumbs all over my desk. Dream life, one messy video at a time.