Here's the tea, being a mom is absolutely wild. But plot twist? Trying to hustle for money while dealing with toddlers and their chaos.
This whole thing started for me about a few years back when I realized that my Target runs were way too frequent. I was desperate for funds I didn't have to justify spending.
The Virtual Assistant Life
Here's what happened, I started out was jumping into virtual assistance. And real talk? It was exactly what I needed. 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 email management, managing social content, and basic admin work. Pretty straightforward. I started at about fifteen dollars an hour, which seemed low but when you don't know what you're doing yet, you gotta start somewhere.
The funniest part? Picture this: me on a video meeting looking all professional from the shoulders up—full professional mode—while wearing pajama bottoms. Main character energy.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
About twelve months in, I ventured into the handmade marketplace scene. Everyone and their mother seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I was like "why not start one too?"
I created designing PDF planners and digital art prints. The beauty of printables? One and done creation, and it can make money while you sleep. Genuinely, I've made sales at ungodly hours.
The first time someone bought something? I actually yelled. He came running thinking something was wrong. Not even close—just me, cheering about my five dollar sale. Don't judge me.
Content Creator Life
Next I started writing and making content. This one is definitely a slow burn, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it.
I started a mom blog where I documented the chaos of parenting—all of it, no filter. None of that Pinterest-perfect life. Only the actual truth about surviving tantrums in Target.
Growing an audience was painfully slow. At the beginning, I was essentially my only readers were my mom and two bots. But I didn't give up, and over time, things gained momentum.
At this point? I earn income through promoting products, brand partnerships, and advertisements on my site. Recently I brought in over two thousand dollars from my blog income. Insane, right?
Managing Social Media
As I mastered managing my blog's social media, small companies started inquiring if I could manage their accounts.
Here's the thing? Most small businesses don't understand social media. They realize they have to be on it, but they don't know how.
Enter: me. I handle social media for several small companies—different types of businesses. I plan their content, queue up posts, engage with followers, and monitor performance.
They pay me between $500-1500 per month per account, depending on how much work is involved. The best thing? I handle this from my iPhone.
Freelance Writing Life
If you can write, content writing is seriously profitable. This isn't writing the next Great American Novel—I'm talking about blog posts, articles, website copy, product descriptions.
Websites and businesses are desperate for content. 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.
Usually make $50-150 per article, depending on how complex it is. Some months I'll crank out 10-15 articles and make an extra $1,000-2,000.
Plot twist: I a detailed overview was the person who thought writing was torture. Now I'm earning a living writing. Life's funny like that.
Tutoring Online
During the pandemic, everyone needed online help. With my teaching background, so this was right up my alley.
I registered on VIPKid and Tutor.com. The scheduling is flexible, which is crucial when you have children who keep you guessing.
I mainly help with elementary reading and math. You can make from fifteen to thirty bucks per hour depending on the company.
The awkward part? Sometimes my children will interrupt mid-session. I've had to teach fractions while my toddler screamed about the wrong color cup. The families I work with are totally cool about it because they're living the same life.
Reselling and Flipping
So, this hustle wasn't planned. While organizing my kids' things and tried selling some outfits on Mercari.
They sold so fast. Lightbulb moment: you can sell literally anything.
Now I shop at secondhand stores and sales, looking for things that will sell. I'll find something for $3 and sell it for $30.
It's definitely work? For sure. I'm photographing items, writing descriptions, shipping packages. But it's strangely fulfilling about discovering a diamond in the rough at a yard sale and turning a profit.
Bonus: my kids are impressed when I score cool vintage stuff. Just last week I discovered a vintage toy that my son went crazy for. Flipped it for forty-five bucks. Mom for the win.
The Truth About Side Hustles
Here's the thing nobody tells you: side hustles aren't passive income. The word 'hustle' is there for a reason.
There are moments when I'm exhausted, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm grinding at dawn hustling before the chaos starts, then all day mom-ing, then back at it after the kids are asleep.
But here's what matters? This income is mine. I don't have to ask permission to treat myself. I'm supporting our household income. I'm teaching my children that you can have it all—sort of.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
If you want to start a side gig, here are my tips:
Begin with something manageable. Don't attempt to launch everything simultaneously. Start with one venture and become proficient before expanding.
Honor your limits. If naptime is your only free time, that's perfectly acceptable. Even one focused hour is more than enough to start.
Don't compare yourself to other moms. That mom with the six-figure side hustle? She probably started years ago and doesn't do it alone. Run your own race.
Invest in yourself, but smartly. Start with free stuff first. Don't spend thousands on courses until you've proven the concept.
Work in batches. This saved my sanity. Set aside days for specific hustles. Monday could be writing day. Use Wednesday for handling business stuff.
The Mom Guilt is Real
I have to be real with you—the mom guilt is real. There are days when I'm focused on work while my kids need me, and I feel guilty.
But then I remind myself that I'm modeling for them that hard work matters. I'm proving to them that women can be mothers and entrepreneurs.
Plus? Making my own money has improved my mental health. I'm more fulfilled, which makes me more patient.
The Numbers
So what do I actually make? On average, total from all sources, I earn three to five thousand monthly. It varies, it fluctuates.
Is this millionaire money? Not exactly. But I've used it for vacations, home improvements, and that emergency vet bill that would've stressed us out. It's giving me confidence and experience that could grow into more.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, hustling as a mom isn't easy. There's no secret sauce. Many days I'm improvising everything, surviving on coffee, and praying it all works out.
But I'm proud of this journey. Every dollar I earn is a testament to my hustle. It's proof that I have identity beyond motherhood.
If you're thinking about diving into this? Start now. Start before it's perfect. Your future self will be grateful.
Always remember: You're not merely getting by—you're growing something incredible. Even if you probably have mysterious crumbs in your workspace.
Seriously. The whole thing is pretty amazing, chaos and all.
Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom
Let me be real with you—becoming a single mom wasn't on my vision board. I never expected to be building a creator business. But here I am, years into this crazy ride, earning income by creating content while doing this mom thing solo. And not gonna lie? It's been scary AF but incredible of my life.
How It Started: When Everything Came Crashing Down
It was three years ago when my life exploded. I can still picture sitting in my bare apartment (he got the furniture, I got the memories), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids were finally quiet. I had $847 in my bank account, two kids to support, and a job that barely covered rent. The panic was real, y'all.
I was on TikTok to escape reality—because that's self-care at 2am, right? in crisis mode, right?—when I found this single mom sharing how she made six figures through making videos. I remember thinking, "No way that's legit."
But rock bottom gives you courage. Or stupid. Often both.
I downloaded the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, talking about how I'd just blown my final $12 on a cheap food for my kids' lunch boxes. I shared it and felt sick. Who wants to watch my broke reality?
Spoiler alert, way more people than I expected.
That video got forty-seven thousand views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me nearly cry over frozen nuggets. The comments section became this incredible community—other single moms, folks in the trenches, all saying "I feel this." That was my turning point. People didn't want filtered content. They wanted real.
Discovering My Voice: The Hot Mess Single Mom Brand
Here's what they don't say about content creation: your niche matters. And my niche? It found me. I became the single mom who keeps it brutally honest.
I started filming the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I didn't change pants for days because I couldn't handle laundry. Or the time I gave them breakfast for dinner three nights in a row and called it "breakfast for dinner week." Or that moment when my kid asked why we don't live with dad, and I had to explain adult stuff to a kid who still believes in Santa.
My content wasn't pretty. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a phone with a broken screen. But it was unfiltered, and turns out, that's what hit.
Two months later, I hit 10,000 followers. Three months later, 50K. By half a year, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone seemed fake. Real accounts who wanted to know my story. Plain old me—a financially unstable single mom who had to learn everything from scratch recently.
The Actual Schedule: Juggling Everything
Here's the reality of my typical day, because being a single mom creator is not at all like those aesthetic "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm goes off. I do NOT want to get up, but this is my work time. I make coffee that I'll forget about, and I start filming. Sometimes it's a morning routine talking about budgeting. Sometimes it's me making food while talking about dealing with my ex. The lighting is natural and terrible.
7:00am: Kids wake up. Content creation pauses. Now I'm in survival mode—making breakfast, hunting for that one shoe (seriously, always ONE), prepping food, stopping fights. The chaos is real.
8:30am: Getting them to school. I'm that mom making videos while driving at red lights. Not proud of this, but I gotta post.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my hustle time. House is quiet. I'm cutting clips, being social, thinking of ideas, reaching out to brands, reviewing performance. Folks imagine content creation is just making TikToks. Nope. It's a entire operation.
I usually film in batches on Mondays and Wednesdays. That means filming 10-15 videos in one session. I'll change clothes so it looks like different days. Pro tip: Keep multiple tops nearby for outfit changes. My neighbors think I've lost it, recording myself alone in the driveway.
3:00pm: School pickup. Mom mode activated. But plot twist—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 once we left about surviving tantrums as a solo parent. It got 2.3M views.
Evening: All the evening things. I'm usually too exhausted to make videos, but I'll schedule content, respond to DMs, or outline content. Often, after they're down, I'll work late because a partnership is due.
The truth? There's no balance. It's just controlled chaos with moments of success.
The Money Talk: How I Really Earn Money
Look, let's talk numbers because this is what people ask about. Can you actually make money as a influencer? Absolutely. Is it easy? Hell no.
My first month, I made nothing. Second month? Zero. Third month, I got my first paid partnership—one hundred fifty dollars to promote a food subscription. I cried real tears. That $150 covered food.
Currently, three years in, here's how I monetize:
Collaborations: This is my primary income. I work with brands that fit my niche—budget-friendly products, mom products, kid essentials. I get paid anywhere from $500 to $5,000 per deal, depending on what's required. Just last month, I did four brand deals and made $8,000.
Platform Payments: Creator fund pays very little—maybe $200-400 per month for millions of views. YouTube money is way better. I make about fifteen hundred a month from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Affiliate Marketing: I share links to things I own—ranging from my beloved coffee maker to the bunk beds in their room. If someone purchases through my link, I get a commission. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.
Info Products: I created a financial planner and a cooking guide. Each costs $15, and I sell maybe 50-100 per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.
Consulting Services: People wanting to start pay me to guide them. I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for $200/hour. I do about several a month.
Total monthly income: On average, I'm making $10-15K per month these days. Certain months are better, some are less. It's variable, which is stressful when you're the only income source. But it's 3x what I made at my old job, and I'm there for them.
The Dark Side Nobody Posts About
This sounds easy until you're having a breakdown because a video didn't perform, or dealing with vicious comments from internet trolls.
The negativity is intense. I've been mom-shamed, told I'm problematic, accused of lying about being a single mom. I'll never forget, "I'd leave too." That one hurt so bad.
The algorithm is unpredictable. Sometimes you're getting huge numbers. Then suddenly, you're struggling for views. Your income varies wildly. You're constantly creating, 24/7, scared to stop, you'll lose momentum.
The guilt is crushing times a thousand. Every upload, I wonder: Am I oversharing? Am I doing right by them? Will they be angry about this when they're older? I have strict rules—protected identities, keeping their stories private, nothing that could embarrass them. But the line is blurry sometimes.
The I get burnt out. Certain periods when I don't want to film anything. When I'm depleted, talked out, and completely finished. But the mortgage is due. So I show up anyway.
The Beautiful Parts
But listen—despite the hard parts, this journey has brought me things I never imagined.
Economic stability for the first damn time. I'm not wealthy, but I paid off $18,000 in debt. I have an safety net. We took a vacation last summer—Disney World, which I never thought possible two years ago. I don't stress about my account anymore.
Control that's priceless. When my child had a fever last month, I didn't have to ask permission or panic. I worked from the doctor's office. When there's a school event, I'm there. I'm available in ways I couldn't manage with a traditional 9-5.
Connection that saved me. The creator friends I've found, especially single moms, have become true friends. We talk, exchange tips, support each other. My followers have become this beautiful community. They celebrate my wins, encourage me through rough patches, and remind me I'm not alone.
Identity beyond "mom". After years, I have something for me. I'm not just an ex or just a mom. I'm a entrepreneur. An influencer. A person who hustled.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're a single parent thinking about this, listen up:
Don't wait. Your first videos will be terrible. Mine did. That's normal. You learn by doing, not by procrastinating.
Be yourself. People can smell fake from a mile away. Share your honest life—the mess. That's the magic.
Prioritize their privacy. Set boundaries early. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is sacred. I don't use their names, minimize face content, and never discuss anything that could embarrass them.
Multiple revenue sources. Don't rely on just one platform or one way to earn. The algorithm is unreliable. Multiple streams = safety.
Film multiple videos. When you have free time, film multiple videos. Next week you will appreciate it when you're unable to film.
Connect with followers. Respond to comments. Reply to messages. Build real relationships. Your community is your foundation.
Monitor what works. Some content isn't worth it. If something takes four hours and flops while something else takes 20 minutes and gets 200,000 views, adjust your strategy.
Self-care matters. You can't pour from an empty cup. Unplug. Set boundaries. Your health matters more than anything.
Be patient. This requires patience. It took me eight months to make real income. Year one, I made barely $15,000. The second year, $80,000. Year 3, I'm hitting six figures. It's a long game.
Remember why you started. On difficult days—and there will be many—think about your why. For me, it's financial freedom, being present, and showing myself that I'm more than I believed.
Real Talk Time
Listen, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. This life is difficult. So damn hard. You're running a whole business while being the single caregiver of tiny humans who need you constantly.
Many days I second-guess this. Days when the negativity affect me. Days when I'm completely spent and questioning if I should go back to corporate with insurance.
But then suddenly my daughter shares she loves that I'm home. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I see a message from a follower saying my content changed her life. And I remember my purpose.
Where I'm Going From Here
A few years back, I was broke, scared, and had no idea what to do. Today, I'm a full-time content creator making more than I imagined in my old job, and I'm there for my kids.
My goals moving forward? Get to half a million followers by year-end. Create a podcast for solo parents. Possibly write a book. Expand this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
Content creation gave me a lifeline when I needed it most. It gave me a way to provide for my family, show up, and build something I'm genuinely proud of. It's not the path I expected, but it's where I belong.
To every single mom out there considering this: You can. It won't be easy. You'll doubt yourself. But you're already doing the hardest job in the world—raising humans alone. You're powerful.
Start imperfect. Be consistent. Keep your boundaries. And don't forget, you're more than just surviving—you're changing your life.
Time to go, I need to go record a video about the project I just found out about and nobody told me until now. Because that's the reality—making content from chaos, one TikTok at a time.
Honestly. This path? It's worth it. Even when I'm sure there's old snacks in my keyboard. That's the dream, mess included.