I'm gonna be honest with you, being a mom is literally insane. But here's the thing? Working to get that bread while managing children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.
My hustle life began about a few years back when I discovered that my Target runs were becoming problematic. I had to find funds I didn't have to justify spending.
Being a VA
Okay so, my initial venture was becoming a virtual assistant. And not gonna lie? It was ideal. It let me work during naptime, and the only requirement was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
I started with simple tasks like handling emails, managing social content, and data entry. Pretty straightforward. I charged about fifteen dollars an hour, which wasn't much but when you don't know what you're doing yet, you gotta start somewhere.
What cracked me up? I'd be on a client call looking like a real businesswoman from the chest up—blazer, makeup, the works—while sporting pants I'd owned since 2015. Living my best life.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
After a year, I wanted to explore the handmade marketplace scene. Everyone and their mother seemed to be on Etsy, so I was like "why not me?"
I created designing downloadable organizers and digital art prints. Here's why printables are amazing? You create it once, and it can sell forever. Genuinely, I've earned money at ungodly hours.
That initial sale? I freaked out completely. He came running thinking something was wrong. But no—it was just me, doing a happy dance for my five dollar sale. I'm not embarrassed.
Content Creator Life
After that I started writing and making content. This hustle is playing the long game, let me tell you.
I launched a parenting blog where I documented real mom life—the good, the bad, and the ugly. No Instagram-perfect nonsense. Just real talk about how I once found a chicken nugget in my bra.
Getting readers was like watching paint dry. At the beginning, it was basically my only readers were my mom and two bots. But I didn't give up, and over time, things started clicking.
These days? I earn income through affiliate marketing, working with brands, and ad revenue. Just last month I generated over two grand from my blog alone. Mind-blowing, right?
The Social Media Management Game
After I learned my own content, other businesses started inquiring if I could run their social media.
Truth bomb? A lot of local businesses struggle with social media. They know they have to be on it, but they're clueless about the algorithm.
Enter: me. I currently run social media for several small companies—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I plan their content, queue up posts, handle community management, and check their stats.
I bill between five hundred to fifteen hundred monthly per client, depending on the complexity. The best thing? I do this work from my phone.
Writing for Money
For the wordy folks, writing gigs is seriously profitable. This isn't literary fiction—I mean business content.
Brands and websites always need writers. I've created content about everything from dental hygiene to copyright. Google is your best friend, you just need to know how to find information.
I typically bill $50-150 per article, depending on length and complexity. Some months I'll crank out 10-15 articles and make one to two thousand extra.
The funny thing is: I was that student who barely passed English class. Currently I'm getting paid for it. Talk about character development.
Tutoring Online
During the pandemic, virtual tutoring became huge. I was a teacher before kids, so this was kind of a natural fit.
I signed up with several tutoring platforms. You make your own schedule, which is non-negotiable when you have tiny humans who throw curveballs daily.
I mainly help with elementary school stuff. You can make from $15-25 per hour depending on where you work.
The awkward part? Occasionally my kids will interrupt mid-session. I've had to be professional while chaos erupted behind me. Other parents are usually super understanding because they understand mom life.
Flipping Items for Profit
Okay, this side gig I stumbled website into. I was cleaning out my kids' stuff and tried selling some outfits on Facebook Marketplace.
Items moved instantly. I suddenly understood: you can sell literally anything.
Now I visit thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, looking for good brands. I'll buy something for cheap and resell at a markup.
It's definitely work? Not gonna lie. I'm photographing items, writing descriptions, shipping packages. But it's strangely fulfilling about discovering a diamond in the rough at a garage sale and turning a profit.
Additionally: my kids think I'm cool when I bring home interesting finds. Last week I scored a vintage toy that my son absolutely loved. Made $45 on it. Victory for mom.
The Truth About Side Hustles
Let me keep it real: these aren't get-rich-quick schemes. The word 'hustle' is there for a reason.
Some days when I'm exhausted, doubting everything. I wake up early getting stuff done while it's quiet, then handling mom duties, then working again after bedtime.
But here's the thing? These are my earnings. No permission needed to get the good coffee. I'm adding to our household income. I'm teaching my children that you can be both.
What I Wish I Knew
For those contemplating a hustle of your own, this is what I've learned:
Begin with something manageable. You can't juggle ten things. Start with one venture and get good at it before adding more.
Honor your limits. If naptime is your only free time, that's fine. Two hours of focused work is a great beginning.
Avoid comparing yourself to what you see online. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? They've been at it for years and doesn't do it alone. Do your thing.
Learn and grow, but carefully. Start with free stuff first. Don't spend thousands on courses until you've tried things out.
Batch your work. This is crucial. Block off days for specific hustles. Use Monday for creation day. Wednesday might be administrative work.
The Mom Guilt is Real
Real talk—mom guilt is a thing. Certain moments when I'm hustling and my child is calling for me, and I struggle with it.
But I remind myself that I'm showing them that hard work matters. I'm demonstrating to my children that you can be both.
And honestly? Making my own money has helped me feel more like myself. I'm more satisfied, which translates to better parenting.
The Numbers
So what do I actually make? Generally, combining everything, I earn three to five thousand monthly. Certain months are higher, others are slower.
Is this millionaire money? No. But this money covers vacations, home improvements, and that emergency vet bill that would've been impossible otherwise. It's creating opportunities and experience that could grow into more.
Final Thoughts
Look, hustling as a mom is hard. You won't find a secret sauce. Often I'm making it up as I go, powered by caffeine, and praying it all works out.
But I'm proud of this journey. Every bit of income is evidence of my capability. It shows that I'm not just someone's mother.
If you're thinking about beginning your hustle journey? Take the leap. Start before it's perfect. Your tomorrow self will appreciate it.
Keep in mind: You aren't only enduring—you're growing something incredible. Despite the fact that there's likely snack crumbs everywhere.
No cap. This mom hustle life is incredible, mess included.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—single motherhood wasn't part of my five-year plan. I never expected to be building a creator business. But yet here I am, years into this crazy ride, making a living by sharing my life online while doing this mom thing solo. And not gonna lie? It's been the most terrifying, empowering, and unexpected blessing of my life.
Rock Bottom: When Everything Came Crashing Down
It was a few years ago when my marriage ended. I will never forget sitting in my mostly empty place (he took the couch, I got the kids' art projects), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids were passed out. I had barely $850 in my bank account, two kids to support, and a paycheck that wasn't enough. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to avoid my thoughts—because that's what we do? when we're drowning, right?—when I found this woman sharing how she became debt-free through content creation. I remember thinking, "That's either a scam or she's incredibly lucky."
But being broke makes you bold. Maybe both. Probably both.
I downloaded the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, talking about how I'd just used my last twelve bucks on a dinosaur nuggets and snacks for my kids' lunch boxes. I hit post and panicked. Who gives a damn about someone's train wreck of a life?
Plot twist, tons of people.
That video got 47K views. 47,000 people watched me almost lose it over $12 worth of food. The comments section was this incredible community—fellow solo parents, folks in the trenches, all saying "I feel this." That was my turning point. People didn't want filtered content. They wanted raw.
My Brand Evolution: The Unfiltered Mom Content
Here's the secret about content creation: finding your niche is everything. And my niche? It chose 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 washing clothes was too much. Or when I let them eat Lucky Charms for dinner all week and called it "cereal week." Or that moment when my daughter asked why daddy doesn't live here anymore, and I had to have big conversations to a kid who still believes in Santa.
My content wasn't polished. My lighting was trash. I filmed on a phone with a broken screen. But it was real, and evidently, that's what worked.
After sixty days, I hit 10,000 followers. Three months later, 50K. By month six, I'd crossed a hundred thousand. Each milestone seemed fake. People who wanted to hear what I had to say. Plain old me—a financially unstable single mom who had to figure this out from zero six months earlier.
The Daily Grind: Managing It All
Here's what it actually looks like of my typical day, because creating content solo is the opposite of those curated "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm goes off. I do absolutely not want to wake up, but this is my sacred content creation time. I make coffee that I'll microwave repeatedly, and I get to work. Sometimes it's a GRWM sharing about financial reality. Sometimes it's me making food while venting about dealing with my ex. The lighting is not great.
7:00am: Kids get up. Content creation goes on hold. Now I'm in full mom mode—pouring cereal, finding the missing shoe (why is it always one shoe), packing lunches, referee duties. The chaos is next level.
8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom in the carpool line filming TikToks at stop signs. Don't judge me, but I gotta post.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. I'm alone finally. I'm editing videos, engaging with followers, planning content, reaching out to brands, analyzing metrics. Everyone assumes content creation is just making TikToks. Wrong. It's a real job.
I usually batch-create content on certain days. That means creating 10-15 pieces in one session. I'll change shirts between videos so it seems like separate days. Hot tip: Keep different outfits accessible for fast swaps. My neighbors think I've lost it, filming myself talking to my phone in the yard.
3:00pm: Pickup time. Mom mode activated. But here's the thing—sometimes my best content ideas come from this time. A few days ago, my daughter had a epic meltdown in Target because I refused to get a $40 toy. I recorded in the Target parking lot afterward about dealing with meltdowns as a single mom. It got 2.3 million views.
Evening: Dinner, homework, bath time, bedtime routines. I'm completely exhausted to create anything, but I'll plan posts, reply to messages, or outline content. Many nights, after the kids are asleep, I'll work late because a brand deadline is looming.
The truth? Balance doesn't exist. It's just organized chaos with random wins.
The Financial Reality: How I Support My Family
Look, let's talk dollars because this is what people ask about. Can you actually make money as a creator? Absolutely. Is it straightforward? Absolutely not.
My first month, I made $0. Second month? Zero. Third month, I got my first collaboration—a hundred and fifty bucks to promote a food subscription. I cried real tears. That $150 paid for groceries.
Now, years later, here's how I earn income:
Brand Partnerships: This is my primary income. I work with brands that fit my niche—budget-friendly products, single-parent resources, kids' stuff. I charge anywhere from $500 to $5,000 per collaboration, depending on what they need. Last month, I did four brand deals and made $8,000.
Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: The TikTok fund pays basically nothing—a few hundred dollars per month for massive numbers. YouTube revenue is way better. I make about $1.5K monthly from YouTube, but that required years.
Link Sharing: I share affiliate links to products I actually use—ranging from my go-to coffee machine to the kids' beds. If someone clicks and buys, I get a cut. This brings in about $1K monthly.
Info Products: I created a financial planner and a meal prep guide. $15 apiece, and I sell fifty to a hundred per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
One-on-One Coaching: New creators pay me to mentor them. I offer private coaching for two hundred per hour. I do about five to ten a month.
Overall monthly earnings: On average, I'm making between ten and fifteen grand per month currently. It varies, others are slower. It's inconsistent, which is scary when you're the only income source. But it's three times what I made at my previous job, and I'm present.
The Dark Side Nobody Shows You
Content creation sounds glamorous until you're crying in your car because a video flopped, or managing hate comments from internet trolls.
The haters are brutal. I've been called a bad mom, told I'm exploiting my kids, told I'm fake about being a divorced parent. A commenter wrote, "I'd leave too." That one hurt so bad.
The algorithm changes constantly. Certain periods you're getting huge numbers. Next month, you're getting nothing. Your income goes up and down. You're constantly creating, 24/7, worried that if you take a break, you'll lose momentum.
The mom guilt is worse times a thousand. Every video I post, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Am I doing right by them? Will they regret this when they're teenagers? I have clear boundaries—minimal identifying info, no sharing their private stuff, nothing humiliating. But the line is hard to see.
The burnout is real. Certain periods when I have nothing. When I'm depleted, over it, and totally spent. But the mortgage is due. So I show up anyway.
What Makes It Worth It
But here's the thing—despite the hard parts, this journey has given me things I never expected.
Money security for once in my life. I'm not a millionaire, but I eliminated my debt. I have an cushion. We took a actual vacation last summer—Disney World, which felt 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 use PTO or lose income. I worked from the doctor's office. When there's a field trip, I attend. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I couldn't be with a corporate job.
Support that saved me. The fellow creators I've found, especially solo parents, have become actual friends. We talk, collaborate, support each other. My followers have become this family. They support me, lift me up, and validate me.
My own identity. Finally, I have something that's mine. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or someone's mom. I'm a business owner. A creator. A person who hustled.
Tips for Single Moms Wanting to Start
If you're a single parent considering content creation, here's what I wish someone had told me:
Don't wait. Your first videos will suck. Mine did. That's okay. You grow through creating, not by waiting until everything is perfect.
Authenticity wins. People can spot fake. Share your true life—the unfiltered truth. That resonates.
Prioritize their privacy. Set limits. Have standards. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I protect their names, minimize face content, and protect their stories.
Diversify 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, make a bunch. Tomorrow you will be grateful when you're burnt out.
Build community. Reply to comments. Answer DMs. Build real relationships. Your community is everything.
Track metrics. Some content isn't worth it. If something is time-intensive and gets 200 views while a different post takes 20 minutes and gets massive views, adjust your strategy.
Take care of yourself. You need to fill your cup. Step away. Create limits. Your mental health matters more than anything.
Be patient. This is a marathon. It took me half a year to make decent money. My first year, I made fifteen thousand. Year 2, eighty grand. Year 3, I'm on track for six figures. It's a journey.
Remember why you started. On bad days—and there are many—remember your reason. For me, it's independence, flexibility with my kids, and showing myself that I'm capable of more than I thought possible.
The Reality Check
Look, I'm telling the truth. Being a single mom creator is tough. So damn hard. You're managing a business while being the only parent of children who require constant attention.
Some days I second-guess this. Days when the nasty comments hurt. Days when I'm drained and asking myself if I should get a regular job with a 401k.
But but then my daughter says she appreciates this. Or I look at my savings. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I remember my purpose.
What's Next
A few years back, I was broke, scared, and had no idea how I'd survive as a single mom. Fast forward, I'm a full-time creator making more money than I ever did in traditional work, and I'm available when they need me.
My goals going forward? Reach 500K by this year. Launch a podcast for solo parents. Maybe write a book. Keep building this business that makes everything possible.
Being a creator gave me a second chance when I needed it most. It gave me a way to feed my babies, be available, and accomplish something incredible. It's a surprise, but it's exactly where I needed to be.
To every single mom out there on the fence: Yes you can. It isn't simple. You'll consider quitting. But you're managing the most difficult thing—parenting solo. You're stronger than you think.
Jump in messy. Stay consistent. Keep your boundaries. And always remember, you're doing more than surviving—you're building an empire.
Gotta go now, I need to go make a video about homework I forgot about and nobody told me until now. Because that's this life—turning chaos into content, one post at a time.
No cap. This path? It's worth it. Even when there might be crushed cheerios in my keyboard. No regrets, mess included.