Let me spill, mom life is a whole vibe. But plot twist? Working to get that bread while handling tiny humans who think sleep is optional.
My hustle life began about a few years back when I discovered that my Target runs were getting out of hand. I was desperate for cash that was actually mine.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
Okay so, I started out was becoming a virtual assistant. And honestly? It was ideal. I was able to grind during those precious quiet hours, and the only requirement was my laptop and decent wifi.
Initially I was doing easy things like email sorting, managing social content, and data entry. Pretty straightforward. I charged about fifteen dollars an hour, which seemed low but for someone with zero experience, you gotta prove yourself first.
The funniest part? There I was on a video meeting looking completely put together from the waist up—blazer, makeup, the works—while sporting pajama bottoms. Living my best life.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
Once I got comfortable, I ventured into the whole Etsy thing. All my mom friends seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I figured "why not me?"
My shop focused on designing printable planners and digital art prints. What's great about digital products? Design it once, and it can make money while you sleep. Actually, I've gotten orders at ungodly hours.
The first time someone bought something? I lost my mind. He came running thinking something was wrong. Negative—I was just, doing a happy dance for my glorious $4.99. No shame in my game.
Content Creator Life
After that I started writing and making content. This hustle is playing the long game, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it.
I launched a blog about motherhood where I documented the chaos of parenting—the messy truth. Not the highlight reel. Only honest stories about how I once found a chicken nugget in my bra.
Building traffic was like watching paint dry. The first few months, I was basically creating content for crickets. But I kept at it, and over time, things gained momentum.
At this point? I earn income through affiliate links, brand partnerships, and advertisements on my site. Just last month I made over two grand from my blog income. Wild, right?
Managing Social Media
After I learned running my own socials, brands started reaching out if I could run their social media.
Truth bomb? Most small businesses struggle with social media. They know they need a presence, but they're too busy.
I swoop in. I currently run social media for three local businesses—various small businesses. I make posts, schedule posts, respond to comments, and track analytics.
I charge between five hundred to fifteen hundred monthly per account, depending on the complexity. 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 the wordy folks, freelance writing is incredibly lucrative. I'm not talking writing the next Great American Novel—this is content writing for businesses.
Brands and websites need content constantly. My assignments have included everything from the most random topics. You don't need to be an expert, you just need to know how to Google effectively.
On average make $50-150 per article, depending on what's involved. On good months I'll crank out a dozen articles and bring in one to two thousand extra.
Here's what's wild: I'm the same person who hated writing papers. And now I'm earning a living writing. Talk about character development.
Virtual Tutoring
2020 changed everything, tutoring went digital. I used to be a teacher, so this was an obvious choice.
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 school stuff. The pay ranges from $15-$25/hour depending on where you work.
The funny thing? Every now and then my own kids will interrupt mid-session. I've had to be professional while chaos erupted behind me. My clients are very sympathetic because they get it.
Reselling and Flipping
Okay, this hustle happened accidentally. While organizing my kids' things and put some things on Mercari.
Stuff sold out within hours. I suddenly understood: one person's trash is another's treasure.
At this point I hit up estate sales and thrift shops, on the hunt for name brands. I purchase something for a few dollars and make serious profit.
This takes effort? Absolutely. There's photographing, listing, and shipping. But it's oddly satisfying about finding hidden treasures at Goodwill and making money.
Also: my kids are impressed when I bring home interesting finds. Recently I discovered a rare action figure that my son freaked out about. Got forty-five dollars for it. Victory for mom.
The Honest Reality
Here's the thing nobody tells you: this stuff requires effort. The word 'hustle' is there for a reason.
There are days when I'm surviving on caffeine and spite, questioning my life choices. I'm grinding at dawn getting stuff done while it's quiet, then being a full-time parent, then back at it after everyone's in bed.
But this is what's real? These are my earnings. No permission needed to splurge on something nice. I'm contributing to our financial goals. I'm showing my kids that you can have it all—sort of.
What I Wish I Knew
For those contemplating a side hustle, here are my tips:
Begin with something manageable. Don't attempt to start five businesses. Choose one hustle and get good at it before adding more.
Honor your limits. Whatever time you have, that's perfectly acceptable. A couple of productive hours is better than nothing.
Comparison is the thief of joy to Instagram moms. Those people with massive success? She's been grinding forever and has resources you don't see. Run your own race.
Don't be afraid to invest, but wisely. Start with free stuff first. Don't waste thousands on courses until you've tried things out.
Batch tasks together. This saved my sanity. Set aside days for specific hustles. Monday could be writing day. Wednesday could be administrative work.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
I have to be real with you—the mom guilt is real. There are times when I'm hustling and my child is calling for me, and I feel terrible.
But I consider that I'm modeling for them work ethic. I'm teaching my kids that women can be mothers and entrepreneurs.
Plus? Having my own income has been good for me. I'm happier, which translates to better parenting.
Let's Talk Money
How much do I earn? Typically, from all my side gigs, I make three to five thousand monthly. It varies, some are slower.
Is this getting-rich money? Nope. But we've used it to pay for so many things we needed that would've stressed us out. It's creating opportunities and expertise that could grow into more.
Wrapping This Up
Look, doing this mom hustle thing takes work. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach. A lot of days I'm winging it, running on coffee and determination, and crossing my fingers.
But I wouldn't change it. Every single penny made is proof that I can do hard things. It demonstrates that I'm a multifaceted person.
For anyone contemplating beginning your hustle journey? Take the leap. Start before it's perfect. You in six months will be so glad you did.
And remember: You're not merely enduring—you're building something. Even when you probably have mysterious crumbs in your workspace.
For real. This is the life, complete with all the chaos.
From Survival Mode to Content Creator: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—single motherhood wasn't on my vision board. Neither was building a creator business. But yet here I am, three years later, supporting my family by being vulnerable on the internet while handling everything by myself. And not gonna lie? It's been the most terrifying, empowering, and unexpected blessing of my life.
The Starting Point: When Everything Changed
It was a few years ago when my relationship fell apart. I remember sitting in my half-empty apartment (he took what he wanted, I kept what mattered), wide awake at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had eight hundred forty-seven dollars in my checking account, two humans depending on me, and a income that didn't cut it. The stress was unbearable, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to numb the pain—because that's what we do? when we're drowning, right?—when I came across this solo parent sharing how she made six figures through content creation. I remember thinking, "She's lying or got lucky."
But being broke makes you bold. Maybe both. Sometimes both.
I grabbed 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 pack of chicken nuggets and fruit snacks for my kids' lunch boxes. I hit post and panicked. Who wants to watch someone's train wreck of a life?
Plot twist, a lot of people.
That video got forty-seven thousand views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me almost lose it over $12 worth of food. The comments section turned into this incredible community—people who got it, other people struggling, all saying "me too." That was my lightbulb moment. People didn't want perfect. They wanted honest.
Building My Platform: The Honest Single Parent Platform
Here's what they don't say about content creation: finding your niche is everything. And my niche? I stumbled into it. I became the mom who tells the truth.
I started creating content about the stuff people hide. Like how I lived in one outfit because executive dysfunction is real. Or the time I served cereal as a meal several days straight and called it "survival mode." Or that moment when my daughter asked why we don't live with dad, and I had to discuss divorce to a kid who is six years old.
My content was raw. My lighting was trash. I filmed on a cracked iPhone 8. But it was honest, and apparently, that's what connected.
Within two months, I hit 10,000 followers. 90 days in, 50,000. By month six, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone felt impossible. Actual humans who wanted to know my story. Plain old me—a barely surviving single mom who had to ask Google what this meant months before.
My Daily Reality: Managing It All
Let me show you of my typical day, because creating content solo is not at all like those curated "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm sounds. I do absolutely not want to wake up, but this is my precious quiet 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 cooking while discussing co-parenting struggles. The lighting is natural and terrible.
7:00am: Kids emerge. Content creation ends. Now I'm in mommy mode—making breakfast, hunting for that one shoe (seriously, always ONE), prepping food, stopping fights. The chaos is intense.
8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom making videos while driving in the car. Not my proudest moment, but the grind never stops.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my power window. I'm alone finally. I'm editing content, being social, planning content, reaching out to brands, analyzing metrics. People think content creation is just making TikToks. Absolutely not. It's a full business.
I usually film in batches on Mondays and Wednesdays. That means making a dozen videos in one session. I'll change clothes so it seems like separate days. Pro tip: Keep multiple tops nearby for easy transitions. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, filming myself talking to my phone in the backyard.
3:00pm: Getting the kids. Back to parenting. But here's the thing—frequently my biggest hits come from real life. Recently, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I couldn't afford a $40 toy. I created a video in the Target parking lot later about dealing with meltdowns as a single mom. It got 2.3M views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm completely exhausted to create anything, but I'll schedule uploads, check DMs, or plan tomorrow's content. Many nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll edit videos until midnight because a brand deadline is looming.
The truth? There's no balance. It's just managed chaos with occasional wins.
The Financial Reality: How I Generate Income
Okay, let's discuss money because this is what you're wondering. Can you actually make money as a content creator? For sure. Is it simple? Hell no.
My first month, I made zilch. Second month? Also nothing. Month three, I got my first sponsored post—one hundred fifty dollars to share a meal box. I literally cried. That $150 covered food.
Now, three years later, here's how I earn income:
Collaborations: This is my biggest income source. I work with brands that make sense—affordable stuff, helpful services, kids' stuff. I get paid anywhere from $500-5K per campaign, depending on deliverables. This past month, I did four collabs and made eight thousand dollars.
TikTok Fund: TikTok's creator fund pays basically nothing—$200-$400 per month for tons of views. YouTube money is actually decent. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that required years.
Affiliate Income: I post links to stuff I really use—anything from my favorite coffee maker to the beds my kids use. If someone clicks and buys, I get a commission. This brings in about $1K monthly.
Downloadables: I created a money management guide and a cooking guide. $15 apiece, and I sell fifty to a hundred per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.
Consulting Services: New creators pay me to mentor them. I offer private coaching for two hundred dollars. I do about several of these monthly.
Combined monthly revenue: Generally, I'm making between ten and fifteen grand per month now. Certain months are better, some are less. It's up and down, which is terrifying when you're it. But it's 3x what I made at my old job, and I'm available for my kids.
What They Don't Show Nobody Mentions
Content creation sounds glamorous until you're crying in your car because a post got no views, or handling hate comments from strangers who think they know your life.
The negativity is intense. I've been told I'm a terrible parent, told I'm using my children, accused of lying about being a divorced parent. A commenter wrote, "Maybe that's why he left." That one stuck with me.
The algorithm changes constantly. Certain periods you're getting insane views. The next, you're struggling for views. Your income varies wildly. You're always creating, never resting, worried that if you take a break, you'll be forgotten.
The mom guilt is intense to the extreme. Each post, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Is this okay? Will they regret this when they're grown? I have clear boundaries—no faces of my kids without permission, no sharing their private stuff, protecting their dignity. But the line is fuzzy.
The burnout hits hard. Some weeks when I have nothing. When I'm touched out, socially drained, and at my limit. But the mortgage is due. So I push through.
The Beautiful Parts
But listen—through it all, this journey has given me things I never imagined.
Money security for the first damn time. I'm not the relevant source a millionaire, but I became debt-free. I have an cushion. We took a real vacation last summer—Disney World, which I never thought possible a couple years back. I don't panic about money anymore.
Schedule freedom that's priceless. When my child had a fever last month, I didn't have to stress about missing work or lose income. I handled business at urgent care. When there's a school event, I can go. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I wasn't with a corporate job.
My people that saved me. The fellow creators I've befriended, especially other single parents, have become real friends. We connect, share strategies, support each other. My followers have become this family. They support me, send love, and make me feel seen.
My own identity. Finally, I have my own thing. I'm not just an ex or somebody's mother. I'm a CEO. An influencer. Someone who made it happen.
My Best Tips
If you're a single parent thinking about this, here's my advice:
Begin now. Your first videos will be terrible. Mine did. Everyone starts there. You improve over time, not by procrastinating.
Keep it real. People can tell when you're fake. Share your honest life—the mess. That's the magic.
Protect your kids. Set boundaries early. Know your limits. Their privacy is sacred. I don't use their names, limit face shots, and keep private things private.
Don't rely on one thing. Don't rely on just one platform or one revenue source. The algorithm is unstable. Multiple income streams = stability.
Batch create content. When you have available time, make a bunch. Next week you will thank present you when you're burnt out.
Build community. Reply to comments. Respond to DMs. Build real relationships. Your community is what matters.
Analyze performance. Be strategic. If something takes four hours and flops while another video takes very little time and blows up, pivot.
Don't forget yourself. You matter too. Unplug. Set boundaries. Your mental health matters more than anything.
Stay patient. This takes time. It took me ages to make meaningful money. The first year, I made $15K total. The second year, $80,000. This year, I'm projected for $100K+. It's a long game.
Don't forget your why. On difficult days—and they happen—remember why you're doing this. For me, it's money, flexibility with my kids, and demonstrating that I'm capable of more than I thought possible.
Real Talk Time
Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. Being a single mom creator is difficult. So damn hard. You're running a whole business while being the sole caretaker of kids who need everything.
Many days I doubt myself. Days when the negativity hurt. Days when I'm burnt out and wondering if I should get a regular job with insurance.
But but then my daughter tells me she loves that I'm home. Or I see financial progress. Or I read a message from a follower saying my content helped her leave an unhealthy relationship. And I remember why I do this.
What's Next
A few years back, I was lost and broke how I'd survive as a single mom. Fast forward, I'm a professional creator making more than I imagined in my old job, and I'm available when they need me.
My goals moving forward? Hit 500,000 followers by end of year. Start a podcast for other single moms. Consider writing a book. Continue building this business that supports my family.
Being a creator gave me a lifeline when I was desperate. It gave me a way to provide for my family, be there, and create something meaningful. It's a surprise, but it's exactly where I needed to be.
To every single mom out there considering this: Hell yes you can. It will be hard. You'll struggle. But you're managing the most difficult thing—parenting solo. You're stronger than you think.
Start messy. Keep showing up. Prioritize yourself. And always remember, you're not just surviving—you're creating something amazing.
Gotta go now, I need to go film a TikTok about homework I forgot about and I just learned about it. Because that's this life—content from the mess, one video at a time.
No cap. This path? It's worth every struggle. Even though I'm sure there's crumbs stuck to my laptop right now. Dream life, mess included.