Let me spill, mom life is a whole vibe. But plot twist? Attempting to secure the bag while dealing with children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.
I entered the side gig world about three years ago when I realized that my retail therapy sessions were reaching dangerous levels. It was time to get my own money.
Being a VA
So, I kicked things off was becoming a virtual assistant. And honestly? It was chef's kiss. I could work during naptime, and literally all it took was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
I began by simple tasks like email management, posting on social media, and data entry. Super simple stuff. My rate was about fifteen to twenty bucks hourly, which felt cheap but when you don't know what you're doing yet, you gotta start somewhere.
The funniest part? I'd be on a video meeting looking completely put together from the shoulders up—looking corporate—while wearing my rattiest leggings. Living my best life.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
After getting my feet wet, I ventured into the Etsy world. All my mom friends seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I figured "why not me?"
I created creating downloadable organizers and wall art. What's great about digital products? Design it once, and it can generate passive income forever. Actually, I've earned money at ungodly hours.
When I got my first order? I literally screamed. My husband thought the house was on fire. But no—just me, cheering about my glorious $4.99. No shame in my game.
The Content Creation Grind
Eventually I ventured into blogging and content creation. This venture is not for instant gratification seekers, real talk.
I began a family lifestyle blog where I wrote about what motherhood actually looks like—all of it, no filter. Not the highlight reel. Only the actual truth about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Building traffic was a test of patience. The first few months, it was basically writing for myself and like three people. But I stayed consistent, and over time, things started clicking.
Currently? I generate revenue through affiliate marketing, collaborations, and ad revenue. Recently I brought in over two grand from my blog alone. Crazy, right?
SMM Side Hustle
As I mastered my own content, other businesses started inquiring if I could help them.
Real talk? Tons of businesses don't understand social media. They know they need a presence, but they're too busy.
This is my moment. I oversee social media for three local businesses—various small businesses. I make posts, queue up posts, engage with followers, and check their stats.
My rate is between $500-$1500/month per client, depending on the scope of work. Best part? I handle this from my phone during soccer practice.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
For those who can string sentences together, freelancing is incredibly lucrative. Not like becoming Shakespeare—this is content writing for businesses.
Brands and websites always need writers. I've written everything from dental hygiene to copyright. Being an expert isn't required, you just need to know how to find information.
On average make $0.10-0.50 per word, depending on what's involved. On good months I'll crank out ten to fifteen pieces and bring in an extra $1,000-2,000.
The funny thing is: Back in school I barely passed English class. Now I'm earning a living writing. Life's funny like that.
The Online Tutoring Thing
2020 changed everything, everyone needed online help. I used to be a teacher, so this was right up my alley.
I started working with various tutoring services. You make your own schedule, which is crucial when you have tiny humans who throw curveballs daily.
I mainly help with elementary reading and math. You can make from $15-$25/hour depending on which site you use.
The funny thing? Every now and then my kids will interrupt mid-session. There was a time I educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. The parents on the other end are incredibly understanding because they're parents too.
Flipping Items for Profit
So, this hustle I stumbled into. While organizing my kids' closet and listed some clothes on copyright.
They sold immediately. Lightbulb moment: people will buy anything.
At this point I hit up thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, on the hunt for quality items. I'll buy something for $3 and sell it for $30.
Is it a lot of work? Yes. It's a whole process. But I find it rewarding about spotting valuable items at a yard sale and making money.
Additionally: the kids think it's neat when I find unique items. Recently I scored a retro toy that my son went crazy for. Got forty-five dollars for it. Victory for mom.
Real Talk Time
Here's the thing nobody tells you: this stuff requires effort. It's called hustling because you're hustling.
Certain days when I'm completely drained, doubting everything. I wake up early hustling before the chaos starts, then doing all the mom stuff, then back to work after the kids are asleep.
But you know what? These are my earnings. I'm not asking anyone to buy the fancy coffee. I'm contributing to our financial goals. I'm showing my kids that you can be both.
What I Wish I Knew
For those contemplating a hustle of your own, here's what I'd tell you:
Start with one thing. Avoid trying to launch everything simultaneously. Pick one thing and become proficient before taking on more.
Honor your limits. If naptime is your only free time, that's perfectly acceptable. Two hours of focused work is more than enough to start.
Stop comparing to what you see online. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? They've been at it for years and has support. an explainer Focus on your own journey.
Invest in yourself, but wisely. Free information exists. Don't waste thousands on courses until you've tried things out.
Work in batches. This saved my sanity. Use certain times for certain work. Monday might be creation day. Make Wednesday administrative work.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
Real talk—I struggle with guilt. There are times when I'm on my laptop and they want to play, and I hate it.
But I remind myself that I'm modeling for them work ethic. I'm teaching my kids that motherhood doesn't mean giving up your identity.
Additionally? Earning independently has been good for me. I'm more satisfied, which helps me be better.
Let's Talk Money
My actual income? On average, combining everything, I bring in $3K-5K. Some months are better, some are tougher.
Will this make you wealthy? No. But this money covers stuff that matters to us that would've caused financial strain. Plus it's giving me confidence and skills that could grow into more.
In Conclusion
Listen, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship is challenging. It's not a perfect balance. A lot of days I'm making it up as I go, fueled by espresso and stubbornness, and crossing my fingers.
But I wouldn't change it. Every dollar earned is validation of my effort. It's proof that I'm a multifaceted person.
So if you're considering diving into this? Go for it. Don't wait for perfect. Your tomorrow self will be grateful.
Keep in mind: You're not merely making it through—you're creating something amazing. Even though there's likely old cheerios everywhere.
Seriously. This is where it's at, chaos and all.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
Real talk—single motherhood wasn't on my vision board. I never expected to be turning into an influencer. But fast forward to now, three years into this wild journey, making a living by creating content while parenting alone. And real talk? It's been the best worst decision of my life.
How It Started: When Everything Imploded
It was three years ago when my divorce happened. I will never forget sitting in my bare apartment (he took what he wanted, I kept what mattered), staring at my phone at 2am while my kids slept. I had barely $850 in my account, little people counting on me, and a paycheck that wasn't enough. The anxiety was crushing, y'all.
I was on TikTok to distract myself from the anxiety—because that's self-care at 2am, right? when our lives are falling apart, right?—when I came across this woman sharing how she became debt-free through being a creator. I remember thinking, "No way that's legit."
But rock bottom gives you courage. Maybe both. Usually both.
I installed the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, talking about how I'd just put my last twelve dollars on a pack of chicken nuggets and fruit snacks for my kids' school lunches. I uploaded it and wanted to delete it. Who gives a damn about my mess?
Turns out, tons of people.
That video got 47,000 views. Forty-seven thousand people watched me almost lose it over frozen nuggets. The comments section was this incredible community—other single moms, people living the same reality, all saying "same." That was my epiphany. People didn't want perfection. They wanted authentic.
My Brand Evolution: The Honest Single Parent Platform
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: finding your niche is everything. And my niche? It found me. I became the mom who tells the truth.
I started sharing the stuff people hide. Like how I lived in one outfit because laundry felt impossible. Or when I fed my kids cereal for dinner three nights in a row and called it "breakfast for dinner week." Or that moment when my kid asked why daddy doesn't live here anymore, and I had to discuss divorce to a kid who is six years old.
My content wasn't pretty. My lighting was terrible. I filmed on a ancient iPhone. But it was real, and apparently, that's what hit.
In just two months, I hit 10,000 followers. Month three, fifty thousand. By month six, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone blew my mind. Actual humans who wanted to listen to me. Little old me—a broke single mom who had to learn everything from scratch months before.
A Day in the Life: Balancing Content and Chaos
Let me show you 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 screams. 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 start recording. Sometimes it's a getting ready video discussing single mom finances. Sometimes it's me making food while sharing parenting coordination. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids get up. Content creation stops. Now I'm in parent mode—making breakfast, the shoe hunt (it's always one shoe), packing lunches, referee duties. The chaos is next level.
8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom making videos while driving at red lights. I know, I know, but the grind never stops.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my productive time. Peace and quiet. I'm in editing mode, engaging with followers, thinking of ideas, doing outreach, looking at stats. People think content creation is simple. Wrong. It's a real job.
I usually film in batches on specific days. That means shooting multiple videos in one go. I'll switch outfits so it appears to be different times. Advice: Keep several shirts ready for outfit changes. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, filming myself talking to my phone in the parking lot.
3:00pm: Pickup time. Mom mode activated. But this is where it's complicated—sometimes my viral videos come from these after-school moments. Recently, my daughter had a epic meltdown in Target because I said no to a $40 toy. I made content in the parking lot once we left about surviving tantrums as a solo parent. It got over 2 million views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm typically drained to make videos, but I'll queue up posts, reply to messages, or strategize. Some nights, after the kids are asleep, I'll work late because a deadline is coming.
The truth? No such thing as balance. It's just chaos with a plan with some victories.
Income Breakdown: How I Support My Family
Okay, let's discuss money because this is what people ask about. Can you make a living as a content creator? Absolutely. Is it easy? Hell no.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Month two? Also nothing. Month three, I got my first paid partnership—a hundred and fifty bucks to post about a meal kit service. I cried real tears. That one-fifty bought groceries for two weeks.
Fast forward, three years later, here's how I generate revenue:
Sponsored Content: This is my largest income stream. I work with brands that make sense—things that help, mom products, family items. I charge anywhere from $500-5K per partnership, depending on the scope. This past month, I did 4 sponsored posts and made eight grand.
Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: The TikTok fund pays not much—a few hundred dollars per month for massive numbers. YouTube ad revenue is more lucrative. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Affiliate Links: I promote products to items I love—ranging from my favorite coffee maker to the kids' beds. If anyone buys, I get a kickback. This brings in about eight hundred to twelve hundred.
Downloadables: I created a single mom budget planner and a cooking guide. Each costs $15, and I sell dozens per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.
One-on-One Coaching: Other aspiring creators pay me to mentor them. I offer consulting calls for $200/hour. I do about several per month.
Combined monthly revenue: Typically, I'm making ten to fifteen thousand per month now. It varies, some are lower. It's unpredictable, which is scary when there's no backup. But it's three times what I made at my 9-5, and I'm present.
The Dark Side Nobody Posts About
This sounds easy until you're losing it because a video flopped, or reading vicious comments from internet trolls.
The haters are brutal. I've been told I'm a terrible parent, told I'm a bad influence, questioned about being a single mom. I'll never forget, "I'd leave too." That one destroyed me.
The algorithm changes constantly. Sometimes you're getting huge numbers. Next month, you're struggling for views. Your income fluctuates. You're constantly creating, always working, afraid to pause, you'll be forgotten.
The mom guilt is worse exponentially. Everything I share, I wonder: Am I oversharing? Am I doing right by them? Will they resent this when they're teenagers? I have firm rules—minimal identifying info, no discussing their personal struggles, nothing humiliating. But the line is not always clear.
The burnout hits hard. There are weeks when I don't want to film anything. When I'm done, over it, and completely finished. But rent doesn't care. So I do it anyway.
The Unexpected Blessings
But here's the thing—through it all, this journey has created things I never dreamed of.
Economic stability for the first time ever. I'm not wealthy, but I became debt-free. I have an cushion. We took a real vacation last summer—Disney World, which was a dream not long ago. I don't dread checking my balance anymore.
Time freedom that's priceless. When my child had a fever last month, I didn't have to stress about missing work or panic. I handled business at urgent care. When there's a field trip, I'm present. I'm available in ways I wasn't with a traditional 9-5.
Community that saved me. The fellow creators I've found, especially single moms, have become real friends. We support each other, exchange tips, lift each other up. My followers have become this incredible cheerleading squad. They hype me up, support me, and show me I'm not alone.
Me beyond motherhood. After years, I have something for me. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or somebody's mother. I'm a CEO. A businesswoman. Someone who built something from nothing.
Tips for Single Moms Wanting to Start
If you're a single mother considering content creation, here's my advice:
Just start. Your first videos will be awful. Mine did. That's okay. You get better, not by waiting until everything is perfect.
Be authentic, not perfect. People can smell fake from a mile away. Share your honest life—the chaos. That's what works.
Guard their privacy. Establish boundaries. Be intentional. Their privacy is everything. I never share their names, limit face shots, and protect their stories.
Build multiple income streams. Diversify or one income stream. The algorithm is unpredictable. Multiple streams = safety.
Film multiple videos. When you have quiet time, make a bunch. Tomorrow you will thank yourself when you're unable to film.
Build community. Engage. Answer DMs. Be real with them. Your community is what matters.
Monitor what works. Be strategic. If something is time-intensive and tanks while another video takes no time and gets 200,000 views, adjust your strategy.
Prioritize yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Unplug. Protect your peace. Your mental health matters more than views.
Stay patient. This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It took me ages to make any real money. The first year, I made $15K total. The second year, $80K. Now, I'm projected for $100K+. It's a journey.
Don't forget your why. On tough days—and there are many—think about your why. For me, it's money, flexibility with my kids, and proving to myself that I'm more than I believed.
Real Talk Time
Look, I'm being honest. This journey is challenging. So damn hard. You're basically running a business while being the only parent of children who require constant attention.
Many days I doubt myself. Days when the hate comments affect me. Days when I'm exhausted and stressed and wondering if I should get a regular job with a 401k.
But but then my daughter tells me she's happy I'm here. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I receive a comment from a follower saying my content gave her courage. 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 way more than I made in corporate America, and I'm there for my kids.
My goals for the future? Hit 500K by end of year. Create a podcast for single parents. Possibly write a book. Continue building this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
This path gave me a second chance when I was drowning. It gave me a way to provide for my family, be there, and build something I'm genuinely proud of. It's a surprise, but it's meant to be.
To any single parent on the fence: Yes you can. It won't be easy. You'll doubt yourself. But you're handling the toughest gig—single parenting. You're tougher than you realize.
Jump in messy. Stay consistent. Prioritize yourself. And know this, you're beyond survival mode—you're changing your life.
Time to go, I need to go film a TikTok about why my kid's school project is due tomorrow and I'm just now hearing about it. Because that's the content creator single mom life—content from the mess, one video at a time.
No cap. This path? It's the best decision. Even if there's definitely crushed cheerios stuck to my laptop right now. No regrets, one messy video at a time.