Busy parent home-based businesses this year : for beginners that helps moms earn financial freedom
Let me tell you, mom life is no joke. But what's really wild? Trying to earn extra income while managing tiny humans who think sleep is optional.
My hustle life began about a few years back when I discovered that my random shopping trips were way too frequent. I was desperate for my own money.
Being a VA
Right so, I started out was becoming a virtual assistant. And not gonna lie? It was exactly what I needed. It let me hustle while the kids slept, and all I needed was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
Initially I was doing easy things like email sorting, managing social content, and entering data. Not rocket science. I charged about $15-20 per hour, which wasn't much but for someone with zero experience, you gotta start somewhere.
The funniest part? I would be on a video meeting looking completely put together from the chest up—blazer, makeup, the works—while sporting pants I'd owned since 2015. Peak mom life.
My Etsy Journey
After getting my feet wet, I thought I'd test out the handmade marketplace scene. Everyone and their mother seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I thought "why not start one too?"
I began making downloadable organizers and wall art. What's great about digital products? One and done creation, and it can keep selling indefinitely. Actually, I've gotten orders at midnight when I'm unconscious.
That initial sale? I freaked out completely. He came running thinking I'd injured myself. But no—just me, celebrating my first five bucks. I'm not embarrassed.
Blogging and Creating
Then I got into the whole influencer thing. This particular side gig is not for instant gratification seekers, trust me on this.
I created a parenting blog where I documented my parenting journey—all of it, no filter. None of that Pinterest-perfect life. Just real talk about how I once found a chicken nugget in my bra.
Building up views was a test of patience. The first few months, it was basically talking to myself. But I didn't give up, and after a while, things started clicking.
Now? I earn income through affiliate links, collaborations, and advertisements on my site. Last month I brought in over $2,000 from my website. Insane, right?
The Social Media Management Game
Once I got decent at managing my blog's social media, small companies started reaching out if I could run their social media.
Real talk? Tons of businesses struggle with social media. They understand they should be posting, but they don't know how.
This is my moment. I currently run social media for a handful of clients—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I create content, schedule posts, engage with followers, and monitor performance.
I charge between five hundred to a thousand dollars per month per account, depending on the scope of work. Best part? I handle this from my phone during soccer practice.
Writing for Money
If writing is your thing, writing gigs is a goldmine. I don't mean writing the next Great American Novel—I mean blog posts, articles, website copy, product descriptions.
Companies constantly need fresh content. I've created content about everything from dental hygiene to copyright. Google is your best friend, you just need to know how to Google effectively.
Usually bill $0.10-0.50 per word, depending on the topic and length. Certain months I'll crank out ten to fifteen pieces and pull in one to two thousand extra.
The funny thing is: I'm the same person who barely passed English class. Currently I'm getting paid for it. Talk about character development.
Virtual Tutoring
When COVID hit, tutoring went digital. With my teaching background, so this was kind of a natural fit.
I started working with several tutoring platforms. It's super flexible, which is essential when you have unpredictable little ones.
I mostly tutor basic subjects. Income ranges from $15-25 per hour depending on the company.
Here's what's weird? There are times when my children will burst into the room mid-session. I've had to educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. The families I work with are incredibly understanding because they're living the same life.
The Reselling Game
Alright, this side gig I stumbled into. While organizing my kids' stuff and listed some clothes on Mercari.
Stuff sold out instantly. That's when I realized: you can sell literally anything.
Currently I visit anywhere with deals, hunting for good brands. I grab something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
It's labor-intensive? Absolutely. You're constantly listing and shipping. But there's something satisfying about finding hidden treasures at a yard sale and making profit.
Bonus: my kids think I'm cool when I find unique items. Just last week I discovered a collectible item that my son absolutely loved. Got forty-five dollars for it. Mom for the win.
The Honest Reality
Truth bomb incoming: these aren't get-rich-quick schemes. They're called hustles for a reason.
Some days when I'm exhausted, questioning my life choices. I'm working before sunrise being productive before the madness begins, then doing all the mom stuff, then back at it after bedtime.
But this is what's real? That money is MINE. I can spend it guilt-free to buy the fancy coffee. I'm supporting the family budget. My kids see that women can hustle.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
If you're considering a mom hustle, here's what I'd tell you:
Begin with something manageable. Avoid trying to do everything at once. Choose one hustle and master it before adding more.
Use the time you have. Whatever time you have, that's perfectly acceptable. A couple of productive hours is valuable.
Don't compare yourself to the highlight reels. Those people with massive success? She's been grinding forever and has help. Focus on your own journey.
Don't be afraid to invest, but smartly. There are tons of free resources. Avoid dropping $5,000 on a coaching program until you've proven the concept.
Batch your work. I learned this the hard way. Dedicate specific days for specific tasks. Monday could be writing day. Make Wednesday administrative work.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
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 terrible.
However I remind myself that I'm teaching them that hard work matters. I'm showing my daughter that motherhood doesn't mean giving up your identity.
Also? Earning independently has made me a better mom. I'm happier, which makes me a better parent.
Let's Talk Money
So what do I actually make? Most months, total from all sources, I earn between three and five grand. Some months are lower, it fluctuates.
Is this getting-rich money? Nope. But I've used it for stuff that matters to us that would've stressed us out. And it's creating opportunities and experience that could evolve into something huge.
Wrapping This Up
Here's the bottom line, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship takes work. There's no such thing as a secret sauce. Most days I'm making it up as I go, powered by caffeine, and praying it all works out.
But I wouldn't change it. Each dollar I earn is evidence of my capability. It shows that I'm more than just mom.
So if you're considering starting a side hustle? Take the leap. Start messy. Future you will be so glad you did.
Don't forget: You're not merely getting by—you're hustling. Even if you probably have old cheerios in your workspace.
Not even kidding. It's where it's at, despite the chaos.
Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—single motherhood was never the plan. Nor was building a creator business. But fast forward to now, years into this crazy ride, earning income by creating content while raising two kids basically solo. And not gonna lie? It's been the best worst decision of my life.
The Starting Point: When Everything Imploded
It was three years ago when my marriage ended. I can still picture sitting in my bare apartment (he took what he wanted, I kept what mattered), unable to sleep at 2am while my kids were finally quiet. I had less than a thousand dollars in my bank account, two humans depending on me, and a salary that was a joke. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to numb the pain—because that's what we do? when our lives are falling apart, right?—when I stumbled on this woman discussing how she changed her life through making videos. I remember thinking, "No way that's legit."
But desperation makes you brave. Or stupid. Usually both.
I installed the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Completely unpolished, sharing how I'd just blown my final $12 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 broke reality?
Plot twist, a lot of people.
That video got nearly 50,000 views. Forty-seven thousand people watched me breakdown over $12 worth of food. The comments section turned into this incredible community—women in similar situations, people living the same reality, all saying "me too." That was my aha moment. People didn't want filtered content. They wanted real.
Finding My Niche: The Honest Single Parent Platform
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? It happened organically. I became the unfiltered single mom.
I started creating content about the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I lived in one outfit because washing clothes was too much. Or the time I served cereal as a meal several days straight and called it "creative meal planning." Or that moment when my kid asked where daddy went, and I had to talk about complex things to a kid who thinks the tooth fairy is real.
My content wasn't polished. My lighting was awful. I filmed on a busted phone. But it was unfiltered, and turns out, that's what resonated.
In just two months, I hit 10,000 followers. Month three, fifty thousand. By month six, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone seemed fake. People who wanted to listen to me. Plain old me—a barely surviving single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" not long ago.
The Daily Grind: Juggling Everything
Let me show you of my typical day, because this life is the opposite of 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 hustle hours. I make coffee that I'll microwave repeatedly, and I begin creating. Sometimes it's a morning routine talking about money struggles. Sometimes it's me meal prepping while venting about parenting coordination. The lighting is not great.
7:00am: Kids wake up. Content creation stops. Now I'm in survival mode—feeding humans, locating lost items (it's always one shoe), packing lunches, mediating arguments. The chaos is intense.
8:30am: Carpool line. I'm that mom creating content in traffic when stopped. Don't judge me, but the grind never stops.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my productive time. I'm alone finally. I'm cutting clips, replying to DMs, ideating, reaching out to brands, analyzing metrics. People think content creation is just posting videos. It's not. It's a full business.
I usually film in batches on certain days. That means shooting multiple videos in a few hours. I'll change clothes so it appears to be different times. Pro tip: Keep wardrobe options close for fast swaps. My neighbors definitely think I'm crazy, talking to my camera in the yard.
3:00pm: Picking them up. Mom mode activated. But here's the thing—often my best content ideas come from this time. Just last week, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I said no to a expensive toy. I recorded in the Target parking lot afterward about dealing with meltdowns as a lone parent. It got 2.3M views.
Evening: Dinner, homework, bath time, bedtime routines. I'm completely exhausted to film, but I'll schedule uploads, answer messages, or prep for tomorrow. Many nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll edit videos until midnight because a client needs content.
The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just managed chaos with random wins.
Income Breakdown: How I Really Earn Money
Okay, let's get into the finances because this is what you're wondering. Can you actually make money as a influencer? Yes. Is it simple? Not even close.
My first month, I made nothing. Month two? Also nothing. Third month, I got my first paid partnership—$150 to feature a meal delivery. I broke down. That hundred fifty dollars covered food.
Now, years later, here's how I make money:
Brand Partnerships: This is my primary income. I work with brands that fit my niche—things that help, single-parent resources, kid essentials. I ask for anywhere from five hundred to five thousand dollars per collaboration, depending on what's required. Just last month, I did four collabs and made $8K.
Platform Payments: The TikTok fund pays not much—two to four hundred per month for huge view counts. YouTube revenue is better. I make about fifteen hundred a month from YouTube, but that took forever.
Link Sharing: I share affiliate links to products I actually use—everything from my go-to coffee machine to the bunk beds I bought. If they buy using my link, I get a percentage. This brings in about eight hundred to twelve hundred.
Digital Products: I created a budget template and a meal planning ebook. Each costs $15, and I sell dozens per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
Teaching Others: New creators pay me to mentor them. I offer private coaching for $200 hourly. I do about 5-10 each month.
Total monthly income: Typically, I'm making $10,000-15,000 per month now. It varies, others are slower. It's unpredictable, which is scary when you're it. But it's three times what I made at my corporate job, and I'm present.
The Hard Parts Nobody Talks About
It looks perfect online until you're having a breakdown because a video flopped, or reading cruel messages from random people.
The negativity is intense. I've been mom-shamed, told I'm a bad influence, questioned about being a solo parent. Someone once commented, "No wonder he left." That one stung for days.
The platform changes. One week you're getting huge numbers. The following week, you're struggling for views. Your income fluctuates. You're always creating, always working, afraid to pause, you'll lose momentum.
The mom guilt is amplified to the extreme. Everything I share, I wonder: Am I sharing too much? Am I protecting my kids' privacy? Will they be angry about this when they're grown? I have clear boundaries—limited face shots, nothing too personal, nothing that could embarrass them. But the line is hard to see.
The I get burnt out. Some weeks when I don't want to film anything. When I'm touched out, over it, and at my limit. But life doesn't stop. So I do it anyway.
What Makes It Worth It
But listen—through it all, this journey has blessed me with things I never imagined.
Financial stability for the first time ever. I'm not rich, but I eliminated my debt. I have an savings. We took a real vacation last summer—Orlando, which seemed impossible two years ago. I don't check my bank account with anxiety anymore.
Flexibility that's priceless. When my son got sick last month, I didn't have to stress about missing work or panic. I worked from the doctor's office. When there's a field trip, I'm present. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I couldn't be with a traditional 9-5.
My people that saved me. The other influencers I've found, especially solo parents, have become my people. We support each other, exchange tips, have each other's backs. My followers have become this family. They hype me up, encourage me through rough patches, and remind me I'm not alone.
My own identity. Since becoming a mom, I have something that's mine. I'm not just an ex or just a mom. I'm a business owner. A content creator. Someone who built something from nothing.
My Best Tips
If you're a single mother wanting to start, here's my advice:
Start before you're ready. Your first videos will be terrible. Mine did. It's fine. You get better, not by waiting.
Be authentic, not perfect. People can sense inauthenticity. Share your actual life—the chaos. That's what connects.
Protect your kids. Establish boundaries. Be intentional. Their privacy is everything. I keep names private, minimize face content, and protect their stories.
Multiple revenue sources. Diversify or one revenue source. The algorithm is fickle. More streams = less stress.
Create in batches. When you have time alone, record several. Tomorrow you will thank yourself when you're unable to film.
Build community. Answer comments. Reply to messages. Create connections. Your community is crucial.
Track metrics. Be strategic. If something requires tons of time and flops while something else takes 20 minutes and gets massive views, change tactics.
Take care of yourself. You need to fill your cup. Step away. Create limits. Your health matters more than going viral.
Be patient. This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It took me half a year to make real income. My first year, I made maybe $15,000 total. Year 2, eighty thousand. Now, I'm making six figures. It's a long game.
Remember why you started. On difficult days—and they happen—remember your reason. For me, it's money, being there, and proving to myself that I'm capable of anything.
The Honest Truth
Here's the deal, I'm telling the truth. This life is hard. Really hard. You're managing a business while being the single caregiver of children who require constant attention.
Certain days I second-guess this. Days when the negativity sting. Days when I'm completely spent and asking myself if I should quit this with consistent income.
But but then my daughter tells me she loves that I'm home. Or I see financial progress. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content changed her life. And I remember why I do this.
The Future
Years ago, I was broke, scared, and had no idea what to do. an explainer Now, I'm a content creator making more than I imagined in my old job, and I'm available when they need me.
My goals now? Hit 500,000 followers by end of year. Launch a podcast for single parents. Maybe write a book. Expand this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
Content creation gave me a way out when I was desperate. It gave me a way to support my kids, be available, and build something real. It's a surprise, but it's perfect.
To every single mom out there on the fence: You absolutely can. It will be challenging. You'll struggle. But you're already doing the most difficult thing—single parenting. You're more capable than you know.
Jump in messy. Stay consistent. Protect your peace. And know this, you're not just surviving—you're building an empire.
BRB, I need to go make a video about the project I just found out about and I just learned about it. Because that's the reality—content from the mess, video by video.
For real. Being a single mom creator? It's worth it. Even though there's definitely Goldfish crackers in my keyboard. Dream life, imperfectly perfect.