Stay-at-home mom home-based businesses right now — clearly discussed that helps women entrepreneurs earn additional revenue

I'm gonna be honest with you, being a mom is absolutely wild. But here's the thing? Working to make some extra cash while handling tiny humans who think sleep is optional.

My hustle life began about a few years back when I figured out that my random shopping trips were reaching dangerous levels. I had to find some independent income.

Virtual Assistant Hustle

Right so, I kicked things off was jumping into virtual assistance. And I'll be real? It was ideal. It let me work during naptime, and literally all it took was my laptop and decent wifi.

I started with easy things like organizing inboxes, posting on social media, and basic admin work. Not rocket science. My rate was about fifteen dollars an hour, which wasn't much but when you're just starting, you gotta prove yourself first.

The funniest part? I'd be on a video meeting looking like I had my life together from the chest up—business casual vibes—while wearing pajama bottoms. Peak mom life.

Selling on Etsy

After a year, I ventured into the selling on Etsy. Literally everyone seemed to be on Etsy, so I thought "why not start one too?"

I started creating PDF planners and digital art prints. The beauty of printables? Design it once, and it can make money while you sleep. Literally, I've made sales at times when I didn't even know.

The first time someone bought something? I literally screamed. My partner was like something was wrong. But no—I was just, cheering about my glorious $4.99. Judge me if you want.

Content Creator Life

Next I ventured into the whole an insightful piece influencer thing. This particular side gig is not for instant gratification seekers, trust me on this.

I created a parenting blog where I documented the chaos of parenting—everything unfiltered. Keeping it real. Only authentic experiences about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.

Getting readers was like watching paint dry. At the beginning, I was basically creating content for crickets. But I stayed consistent, and over time, things gained momentum.

At this point? I make money through affiliate links, collaborations, and display ads. Recently I earned over $2K from my blog income. Mind-blowing, right?

The Social Media Management Game

After I learned social media for my own stuff, local businesses started asking if I could manage their accounts.

And honestly? Most small businesses struggle with social media. They realize they need to be there, but they're too busy.

Enter: me. I currently run social media for a handful of clients—various small businesses. I develop content, queue up posts, engage with followers, and monitor performance.

They pay me between five hundred to a thousand dollars per month per client, depending on the scope of work. Here's what's great? I manage everything from my iPhone.

The Freelance Writing Hustle

For those who can string sentences together, freelance writing is where it's at. I'm not talking writing the next Great American Novel—I mean commercial writing.

Businesses everywhere need content constantly. My assignments have included everything from the most random topics. Being an expert isn't required, you just need to know how to find information.

I typically earn $50-150 per article, depending on how complex it is. On good months I'll crank out ten to fifteen pieces and bring in one to two thousand extra.

Here's what's wild: I'm the same person who struggled with essays. Now I'm earning a living writing. Life's funny like that.

Tutoring Online

After lockdown started, tutoring went digital. I used to be a teacher, so this was an obvious choice.

I registered on several tutoring platforms. You make your own schedule, which is crucial when you have children who keep you guessing.

I mostly tutor elementary school stuff. You can make from fifteen to twenty-five hourly depending on which site you use.

The funny thing? Every now and then my kids will photobomb my lessons mid-session. I've literally had to educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. The parents on the other end are very sympathetic because they understand mom life.

Reselling and Flipping

Alright, this particular venture started by accident. During a massive cleanout my kids' stuff and put some things on Mercari.

They sold immediately. Lightbulb moment: people will buy anything.

Currently I shop at secondhand stores and sales, on the hunt for quality items. I grab something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.

It's definitely work? For sure. It's a whole process. But it's strangely fulfilling about finding hidden treasures at Goodwill and turning a profit.

Plus: my kids think I'm cool when I find unique items. Last week I found a retro toy that my son freaked out about. Sold it for $45. Mom for the win.

Real Talk Time

Real talk moment: these aren't get-rich-quick schemes. The word 'hustle' is there for a reason.

Certain days when I'm running on empty, wondering why I'm doing this. I wake up early being productive before the madness begins, then handling mom duties, then back to work after the kids are asleep.

But here's what matters? This income is mine. I can spend it guilt-free to splurge on something nice. I'm adding to my family's finances. I'm showing my kids that women can hustle.

What I Wish I Knew

If you're considering a side hustle, this is what I've learned:

Start with one thing. Don't try to start five businesses. Pick one thing and nail it down before taking on more.

Use the time you have. If you only have evenings, that's perfectly acceptable. Whatever time you can dedicate is better than nothing.

Stop comparing to what you see online. Those people with massive success? They've been at it for years and has help. Do your thing.

Spend money on education, but carefully. There are tons of free resources. Avoid dropping massive amounts on training until you've proven the concept.

Work in batches. This saved my sanity. Set aside specific days for specific tasks. Monday could be making stuff day. Use Wednesday for administrative work.

Let's Talk Mom Guilt

Let me be honest—guilt is part of this. There are times when I'm focused on work while my kids need me, and I feel terrible.

But then I think about that I'm demonstrating to them what dedication looks like. I'm demonstrating to my children that motherhood doesn't mean giving up your identity.

Also? Earning independently has helped me feel more like myself. I'm happier, which makes me more patient.

The Numbers

So what do I actually make? Most months, combining everything, I pull in $3K-5K. Some months are lower, some are slower.

Is it life-changing money? No. But this money covers family trips and unexpected expenses that would've stressed us out. And it's creating opportunities and expertise that could evolve into something huge.

Wrapping This Up

Here's the bottom line, being a mom with a side hustle is hard. It's not a perfect balance. Often I'm flying by the seat of my pants, surviving on coffee, and hoping for the best.

But I'm glad I'm doing this. Every single bit of income is a testament to my hustle. It shows that I have identity beyond motherhood.

If you're thinking about beginning your hustle journey? Go for it. Don't wait for perfect. Future you will thank you.

And remember: You aren't only making it through—you're building something. Even when there's likely snack crumbs on your keyboard.

Seriously. The whole thing is incredible, chaos and all.

From Survival Mode to Content Creator: My Journey as a Single Mom

Real talk—single motherhood wasn't the dream. I also didn't plan on making money from my phone. But yet here I am, three years later, paying bills by posting videos while parenting alone. And honestly? It's been life-changing in every way of my life.

Rock Bottom: When Everything Changed

It was 2022 when my relationship fell apart. I will never forget sitting in my bare apartment (I kept the kids' stuff, he took everything else), staring at my phone at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had less than a thousand dollars in my account, two kids to support, and a income that didn't cut it. The panic was real, y'all.

I'd been scrolling TikTok to distract myself from the anxiety—because that's the move? in crisis mode, right?—when I stumbled on this divorced mom talking about how she became debt-free through posting online. I remember thinking, "That can't be real."

But when you're desperate, you try anything. Or both. Sometimes both.

I grabbed the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, talking about how I'd just spent my last $12 on a frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' school lunches. I shared it and felt sick. Who gives a damn about my mess?

Turns out, way more people than I expected.

That video got 47K views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me breakdown over chicken nuggets. The comments section turned into this safe space—fellow solo parents, other people struggling, all saying "I feel this." That was my epiphany. People didn't want perfection. They wanted authentic.

Discovering My Voice: The Real Mom Life Brand

Here's the secret about content creation: you need a niche. And my niche? It found me. I became the mom who tells the truth.

I started sharing the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I lived in one outfit because executive dysfunction is real. Or the time I fed my kids cereal for dinner multiple nights and called it "creative meal planning." Or that moment when my kid asked why we don't live with dad, and I had to discuss divorce to a kid who believes in magic.

My content was rough. My lighting was terrible. I filmed on a ancient iPhone. But it was real, and apparently, that's what worked.

Within two months, I hit 10K. Month three, fifty thousand. By six months, I'd crossed 100,000. Each milestone blew my mind. People who wanted to follow me. Plain old me—a barely surviving single mom who had to ask Google what this meant not long ago.

A Day in the Life: Balancing Content and Chaos

Here's what it actually looks like of my typical day, because content creation as a single mom is totally different from 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 hustle hours. I make coffee that I'll microwave repeatedly, and I begin creating. Sometimes it's a getting ready video sharing about single mom finances. Sometimes it's me prepping lunches while sharing custody stuff. The lighting is whatever I can get.

7:00am: Kids emerge. Content creation pauses. Now I'm in full mom mode—making breakfast, locating lost items (seriously, always ONE), prepping food, stopping fights. The chaos is intense.

8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom filming at red lights at stop signs. Don't judge me, but bills don't care.

9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. Peace and quiet. I'm cutting clips, responding to comments, brainstorming content ideas, sending emails, looking at stats. Folks imagine content creation is just making TikToks. Absolutely not. It's a entire operation.

I usually batch content on Mondays and Wednesdays. That means creating 10-15 pieces in one sitting. I'll swap tops so it seems like separate days. Pro tip: Keep several shirts ready for quick changes. My neighbors definitely think I'm crazy, recording myself alone in the backyard.

3:00pm: Pickup time. Parent time. But plot twist—often my top performing content come from these after-school moments. Recently, my daughter had a complete meltdown in Target because I refused to get a forty dollar toy. I created a video in the vehicle later about dealing with meltdowns as a solo parent. It got 2.3 million views.

Evening: Dinner, homework, bath time, bedtime routines. I'm typically drained to create content, but I'll schedule uploads, reply to messages, or outline content. Certain nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll edit for hours because a partnership is due.

The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just controlled chaos with some victories.

Income Breakdown: How I Actually Make a Living

Alright, let's talk numbers because this is what everyone's curious about. Can you legitimately profit as a online creator? Absolutely. Is it effortless? Hell no.

My first month, I made $0. Second month? $0. Month three, I got my first sponsored post—$150 to feature a meal delivery. I actually cried. That one-fifty covered food.

Fast forward, years later, here's how I generate revenue:

Collaborations: This is my biggest income source. I work with brands that my followers need—things that help, parenting tools, kids' stuff. I get paid anywhere from five hundred to several thousand per deal, depending on what's required. This past month, I did four partnerships and made $8K.

TikTok Fund: The TikTok fund pays very little—maybe $200-400 per month for tons of views. YouTube revenue is more lucrative. I make about $1.5K monthly 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 someone clicks and buys, I get a cut. This brings in about $800-$1200/month.

Downloadables: I created a financial planner and a food prep planner. They sell for fifteen dollars, and I sell maybe 50-100 per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.

Coaching/Consulting: Other aspiring creators pay me to teach them the ropes. I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for two hundred dollars. I do about 5-10 of these monthly.

Total monthly income: On average, I'm making $10-15K per month at this point. Certain months are better, some are less. It's up and down, which is stressful when there's no backup. But it's triple what I made at my 9-5, and I'm available for my kids.

What They Don't Show Nobody Shows You

It looks perfect online until you're sobbing alone because a video didn't perform, or dealing with hate comments from strangers who think they know your life.

The hate comments are real. I've been called a bad mom, told I'm using my children, told I'm fake about being a single mom. I'll never forget, "I'd leave too." That one hurt so bad.

The algorithm shifts. Certain periods you're getting viral hits. The following week, you're getting nothing. Your income is unstable. You're always creating, never resting, scared to stop, you'll lose relevance.

The mom guilt is intense times a thousand. Every upload, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Are my kids safe? Will they be angry about this when they're adults? I have firm rules—no faces of my kids without permission, nothing too personal, nothing humiliating. But the line is blurry sometimes.

The exhaustion is real. Sometimes when I have nothing. When I'm touched out, over it, and totally spent. But bills don't care about burnout. So I show up anyway.

What Makes It Worth It

But here's what's real—despite the hard parts, this journey has given me things I never dreamed of.

Economic stability for once in my life. I'm not rich, but I eliminated my debt. I have an cushion. We took a real vacation last summer—Orlando, which I never thought possible two years ago. I don't panic about money anymore.

Time freedom that's priceless. When my son got sick last month, I didn't have to ask permission or lose income. I handled business at urgent care. When there's a school thing, I'm present. I'm there for them in ways I wasn't with a regular job.

Community that saved me. The other creators I've befriended, especially solo parents, have become actual friends. We vent, help each other, lift each other up. My followers have become this beautiful community. They hype me up, send love, and remind me I'm not alone.

Something that's mine. Since becoming a mom, I have something for me. I'm more than an ex or someone's mom. I'm a business owner. A content creator. Someone who made it happen.

My Best Tips

If you're a single parent considering content creation, here's what I wish someone had told me:

Start before you're ready. Your first videos will be terrible. Mine did. Everyone starts there. You grow through creating, not by waiting.

Be authentic, not perfect. People can sense inauthenticity. Share your honest life—the messy, imperfect, chaotic reality. That resonates.

Keep them safe. Establish boundaries. Know your limits. Their privacy is everything. I don't use their names, rarely show their faces, and respect their dignity.

Multiple revenue sources. Don't put all eggs in one basket or a single source. The algorithm is unreliable. More streams = less stress.

Batch create content. When you have time alone, record several. Tomorrow you will be grateful when you're unable to film.

Connect with followers. Reply to comments. Respond to DMs. Build real relationships. Your community is what matters.

Track your time and ROI. Time is money. If something is time-intensive and gets nothing while something else takes no time and gets 200,000 views, adjust your strategy.

Don't forget yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Unplug. Create limits. Your wellbeing matters more than anything.

This takes time. This requires patience. It took me half a year to make meaningful money. Year one, I made fifteen thousand. Year two, $80K. This year, I'm on track for six figures. It's a marathon.

Remember why you started. On bad days—and trust me, there will be—think about your why. For me, it's independence, being there, and showing myself that I'm stronger than I knew.

The Honest Truth

Look, I'm telling the truth. Being a single mom creator is challenging. Like, really freaking hard. You're basically running a business while being the sole caretaker of kids who need everything.

Certain days I doubt myself. Days when the trolls affect me. Days when I'm exhausted and stressed and questioning if I should get a regular job with insurance.

But but then my daughter shares she's happy I'm here. Or I check my balance and see money. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content helped her leave an unhealthy relationship. And I remember why I do this.

The Future

Not long ago, I was terrified and clueless how to survive. Now, I'm a full-time creator making more than I imagined in my 9-5, and I'm available when they need me.

My goals now? Hit 500K by year-end. Launch a podcast for solo parents. Possibly write a book. Keep growing this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.

This journey gave me a path forward when I was drowning. It gave me a way to take care of my children, be there, and build something I'm genuinely proud of. It's a surprise, but it's meant to be.

To all the single moms on the fence: Hell yes you can. It won't be easy. You'll doubt yourself. But you're currently doing the most difficult thing—single parenting. You're tougher than you realize.

Start messy. Stay consistent. Protect your peace. And remember, you're beyond survival mode—you're creating something amazing.

Time to go, I need to go make a video about homework I forgot about and I'm just now hearing about it. Because that's this life—turning chaos into content, one video at a time.

For real. This journey? It's the best decision. Despite there's probably Goldfish crackers in my keyboard. Living the dream, imperfectly perfect.