Mother money-making projects this year – explained that helps women entrepreneurs create extra income

Real talk, mom life is absolutely wild. But you know what's even crazier? Working to earn extra income while handling kids, laundry, and approximately 47 snack requests per day.

I entered the side gig world about a few years back when I discovered that my impulse buys were reaching dangerous levels. I was desperate for cash that was actually mine.

Being a VA

Here's what happened, my initial venture was jumping into virtual assistance. And not gonna lie? It was ideal. I could hustle while the kids slept, and all I needed was a computer and internet.

My first tasks were easy things like handling emails, posting on social media, and entering data. Not rocket science. My rate was about $20/hour, which seemed low but for someone with zero experience, you gotta start somewhere.

Honestly the most hilarious thing? I would be on a Zoom call looking completely put together from the waist up—blazer, makeup, the works—while sporting pajama bottoms. Living my best life.

Selling on Etsy

About twelve months in, I ventured into the Etsy world. Everyone and their mother seemed to be on Etsy, so I figured "why not get in on this?"

My shop focused on crafting downloadable organizers and home decor prints. Here's why printables are amazing? Design it once, and it can keep selling indefinitely. Actually, I've made sales at midnight when I'm unconscious.

My first sale? I lost my mind. My husband thought something was wrong. Negative—just me, cheering about my glorious $4.99. Judge me if you want.

Content Creator Life

Eventually I ventured into blogging and content creation. This particular side gig is playing the long game, let me tell you.

I began a blog about motherhood where I shared real mom life—all of it, no filter. No Instagram-perfect nonsense. Simply authentic experiences about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.

Getting readers was slow. The first few months, I was essentially writing for myself and like three people. But I kept at it, and slowly but surely, things started clicking.

These days? I generate revenue through affiliate marketing, brand partnerships, and ad revenue. This past month I brought in over two grand from my blog alone. Mind-blowing, right?

SMM Side Hustle

When I became good with my own content, local businesses started reaching out if I could do the same for them.

Here's the thing? A lot of local businesses don't understand social media. They realize they should be posting, but they don't have time.

That's where I come in. I handle social media for three local businesses—different types of businesses. I plan their content, schedule posts, handle community management, and monitor performance.

They pay me between $500-1500 per month per business, depending on the complexity. Best part? I do this work from my phone.

Freelance Writing Life

For the wordy folks, content writing is incredibly lucrative. I'm not talking literary fiction—I'm talking about business content.

Brands and websites constantly need fresh content. I've written articles about everything from subjects I knew nothing about before Googling. Google is your best friend, you just need to know how to find information.

Usually bill fifty to one hundred fifty bucks per piece, depending on how complex it is. When I'm hustling hard I'll crank out ten to fifteen pieces and make an extra $1,000-2,000.

The funny thing is: I was that student who barely passed English class. And now I'm earning a living writing. Talk about character development.

Tutoring Online

After lockdown started, everyone needed online help. As a former educator, so this was kind of a natural fit.

I started working with various tutoring services. It's super flexible, which is absolutely necessary when you have kids with unpredictable schedules.

My sessions are usually basic subjects. Income ranges from $15-25 per hour depending on which site you use.

What's hilarious? Occasionally my own kids will interrupt mid-session. I've literally had to be professional while chaos erupted behind me. The families I work with are incredibly understanding because they're parents too.

Reselling and Flipping

Okay, this hustle I stumbled into. I was decluttering my kids' stuff and tried selling some outfits on Facebook Marketplace.

Stuff sold out within hours. Lightbulb moment: there's a market for everything.

Now I frequent thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, on the hunt for name brands. I purchase something for a few dollars and make serious profit.

It's definitely work? Yes. There's photographing, listing, and shipping. But it's strangely fulfilling about spotting valuable items at the thrift store and earning from it.

Bonus: my kids think I'm cool when I discover weird treasures. Just last week I found a vintage toy that my son lost his mind over. Got forty-five dollars for it. Mom win.

The Truth About Side Hustles

Here's the thing nobody tells you: side hustles aren't passive income. There's work involved, hence the name.

There are moments when I'm completely drained, doubting everything. I'm working before sunrise hustling before the chaos starts, then doing all the mom stuff, then working again after everyone's in bed.

But this is what's real? That money is MINE. I don't have to ask permission to get the good coffee. I'm helping with our financial goals. My kids see that women can hustle.

Advice for New Mom Hustlers

For those contemplating a mom hustle, here's what I'd tell you:

Start small. Avoid trying to do everything at once. Start with one venture and master it before expanding.

Be realistic about time. If you only have evenings, that's totally valid. A couple of productive hours is more than enough to start.

Stop comparing to what you see online. The successful ones you see? They've been at it for years and doesn't do it alone. Run your own race.

Learn and grow, but wisely. You don't need expensive courses. Avoid dropping massive amounts on training until you've validated your idea.

Work in batches. This is crucial. Use days for specific hustles. Monday could be writing day. Make Wednesday handling business stuff.

Dealing with Mom Guilt

I have to be an informative post real with you—mom guilt is a thing. Sometimes when I'm on my laptop and they want to play, and I hate it.

But then I think about that I'm demonstrating to them how to hustle. I'm teaching my kids that you can be both.

Additionally? Having my own income has improved my mental health. I'm happier, which translates to better parenting.

Let's Talk Money

My actual income? Typically, from all my side gigs, I make $3,000-5,000 per month. Some months are better, some are tougher.

Will this make you wealthy? No. But it's paid for family trips and unexpected expenses that would've stressed us out. And it's developing my career and experience that could grow into more.

In Conclusion

Listen, hustling as a mom is challenging. You won't find a magic formula. A lot of days I'm winging it, surviving on coffee, and crossing my fingers.

But I'm proud of this journey. Each penny made is proof that I can do hard things. It shows that I'm a multifaceted person.

If you're thinking about starting a side hustle? Take the leap. Begin before you're ready. Future you will be so glad you did.

Don't forget: You aren't only getting by—you're growing something incredible. Even if there's probably old cheerios stuck to your laptop.

Seriously. It's the life, despite the chaos.

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

Real talk—becoming a single mom was never the plan. Nor was turning into an influencer. But yet here I am, years into this crazy ride, earning income by being vulnerable on the internet while parenting alone. And real talk? It's been scary AF but incredible of my life.

How It Started: When Everything Fell Apart

It was three years ago when my life exploded. I can still picture sitting in my mostly empty place (I kept the kids' stuff, he took everything else), wide awake at 2am while my kids slept. I had less than a thousand dollars in my bank account, two mouths to feed, and a job that barely covered rent. The anxiety was crushing, y'all.

I'd been scrolling TikTok to escape reality—because that's the move? when we're drowning, right?—when I found this divorced mom discussing how she became debt-free through posting online. I remember thinking, "That can't be real."

But desperation makes you brave. Or both. Often both.

I got the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Me, no makeup, messy bun, explaining how I'd just put my last twelve dollars on a frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' lunches. I uploaded it and wanted to delete it. Who wants to watch my broke reality?

Plot twist, a lot of people.

That video got nearly 50,000 views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me get emotional over chicken nuggets. The comments section was this safe space—fellow solo parents, people living the same reality, all saying "I feel this." That was my epiphany. People didn't want the highlight reel. They wanted authentic.

Discovering My Voice: The Unfiltered Mom Content

Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: your niche matters. And my niche? It found me. I became the single mom who keeps it brutally honest.

I started creating content about the stuff everyone keeps private. Like how I didn't change pants for days because I couldn't handle laundry. Or the time I fed my kids cereal for dinner three nights in a row and called it "survival mode." Or that moment when my six-year-old asked why we don't live with dad, and I had to talk about complex things to a kid who is six years old.

My content wasn't polished. My lighting was awful. I filmed on a ancient iPhone. But it was authentic, and turns out, that's what worked.

Within two months, I hit 10,000 followers. 90 days in, 50,000. By month six, I'd crossed 100,000. Each milestone seemed fake. Actual humans who wanted to follow me. Little old me—a barely surviving single mom who had to ask Google what this meant six months earlier.

The Actual Schedule: Juggling Everything

Let me show you of my typical day, because this life is the opposite of those pretty "day in the life" videos you see.

5:30am: My alarm sounds. I do NOT want to get up, but this is my hustle hours. I make coffee that I'll microwave repeatedly, and I get to work. Sometimes it's a get-ready-with-me talking about money struggles. Sometimes it's me making food while sharing co-parenting struggles. The lighting is whatever natural light comes through my kitchen window.

7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation ends. Now I'm in mommy mode—making breakfast, locating lost items (it's always one shoe), packing lunches, mediating arguments. The chaos is overwhelming.

8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom making videos while driving in the car. Not proud of this, but I gotta post.

9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. Kids are at school. I'm in editing mode, replying to DMs, thinking of ideas, pitching brands, reviewing performance. Everyone assumes content creation is simple. Nope. It's a whole business.

I usually film in batches on specific days. That means making a dozen videos in one go. I'll swap tops so it looks like different days. Pro tip: Keep multiple tops nearby for easy transitions. My neighbors must think I'm insane, recording myself alone in the yard.

3:00pm: Getting the kids. Back to parenting. But this is where it's complicated—many times my viral videos come from the chaos. Just last week, my daughter had a epic meltdown in Target because I said no to a forty dollar toy. I recorded in the vehicle afterward about surviving tantrums as a solo parent. It got 2.3M views.

Evening: All the evening things. I'm typically drained to make videos, but I'll queue up posts, reply to messages, or plan tomorrow's content. Certain nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll stay up editing because a client needs content.

The truth? No such thing as balance. It's just managed chaos with occasional wins.

Let's Talk Income: How I Really Earn Money

Okay, let's get into the finances because this is what you're wondering. Can you make a living as a online creator? Yes. Is it effortless? Hell no.

My first month, I made zilch. Month two? Zero. Month three, I got my first paid partnership—a hundred and fifty bucks to promote a food subscription. I literally cried. That one-fifty paid for groceries.

Today, three years later, here's how I earn income:

Brand Partnerships: This is my main revenue. I work with brands that make sense—practical items, helpful services, family items. I ask for anywhere from $500 to $5,000 per collaboration, depending on what they need. Last month, I did four collabs and made $8K.

Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: Creator fund pays pennies—maybe $200-400 per month for huge view counts. YouTube money is actually decent. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.

Affiliate Links: I share links to things I own—ranging from my favorite coffee maker to the kids' beds. If anyone buys, I get a percentage. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.

Downloadables: I created a financial planner and a meal prep guide. Each costs $15, and I sell 50-100 per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.

Consulting Services: New creators pay me to mentor them. I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for $200 hourly. I do about five to ten a month.

Overall monthly earnings: Typically, I'm making between ten and fifteen grand per month at this point. Some months are higher, some are less. It's inconsistent, which is stressful when you're it. But it's triple what I made at my old job, and I'm there for them.

The Hard Parts Nobody Mentions

It looks perfect online until you're losing it because a post tanked, or dealing with cruel messages from keyboard warriors.

The hate comments are real. I've been told I'm a terrible parent, told I'm using my children, accused of lying about being a solo parent. I'll never forget, "No wonder he left." That one hurt so bad.

The platform changes. Certain periods you're getting huge numbers. Next month, you're struggling for views. Your income is unstable. You're always on, always working, scared to stop, you'll lose momentum.

The mom guilt is amplified exponentially. Everything I share, I wonder: Is this too much? Am I protecting my kids' privacy? Will they regret this when they're grown? I have strict rules—limited face shots, nothing too personal, nothing humiliating. But the line is not always clear.

The exhaustion is real. There are weeks when I can't create. When I'm touched out, talked out, and just done. But bills don't care about burnout. So I show up anyway.

What Makes It Worth It

But here's the thing—even with the struggles, this journey has brought me things I never imagined.

Financial stability for the first damn time. I'm not rich, but I became debt-free. I have an cushion. We took a vacation last summer—Disney, which felt impossible not long ago. I don't stress about my account anymore.

Time freedom that's priceless. When my boy was sick last month, I didn't have to stress about missing work or stress about losing pay. I worked from the pediatrician's waiting room. When there's a school event, I'm present. I'm in their lives in ways I couldn't manage with a regular job.

Community that saved me. The creator friends I've met, especially single moms, have become my people. We vent, collaborate, have each other's backs. My followers have become this amazing support system. They support me, support me, and make me feel seen.

My own identity. Since becoming a mom, I have something for me. I'm not defined by divorce or just a mom. I'm a CEO. A businesswoman. Someone who built something from nothing.

What I Wish I Knew

If you're a single mom wanting to start, here's what I wish someone had told me:

Just start. Your first videos will be trash. Mine did. That's normal. You grow through creating, not by overthinking.

Be yourself. People can sense inauthenticity. Share your honest life—the mess. That's the magic.

Prioritize their privacy. Establish boundaries. Have standards. Their privacy is the priority. I never share their names, protect their faces, and protect their stories.

Don't rely on one thing. Spread it out or a single source. The algorithm is fickle. Diversification = security.

Batch create content. When you have time alone, make a bunch. Future you will thank present you when you're unable to film.

Interact. Engage. Respond to DMs. Build real relationships. Your community is your foundation.

Track metrics. Be strategic. If something takes four hours and gets nothing while a different post takes 20 minutes and gets massive views, change tactics.

Don't forget yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Rest. Guard your energy. Your wellbeing matters more than going viral.

Stay patient. This takes time. It took me months to make meaningful money. Year one, I made $15K total. Year two, eighty grand. Year 3, I'm on track for six figures. It's a process.

Don't forget your why. On difficult days—and trust me, there will be—remember why you're doing this. For me, it's supporting my kids, time with my children, and showing myself that I'm capable of anything.

The Reality Check

Real talk, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. Content creation as a single mom is hard. Really hard. You're managing a business while being the sole caretaker of kids who need everything.

There are days I wonder what I'm doing. Days when the nasty comments affect me. Days when I'm completely spent and wondering if I should just get a "normal" job with benefits and a steady paycheck.

But then my daughter says she's happy I'm here. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I see a message from a follower saying my content changed her life. And I remember my purpose.

The Future

Three years ago, I was broke, scared, and had no idea how to survive. Today, I'm a content creator making triple what I earned in my 9-5, and I'm available when they need me.

My goals now? Get to half a million followers by end of year. Begin podcasting for single parents. Write a book eventually. Keep building this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.

Being a creator gave me a path forward when I was drowning. It gave me a way to support my kids, be present in their lives, and build something I'm genuinely proud of. It's not what I planned, but it's where I belong.

To every single mom out there on the fence: Yes you can. It will be challenging. You'll doubt yourself. But you're already doing the hardest job—raising humans alone. You're powerful.

Start messy. Be consistent. Prioritize yourself. And don't forget, you're more than just surviving—you're building something incredible.

Gotta go now, 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—chaos becomes content, video by video.

Seriously. This path? It's worth every struggle. Despite there's definitely Goldfish crackers in my keyboard. Dream life, chaos and all.