Mother home-based businesses for today : clearly discussed helping women entrepreneurs build income from home

Let me spill, motherhood is literally insane. But you know what's even crazier? Attempting to secure the bag while handling children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.

I started my side hustle journey about a few years back when I discovered that my Target runs were becoming problematic. I was desperate for funds I didn't have to justify spending.

Being a VA

Right so, my initial venture was jumping into virtual assistance. And I'll be real? It was exactly what I needed. I could get stuff done when the house was finally peaceful, and the only requirement was a computer and internet.

I started with easy things like handling emails, managing social content, and entering data. Super simple stuff. My rate was about $20/hour, which felt cheap but when you don't know what you're doing yet, you gotta build up your portfolio.

The funniest part? I would be on a client call looking like I had my life together from the shoulders up—full professional mode—while wearing pants I'd owned since 2015. Main character energy.

Selling on Etsy

After getting my feet wet, I wanted to explore the handmade marketplace scene. Everyone and their mother seemed to be on Etsy, so I thought "why not start one too?"

My shop focused on creating digital planners and wall art. Here's why printables are amazing? You create it once, and it can sell forever. Literally, I've gotten orders at times when I didn't even know.

The first time someone bought something? I literally screamed. He came running thinking I'd injured myself. Nope—just me, doing a happy dance for my glorious $4.99. No shame in my game.

The Content Creation Grind

Next I ventured into the whole influencer thing. This one is definitely a slow burn, real talk.

I created a blog about motherhood where I wrote about real mom life—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Keeping it real. Only authentic experiences about finding mystery stains on everything I own.

Getting readers was slow. For months, it was basically writing for myself and like three people. But I persisted, and over time, things started clicking.

These days? I make money through affiliate links, sponsored posts, and display ads. Recently I made over $2K from my blog income. Insane, right?

The Social Media Management Game

When I became good with my own content, brands started asking if I could do the same for them.

And honestly? Tons of businesses struggle with social media. They know they have to be on it, but they don't have time.

That's where I come in. I oversee social media for several small companies—different types of businesses. I make posts, plan their posting schedule, engage with followers, and monitor performance.

My rate is between $500-$1500/month per client, depending on how much work is involved. Best part? I can do most of it from my phone.

The Freelance Writing Hustle

For the wordy folks, freelancing is seriously profitable. Not like literary fiction—this is content writing for businesses.

Businesses everywhere constantly need fresh content. I've created content about everything from dental hygiene to copyright. You just need to research, you just need to be able to learn quickly.

I typically bill between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on length and complexity. Some months I'll produce ten to fifteen pieces and make $1-2K.

Here's what's wild: I'm the same person who struggled with essays. Currently I'm a professional writer. Life is weird.

Virtual Tutoring

When COVID hit, tutoring went digital. I was a teacher before kids, so this was kind of a natural fit.

I signed up with VIPKid and Tutor.com. It's super flexible, which is crucial when you have kids with unpredictable schedules.

I mostly tutor elementary school stuff. Income ranges from $15-25 per hour depending on where you work.

The awkward part? There are times when my own kids will photobomb my lessons mid-session. I've literally had to maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. My clients are usually super understanding because they understand mom life.

Flipping Items for Profit

Here me out, this particular venture started by accident. I was decluttering my kids' things and posted some items on Facebook Marketplace.

Things sold instantly. That's when I realized: there's a market for everything.

These days I visit anywhere with deals, hunting for name brands. I'll find something for $3 and sell it for $30.

It's definitely work? Absolutely. You're constantly listing and shipping. But I find it rewarding about finding hidden treasures at a garage sale and turning a profit.

Additionally: my children are fascinated when I bring home interesting finds. Recently I grabbed a vintage toy that my son went crazy for. Got forty-five dollars for it. Mom win.

The Truth About Side Hustles

Real talk moment: this stuff requires effort. The word 'hustle' is there for a reason.

Certain days when I'm completely drained, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm up at 5am being productive before the madness begins, then doing all the mom stuff, then back to work after everyone's in bed.

But here's what matters? These are my earnings. I can spend it guilt-free to treat myself. I'm supporting my family's finances. My kids see that women can hustle.

What I Wish I Knew

If you want to start a hustle of your own, here are my tips:

Start small. Don't try to do everything at once. Start this source with one venture and become proficient before adding more.

Honor your limits. If naptime is your only free time, that's perfectly acceptable. Even one focused hour is valuable.

Don't compare yourself to the highlight reels. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? They've been at it for years and doesn't do it alone. Run your own race.

Spend money on education, but wisely. Free information exists. Don't waste $5,000 on a coaching program until you've validated your idea.

Batch tasks together. This saved my sanity. Use time blocks for different things. Use Monday for content creation day. Wednesday could be organizing and responding.

The Mom Guilt is Real

I'm not gonna lie—guilt is part of this. There are days when I'm working and my kid wants attention, and I struggle with it.

Yet I consider that I'm teaching them that hard work matters. I'm showing my daughter that women can be mothers and entrepreneurs.

Additionally? Financial independence has helped me feel more like myself. I'm more satisfied, which translates to better parenting.

Income Reality Check

My actual income? On average, from all my side gigs, I pull in three to five thousand monthly. It varies, some are tougher.

Will this make you wealthy? Not really. But we've used it to pay for vacations, home improvements, and that emergency vet bill that would've stressed us out. And it's creating opportunities and experience that could turn into something bigger.

Wrapping This Up

Here's the bottom line, being a mom with a side hustle isn't easy. It's not a perfect balance. Most days I'm winging it, powered by caffeine, and hoping for the best.

But I'm glad I'm doing this. Every penny made is evidence of my capability. It's evidence that I'm more than just mom.

If you're thinking about starting a side hustle? Do it. Begin before you're ready. Your tomorrow self will thank you.

And remember: You're not just getting by—you're hustling. Even when there's probably mysterious crumbs in your workspace.

Seriously. This is where it's at, mess included.

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 here I am, three years later, earning income by creating content while parenting alone. And not gonna lie? It's been the most terrifying, empowering, and unexpected blessing of my life.

How It Started: When Everything Came Crashing Down

It was a few years ago when my relationship fell apart. I will never forget sitting in my half-empty apartment (he took the couch, I got the kids' art projects), wide awake at 2am while my kids slept. I had less than a thousand dollars in my bank account, little people counting on me, and a job that barely covered rent. The panic was real, y'all.

I'd been scrolling TikTok to avoid my thoughts—because that's the move? in crisis mode, right?—when I saw this woman talking about how she became debt-free through posting online. I remember thinking, "That can't be real."

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

I installed the TikTok studio app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, talking about how I'd just put my last twelve dollars on a frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' lunches. I hit post and panicked. Why would anyone care about this disaster?

Turns out, a lot of people.

That video got 47K views. 47,000 people watched me almost lose it over chicken nuggets. The comments section became this unexpected source of support—fellow solo parents, other people struggling, all saying "me too." That was my epiphany. People didn't want perfect. They wanted honest.

My Brand Evolution: The Unfiltered Mom Content

Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: you need a niche. And my niche? It found me. I became the mom who tells the truth.

I started filming the stuff people hide. Like how I once wore the same yoga pants for four days straight because executive dysfunction is real. Or when I gave them breakfast for dinner all week and called it "breakfast for dinner week." Or that moment when my child asked about the divorce, and I had to have big conversations to a kid who thinks the tooth fairy is real.

My content wasn't pretty. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a phone with a broken screen. But it was real, and evidently, that's what connected.

After sixty days, I hit 10,000 followers. Three months later, 50K. By half a year, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone seemed fake. Real accounts who wanted to follow me. Little old me—a broke single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" recently.

The Daily Grind: Managing It All

Let me show you of my typical day, because this life is nothing like those pretty "day in the life" videos you see.

5:30am: My alarm blares. I do NOT want to get up, but this is my sacred content creation time. I make coffee that will get cold, and I start filming. Sometimes it's a morning routine talking about financial reality. Sometimes it's me meal prepping while sharing co-parenting struggles. The lighting is not great.

7:00am: Kids get up. Content creation stops. Now I'm in survival mode—pouring cereal, hunting for that one shoe (why is it always one shoe), packing lunches, referee duties. The chaos is intense.

8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom filming at red lights at red lights. Not proud of this, but the grind never stops.

9:00am-2:00pm: This is my power window. Peace and quiet. I'm editing content, being social, ideating, doing outreach, looking at stats. They believe content creation is simple. Nope. It's a real job.

I usually batch-create content on Monday and Wednesday. That means shooting multiple videos in one session. I'll switch outfits so it seems like separate days. Life hack: Keep different outfits accessible for fast swaps. My neighbors must think I'm insane, recording myself alone in the driveway.

3:00pm: Getting the kids. Transition back to mom mode. But here's where it gets tricky—often my viral videos come from the chaos. Last week, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I wouldn't buy a $40 toy. I filmed a video in the car afterward about surviving tantrums as a single parent. It got 2.3 million views.

Evening: The evening routine. I'm generally wiped out to film, but I'll schedule uploads, reply to messages, or outline content. Many nights, after the kids are asleep, I'll edit videos until midnight because a deadline is coming.

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

The Money Talk: How I Support My Family

Look, let's get into the finances because this is what everyone wants to know. Can you really earn income as a influencer? 100%. Is it easy? Absolutely not.

My first month, I made $0. Second month? Zero. Month three, I got my first collaboration—a hundred and fifty bucks to post about a meal kit service. I cried real tears. That hundred fifty dollars fed us.

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

Brand Deals: This is my largest income stream. I work with brands that my followers need—affordable stuff, parenting tools, kids' stuff. I get paid anywhere from $500-5K per campaign, depending on deliverables. Last month, I did four collabs and made eight thousand dollars.

TikTok Fund: Creator fund pays not much—$200-$400 per month for tons of views. YouTube ad revenue is better. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that took forever.

Affiliate Marketing: I promote products to items I love—everything from my favorite coffee maker to the bunk beds I bought. If they buy using my link, I get a commission. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.

Info Products: I created a budget template and a meal planning ebook. They're $15 each, and I sell fifty to a hundred per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.

Teaching Others: New creators pay me to teach them the ropes. I offer private coaching for two hundred per hour. I do about 5-10 a month.

Overall monthly earnings: Typically, I'm making $10-15K per month these days. Some months I make more, some are less. It's inconsistent, which is terrifying when you're the only income source. But it's three times what I made at my 9-5, and I'm present.

What They Don't Show Nobody Posts About

This sounds easy until you're losing it because a post tanked, or handling nasty DMs from keyboard warriors.

The hate comments are real. I've been told I'm a terrible parent, told I'm a bad influence, questioned about being a solo parent. I'll never forget, "I'd leave too." That one hurt so bad.

The algorithm is unpredictable. One month you're getting insane views. The following week, you're lucky to break 1,000. Your income is unstable. You're constantly creating, never resting, nervous about slowing down, you'll fall behind.

The mom guilt is amplified exponentially. Every video I post, I wonder: Is this too much? Am I doing right by them? Will they hate me for this when they're teenagers? I have firm rules—no faces of my kids without permission, nothing too personal, nothing that could embarrass them. But the line is blurry sometimes.

The burnout hits hard. Sometimes when I am empty. When I'm depleted, talked out, and totally spent. But life doesn't stop. So I create anyway.

The Wins

But here's what's real—even with the struggles, this journey has created things I never dreamed of.

Financial freedom for the first time ever. I'm not loaded, but I cleared $18K. I have an safety net. We took a vacation last summer—Disney, which was a dream two years ago. I don't check my bank account with anxiety anymore.

Schedule freedom that's priceless. When my boy was sick last month, I didn't have to use PTO or stress about losing pay. I worked from the pediatrician's waiting room. When there's a class party, I'm present. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I couldn't be with a normal job.

My people that saved me. The other creators I've met, especially solo parents, have become my people. We connect, collaborate, support each other. My followers have become this beautiful community. They celebrate my wins, support me, and remind me I'm not alone.

Something that's mine. Since becoming a mom, I have an identity. I'm more than an ex or somebody's mother. I'm a CEO. A businesswoman. Someone who created this.

My Best Tips

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

Just start. Your first videos will suck. Mine did. That's okay. You grow through creating, not by waiting until everything is perfect.

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

Keep them safe. Create rules. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is everything. I keep names private, rarely show their faces, and respect their dignity.

Multiple revenue sources. Don't put all eggs in one basket or one way to earn. The algorithm is unpredictable. Multiple income streams = stability.

Create in batches. When you have time alone, film multiple videos. Tomorrow you will appreciate it when you're too exhausted to create.

Build community. Answer comments. Check messages. Connect authentically. Your community is what matters.

Track your time and ROI. Time is money. If something takes forever and flops while another video takes no time and gets 200,000 views, change tactics.

Prioritize yourself. Self-care isn't selfish. Step away. Set boundaries. Your mental health matters most.

Be patient. This takes time. It took me half a year to make real income. The first year, I made fifteen thousand. Year two, $80,000. This year, I'm making six figures. It's a long game.

Remember why you started. On bad days—and trust me, there will be—remember why you're doing this. For me, it's supporting my kids, flexibility with my kids, and showing myself that I'm capable of anything.

The Reality Check

Look, I'm telling the truth. This life is difficult. Like, really freaking hard. You're basically running a business while being the sole caretaker of kids who need everything.

Some days I doubt myself. Days when the negativity affect me. Days when I'm burnt out and asking myself if I should just get a "normal" job with a 401k.

But then suddenly my daughter shares she appreciates this. Or I check my balance and see money. Or I see a message from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I understand the impact.

What's Next

Not long ago, I was terrified and clueless how to survive. Now, I'm a professional creator making more money than I ever did in corporate America, and I'm home when my kids get off the school bus.

My goals going forward? Hit 500K by this year. Launch a podcast for single parents. Maybe write a book. Keep growing this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.

Content creation gave me a second chance when I was desperate. It gave me a way to feed my babies, be available, and accomplish something incredible. It's unexpected, but it's exactly where I needed to be.

To every single mom out there considering this: You can. It will be challenging. You'll consider quitting. But you're already doing the most difficult thing—raising humans alone. You're stronger than you think.

Jump in messy. Keep showing up. Guard your peace. And remember, you're doing more than surviving—you're creating something amazing.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go record a video about why my kid's school project is due tomorrow and I just learned about it. Because that's the reality—turning chaos into content, one TikTok at a time.

Honestly. Being a single mom creator? It's worth it. Even when there's probably old snacks all over my desk. Dream life, mess included.