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Side hustles for moms have exploded in the past couple of years mainly due to the pandemic. The latest data from the United States Census Bureau found that over 10 million moms lost work due to the pandemic or because they had to stay at home with their children.
Moms however are generally good at side hustling so it’s no surprise that many have explored new ideas to get paid whilst taking care of their families.
Side hustles offer moms flexibility, and they allow you to work based on your schedule and terms. Your rate of success and income will be based on the amount of effort and investment you put in.
Starting a side hustle can be daunting, with lots of unknowns to be discovered. However, with enough commitment, motivation, and resources, you can turn a hobby or idea into a successful side hustle that generates enough income to support your family partially, or even completely.
So, whether you are a stay-at-home mom or a working mom, here are 16 side hustles that you can begin exploring.
1. Start a Childcare Service in your local neighborhood
Many mothers have found that starting a childcare business is a great way to earn some extra cash while still spending time with their kids.
If you are a stay-at-home mom, you can offer to look after other children in the neighborhood whilst their parents go out to work or run errands.
You can advertise your services on platforms such as Care.com, BusyBeesBabysitting, or your local Facebook group. Average rates vary between $15-$30 per hour, making it a great way to make extra money on the side.
To boost your credibility in the market, get certified with first aid and CPR. This will assure parents that their children will be in safe hands with you.
2. Become a party planner
Another popular side hustle for moms is party planning. It usually requires little upfront investment and it can be done around your schedule.
Party planners create, organize, and deliver special events, with common ones being:
- Birthday parties
- Weddings
- Anniversaries
- Bar and bat mitzvahs
Generally, you don’t need certifications to start a side hustle in party planning, however, you do need to possess strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
If you want to gain more credibility, you can get a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credential offered by the Events Industry Council.
3. Rent a room out
If you have an extra bedroom that you’re not using, renting out a room can be a great way to earn some extra money. You can use sites like Airbnb to advertise your available space.
If you’re thinking about giving it a try, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Look at the kind of space you have to offer. Do you have an extra bedroom? A furnished basement? Knowing what kind of space you have will help you identify your ideal renter.
- Think about what amenities you can offer. Can your guests use your kitchen? Do you have laundry facilities on-site? Is there parking available? The more amenities you can offer, the more attractive your listing will be.
- Set a fair price for your rental. Do some research to see what similar listings in your area are going for, and price your rental accordingly.
With a little effort, renting out a room can be a great way to earn some extra income whilst you focus on your daily tasks.
4. Freelancing
Freelancing is another popular way to make extra cash based on a flexible schedule. If you have a special skill like content writing or graphic design, you can set your hours and work from home.
Advertise your services on sites such as Fiverr or Upwork to gain clientele. Rates for freelancing can vary depending on your type of skill and experience, but on average you can charge anywhere between $20-$50 if you are just starting out.
5. Write a blog
Blogging is one of the most popular side hustles that moms pursue. It offers flexibility to work around your family’s schedule, and once you build a decent following, you can earn money through affiliate marketing and sponsored posts.
Popular blogs that make money include parenting, lifestyle, travel, fashion, and food.
Start a blog by firstly choosing a niche that you have a passion for and expertise. You’ll need to post blogs regularly so that you keep your audience coming back for more content. And be sure to promote your blog through social media and other channels to drive more traffic to your website.
Blogging is a long-term side hustle so it requires effort and commitment, however, it is a lucrative side hustle that can be done at home.
6. Start a Vlog on YouTube
If writing isn’t your thing, why not start a vlog on a YouTube channel? Not only is this a great way to share your interests with others, but it can also be a great way to make money.
Set-up costs are generally low. You can use your smartphone to film, and software to edit your videos.
Popular mom vlogs include baby item reviews, toy reviews, kid meal ideas, and baking tutorials. If you enjoy making people laugh, you can pursue a more entertaining route and film comedic skits.
To make money from your YouTube channel, you’ll need to post content regularly until you grow your audience to a point where you can start monetizing your channel. After that, you can apply for Google Adsense or work with sponsorships and brand deals.
7. Baking
If you have a talent for baking, then this popular side hustle is for you. What’s more, baking is a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy together.
You can choose to bake cookies, treats, and pastries, or specialize in extravagant birthday cakes.
Start by sharing your baked goods with family and friends, and spread the word out in your local neighborhood.
Most bakers share their creations on social media such as Instagram and Facebook. It is an excellent channel to gain a following and boost your customer base.
8. Become a Tutor
If you have a specific skill you can teach, such as language, music, mathematics, or history, you can offer tutoring lessons to students in-person or online.
By setting your own hours, you can earn some extra money without having to sacrifice too much time with your family.
For language tutoring, explore online platforms such as Italki and Preply. Or for more general tutoring lessons, you can advertise your services on Superprof.
So if you’re looking for a side hustle that is flexible and rewarding, then tutoring lessons could be an option.
9. Become a Consultant
Consulting is the perfect side hustle for moms who have skills that are in demand. Popular consulting fields include fashion, business, marketing, personal finance, leadership, and social media.
You can start by advertising your consulting services on Fiverr or Upwork, and build a clientele. You can also join networking events and conferences to get connected in the industry.
And if you have a special skill that many do not possess, you can charge higher rates.
It’s a great way to use your skills and knowledge to make money on your own terms.
10. Sell artwork and printables on Etsy
If you have a creative bone, then you can consider selling artwork and printables on Etsy.
Check out this website that has lots of tips and tricks for selling e-printables on Etsy.  It’s easy and inexpensive to get started and can be a great passive income stream once you are up and running.  They even have a free workshop to get you started!  Here is a great FAQ video for more info!
Etsy is a popular online marketplace for handmade items such as jewelry, clothes, art, home decor, and personalized gifts.
By selling artwork and printables on Etsy, you can make money doing what you love.
11. Become a photographer
If you’re a talented photographer, or love to take photos, then you can consider becoming a photographer.
There are many opportunities for photographers to specialize in, such as family, events, and wedding photography.
Set-up costs are low, to begin with, all you need is a good DSLR camera and lens, as well as editing software. Over time, as you build your reputation and income, you can invest in other equipment such as a tripod, lighting, and props.
You can begin by offering your services to your friends and family. You can also set up a social media page to share your portfolio and photography style to gain followers.
Another way to get paid is by selling your photos online through stock photography websites such as iStock and Shutterstock.
12. Resell on Amazon or eBay
If you love thrift shopping, then reselling on Amazon or eBay is another side hustle idea for you.
You can search for vintage items at garage sales, thrift stores, or on Facebook Marketplace, and list them on Amazon or eBay at a mark-up.
Popular items include jewelry, designer clothes, vintage board games, vintage glassware, maternity clothes, vintage toys, discontinued toys, vintage cameras, and lego.
It’s important to check the authenticity of the item by looking at labels and serial numbers. Also, check for damage as this will impact your resale price.
13. Beauty side hustle
If you love keeping up with the latest beauty trends, then a beauty side hustle could be for you.
Sub-niches you can specialize in include hair and make-up, skincare, manicures and pedicures, and beauty products.
There is a range of opportunities to launch yourself into the industry, with the most popular ones being:
- Becoming a make-up artist
- Becoming an Instagram beauty influencer
- Create YouTube tutorials and reviews
- Open a Shopify store or Etsy store and sell your own products or dropship (e.g. vegan and environmental products)
If you enjoy driving and meeting new people, you can become a rideshare driver.
Sign up to become an Uber or Lyft driver to pick up passengers and drive them to their destination.
If you prefer something different, you can become a food delivery driver instead. Sign up to become a food delivery driver for companies like DoorDash, and start earning immediately.
15. Become a personal trainer or teach group fitness classes
If you’re passionate about health and fitness, then you can consider becoming a personal trainer or group fitness instructor.
To get started, you can study to become a certified personal trainer or instructor.
You can apply for a part-time role at a gym center, or offer your services online, through platforms such as Zoom or Skype.
Alternatively, you can set up a YouTube channel and create health and fitness tutorials for moms.
16. Become a dog walker or pet sitter
If you love animals, then you can become a dog walker or pet sitter.
There are many opportunities to get involved in animal care, such as:
- Walking dogs
- Pet sitting (in the owner’s home)
- Dog daycare
- Boarding pets in your own home
- Grooming pets
- Training pets
To get started, you can sign up for websites such as Rover. You can also promote your services through word of mouth and social media.
17. Knitting
For many women, knitting is more than just a hobby – it’s a way to relax, unwind and express their creativity. And for some women, it’s also a great side hustle. Knitting can be a great way to earn extra money, especially for stay-at-home moms or women who are looking for a flexible way to make some extra cash.
There are a number of ways to sell your hand-knit items, whether it’s through online marketplaces like Etsy, local craft fairs or even your own website or blog. Alternatively, you can teach courses face to face, or create your own YouTube tutorials.
What’s more, knitting is a relatively low-cost business to get started – all you need is some yarn and needles. So if you’re looking for a way to make some extra money with your creative skills, then knitting might be the perfect side hustle for you.
Wrap Up
There are many side hustles for moms, and the ideas listed above are just a few of the possibilities.
The important thing is to find something that you’re passionate about or have expertise in, which you can fit around your lifestyle.
Do you have any side hustles? What are they, and how do you fit them around your parenting schedule? Let us know in the comments below.
Name: Louise Marilyn
Business: Louise Marilyn
Website: https://louisemarilyn.com/
