A side hustle is a part-time job or business that you can do in addition to your regular job or parenting responsibilities. As a single mother, there are many reasons to start a side hustle. I started my business as a side hustle when I was two years into single parenting. For me, the main reason to start my side hustle was to pursue my passion for supporting and connecting with other single mothers.
Over time, it was something that grew, until it was something I was doing full-time. In my experience, it was one of the best things I have ever done. I often have single mums asking me about it, and how they can start up their own side hustle, so here are some of my side hustle tips for single mothers, and I hope they help you!
1. Get clear on your purpose for starting a side hustle.
Getting clear on your purpose for starting a side hustle is going to be a really good starting point. If I’m honest, it hasn’t always been easy for me, and starting a side hustle did take away from other things in my life such as precious time with my daughter. It also came at the expense of other things – sleep, time dedicated to dating, and self-care. Over the years, as I have made the switch from side hustle to full-time, I have definitely managed it better but it can be tough at first. For this reason, my number one side hustle tip for single mothers is to get really clear on your reason for starting one. And then ask yourself if it is worth doing.
As I mentioned, my number one reason was to pursue a passion. Maybe you have a passion – whether it’s photography, baking, or craft – and a side hustle offers you the opportunity to turn your passion into a source of income. For me, I loved having something I was passionate about to sink my teeth into. It gave me something to focus on that excited me!
A common reason is to earn extra money. Living off one income as a single parent can be challenging. So a side hustle can help pay off debt, save for a holiday, or simply to just generate additional cash flow and supplement your income.
Another reason might be to develop new skills and gain experience in an area that’s of interest to you. This can be especially beneficial, for example, if you’re looking to make a career change. This leads to another reason which is to create job security or work flexibility. My number two reason for starting a side hustle was to create a job that would eventually allow me to earn a full-time income that fit around my daughter, and being a mum.
2. Identify your skills and interests.
If you’re feeling lost with what exactly to do as a side hustle, think about your skills, talents, interests, and hobbies. Are you good at writing, social media, or graphic design? Do you have a passion for crafting, baking, or organising? Are you amazing at playing the guitar or piano? Do you love walking dogs or gardening? Consider how you can monetise your skills and interests to create a side hustle that brings you joy. At the end of the day, it’s not much fun creating a side hustle doing something you don’t enjoy.
3. Set realistic goals.
Putting unrealistic expectations on myself was something I excelled at! By working full-time hours four days a week, single parenting, and working on my side hustle I took away from quality (and quantity of) sleep and spending time with my daughter. I also didn’t prioritise self-care, lacked mindfulness and presence, and didn’t invest in other things that were important to me – such as finding a life partner to have more children with.
So hear it from me, creating a side hustle IS absolutely possible, and SO rewarding, but I made sacrifices. And in hindsight, I would have done things a bit differently. I would have set more realistic goals on the time I put into it in the early days, even if that came at the expense of my side hustle growing more slowly, and I would have ALWAYS prioritised myself first. Why? Because I almost burnt myself out lots of time and I can’t give from an empty cup.
So, before starting a side hustle, set realistic goals for how much you want to earn and how much time you can commit to it. And make sure you also factor in parenting, other responsibilities, and other priorities that may limit your availability.
4. Start small.
Another side hustle tip for single mothers flows from the point above. Don’t try to take on too much at once. Start with a small side hustle that you can manage on top of your regular responsibilities. As you gain experience and confidence, you can consider taking on more work or expanding your business, and slowly decreasing other employment. As a single parent, I do believe it’s important to have an overlap period of paid employment versus side hustle. It takes the pressure off financially, even if it is a slower process.
5. Use online platforms.
If you are creative and selling a product, there are many online platforms that allow you to sell your products online. This also works for a service you may provide. Platforms such as Etsy, Fiverr, and Upwork can help you reach a wider audience and make it easier to manage your business from home, which for single mothers can be very important, or in some cases, even non-negotiable.
6. Network and market yourself.
Connecting with other ladies, and especially single mums, in business was hugely rewarding for me. It was great to connect with others who were facing similar challenges. I joined a lot of business communities, both in person and online. In addition to making connections, it also provided a source of help and reference when I needed it. And I was able to help and support others too.
In addition, don’t be afraid to promote yourself and your business. Use social media, word of mouth, and other marketing strategies to get your name out there and attract new customers or clients.
7. Manage your time effectively.
Similar to what I mentioned about setting realistic expectations, managing time is a huge part of it. Balancing a side hustle with parenting and other responsibilities can be challenging. To be successful, it’s important to manage your time effectively and prioritise your tasks. Set aside dedicated time for your side hustle and use tools such as calendars and to-do lists to stay organised.
8. Keep track of your finances.
Make sure you keep track of your income and expenses for your side hustle. Set aside money for taxes and other business expenses, and keep detailed records of all your transactions.
So those, my friend, are my side hustle tips for single mothers. Starting a side hustle can be hugely rewarding in so many ways! I hope through my experiences and learnings, you too can create the life that you want.
P.S DID YOU KNOW?
Thrive Tribe – the global membership experience for single mothers – will be opening again soon. Join the waitlist here.
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