As the school year draws to a close and summer approaches, single moms have a unique opportunity to explore new ways of creating additional streams of income. With the kids out of school and more flexibility in their schedules, now is the perfect time to explore side hustles that can fit seamlessly into your family’s lifestyle. Whether it's pursuing a passion, leveraging existing skills, or trying something entirely new, these six side hustles offer practical options for you to start generating additional income.

Freelancing and Consulting

Freelancing and consulting are excellent ways to leverage your skills and experience outside of your 9-5 job. Whether it's writing, graphic design, marketing, or IT consulting, platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer can connect you with clients in need of your expertise. Consulting can grow from a side hustle to replacing your full-time job or doubling your income by scaling clients up or down based on your availability. Freelancing is the easiest way to begin earning additional income because it utilizes the skills and experience you already have, without the need to spend time or resources on reskilling.

Create Digital Products

‍With the flexibility to work from home and manage your own schedules, digital product creation offers the perfect balance for a side hustle that fits in between motherhood and work. Whether it's e-books, online courses, digital artwork, or guides, the digital realm provides endless possibilities for monetizing your skills and knowledge. Once created, digital products can be sold repeatedly without the need for additional time or resources, making them a sustainable source of income for moms who don’t want to invest a lot of time. Use this summer to tap into your creativity, expertise, and passion to generate additional income on your terms by launching a digital product.

E-commerce and Online Stores

Starting an online store can be a great side hustle if you have a passion for creating or sourcing products. Platforms like Etsy, Shopify, and Amazon allow you to sell handmade crafts, vintage items, or drop-shipped products. If you’re looking to dip your toe into entrepreneurship, e-commerce is the perfect starter business. Start with a few SKUs and scale up as the demand for your products grows. Hyper-local marketing can jumpstart awareness of your shop and products. Pop up at local festivals, school events, and markets to help land early customers, make it a family affair by having your kids help at your booth.

Blogging and Content Creation

If you have a passion for writing or creating content, consider starting a blog, YouTube channel, or micro-influencing on social media. There are ample opportunities to monetize your platform through affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or ad revenue. Topics like finances, lifestyle, or your journey through single motherhood can resonate with a wide audience. This side hustle will require a time commitment because consistency is a key factor in bringing in steady income as a content creator. Luckily, there are a ton of free tools available to help with scheduling content, driving engagement, and managing your content calendar.

Virtual Assistant

Becoming a virtual assistant is a great option for a side hustle if you thrive at operational work. Many businesses, especially startups and small businesses, need help with administrative tasks, social media management, and customer service. Virtual assistant roles often offer competitive pay rates, provide a reliable source of income without the need for extensive investment or training. You can leverage your existing skills and experiences and have an immediate impact. Register on virtual assistant sites to help you find opportunities tailored to your skills.

Apprenticeships

If you’re considering a career change but struggling with how to approach it alongside the demands of single motherhood, apprenticeships offer opportunities to gain hands-on experience and practical skills in a new field. Unlike traditional education routes, apprenticeships are typically paid and provide immediate immersion in a work environment, allowing you to learn directly from experienced professionals. This on-the-job training not only accelerates your understanding of the industry but also enhances employment opportunities, often leading to full-time employment. Landing an apprenticeship can be the key to unlocking a successful and fulfilling new career, reducing the time and financial burden associated with alternative paths to career transitions.

Picking up a side hustle can significantly enhance your lifestyle as a single mom and lead to steady income streams for investments in things like purchasing a home, travel, or outsourcing household activities to free up your time.

Do you already have a business or side hustle? Drop which of these you’re most likely to try in the comments.

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