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SmartCentsMom

11 Side Hustles That Are Perfect for Moms

A woman works at a laptop in a home.

Are you a mom looking for a way to make more money, learn a new skill, or expand your professional network? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then a side hustle might be right for you.

What is a side hustle? In the simplest terms, a side hustle is something you do on the side of your regular full-time job (whether that’s working as an employee or as a stay-at-home mom), supplementing your family income.

Why should I have a side hustle?

Every hustler has their own unique reasons for pursuing a side gig. Some of the main motivations include:

  • I need more money: Life is expensive, even more so when you add kids into the mix. A side hustle is a great way to provide some additional income to help pay the bills, save for an emergency fund, or cover the costs of daycare.
  • I want to develop a skill: You can use a side hustle to develop new skills or even test out a different career path before you totally commit.
  • I want to increase my network: A side hustle can help to expand your professional connections. And, for the stay at home moms, a side hustle provides an opportunity to communicate with real live adults. Because honestly, after a day full of diapers, laundry, and baby talk, it can be refreshing to speak to an actual adult.
  • I need flexibility: When you’re a parent, life is unpredictable and flexibility is key. There are only so many hours in a day and it’s nice to have some say over how you’re going to spend them. A side hustle allows you to work when it works for you.
  • I want to diversify my income: We’re taught the importance of diversifying our investment portfolio to reduce risk. The same is true when it comes to sources of income. A side hustle allows you to diversify your income to protect against job loss or emergencies.

11 Side Hustles That Are Perfect for Mom

If you’re still intrigued by the idea of starting your very own side hustle, then check out our list of 11 legit side hustles that are perfect for moms.

Side hustles for moms that want to be creative 

  • Freelancer writer: A freelance writer is simply a writer that works for themselves. You decide when you work, who you work with, and how many projects you want to take on. While you don’t need a degree in journalism or tons of experience, you will need to have some ability in the areas of research and writing.
  • Etsy crafter: If you’re a skilled craftswoman why not try selling your wares on Etsy? Etsy is an online marketplace where you can buy and sell unique, handmade creations. Setting up an Etsy shop is fast and easy and it’s a fun way to bring in some extra cash.
  • Photographer: If you have a good camera and a keen eye, why not try your hand at photography? This is a great side hustle option for busy moms because you can schedule your work on evenings and weekends, or whenever it’s most convenient for you.
  • Furniture flipper: A furniture flipper takes old furniture, makes it look beautiful, and then sells it for a profit. There are really no special skills required to get started. All you need is the investment of time, effort, and some painting and sanding supplies.

Side hustles for moms that want to help others 

  • Virtual assistant: A virtual assistant provides various services to clients in remote locations for a fee. As a virtual assistant, you can determine what services you want to offer. This can include anything from social media management to customer service. You also choose which clients you want to work with and how much work you want to take on.
  • Professional organizer: A professional organizer is responsible for organizing their clients’ physical or digital spaces. This can be anything from an overstuffed closet to a home office or a garage. While you can’t necessarily perform this hustle from home, you can still schedule clients based on your availability.
  • Party planner: As a party planner, it’s your job to organize every aspect of the event you are planning — from the decor to the food and entertainment. To be successful at this job, you will need to have exceptional organization, time management, and communication skills. But, let’s face it — as a mom, you probably excel in all of these areas and you’ve likely planned a party…or ten!
  • Tutor: Do you speak multiple languages, play an instrument, or maybe you love doing math problems? Why not put these skills to use? Tutors use their special skills or knowledge to help their clients improve in a particular area. Tutoring is a great side hustle that you can do from home and you have the opportunity to scale your business over time by going from one-on-one appointments to group sessions.

Side hustles for moms that want to get physical 

  • Fitness instructor: As a fitness instructor, it’s your job to instruct, motivate, and assist your clients in your specialized area (yoga, water aerobics, strength training). But, before you start teaching others to do complex yoga poses or advanced lifting techniques, it’s important that you get the necessary training and certifications to ensure the safety of your clients.
  • Dog walker: If you love dogs, walking, and you’re not scared off by the prospect of picking up poop (and let’s face it, as a mom, you’re probably not fazed by a bit of dog poo), then dog walking might be the perfect side hustle. Why not get paid to go outside and get a little fresh air and exercise with some cute pups to keep you company.
  • Athletic coach: A coach works with their client to help them learn a new skill or improve their performance. From skiing to swimming and tennis lessons, there are always people looking for help and willing to pay for your expertise.

Now, it’s time to hustle!

Now that you have a taste of what’s out there when it comes to side hustles, it’s time to decide which one is right for you. It’s not always an easy choice because the ones that make sense or the ones that pay the best may not be what you want to do.

If you hate dogs, walking them is, for example, a terrible idea. You also probably want to avoid party planning or being a virtual assistant if you don’t work well with others. Pick something that fits your personality and skills and makes you happy. After all, it’s difficult to motivate yourself to do something that you don’t enjoy.

This list provides a basic breakdown of some of the side hustles that work well for moms. Don’t feel like you need to limit yourself to this list if you have another brilliant side hustle idea. And, if you have the time, energy, and drive, engage in a couple of side hustles at the same time — this will really help to boost your side hustle income.

By Jessica Martel

SmartCents Mom