Mom & A Joyful Side Hustler

What is a Side Hustle and How Does it Actually Work?

Mompreneurs create their own small businesses, whether as a side hustle or as a full time gig, to simultaneously achieve both their parenting and business goals. It allows them to have the flexibility to be a parent, an entrepreneur and hopefully also allows times for the much needed moms night out! Mompreneurs are able to use their skills and experience to create successful businesses to help support their families financially while also managing the home front.

Being a mompreneur can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Establishing a business gives moms (and dads too!) an opportunity to take advantage of their unique skills and knowledge to create a successful business that fits into their lifestyle. Whether you want to work from home, start your own online store, or work part-time in a field you’re passionate about, there are plenty of ways to make money and still have much wanted time with family.

RELATED TOPIC: Empowering the Working Mom

Following are a few ideas for side hustles that parents I know have made work:

1. Etsy store. Are you crafty and creative? Design your own products and sell them on Etsy. From custom t-shirts to printable downloads to holiday wreaths, many moms I know make a significant income creating the things they love and selling them from the comfort of their own home.
2. Professional services. Have you noticed all of the companies popping up who offer professional freelance services? Accountants, lawyers, psychologists, and more, are now available remotely to perform this work. If you are a member of one of these professions you may have opportunities to work from home that didn’t exist before COVID. Check it out with a simple Google search.
3. Health and life coaches. They are everywhere- and they are busy! People are focused on health and well being. They are seeking answers to how to live a more balanced and peaceful life. Health and life coaches can have clients from around the world. The sky is the limit!
4. After school or summer activities. Do you have a special talent or skill? Why not offer an after school activity that you can bring your own child to and invite others along for a fee? One mom I know started a debate team for elementary school kids and taught them the basics of that skill. Another offered art classes in her garage. Yet another met at a park and taught kids sports skills. Let’s face it, as moms we are always looking for new activities for our kids and productive ways to keep them busy. Be sure to check with local officials regarding any special permits or licensing you may need to work with children before beginning.
5. Practical services. Can you cook, bake, clean, run errands, or decorate well? There’s a mom out there who is looking for your help. Turn your strengths into a business and help out other moms at the same time.

Sounds Magical, but Let’s Be Real- It’s Not Easy

Being a mompreneur is by no means an easy way out or a magical solution to stop the mom guilt when you have to work. We all know how juggling work with motherhood can be quite overwhelming, but with the right strategies, you can make it happen for yourself and your family!

RELATED TOPIC: Returning to My Career After 10 Years as a SAHM

Consider these tips when thinking about starting your side hustle:

1. Form a support system. Let’s face it- none of us can do this life alone! Having a key group of trusted people who can fill in when needed is essential. Last minute potential client meeting, but you have to pick up your son from karate? Call on your support team! Without that in place it becomes much harder (and overwhelming!) to try to meet all of your commitments and grow your business.
2. Block your time. Beginning a small business requires discipline and dedication. No one is watching what you do and if you skip working on getting those targeted emails out to potential customers, no one will know but you. Establishing a credibility system for yourself is key. Whether you are paper planner, vision board aficionado, iPhone calendar expert, or sticky notes on the mirror kind of organizer- blocking time on your calendar to work and sticking with it is mandatory for success.
3. Keep learning. Even if we are entering a field we love, or have participated in for years, the world is changing at lighting speed. New technology, new expectations, new methods for success- a mompreneur needs to keep her eye on the ball. Luckily, there are free resources for learning the ins and outs of running a small business as well as in various industries. Some of my favorites are LinkedIn and HubSpot learning resources. There are also local organizations that provide free or low cost education to help those just starting out in business. Check out SCORE and Women’s Economic Ventures. Both have a plethora of classes at your fingertips and lots of encouraging words to go along with it!

You CAN Do It!

Where to begin? Start by brainstorming things you enjoy doing or know you excel in. Write out a business plan. Okay, I know that sounds daunting, but it gives you an essential roadmap for where you want your business to go and allows you to mark milestones along the way. Come up with a business name and logo. I use Canva for everything! They have a free and a paid version and the app allows you to create logos, social media posts, facebook cover photos and so much more. Check it out! Think about building a website and/or social media platforms. There are also lots of great resources out there to do this yourself, or you can hire or trade services with a friend or fellow small business owner to get these items up and running.

Next, start telling people about your business. Join the local Chamber of Commerce or other networking groups. Don’t be shy about getting your name out there and sharing what you do! Make sure your service is honed in and ready to go. Ask a few friends if you can provide them your service for free or at a discounted rate. Getting some practice in will build your confidence and maybe get you a couple of testimonials to post on your social media or website.

Through all of this, my sincere wish for you is that your side hustle brings you joy! Doing something you love and bringing home the bacon for your family at the same time- what could be better? Share your talents with the world. We all need one another and it is the best feeling seeing other parent entrepreneurs making it work. Let’s do this!