Being a stay-at-home parent can be a job in itself. It can be tough going from being a working independent woman to being solely a stay-at-home mom. It's normal to feel like you want to get back in the game and contribute financially again.
Let's face it, the cost of living isn't helping things, and having little ones certainly isn't going to make your finances any better. I'm sure you love your kids, but my God are they a money pit! Between nappies, baby food, and paying for babysitters–the list of expenses are endless.
This article was created to help to empower all of you incredible stay-at-home moms and dads who are keen to have a lil extra income on their side.
If you're looking to find out how to make money as a stay-at-home mom, then keep reading!
Getting started
Getting started with your side hustle will take some time. The trick to having a successful side hustle is to find something you have a either have a passion for, or already have the required skills to complete.
Do your research before you jump in. Look for opportunities that are high profit and low competition. With the world moving more digital by the day, the opportunity and demand for remote jobs and online work is higher than ever before.
Join us on this journey as we explore how to earn money from the comfort of your own home, without having to sacrifice your time with your family.
We'll show you how to make money as a stay-at-home mom, some of the best jobs to start as your side hustle, as well as our top tips and tricks for ongoing success.
Article contents
- Why you should start a side hustle
- Steps to take before you start
- Dropshipping with Supliful–what you need to know
- What can I sell with Supliful?
- Online side hustle ideas
- Service-based side hustle ideas
- Tips for success
- Conclusion
Why start a side hustle as a stay-at-home mom?
The real question is, why not?
There are so many benefits from working a side hustle as a stay-at-home mom. Here are some, to name a few:
- Earn extra money and contribute to your family’s finances. There's no better feeling than that of independence and being able to contribute to your family's expenses. But, doing it alongside raising your kids–with little extra effort–is even more empowering.
- Choose what works for you. Since you are your own boss, you can decide on a schedule that works well alongside your parenting life. You can coincide your working hours during naptime, or while the kiddos are out at their extra-curricular activities.
- Pursue your passions and interests outside of parenting. Just because you have some mini-me's running around the place doesn't mean you can't have a life. Pick up some old hobbies and make a few bucks out of it while you're at it.
- Develop new skills and expand your network. Set a positive example for your kids by showing them the value of hard work and entrepreneurship. They'll think you're the bee's knees–if they don't already!
To enjoy flexible hours and a better work-life balance, make sure you start small and set realistic goals. There's no need to put yourself under any unnecessary pressure. Remember, this side hustle is supposed to be enjoyable and fulfilling outside of your regular mom duties.
Before you start...
Identify your skills and interests
Write down a list of your skills, talents, and experiences that could be considered useful when thinking about how to generate an extra income. Consider what you enjoy doing and what you’re good at. Research online opportunities that align with these skills and interests.
Set up your workspace
Create a dedicated workspace in your home that allows you to remain free from distractions and be productive. Invest in whatever necessary equipment you need, such as a desk and an ergonomic seat.
Create a schedule
Perhaps the most important part is establishing a routine and a work schedule that you can stick to. Be realistic with your planning and don't set yourself up for failure.
Make use of online productivity and planning tools such as Notion. Don't be afraid to set boundaries and reach out to family members to help share responsibilities.
Dropshipping with Supliful
One of the most profitable side hustles as a stay-at-home mom is having your very own company, created with the help of a dropshipping company.
Supliful is here to help you make that extra cash. When thinking about starting your own online business, you would probably expect to spend an arm and a leg on startup costs, never mind worrying about holding inventory and shipping out products. Now that would be stressful.
With Supliful, you can create your very own private label products and sell them online, but they take care of all the not-so-fun bits.
With a dropshipping business model, a third-party supplier–in this case, Supliful–handles the manufacturing, storage, and fulfillment for you. You have full control over creating and picking which products to sell. When you make a sale, the order goes directly to your supplier for packing and shipping.
Supliful will take a small fee, but only when you actually make a sale, so you won't be out any money. Hooray!
What can I sell?
When selling goods online with a dropshipping company, the opportunities are endless. There are a ton of products you can sell via your online store to start making money, but sometimes the options can be a bit overwhelming.
Stress not. We've compiled a list of some of the most lucrative products to sell online to generate extra income. Let's jump in!
Private label supplements
Selling private label supplements online has the potential to earn you a lot of money as a stay-at-home mom.
With more and more people worrying about their health and what they're putting into their bodies, the supplement industry has seen huge growth as of late. Supliful can offer a streamlined entry into the market to create and sell your own supplements.
Whether it's supplements with specific benefits or ones for overall well-being, the supplement industry is highly profitable.
One thing to consider when entering the market is ensuring that your products adhere to GMP (good manufacturing practices). By using a reputable third-party manufacturer, they can take care of all the legal and health and safety requirements.
This way, you can ensure customer safety and won't have to worry about any legal battles coming your way. Phew!
Private label pet products
You either have a pet, or you want a pet.
The pet product industry is expanding by the day. From products such as pet clothing to collars, and pet tech gadgets, the market has the potential to earn you a substantial income with minimal effort. Let us explain how.
A rewarding business venture for a busy stay-at-home mom is selling private label pet products, after all, 66% of homes in the US own a pet.
One of the top trending products at the minute is print-on-demand pet products.
Print-on-demand pet products allow you to create and sell a variety of personalized pet items without holding inventory, as products are only printed and shipped when an order is placed.
Popular print-on-demand pet products include things like pet apparel, such as hoodies and t-shirts, pet accessories, such as collars, bandanas, leashes, pet bowls, and even custom pet portraits.
When starting off, it's probably wise to niche down your online store. You could choose either a pet-specific niche, like focusing on dog or cat products, or choose the type of product to specialize in such as apparel or accessories.
Picking one or two products to focus on will make it easier for you to narrow your focus and build your name as a small business.
Private label coffee
Private labeling coffee is a popular business venture for entrepreneurs looking to create a unique brand in a highly competitive and lucrative market. By using private label services, you can offer custom-branded coffee products without the need for extensive resources or expertise in coffee production.
Why coffee? Well, 73% of Americans drink coffee every. day.
Your market of potential clients is huge. As a stay-at-home mom keen to have some extra income, the private label coffee industry is definitely one worth looking into.
There's nothing worse than a bad coffee ruining your morning, but now you can create and sell your own so you never have to sip through a bitter cuppa joe again.
Private label skincare
The skincare and beauty industry is arguably one of the most saturated and competitive markets out there, but that shouldn't put you off!
Starting a beauty brand isn't as daunting as it sounds, we promise. Supliful is there to help you every step of the way so that you can truly thrive, even as a stay-at-home parent!
Supliful offers a catalog of ready-made skincare products–such as creams, serums, and lotions–that you can choose from. These products are often white-label products, meaning they're manufactured by a third party, but can be branded as your own.
The best part about teaming up with a manufacturing partner is that they connect you with reputable suppliers, ensuring that the skincare products meet industry standards for quality and safety.
No upfront investments + risk-free profits = it's a win-win!
If you're not fully convinced, make sure you check out all of our tricks of the trade on how to start a skincare line with no money.
Other online opportunities
Selling handmade goods or used goods
Other forms of making money as a stay-at-home mom include selling your own handmade products, or selling used goods.
If you're crafty or a DIY queen, making and selling your own products via platforms like Etsy and Ebay can be a great way to generate extra income. Maybe you've got a knack for knitting or crocheting.
You can make the products in your own time without being under any pressure to sell. It's the perfect side hustle!
Create unique and high-quality products to stand out from the crowd. Craft a marketing strategy and promote your products across your social media accounts to promote brand awareness. What better way to earn extra money than by doing a hobby you enjoy?
You can also earn extra cash by selling used goods, such as old furniture or clothing. Apps like Depop and Poshmark are great tools for selling old bits and pieces you have laying around.
Online marketplaces–such as Facebook marketplace–allow you to sell and communicate with potential buyers hassle-free.
Freelance writing
Another flexible job opportunity that is ideal for stay at home moms is freelance writing. Being a freelance writer is great because it also gives you the chance to work around your family's schedule.
If you have a passion for writing or a top-notch grasp of grammar, offer your writing services to clients on freelance platforms. Consider what your writing strengths are. This could be creative writing, blogging, technical writing, or copywriting.
Your background, education, and interests can help determine your niche. By specializing in a niche you can make yourself more attractive to potential clients and help you stand out in the market.
You could choose to focus on a particular topic, for example, you could create your own blog where you write about your experiences as a stay-at-home mom and help other parents as they try to navigate working part-time and raising a family.
Develop a portfolio to build your reputation as a freelance writer and take it from there!
Virtual assistant
Being a virtual assistant as a stay-at-home mom by offering support services to businesses and entrepreneurs is a remote job with lots of earning potential.
You won't need a bachelor's degree, just some basic skills including administrative, data entry, and IT skills. By focusing on delivering quality service and managing your time effectively, you can enjoy a balanced work-life balance and grow your business over time.
Online tutoring
Using online platforms to offer tutoring services can be a great part-time job opportunity for busy moms. One popular form of tutoring is teaching English as a foreign language.
To teach English online you might be required to complete an online course and earn a certificate, but this is usually quite straightfoward, and there are a number of different length courses you can choose from.
Identify what knowledge and expertise you can share with your students. This venture can be super rewarding as you can make a positive impact on students’ lives, all while making extra money.
You can pick and choose certain hours you want to work, allowing you to have a flexible schedule so that you can still meet all of your parenting duties.
Service-based remote jobs
We weren't lying when we said there were endless opportunities for making money as a stay-at-home mom! Selling products and goods aren't your only options.
Here are some of the best service-based job opportunities you can offer for just a few hours a day to make money.
Pet sitting or dog walking
If you're an animal lover, offering pet care services to pet owners in your area is a no-brainer. Pet sitting can be a great option if you have a spacious home with a secure garden. Use platforms like Rover or Care.com to find and connect with potential clients.
Getting paid to pet sit and care for animals doesn't even feel like a job, but it has the potential to pay very well.
Dog walking is another option available to you, but this one can be a bit more risky as you need to be super alert and aware of your surroundings. Be conscious of other dogs and letting animals off the leash. The onus is on you to take responsibility.
Photography or videography
If you're an artistic soul who has struggled to find time for your creative outlet ever since having kids, opting for a creative side hustle could be the perfect chance for you to pick up some old hobbies.
If you're handy with a camera, picking up some part-time work as a photographer or videographer in your free time could be just what you need.
Show off your work by sharing your images and videos across your social media accounts to attract potential clients. Not only can you make your own rules and make some additional money, but you can pursue your passion for photography or videography.
With the increasing demand for visual content, there are many opportunities to carve out a niche in this field. By leveraging your skills, creating a solid portfolio, and effectively marketing your services, you can build a successful business that fits in with your busy lifestyle as a stay-at-home mom.
Graphic design
Starting a graphic design business as a stay-at-home mom is a fantastic way to leverage your creativity and skills while maintaining a flexible work-life balance. Graphic design is a versatile field with a broad range of opportunities, from branding and marketing materials to digital content creation.
Use websites such as Fiverr or Upwork to offer your services.
Tips for success
Now that we've shown you how to make money as a stay-at-home mom, here are some of our top tips for making it a success.
Staying organized and focused
Staying focused and organized —especially as a stay-at-home mom— balancing work, family, and personal time, can be challenging. However, you can effectively manage your time and maintain productivity with the right strategies.
Create a schedule and stick to it. Use tools like calendars and to-do lists to stay organized. Minimize distractions and stay focused by having a designated work space to complete your tasks. Take frequent breaks and practice self-care in your alone time so you don't face burnout.
Marketing and promoting your business
No matter how good your side hustle is, you'll still need to promote it if you want it to be successful. Sometimes word-of-mouth just won't cut it.
Develop a marketing strategy to promote your business. Use social media accounts to reach potential clients and regularly post about your products or services.
Advertise your services in local community groups, schools, businesses, and online communities.
Offer discounts or a reduced rate if it's a customer's first time using your service, or first time purchasing from you.
Conclusion
Being a stay-at-home mom isn't an easy gig. Not every parent is lucky enough to have help from friends and family members to help mind their kids.
If you're fortunate enough to have a strong support system around you that allows you to start a side hustle, following our guide will lead you on your way to having a successful business.
Working part-time alongside raising your family gives you the opportunity to turn a passion or hobby into a fulfilling business venture. It's impossible to say just how much money you'll earn with your side hustle, but you'll never know if you don't try!
Whether you choose to explore freelance work, start a small business with Supliful, or offer up your photography skills, the key is to find something that aligns with your skills and interests.
Find something that still allows you to balance time spent with your family and your work schedule. Working part-time jobs doesn't mean you have to sacrifice precious time with your loved ones!
You can be an amazing parent and a powerhouse of a business woman, all at the same time.