How to make extra money while your little ones are taking their afternoon nap?
Is it even possible to have a side hustle as a stay-at-home mom?
Of course, it is! I’ve witnessed so many amazing moms who look after their children and also are smashing it in their side hustle business, making a full-time income (and often overpassing their husband’s income). Moms are awesome, right?
So, today I share 30 side business ideas for stay-at-home moms that will make you some extra money and also allow you to work on them whenever you can.
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Writing Ideas for Stay At Home Moms To Make Money
1. Creative writing
Freelance creative writing is a popular side hustle for people who prefer remote work. It has never been easier to embrace the creative side of yourself and, what’s more, from the comfort of your own home. One of the benefits of freelance article writing is flexibility in terms of working hours. As a stay-at-home mom, you can choose your own working hours as well as the workload you’re undertaking.
Additionally, you have the complete freedom to write whatever you want. A great way to do that is through one of the online platforms designed specifically for freelance writers. For instance, Medium is a publishing platform that enables professional and amateur content writers to earn some income by hosting their blog posts.
2. Copywriting
If you enjoy writing, but you’re not sure if you can produce actual articles, then you might want to consider copywriting as a side hustle. Copywriters mainly focus on short texts for advertising purposes such as sales letters, ads, product descriptions, and other promotional materials. By working on a diverse range of projects, you will have the opportunity to embrace the creative side of yourself and gain some side income.
However, many side hustles require some skill and prior experience and copywriting falls into that category. But that shouldn’t discourage you in any way—exactly the opposite. If you invest your time and energy into developing copywriting skills, success will shortly follow. If you decide to be a freelance copywriter, you should try Upwork. It’s a digital space where you can get hired for different writing gigs.
3. Children’s books writing
Since you’re a stay-at-home mom, then you probably know a thing or two about children. Especially when it comes to those sleepless nights where the only thing that calms them down is their favorite stories and characters; if that’s the case, I have good news for you. Writing children’s books is a great way to earn some extra cash.
Children’s books publishing is a good niche to get into, especially if you understand its potential. You can get started by observing your own children and what they like to read. What gets them excited and what kinds of stories and characters they relate to are the right questions to ask initially.
Nevertheless, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Even if you have a great story and know that it will work, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get published. In this case, you should consider teaming up with other writers and illustrators to double your chances. Another approach you could try is contacting an agent. So, before you even start with the writing itself, you might want to research and evaluate your options.
4. Ghostwriting
Ghostwriters produce articles, books, and other materials on behalf of someone else, usually without credit. It’s a rather challenging undertaking, and it’s not always exciting, but as a stay-at-home mom, you can take your time and focus on one gig at a time. Extensive research is part of the job, but it could be very rewarding. You don’t need a lot of experience, and in many cases being a ghostwriter can allow writers to gain the freedom to get better their craft.
5. Transcribing
If you want to gain some side cash, but you don’t want it to be so demanding, then you might enjoy transcribing. As a transcriber, you’ll convert speech into written text. There are various ways you could do that. For instance, you could go to events, speeches, or seminars and convert spoken content into text. That’s a great option if you want to get out of the house a little more often. But the most convenient and popular way among stay-at-home moms is by getting a recording and converting it into a written document. You can do that either as a freelancer or by applying to an agency.
6. Proofreading
Proofreading might sound like a chill and undemanding job, but it actually requires you to have good language knowledge. As a proofreader, you will carefully check for errors in a text before it gets published o shared, and it’s the last stage of writing. Fixing minor punctuation and spelling mistakes, typos, and mistakes in the formatting could not be as exciting as some other gigs, but it is an option for getting some side income.
You should be aware that proofreading and editing are different steps in the process of revising a text. Editing involves major changes in content, while proofreading relates to minor errors and inconsistencies. So, after all, proofreading could be an easygoing undertaking as a stay-at-home mom.
7. Website content writing
In today’s digital world, every site needs good content for SEO. As a web content writer, you will provide relevant content for websites reaching a specific target audience, which your buyer usually provides in advance. However, marketing is a component of web content, and it’s often mandatory to have some basic knowledge of SEO. Therefore, to be a website writer, you should get some basic marketing knowledge.
But if you’re more interested in the technical part rather than the creative one, then you might enjoy digital marketing as a side hustle. The pros of the digital marketing field are that all the knowledge needed to develop in that field is available for free on the internet. This means that you can educate yourself and start practicing in the industry from home.
So let’s explore some side business ideas in the digital field perfect for stay-at-home moms.
Side Hustles For Stay-At-Home Moms: Digital/Design
8. Digital marketing
As mentioned above, digital marketing is a popular side business idea not only for stay-at-home moms but for people who prefer remote work in general. There are many sides to digital marketing, such as Google Ads, Analytics, and SEO. Luckily, all the tools you need for gaining knowledge are provided for free from Google in the Google skillshop. All you have to do is decide which direction of digital marketing fits you best and take a course. After that, you’re ready to dive into the world of digital marketing.
Getting a marketing gig isn’t easy, and there are a few things you should know before applying. Firstly, becoming a seller on Fiverr might be a good way to start. Many of the professionals there don’t have much experience, and it creates a positive environment for people who are just starting. Secondly, you should be realistic about your rate. Keep in mind that you haven’t been in the field for long. Take a look at what the other sellers are charging for the same services and determine your rate based on the average results.
Getting into the digital marketing field is a process that requires patience and hard work. But the best thing about working from home is that you can take it slow at your own pace. As a stay-at-home mom, you can take your time learning and developing your business as results will follow shortly.
9. Graphic design
Similar to the writing suggestions that we talked about, graphics and design gigs require a certain amount of creativity. However, graphic design doesn’t only mean making illustrations. For example, you could get into banner and brochure design. The most popular programs for these types of designs are Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator.
Thanks to the enormous number of courses on Youtube, you can become a graphic designer in weeks. Start with the basic courses and try to do some designs for free. That’s the easiest way to build a portfolio and get started in the industry. You could do some banners for your local shops, or if you know somebody with businesses, you can initially offer your services at a low rate.
10. Web design
When you hear web design, you probably imagine a lot of coding and programming in the process. That’s one way of approaching web design, especially if you want to create everything from scratch. However, if programming isn’t something you enjoy but still want to get into web design, you will be happy to find out that there are other options for you.
For example, platforms such as Wix and WordPress provide a user-friendly interface for designers that want to apply and embrace their creative side without getting too technical. With countless templates and drag-and-drop functions, anyone can become a web designer. All you need to do is devote some time to learning the basics and get some clients on the go.
11. Blogging
The internet has created an environment for anyone to connect with individuals that they relate to. As a stay-at-home mom, you probably know better than anyone the importance of reaching out to people online when you need it. And blogging is a top idea for stay-at-home moms to make money.
Becoming a blogger is a great way to share your tips with the world while gaining some extra cash. The first thing you need to do is determine your blog’s theme and produce some content for it. After that, you should start growing your community by joining other similar blogs and promoting your own on their platforms.
12. Online store
So, what business can housewives do? Well, if you love hitting up thrift stores, then you’ll be happy to find out that you can make money out of it. Creating an online thrift store is easier and less costly than starting a traditional store. Nowadays, thrift stores seem to gain popularity after people realize that fast fashion isn’t always the best and most ethical option.
If you want to support a good cause while gaining some side income, then you should consider opening an online thrift store. What you have to do is hunt down some pieces and reselling them through your platform. That could be a website or even simply a Facebook page. However, before you start, you should research the legal ways around opening an online store. Paying taxes is an important element of any business, and you should be aware of the right way to do it.
13. Social media management
Social media has become a popular marketing vehicle in recent years. And many people who prefer remote work have realized that becoming a social media manager is a great way for a business. However, it’s not as easy as it sounds. If you want to develop in that field, you should know some marketing basics.
But if you just want to earn some extra cash, you might just want to contact some local stores and businesses and offer your services at a lower rate than actual agencies. Maintaining local businesses’ Instagram and Facebook pages is hardly demanding, and it’s an entertaining way to fill in your free time.
14. T-shirt design
If you’ve ever asked yourself the question, ‘How can I make money as a stay-at-home mom?’ then I have a great solution for you. Selling custom products online and starting a t-shirt business from home has never been easier. By making your own t-shirt designs and selling the shirts under your own brand’s name, you could earn some money on the side. It’s a fun work from home job idea and a wonderful business for housewives who want to start developing professionally.
15. Virtual assistant
If you have basic digital knowledge and want to spend your free time behind the laptop earning some money, then becoming a virtual assistant is an option. As a self-employed virtual assistant, you will provide administrative services to clients while still having the flexibility of working from home. Depending on your own abilities, you can choose to help different organizations and individuals with graphic design, blog writing, bookkeeping, social media, and marketing services.
16. Baby-based Etsy shop
Etsy is a global marketplace for unique and creative goods that allows small business owners to grow and sell their products worldwide. It’s focused on handmade or vintage items, and it’s a popular platform for selling custom baby items. If you consider yourself a crafty mom, then you could start your own baby-based Etsy store. From clothing and toys to hand-made cosmetics that you use on your own kids, Etsy provides you with the freedom to build your own brand and distribute it to a wide audience.
Making Extra Money as a Stay-At-Home Mom – Caretaking
17. Home health carer
Becoming a home health carer comes in many forms, and some of the most popular ones are personal care and aged care assistant. Helping clients with their homes and assisting with day-to-day living doesn’t always require prior experience and can be an easy way to earn some extra money on the side. If your kids are old enough to go to school, then you probably have more than a few hours per day to devote to your side hustle. From caring for older clients to simply cleaning and cooking, becoming a home health carer can also be incredibly rewarding.
18. Babysitting
People who need a babysitter prefer to hire someone that knows how to handle their little ones. As a babysitter, you can combine your responsibilities at home with looking after other kids. And it has never been easier to start a side hustle as a babysitter. Various apps take care of all the formalities for you, such as Au Pait in America and Urban Sitter. Nevertheless, if you prefer to keep it casual, you can ask around your neighborhood and local school for support and take on a couple of set clients.
19. Pet sitting
Similar to babysitting, pet sitting is a great option for gaining some extra money on the side. For example, you might start walking the neighborhood’s dogs. In this case, you should be able to handle moving around all day physically. It’s also an alternative for working out and jogging as it requires plenty of (you guessed it) walking.
If you’re more of a cat person, then there’s an option for you as well. Plenty of people that travel frequently need these types of services. Cat sitting mostly involves going to your client’s house and feeding the furry friends while also hanging out with them for a while in case they need some attention.
20. Tutoring
If you enjoy sharing your knowledge and being around children, then you might enjoy tutoring. Tutoring is not only a way to have a side income, but it’s also enriching. Building important learning skills through individualized attention can help kids to improve their academic performance.
The best part is that you can also do it digitally. By offering your services online, you have more options as you can also do it internationally. One of the most popular approaches for tutoring is teaching English as a second language. But that’s not the only option – from maths to arts and sciences, finding your niche is up to you.
21. In-home preschool
As a stay-at-home mom, you’re probably looking for a flexible and doable side hustle. Well, what better way to do so than to turn your home into an in-home preschool. However, this will be only possible if you have space for it. If you live in a house, you can transform the guest bedroom or even the garage into your own preschool space.
Nevertheless, even if you live in an apartment, you can make it happen as all you need is a spare room for a small group of children you’ll take care of for a few hours a day. Small class sizes mean you can get to know each child individually and help them grow and develop at their own pace. Having an in-home preschool is also a great way for your own kids to socialize.
22. Life coaching
If you’re an empath and care deeply about people’s wellbeing, then you might want to consider becoming a life coach. A life coach is a type of wellness professional that helps people progress in their lives and guides them through the road of greater fulfillment. As a life coach, you will assist people with defining their goals, identifying obstacles, and overcoming challenges.
There are also various types of life coaches, and you can become the one you relate to the most. For example, if you’ve always been good at giving relationship advice, then you can take on a dating relationship and marriage life coaching course. Or maybe you went to business school but never had the chance to get into the industry. In that case, you can become a business, executive, and leadership coach, leading people through their road to success.
Handmade Business Ideas
23. Gift basket making
If you’re a crafty mom or simply enjoy creating things with your hands, then a gift basket business is something you should think about. A gift basket business is one of the most profitable side hustles you can start from home, with very low start-up costs. With your creative touch and eye for design, you can start your business by making gift baskets for family, friends, and members of your community. Gradually, you will grow, and you can also open an online store where you can ship your baskets to a larger audience.
24. Home-based bakery
Do you enjoy baking? Are you the go-to person when it comes to the school’s cookie-sale fundraiser? Then I have some good news for you – you can actually profit from your ability to make yummy treats. Some of the benefits of a home-based bakery are creative expression and flexibility in terms of workload. Regardless of whether you’re a cake master, a bread and pastries junkie, or a muffins and pies pro, selling your goods locally and/or online can help you develop even more and get you some extra cash on the side.
25. Candles and soaps making
Producing and selling cables and soaps may seem like an odd business model. However, it’s a small business niche that has boomed recently and shows no sign of stopping. But why, you may be asking, why is it so popular to sell soaps and candles? Well, the answer is pretty straightforward – you don’t need much initial capital to start, and people will never stop needing candles and soaps. It’s one of those things that every household has and buys at least every month. In this case, no matter if you’re a re-seller or if you make them by yourself, candles and soaps are the go-to business idea for stay-at-home moms.
26. Baby shower event planner
Baby showers are a niche in the event planning industry that has proven to have an extremely positive outlook. It’s a popular approach for side income for stay-at-home moms. The market demand for such events has been growing despite the current situation with the coronavirus. If you have a creative mindset and are good at planning and organizing, you might consider a baby shower business.
27. Hairstylist
Being a hairstylist isn’t easy. To become one, you should go through a course, and you must have a certificate that proves you’re able to do your job correctly. But if you’re into beauty and have a flair for fine things, you can become a hair professional.
Nowadays, you don’t need to work for or own a beauty salon to show your talent to the world. You can also open a YouTube channel or an Instagram account to share your progress with your audience. Making money online, especially in the beauty industry, is mostly done through affiliate programs or sponsorship deals. So at the end of the day, you can do what you like and develop a successful brand.
28. Nail technician
Giving manicures and pedicures in another field in the beauty industry that you can start making money from as a stay-at-home mom. It’s a fun undergoing as well – you can go to nail art demonstrations, different seminars, and this way, you’ll also build your community of potential clients. You can start by practicing on yourself or your friends and gradually open up your home-based nail salon. It’s a popular business among stay-at-home moms as it also allows you to embrace the creative and feminine side of yourself.
29. Selling wine
If skincare and beauty products aren’t your thing, consider selling wine to earn extra money. You can sell wine accessories, bottles, and custom labels and make a commission on their sales. This type of business requires in-depth research on the supply chain and sales model, but if you do your homework, you can end up with a pretty big side income.
30. Arts and crafts
This is for the creative moms out there looking for the best jobs for stay-at-home moms with no experience. From pottery making and greeting cards to picture framing and screen printing, the direction you can follow depends entirely on your own abilities and desires. If you’re interested to know more about what types of arts and crafts business you can start as a stay-at-home mom, you can check out our article on the topic.
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