Just as selecting the perfect pair of shoes is a personalized choice, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to developing a profitable side hustle.
Being a mom is a full-time job filled with its own set of challenges and triumphs. But what if you're a mom with an entrepreneurial spirit, and you’re eager to venture into the business world without compromising her pivotal role in the family? This comprehensive guide is crafted just for you – to help you navigate the exciting yet demanding journey of starting a side hustle that aligns with your lifestyle as a mom.
What-is-a-side-hustle?
You’ll notice that we’re defining the phrase side hustle differently that most. We focus less on the hustle part of a side hustle, and more on freedom (time, financial and creative)
We don’t believe there’s a one size fits all approach to side hustles. Instead, each mom has the freedom to define a side hustle according to her needs, goals, and lifestyle.
Here at the Side Hustles for Moms, we’re using three definitions for side hustles.
- A side hustle is the foundation for your business. In this example, we’re thinking of moms who want to transform their expensive hobby into a business without leaving their 9-5. While the goal isn’t to leave your 9-5 ASAP, it might lead to an exit.
- A side hustle is something you do for a creative outlet whether you work inside or out of the home. In this example, a mom might stumble upon a crochet hat business after cultivating her crochet talent.
- A side hustle is a part-time job or a 1099 opportunity that allows you to bring extra income into the home.
Now that we’ve defined what a side hustle is, let’s walkthrough the steps to take you from desire (I want a side hustle) to profitable side hustle idea.
1. Identifying-your-niche
The first step of every successful side hustle is a well-defined niche. As a mom, you have a unique perspective and a set of skills honed over the years. Perhaps it’s your uncanny ability to create stunning crafts, or maybe you’re a wizard at organization. Whatever your strengths, there’s a niche waiting for your expertise.
So, how do you find your niche?
Evaluating Your Skills and Passion
Start by taking an inventory of your skills. I’ve created an entire workbook, the Passion Inventory workbook to help you uncover your skills, forgotten talents and undiscovered passions. Here’s a glimpse at some of the journaling assignments: What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? Your side hustle should be at the intersection of skill and passion, ensuring not just profitability but also enjoyment in what you do.
Exploring Market Opportunities
Your next step is understanding the market. What are the needs and gaps that your skills can fill? Market research isn’t as daunting as it sounds. It’s about keeping an eye on trends, understanding consumer needs, and identifying opportunities where your skills can shine.
Two of my favorite tools to help you monitor trends are Google Trends and Quora. Google trends for it’s ability to track, monitor and predict trends. While I use Quora to help me monitor top questions in the various industries that I monitor right now.
2. Time Management Mastery
Time, especially for a mom, is a precious commodity. I don’t think there’s anything we like more, with the expectation of maybe promo codes. Balancing family responsibilities and a side hustle requires masterful dance between your responsibilities, boundaries and side hustle tasks in order to control of your schedule.
Here are some ways that I remain focused, productive and ensure that assignments are delivered on time.
Create a Work Schedule
Carve out specific blocks of time dedicated to your side hustle. It could be during nap times, school hours, or when the kids are engaged in activities, if you’re a stay-at-home mom. Or, you could take advantage of weekends and evenings after the kids have gone to bed. Whether you work inside the home or outside of the home, one thing is for sure. Consistency is key – having a defined schedule aids in setting boundaries between family time and work time. Download my sample side hustles for moms work schedules (pre-filled and blank).
Tools and Technology
Leverage tools and technology to streamline tasks. From project management apps to automated scheduling tools, technology can be your ally in managing time effectively. I know there are tons of tools out there to help you along your side hustle journey. Not sure where to start? Grab my list of 100 tools for your side hustle business.
3. Business Planning Like a Pro
"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there."
This famous quote by Lewis Carroll from "Alice in Wonderland” is so true.One of the main reasons why side hustlers fail is because they fail to plan. In doing so, they create expensive hobbies, grueling second jobs or simply waste time doing nothing.
Every successful business is rooted in a solid plan. As an aspiring mompreneur, having a blueprint for your side hustle ensures you’re not just busy, but productive.
Here are two tips to help you get there:
Crafting a Business Plan
Embarking on the side hustle journey, especially as a busy mom, requires more than just passion and skill - it demands a well-structured business plan. But what exactly is a business plan and why is it so crucial? In essence, it's the blueprint of your side hustle, a strategic plan outlining how your business will operate, generate revenue, and ultimately become profitable.
In your business plan, you’ll do everything from identifying your value proposition, understanding your target audience, to developing effective marketing and sales strategies – each element is a piece of the puzzle leading to a sustainable and profitable business. So, let’s dive into the essential components, tips, and practical examples to guide you in building a solid foundation for your entrepreneurial dreams.
While this list isn’t all inclusive, here are some questions you can ask yourself to get the ball rolling: What are you offering? Who are your customers? How will you reach them?
Financial Planning
Entrepreneurship involves financial investment. Having a clear financial plan, including investment, expected expenses, and revenue projections, is pivotal.
4. Balancing Family and Business
Your family is important to you. Because of that, you’ll want to create a side hustle that adds to the family income without alienating you from your loved ones.
Here are some ways to strike a balance between your family and business:
Involving Family
Make your family part of your entrepreneurial journey. Their support and understanding can be the bedrock on which your side hustle stands.
Begin by initiating open conversations with your family. Share your aspirations and the demands of your side hustle with your loved ones. Their insights and encouragement can be instrumental in shaping your journey.
You can also get them involved by bringing them into the business. Can you empower your family members by delegating tasks to them? It fosters a sense of collective ownership of the business while allowing you to manage your time effectively.
Setting Boundaries
While involving family is key, setting boundaries ensures that family time and business time don’t disrupt or overlap each other.
While flexibility is a hallmark of side hustles, defining work hours ensures that there is a clear distinction between family time and business engagements. If possible, establish a designated workspace within your home. It serves as a physical boundary that underscores the separation between professional engagements and family interactions.
Building a Support System:
Reach out to friends, family, or your professional networks. Setup carpools or ride-shares with the parents of your children’s friends. Their support will look different from relationship to relationship. Some might offer a place for you to vent because you have shared experiences, others may offer advice, or even assistance with family obligations when the business demands intensify.
Leverage Technology:
Utilize technology and AI to streamline business operations. Automation can reduce the time requirement, freeing you up to engage with your family. You can find some of my favorite automation tools here.
5. Legal and Financial Foundations
Navigating the legal and financial aspects of starting a side hustle can often seem intimidating. However, with the right information and preparation, you can set a strong foundation that supports the growth of your business while ensuring you stay compliant with laws and regulations.
Business Registration and Licenses
Choosing the appropriate legal structure for your business is pivotal. Depending on your location and the nature of your hustle, you might need to register your business and obtain necessary licenses or permits. Familiarize yourself with local regulations to ensure you are building your business on solid legal ground.
Handling Finances
Open a separate business account to manage your side hustle finances. It will help you track your business cash flow and is essential for tax purposes. Budgeting and financial forecasting are crucial at this stage. Use digital tools and applications designed to assist in financial management, making the task less daunting and more precise.
6. Marketing Your Side Hustle
Your marketing strategy is the bridge connecting your side hustle to your target audience. In this digital age, multiple marketing channels can amplify your business presence since each offers unique ways to reach potential clients. Grab my list of things you can delegate so you can find more time to market your business. You might also like my list of marketing tasks by the time it takes to complete them.
Create a home base for your business
A website acts as the home for your business on the internet. It’s a space you own and control, where potential clients can learn about your offerings, but it’s not absolutely necessary today. You can create a landing page and integrate it with your with social media platforms, just as easily as you can do so with a website. And, both will enhance your online presence. A website does have some extra benefits though like the ability to utilize SEO strategies to increase your website's visibility on search engines, driving organic traffic to your site.
Networking and Collaborations
Join communities and networks of like-minded entrepreneurs. Collaborations can expand your reach, and the support from fellow entrepreneurs can be instrumental in navigating the challenges of the business world and growing your referral base. You can attend workshops and events (both virtual and physical) to build relationships and grow your network.
7. Finding Clients
Navigating the path of entrepreneurship is as much about honing your product or service as it is about connecting with those who will value it most – your clients. For mompreneurs stepping into the world of side hustles, identifying and attracting your first clients can be both an exhilarating and daunting task. In this section, we'll explore effective strategies tailored to seamlessly integrate into the multifaceted life of a mom, ensuring that you not only find clients but build enduring relationships.
Know Your Audience
Target Market Identification:
Understanding your target market is the cornerstone. Who are the people that need your service or product? Delve into market research, utilize online tools, and engage in community forums to glean insights into the specific needs, preferences, and behaviors of your potential clients.
Customized Offerings:
Align your services or products to the specific needs of your target audience. Personalization isn’t just a strategy; it reflects a deep understanding and commitment to delivering value.
Networking
Leverage Social Media:
Social media isn’t just for connecting with friends; it’s a dynamic platform to reach potential clients. Identify platforms frequented by your target audience, be present, engage, and showcase your offerings.
Join Relevant Communities:
Whether online forums or local community groups, immerse yourself in spaces where your potential clients converge. Listen, engage, and position yourself as a solution to their needs.
Quality Service
Exceed Expectations:
Your first clients are pivotal. Deliver quality, exceed expectations, and you’ll not only retain them but also turn them into ambassadors who refer others.
Gather Testimonials:
Positive reviews and testimonials build credibility. Encourage satisfied clients to share their experiences and use these endorsements to attract more clients.
Digital Marketing
SEO Strategies:
Optimize your website and online content to rank higher on search engines. An SEO-friendly site increases visibility and attracts potential clients actively seeking your services or products.
Email Marketing:
Collect emails of potential clients and engage them with valuable content. Use personalized email campaigns to nurture relationships and convert prospects into clients.
Finding clients is a lot like building relationships. It’s about positioning your side hustle in the intersection where the needs of your ideal client meet your unique solutions. As a mom, your intuition, empathy, and multitasking skills are assets, enabling you to connect, understand, and serve your clients with a personalized touch. In the subsequent sections, we will delve deeper into strategies and tools to optimize these innate skills, turning your side hustle into a haven where clients feel valued and understood.
8. Real Stories of Mompreneurs
In every journey, inspiration and real-life examples can be sources of motivation. There are countless stories of moms who have successfully established their side hustles while juggling family responsibilities. These stories drive home the belief that with passion, determination, and strategy, you can indeed wear the hats of a caring mom and a successful entrepreneur gracefully.
Here are four moms who started their businesses as side hustles.
Alli Webb is a mom who started offering a mobile blow dry service as a side hustle, which eventually grew into Drybar - a multimillion-dollar blow dry bar franchise.
Julie Berninger - Gold City Ventures
Julie started her multi-million dollar digital product brand with partner Cody Berman while working full-time. They company soon grew to over $1million in sales on their Etsy store.
Lisa Price - Carol’s Daughter:
Lisa started making organic beauty products in her Brooklyn kitchen, while working a 9-5. Today, Carol's Daughter is a well-known, multimilion dollar brand in the natural beauty products industry.
Raegan Moya-Jones - Aden + Anais:
Raegan started Aden + Anais, a baby products company known for its muslin swaddle blankets, while working a full-time job. The company eventually grew into a multimillion-dollar business.
Putting it all together
Starting a side hustle as a mom encompasses more than the quest for financial independence. It's a journey of personal growth, and a dance between nurturing your family and birthing a business - an enterprise that stems from your passion and skills. It's about proving that motherhood, with all its intricacies, is a launching pad for discovering untapped potentials, not a hindrance.
Key Takeaways
- **Identifying your niche** is the first step, grounding your business in your skills and passions.
- **Mastery of time management** is not optional. It’s the linchpin that holds family and business together.
- **A solid business plan** is your roadmap, guiding every step of your entrepreneurial journey.
- **Legal and financial foundations** are the bedrocks that will support the growth and expansion of your business.
- **Marketing** is the voice of your business, connecting your offerings to the right audience.
Your Next Step
As you stand on the precipice of this exciting journey, remember that the world is teeming with opportunities waiting for the unique touch of a mom who is armed with the resilience fostered by motherhood and honed by the fire of entrepreneurship. Your side hustle is not a distant dream, but an achievable goal, waiting for the mix of your passion, skills, and the unrivaled touch of a mom ready to step into the entrepreneurial arena.
Embark on this journey with the confidence that you’re not alone. A community of mompreneurs is cheering you on, ready to support, guide, and celebrate every milestone with you. Your side hustle is not just a business; it’s a legacy, a story of a mom who dared to step beyond traditional boundaries to carve out a niche in the business world.