Resourceful moms can utilize technology, their cars, their closets, crafting skills and their neighborhoods to generate new income. To help you choose an opportunity that's just right for your life, we've scoured the web, crowd-sourced our friends, researched the market and discovered nine awesome side hustles for busy moms.
Tradesy
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Tradesy makes it simple to sell clothing, bags, shoes and accessories that you no longer wear to someone else who will love them like new.
How it Works: Snap a photo of the item. Upload the photo to the Tradesy site, and then the magic begins. Tradesy will suggest a price or you can set one on your own. Once a buyer selects your find, Tradesy will send you a free, pre-labeled box for shipping. Pack the item, and then set it out for delivery.
Associated Costs: Tradesy is free to join. A flat $7.50 commission is deducted from sales of less than $50. On sales over $50, a 14.9% commission is deducted.
How You Get Paid: Sellers are paid via PayPal or bank deposit.
Rodan + Fields
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Founded by award-winning doctors Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields, MD., Rodan + Fields is a fast-growing skincare company. Offered through independent consultants, the line aims to meet women where they are and solve common skincare concerns in a simple and effective way.
How It Works: Rodan + Fields has created a cult of devotees. It is sold through consultants directly to consumers via websites, webinars and social selling. Consultants receive training on the product, best-selling practices and team building.
Associated Costs: The Business Portfolio is $45 and includes the company mission and introductory steps to launching your business. Starter Kits begin at $395 and include retail-sized product and other tools to help you sell.
How You Get Paid: Rodan + Fields consultants receive a percentage of the retail profit each sale, between 10-15%. They also receive additional commissions in increments of 2-5% based upon the sales of their personal team. Consultants are paid by direct deposit, check or by deposit onto a company-branded Visa debit card.
5miles
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5miles is an addictive app that allows you to sell home goods, cars, furniture, toys, sporting equipment and more. Quite similar to a digital garage sale, pricing is up to you, as is crafting an enticing description that will help your item sell.
How it Works: Simply snap a photo, enter a brief description, select a price and upload the item to the site. Once the product is listed, it becomes available to the thousands of 5miles users nationwide. The app allows you to scroll, "like" items as they pass your screen and "follow" sellers. It also geolocates users that are within five miles of your zip code, and presents the for-sale item to them first.
Associated Costs: It is free to list items on 5miles.
How You Get Paid: Sellers are paid via 5miles Wallet, which connects to a bank account or Paypal.
India Hicks
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Add some glamour to your side hustle with India Hicks. When Prince Charles' granddaughter, a former model and mom of five, launched her self-named accessories and lifestyle company, she aimed to create business opportunities for women, managed by women. In a bold move, India Hicks choose to reach out to women directly, and is building a tribe of savvy, connected Ambassadors that spread the word about stylish products.
How it Works: Beautiful handbags, scarves and lifestyle goods are offered exclusively through Ambassadors directly to their clients by word-of-mouth referral. Ambassadors may sell through private parties or on their replicated sites.
Associated Costs: Starter Kits begin at $99 and include swatches, brochures and business tools. Starter Kits beginning at $499 include $1500 worth of product, including several bags, accessories and beauty products. Replicated sites incur a recurring charge of $12.95 monthly.
How You Get Paid: Ambassadors are paid via direct deposit or through credits to their pre-paid debit card. A unique "Give-Together-Get-Together" program also allows up to 25% of proceeds to be matched by the company and delivered to the organization of an Ambassador's choice.
Etsy
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Some 30 million buyers purchased over $2.8 billion worth of goods on Etsy last year. The marketplace has been serving independent artisans since 2005, offering a creative space, an easily searchable format, secure payment structure, sound business advice and a community of supportive friends to cheer you along.
How It Works: Etsy creates a framework for selling your handmade creations. Simply upload images and set a price–within minutes, you will have created your own online store. Purchases are simple and shipping can be factored into the costs.
Associated Costs: Aside from the cost of creating your items, for each item that you list, Etsy charges just 20 cents. Listings will stay live for four months, and when the item sells, there will be a 3.5% processing charge deducted. Successful "stores" create consistent products, have clear images, update regularly, utilize social media and are responsive to the needs of their customers.
How You Get Paid: Sales are credited to Paypal or deposited to a bank account.
Nextdoor
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Social media has created unique platforms perfect for scouting out your next side gig. For example, Nextdoor is a private social network that makes it easy for neighbors to share news, invitations, special requests and more. The site can help you to find your next profitable and conveniently-located adventure.
How It Works: Nextdoor is targeted to your local area. Search for neighbors in need of services such as babysitting, tutoring and lawn care. You can also place an ad offering the service that you are willing to share.
Associated Costs: Nextdoor is free to use.
How You Get Paid: Payment is often in cash, at a rate agreed upon between you and the buyer.
MomCorps
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Many moms find themselves with odd hours to spare and well-honed skills that are not being put to good use. In 2005, Alison O'Kelly launched MomCorps, a nationwide boutique staffing and advisory agency, after she realized having children had changed her working dynamic. In 2015, it added extended services through Corps Team and Corps Search.
How It Works: Begin by searching for positions in your city. When you see something that strikes a chord, send in your resume or request an interview. The company blog features tips on updating your resume, as well as balancing work and family life.
How You Get Paid: Selected applicants are paid by assignment, unless placed for full-time employment. Rates are detailed during the selection process. Payments are made via direct deposit or paper check. In some cases, talent is eligible for benefits packages.
Chloe + Isabel
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Sometimes a little bling is all you need to feel extra special and maybe even earn a little extra income. Chantal Waterbury launched Chloe + Isabel in 2011 to help fellow Gen-Y women feel beautiful while earning income. She and her team have put their collective experience in retail to good use to develop the popular New York-based jewelry brand.
How It Works: Using the tools and merchandise in their starter kits, Chloe + Isabel Merchandisers can host pop-up shops or run sales via online boutiques. Merchandisers receive 25-40% of sales.
Associated Costs: Starter kits cost $175 and include approximately $700 worth of product. The purchase also grants the Merchandiser a unique replicated website and access to training and marketing tools. Seasonally, Merchandisers may purchase from new collections at a discounted rate.
How You Get Paid: Merchandisers are paid via a branded pre-paid card or direct deposit to their bank account.
Lyft
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Modern life calls for a modern means of transportation, and one of the latest trends is to use your car to provide a safe ride. Lyft offers an on-demand ride-hailing service that takes users from point A to point B, while allowing drivers the flexibility to work on their own schedules.
How It Works: To be eligible, Lyft requires that vehicles be washed and vacuumed weekly, have four exterior doors and at least five passenger-ready seat belts. Once you and your car pass a background check, you are available to earn money through Lyft. When a driver is ready to drive, she will utilize the Lyft Driver App and switch into "Driver" mode to show that she is ready for business. Lyft maintains strict coverage areas, so drivers will need to familiarize themselves with their city's coverage areas to maintain compliance.
Associated Costs: Lyft Drivers are personally responsible for the upkeep, repair and fuel needed to maintain their passenger-ready car.
How You Get Paid: Lyft drivers are paid weekly via direct deposit, and all tips belong to the driver. The company also offers an ambassador program through which applicants can earn discounted rides and cash for referrals.
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