Forget Side Hustles! 20 Perfect Lifestyle Businesses for Moms.
20 Lifestyle Businesses for Moms: Take Control of Your Schedule and Family Time!
Okay, so obviously I know that being a mom doesn’t mean you are limited to what type of business you can start. Having had the chance to interview HUNDREDS of business owners (many of them moms) I’ve noticed which industry’s mom’s were really thriving and fulfilled in.
As a result, the 20 lifestyle businesses below are for moms that are looking to start something from scratch, and totally understand that it takes TIME, education, and persistence to build something successful. Sure if you’ve got access to an investor or cash you can purchase a business and manage it. But if you’re a mom who wants to be able to manage your business from home and spend more time with your kids, OR if you are currently in a 9-5 job that you hate, than one of these lifestyle businesses may be for you.
In addition to the list of lifestyle businesses, I’ve also shared average incomes you can expect and the personality types that each is best suited for. Please note, the expected income on ALL of these business ideas is going to depend on how much work you put into the business. As with ANY business, it takes time to grow your clientele, that’s why its important to find something that really matches your personality, core values, and aligns well with the current season of life you are in.
SO forget about side gigs—these lifestyle businesses allow moms to achieve the ideal work-life balance, create a sustainable income, and have more time with your kids.
1. In-Home Daycare Provider
- Ideal For: Nurturing and Patient Moms
- Average Income: $30,000 to $50,000 per year
- Description: Running an in-home daycare allows moms to stay close to their own kids while earning a steady income. This business is great for moms who love children and are comfortable managing routines and activities. Some states like Texas actually are looking for more businesses like this to open up, and provide government grants/funding to get started! I personally know several moms that went on to open up day cares outside of their home because their clients loved them so much. The income potential here really depends on how many kids you are able to watch in your home.
2. In-Home Tutor
- Ideal For: Knowledgeable and Patient Educators
- Average Income: $25,000 to $60,000 per year (varies by subject and frequency)
- Description: If you have expertise in a subject area, offering in-home tutoring is a flexible way to help students excel while keeping a family-friendly schedule. Topics range from teaching piano, or any other type of music, to math, history, or science. With today’s growing home schooling population, promoting your tutoring services could turn into a great business!
3. Dog Walker or Pet Sitter
- Ideal For: Animal Lovers and Active Moms
- Average Income: $20,000 to $40,000 per year
- Description: For moms who love animals and enjoy the outdoors, dog walking or pet sitting offers a flexible schedule and is a great way to get some exercise while earning income.
4. Real Estate Agent
- Ideal For: Social and Self-Motivated Individuals
- Average Income: $50,730 per year (can vary widely by location)
- Description: Real estate offers flexible hours and a rewarding income. It’s an excellent choice for moms who are people-oriented, enjoy networking, and want a career with growth potential. I personally have many good mom friends who are realtors, and they make it work! It’s one of those businesses that if you put in some hard work during the first 2 years and do a great job, you are bound to get referrals so it gets easier with time. I should say though that this industry recently had some major changes, so it’s important you are knowledgable and ready to stay up-to-date on all of the real estate agent laws.
5. Insurance Agent
- Ideal For: Trustworthy and Detail-Oriented People
- Average Income: $65,020 per year
- Description: Selling insurance is ideal for those who enjoy helping others plan for the future. Many agents work remotely, giving moms the flexibility to manage work and family time effectively. I personally think this is a GREAT one for anyone. Everyone needs insurance, and it is only getting more and more expensive.
6. Social Media Manager
- Ideal For: Creative and Socially Savvy Individuals
- Average Income: $45,000 to $70,000 per year
- Description: If you’re skilled at managing social media accounts, this role offers flexibility, creativity, and the chance to work with various brands. Perfect for moms who enjoy connecting and engaging online. Most social media managers I know charge anywhere from $200 to $500 per month to manage someones Instagram and Facebook accounts.
7. Digital Ad Manager
- Ideal For: Analytical and Strategic Thinkers
- Average Income: $50,000 to $85,000 annually
- Description: Running ad campaigns for businesses is a high-demand skill. Moms with analytical skills and a knack for strategy can excel in this flexible, remote-friendly business. With this business, it would be important to take a course so you can stay up to date on Meta’s ad policies as well as familiarize yourself with the various online ad management platforms available. I personally have managed Facebook & Instagram ads for small businesses, and found it to be very effective for the businesses, as a result I really enjoyed doing it. Often times when you are just starting out, the hard part is not knowing what to charge clients. Creating long-term contracts to ensure you are not constantly replacing your clients also helps!
8. Marketing Agency Owner
- Ideal For: Visionaries and Creative Strategists
- Average Income: $80,000 to $150,000+ per year
- Description: Starting a marketing agency lets you work with a range of clients and projects, offering control over your schedule. It’s ideal for moms with a flair for branding and communication. I was in the marketing and magazine world for 10 years. Two of those years as a mom. It is very lucrative and I consistently made over 6 figures. I also know MANY moms that crush it in this space. Since the majority of marketing agency owners offer a wide range of services; web design/management, video creation, branding, PR, Media buying, and more, you’ll need to be well connected and ready to hire help or have reliable contractors on hand.
9. Fitness Coach or Personal Trainer
- Ideal For: Motivated and Health-Conscious Individuals
- Average Income: $45,000 to $60,000 annually
- Description: Fitness coaching offers flexible hours and is perfect for moms who are passionate about wellness and enjoy motivating others to reach their health goals. There are several great fitness franchise opportunities out there as well that offer great turn-key support to help you gain momentum faster.
10. Health Insurance Agent
- Ideal For: Empathetic and Organized Individuals
- Average Income: $60,000 per year
- Description: Specializing in health insurance allows you to work remotely and help clients navigate coverage options. This role is ideal for those who are organized and compassionate. With the cost of health insurance, and the growing aging population, being able to offer medicaid and other health insurance products is a great option!
11. Virtual Assistant
- Ideal For: Detail-Oriented and Organized People
- Average Income: $25,000 to $50,000 per year
- Description: Virtual assistants support businesses with administrative tasks. This remote position is excellent for moms who are skilled at organization and time management.
12. Graphic Designer
- Ideal For: Artistic and Visual Creatives
- Average Income: $45,000 per year
- Description: If you have design skills, freelancing as a graphic designer offers creativity and the ability to work on diverse projects from home.
13. Hair Stylist
- Ideal For: Artistic and Outgoing Individuals
- Average Income: $27,000 to $40,000 per year
- Description: Offering hairstyling services from home or mobile appointments is perfect for moms who love beauty and connecting with people while having control over their schedules. AND with a typical salon visit costing around $200 that’s a pretty great business, with nice earning potential! Shoot with these prices, I personally know hairstylists making over $250 an hour! That’s more than what many lawyers make!!
14. Interior Designer
- Ideal For: Detail-Oriented and Creative Thinkers
- Average Income: $55,000 per year
- Description: Interior design allows moms to work with clients on a flexible schedule. It’s an ideal choice for those with an eye for aesthetics and a love for creating beautiful spaces. Not to be confused with Home Decorating, as that is a totally difference niche (but still a good one). Interior Designers are usually a home owners first contact so you are expected to know all about the potential materials they would need for flooring, kitchen cabinets, windows, tile, etc. You’d also be expected to work with general contractors and other vendors.
15. Home Staging Professional
- Ideal For: Visual and Organized Individuals
- Average Income: $50,000 to $75,000 per year
- Description: Home staging involves preparing homes for sale, and it’s perfect for moms who enjoy interior decorating. It can be project-based, allowing for schedule flexibility. Most of the time you’d be staging empty homes, and working with realtors in your area. Now is actually a great time to start a home staging business since it’s taking a while for homes to sell, most home owners probably wouldn’t mind the staging if it means it can help sell their home faster!
16. Event Planner
- Ideal For: Detail-Oriented and Sociable Individuals
- Average Income: $50,000 to $70,000 per year
- Description: Event planning offers creative work with flexible hours, ideal for moms who enjoy organization and bringing people together for memorable experiences. Events can be anything from bridal showers, to weddings, to kids birthday parties!
17. Home/Office Cleaning Business Owner
- Ideal For: Organized and Reliable People
- Average Income: $35,000 to $75,000 per year
- Description: Running a cleaning business is excellent for moms & dads alike who like organizing and offers flexible scheduling. As demand grows, you can also hire additional help to expand the business.
18. Airbnb Property Manager
- Ideal For: Organized and Business-Minded Individuals
- Average Income: $30,000 to $60,000 per year
- Description: Managing Airbnb properties is ideal for moms with good communication and management skills. It allows you to handle bookings and guest interactions while generating income. Property managers will typically charge 10% of whatever the rental rate is of the homes they are managing. This requires serious organization skills and good responsiveness to guest questions. You can set yourself apart by helping ensure the airbnb’s look their best, and manage the schedules for when cleaners need to come and clean.
19. Blogger or Content Creator
- Ideal For: Creative and Independent Thinkers
- Average Income: $20,000 to $75,000+ per year (varies based on audience and monetization)
- Description: Blogging offers flexibility and the potential for passive income through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. It’s ideal for moms who love writing and sharing their passions. Hey, I had to put this one up as it’s one I am currently doing, and I have to say I am LOVING it. It perfectly fits with where I am at in life, and allows me to use all the other skills I gained in my previous business. But you should know, blogging is NOT what it used to be. It’s harder to appear in Google searches organically, so many bloggers are having to really on using outside channels like Social media and Youtube to grow their traffic. So if you’re set on blogging, just have proper expectations about how quickly you can expect to see money coming in.
20. Online Course Creator
- Ideal For: Knowledgeable and Passionate Educators
- Average Income: $30,000 to $100,000+ per year
- Description: If you have expertise in a specific field, creating online courses can generate significant passive income. This is perfect for moms who want to work from home while sharing their knowledge.