Starting a Side Hustle as a Mum? Essential Tech and Tools You Need

Finding time for a side hustle while managing the demands of motherhood can feel overwhelming, but the right tools can make it smoother. Whether you are selling handmade products, offering freelance services, or launching an online store, technology can help you stay organised.

In this article, we will look at some tech and tools that every mom starting a side hustle should be aware of.

Set Up Your Business with the Right Digital Tools

Side hustles are soaring in the USA because of the rising inflation. The recent Bankrate survey shows that around 1 in 3 American adults earn money from side hustles. It was also found that parents were one group in particular where people doing side hustles were common. Around 45% of parents of children under 18 had a side hustle.

Digital tools are essential for launching a side hustle. A reliable invoicing system, communication platform, and file management solution will help you stay on top of things, even on busy days.

Some side hustles may even need specific tools. Suppose you are starting a tutoring service for an advanced course. In that case, you will want to verify the age of the students and whether they have completed the prerequisites for the course. 

Here, you will need document verification software to ensure you onboard the right students. You can verify that the students use their government IDs and are in the appropriate age range.

According to AU10TIX, you can safely onboard students or clients with document verification software. Find software that offers features like multi-document support, NFC verification, document authentication, etc.

How can I keep my personal and business information separate?

Separating business and personal information is vital for professionalism and organisation. Consider using a separate email address for your side hustle, setting up a dedicated business bank account, and using different phone numbers if needed. This helps streamline communication and makes tax reporting and expense tracking much easier.

Choose the Right Payment and Accounting Solutions

Effective financial management is crucial for any business. Online payment platforms make accepting transactions, sending invoices, and tracking earnings easier without spending hours on paperwork.

Accounting software can also save time by automating tax calculations, expense tracking, and financial reports. Many of these tools integrate with payment platforms, so all your earnings and expenses are recorded in one place. This simplifies financial tracking, especially during tax season.

Almost every business uses a payment platform to collect and send money to customers, vendors, etc. According to Statista, PayPal (45%) will hold the largest payment processing software market share in 2025. It is followed by Stripe with 17%. You can choose one of these payment processing platforms or any other based on what your clients prefer.

How can I accept international payments without high fees?

If your side hustle serves international clients, using platforms like PayPal, Wise, or Stripe can help minimise transaction fees. Some banks also offer multi-currency accounts to reduce exchange rate losses. Researching different payment processors and their fee structures ensures that you keep more of your earnings while providing customers with convenient options.

Manage Your Time Without Feeling Overwhelmed

Balancing work and family life is a major challenge for mothers with side hustles. It’s easy to get caught up in answering emails or fulfilling orders while juggling household responsibilities. Time management apps can help you track your work hours, set reminders for deadlines, and create a structured daily routine.

Using a digital calendar to block out dedicated work hours ensures your side hustle doesn’t waste family time. Many entrepreneurs find it helpful to batch tasks, setting aside specific hours for responding to messages, handling orders, or working on marketing. With the right scheduling tools, you can maintain a sense of balance without feeling like work is taking over your life.

How can I maintain productivity while working from home with children?

Establishing a routine synchronised with children’s schedules can boost productivity. Use nap times, school hours, or quiet activities to focus on deep work. Communicating boundaries with your family and setting up a designated workspace can also minimise distractions and help separate work from home life.

Market and Grow Your Side Hustle

Once your business is up and running, attracting customers is the next big step. Social media can effectively reach potential customers. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok offer cost-effective product or service promotion.

According to Investopedia, digital marketing enhances online visibility and brand awareness, allowing targeted audience reach with minimal marketing expenses. However, it is also important to track and measure key metrics of the marketing you do to learn from them.

For those offering services, having a professional website adds credibility. Website builders facilitate the creation of professional, functional websites without requiring technical expertise. Pairing your website with an email marketing tool lets you keep in touch with customers and build lasting relationships.

Automate Tasks to Save Time

Automation can be a lifesaver when you’re managing a business alongside parenting. Many tasks, from email responses to social media posting, can be automated using the right software. This enables continuous business operation, even when offline.

Inventory management tools aid in tracking stock and automating reorders for product-based businesses. Service providers can use scheduling apps to streamline client appointments. Automating tasks frees up time for core business activities.

This is one of the prime reasons why 61% of small businesses use AI for automation. Besides automation, they use it to improve the quality and reliability of processes or methods. Another key reason to use AI is to increase the number of services offered by companies. Since AI can help automate tasks, it leaves you with additional time that can be used to expand your side hustle.

Staying Motivated and Avoiding Burnout

Running a side hustle while managing family life can be exhausting, so it’s important to pace yourself. Maintaining motivation involves setting achievable goals and acknowledging small successes. Preventing burnout requires short breaks, task delegation, and establishing work-life boundaries.

Connecting with other mums who run businesses can also be a great source of support. Online communities and networking groups provide advice, support, and collaboration opportunities. Knowing others who share similar experiences can be highly motivating.

A side hustle should fit into your lifestyle rather than add stress to it. With the right technology and a few smart strategies, you can create a business that grows quickly. Whether your goal is to earn extra income or explore a passion, having the right tools in place will make the journey much easier.