As a mom, finding a flexible job that works smoothly with your family’s schedule can be difficult. But it’s not impossible. There are so many job opportunities waiting for you—if you know where to find them.
In this fourth article of the Work from Home Job Ideas for Moms series, read how Mallory Herrera, Erin Smith and Samara Kamenecka turned their passion into profit while working from home.
Maybe you’ll come away inspired with a few ideas of your own!
Mallory Herrera is a WordPress website designer and SEO strategist who helps female entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Her goal is to help women find their ideal clients so that they can make more while working less. She majored in IT in college and is an avid course junkie when it comes to the world of online business and SEO strategies. She can be found at www.malloryherrera.com where she blogs about all things website, branding and SEO.
How did you evolve from being a website designer to an SEO strategist? First, I started working as a Pinterest manager and strategist. As my knowledge and experience grew, plus my confidence in myself, I pivoted my business to focus more on the technical and analytical side of an online business. I went to school for Information Technology, but I was actually a sommelier before starting this career. I didn’t know that this is what I wanted to do, but after my son was born, I needed to make a change.
How many hours do you work per week, and how do you manage your time?
My weeks vary, depending on how many clients I have and how intensive the projects are, but I typically work between 10 and 20 hours a week. I try not to do much more than that since I want to spend nights and weekends with my family. Getting up in the morning to work before my son wakes really helps too.
What experience helped you break into the field of SEO?
Besides my IT background, I absolutely love the Dare to Conquer community for a very well-rounded look into the online business world. I also love Mike Pearson’s “Stupid Simple SEO” course. That is one of the best SEO courses I have ever taken, and I have seen amazing results from using his techniques.
How do you find clients, or do they find you?
The vast majority of my clients come from networking on Facebook. I’m part of different groups that are geared toward different types of businesses, so this helps me get in front of my ideal clients. A few have started coming organically and from referrals recently, but Facebook is still the number one avenue.
What’s the best piece of advice you can give moms who want to do what you’re doing?
The best advice that I can give is to stop comparing yourself to others. Every single business is different, and there are multiple ways to accomplish the same goal. You just have to figure out what works for you. As women, we tend to doubt ourselves and question our abilities to do a task. Don’t do that. Just get out there and make it happen. You’ll be so glad you did.
Erin Smith is a licensed clinical social worker who works with individuals and couples, helping them become the best version of themselves. She lives in Richmond, VA, with her husband and three beautiful boys. Erin has 12 years of professional experience working in schools, with domestic violence victims, and for the Commonwealth of VA, overseeing mental health and behavioral health services. She’s passionate about raising a healthy and happy family and helping others do the same. When Erin isn’t blogging at Fit Family, you will find her outside, reading a good book, or hanging out with her friends and family!
How did you start working in online therapy and as a blogger?
Regarding social work, I took a leadership class in high school, where I led a drive for needed items to be given to a local homeless shelter. I went to deliver the items and was given a tour by the shelter’s social worker. I knew then I would major in social work and make a difference too.
As for blogging, I’ve always been a writer. I communicate and express myself so much more easily and eloquently through the written format. After I had my second baby in 2016, I realized that while eating healthy, working out, and adjusting to having two babies to care for was easy for my family, I was hearing other moms around me share that it was causing them a LOT of stress. I started sharing tips, tricks and ideas and was getting great feedback. It’s a labor of love and a great way for me to share things that work for my busy, growing family and to connect with moms all over the world!
How many hours do you work per week, and how do you balance it with family?
My weeks are pretty consistent. I provide online therapy for 20-25 hours per week, and I work on my blog for 6-10 hours a week. I have work hours and family hours, and I don’t mix the two, which means I’m present and focused on my kids during the day, and then I work in the evenings after my husband gets home.
Do you have a niche in your field?
As for therapy, I’ve done a lot of social work with children who have experienced trauma and abuse. It can be a really emotionally draining role but so rewarding. Regarding blogging, I believe what sets me apart from other bloggers is that my recipes, tips and tricks are affordable and easy to implement.
What’s the best piece of advice you can give moms who want to do what you’re doing? Find opportunities within your field and apply! Stay connected with the faculty at your alma mater. Also, don’t be afraid to create the role you know is best for your family. I would have never imagined I could be at home with my 3 kids during the day and not give up my professional career. I wanted it all, and I found a way to have it. If I can do that, so can you!
Samara Kamenecka is a virtual assistant (VA) and blogger at Your Virtual Pro. She’s been blogging for 4 years and specializes in offering SEO services, such as keyword research, link building and content creation for bloggers, web developers and marketing agencies. After Samara finished college, she packed her suitcase and bought a one-way ticket to Spain, and she’s still there. She recently launched a blog at Extra Dough Pro, helping other moms develop their side hustles.
How did you start working as a virtual assistant and blogger?
Around the time my daughter was born, I became interested in blogging and started to learn the ropes. I picked up several skills, like SEO, link building and keyword research, that I was later able to monetize. I ended up “recreating” myself professionally and launching my VA business to offer those services. My work as a VA is my main gig, and my blog is my side gig.
How long have you worked in this field?
I have been creating different blogs and niche websites for about 4 years. I launched my latest blog this year and have been working as a VA for the last 3 years.
How many hours, on average, do you work per week?
It varies, but now that school is in session, I work about 5 hours in the morning and 2 hours after my kids go to bed. So I would say at most 35 hours a week, but it’s almost always less than that.
How do you manage your time between work and kids?
This is very, very hard. I try to get as much done as possible when they’re at school so I can spend time with them in the afternoon. Once they go to bed, I get back to work again. Sometimes, I’m up really late. Also, I always have the feeling that I’m behind on everything. When we’re all at home and awake, it’s impossible to get anything done. I used to try to work on the weekends, but I’d get anxious because it was hard for me to get away. Now, I just try to disconnect and be present with the kids and enjoy them. They are, after all, why I’m working like this in the first place!
How do you find clients, or do they find you?
Hands down, the absolute best place to find work as a VA is on Facebook. It’s a goldmine. I’m in dozens of Facebook groups for VAs and bloggers, and there are a ridiculous amount of job offers. Plus, there are a ton of newbies and veterans on there, and they share all kinds of interesting tips, tricks and information.
What’s the best piece of advice you can give moms who want to do what you’re doing?
For anyone looking for work as a VA, I would suggest finding a niche or a specific type of client you’d like to work for and go from there. Market yourself. Apply for jobs. When you read a comment (in a FB group, for example) where someone’s asking for help or talking about a problem, reach out and offer them your services. You just have to put yourself out there. Who cares if people say no? Someone will say yes!
One more piece of advice: people always say to niche down. I would like to niche down more in the future. Be as specific as possible about who you want to help and then go find them.
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