TLDR
Many women and stay-at-home moms are turning to side hustles to earn extra income, gain financial independence and even launch successful businesses.
Some of the best side hustles for women and stay at home moms include freelancing, selling products online, tutoring, virtual assistance, caregiving, transcription and website testing.
The right options depends on your schedule, existing skills and income goals.
Women-owned businesses continue to grow in Canada, with women now owning nearly one in five private-sector businesses.
Government programs and business resources can help women entrepreneurs access funding, mentorship and expert guidance.
Rising costs for groceries, childcare, housing and everyday essentials have many Canadian families looking for new ways to earn extra income.
For many women—especially stay-at-home moms—a side hustle offers the flexibility to earn money while balancing family responsibilities. Whether you’re looking to supplement your household income, pursue a passion or eventually build your own business, there are more opportunities than ever to get started.
In fact, many successful businesses begin as side hustles, allowing entrepreneurs to test an idea, build confidence and generate income before making the leap to full-time business ownership.
The best side hustles for women and stay-at-home moms include freelancing, e-commerce, tutoring, virtual assistance, caregiving, website testing, online survey and transcription services. The right option depends on your schedule, existing skills and income goals.
What is a side hustle?
A side-hustle is a flexible way to earn income outside of a traditional full-time job. For many women and stay-at-home moms, side hustles provide an opportunity to supplement household income, explore entrepreneurship and build financial independence while working around family responsibilities.
Women-led businesses in Canada are growing
Women are playing an increasingly important role in Canada’s entrepreneurial economy.
According to Statistics Canada majority women-owned businesses represented nearly 21% of all private-sector businesses in Canada in 2025.
This steady growth reflects a broader trend: more women are transforming professional skills, hobbies and life experience into businesses that generate income, create jobs and contribute to Canada’s economy. Many of todays women-owned businesses started as small side projects, demonstrating how a modest income goal can evolve into a long-term entrepreneurial opportunity.
Use the START framework to choose the right side hustle
The best side hustle depends on your goals, available time and existing skills.
Before getting started, use the START framework to evaluate your options:
Skills: What skills do I already have?
Time: How much time can I realistically dedicate each week and can this work around my family’s schedule?
Audience: Who would pay for this service?
Return: Am I looking for extra income now or hoping to build a long-term business?
Tools: What are the start-up costs and requirements?
The most successful side hustles often align with all five START factors. A graphic designer may already have the skills and tools needed to freelance, while a teacher may find tutoring a natural fit. Choosing an opportunity that works with your schedule and existing strengths can reduce start-up costs and increase your chances of long-term success. The best side hustle isn’t the necessarily the one that earns the most money, it is the one that fits your lifestyle, financial goals and available time.
What are the best side-hustles for women and stay-at-home moms?
If you’re looking for flexibility around childcare and family responsibilities, freelancing, tutoring, virtual assistance and transcription services can often be done from home and on your own schedule.
If you’re hoping to build a business over time, selling products online, creating digital products and teaching online courses may offer greater long-term growth potential.
The right choice depends on your goals, available time and the type of income you’re hoping to generate.
Freelancing
Best for: Professionals who want to earn money using existing skills.
Whether you’re a writer, graphic designer, marketer, photographer or social media expert, freelancing allows you to monetize skills you already have.
Platforms such as Fiverr, Upwork and Freelancer connect freelancers with businesses looking for short-term and ongoing support.
Sell products online
Best for: Creative entrepreneurs.
If you make handmade products, artwork or digital downloads, platforms such as Etsy, Shopify and WooCommerce allow you to sell directly to customers while building your own brand.
Many successful online businesses begin with just a handful of products and grow over time.
Tutor or teach online
Best for: Teachers, professionals and subject-matter experts.
Online tutoring and digital courses can provide flexible income while allowing you to share your expertise.
Whether you teach math, music, languages or career skills, online platforms make it possible to reach students around the world.
Once created, online courses can continue generating income long after they’re published.
Become a virtual assistant
Best for: Organized people with administrative or technical skills.
Virtual assistants help businesses with scheduling, email management, bookkeeping, customer support, research and data entry.
Many entrepreneurs and small businesses hire virtual assistants on a flexible, contract basis.
Offer childcare, pet care or house sitting
Best for: People who enjoy helping others.
Looking after children, pets or homes can provide flexible work that fits around your own schedule.
Services such as childcare, dog walking, pet sitting and house sitting continue to be in demand across Canada.
Complete paid online surveys
Best for: Earning a little extra money in your spare time.
Companies regularly pay consumers for feedback on products and services.
Although surveys won’t replace a full-time income, they can be an easy way to earn additional spending money.
Test apps and websites
Best for: People comfortable using technology.
Before launching websites and mobile apps, companies hire everyday users to test them and provide feedback on usability.
Website testing offers flexible work that can often be completed from home.
Provide transcription or translation services
Best for: Fast typists and multilingual professionals.
Transcription involves converting audio into written documents, while translation allows bilingual professionals to work with clients across multiple industries.
Both can often be done remotely on a flexible schedule.
Tips for turning your side hustle into a business
If your side hustle begins to grow, a few good habits can help set you up for long-term success.
Keep track of your income and expenses from day one.
Separate your personal and business finances whenever possible.
Understand your tax responsibilities as a self-employed individual.
Continue investing in your skills and professional network.
Reinvest a portion of your earnings back into your business.
Small, consistent steps today can make it easier to grow tomorrow.
Resources for women entrepreneurs
Canada offers a growing number of resources to help women entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses.
The Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) provides access to financing, mentorship and business support. Eligible entrepreneurs may be able to access loans of up to $50,000 while building their businesses.
The Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) offers research, best practices and resources designed specifically for women entrepreneurs across Canada.
Exploring these programs can help you build valuable skills, expand your professional network and access support as your business grows.
FAQs
The best side hustle depends on your schedule, skills and financial goals. Flexible options such as freelancing, virtual assistance, tutoring, selling products online and caregiving can often be done from home and around childcare responsibilities.
Yes. Many side hustles—including freelancing, tutoring, virtual assistance and transcription—require very little upfront investment. Starting with skills you already have can help keep costs low.
Absolutely. Many successful businesses begin as side hustles. Starting small allows entrepreneurs to test an idea, build experience and develop a customer base before deciding whether to grow full-time.
Generally, yes. Income earned from a side hustle is usually considered taxable in Canada. Keeping accurate records of your income and expenses can make tax time much easier.
The easiest side hustle is often one that builds on skills you already have. Freelancing, tutoring, virtual assistance and online selling are popular because they require relatively little upfront investment and can often be started from home.
Earnings vary depending on the type of work, your experience and the amount of time you invest. Freelancing, online businesses, tutoring and digital products often offer greater long-term earning potential because they allow you to increase your rates, expand your customer base or generate income beyond the hours you work.
Starting a side hustle doesn’t have to require you quitting your job or making a major financial commitment. Many successful businesses begin with a simple goal: earning extra income to support a family, building savings or achieving greater financial flexibility.
Whether you’re looking to supplement household income or pursue entrepreneurship, starting small can help you gain experience, test ideas and build confidence. By choosing an opportunity that matches your skillset, managing your finances carefully and taking advantage of resources available to Canadian women entrepreneurs, you can build additional income today while creating opportunities for the future.
This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.
