5 Moms Share Their Home-Based Businesses, ‘Malaki Ang Kita, Hindi Ko In-Expect’

The saying “Mothers are the masters of multitasking,” consistently rings true.

From the moment women become mothers, they’ve mastered the art of juggling multiple tasks–whether it’s breastfeeding while engrossed in a K-Drama, folding laundry while singing nursery rhymes, cooking while answering a toddler’s million questions, and basically doing everything with a baby in their arms.

And everyday, moms are pushing the boundaries of multitasking even further! Just meet these ‘mompreneurs’--moms who have turned themselves into entrepreneurs–launching side hustles while also balancing family life,and for some, even full-time and part-time jobs.

Mompreneurs have shared their side hustles in the Smart Parenting Village–most of which have provided them with extra income while also allowing them to fulfill their family duties and job responsibilities. We explored why they embarked on these ventures, the initial investments they made, and how they manage their time effectively.

Reselling business

Rowena Musa began by reselling bed sheets, she shared, “Nakaka-proud lang na I can pay yung full tuition ng firstborn ko and all his school needs. I also pay half of our utility bills.” Having a side hustle was not part of her plan, “It was 2011 right after I quit my job as a Mechanical Engineer. We were trying to get pregnant at that time and [I] had a lot of spare time while waiting for my husband to come home from work. I saw someone selling beddings and comforters on Facebook.”

Online selling was not yet popular at the time, nor was Shopee or Lazada. “I ordered from them for personal use. I loved the product, so I decided to post it on my Facebook account,” she shared. “I was overwhelmed with the orders I got from my friends and family. I was happy at that time that even though I was at home, I was earning money and I was able to pay some of our bills and add up to our savings. That’s where it all started.”

Rowena then expanded her wares to include perfumes and braided bags and watches. She said, “Even after having two children, I am still doing this side hustle because it is very convenient for me, and at the same time, I enjoy doing it. I never knew I had a knack for selling things.” She started with a P5,000 capital borrowed from her mom, which she promptly repaid after her first sale, and then continued to reinvest in her business.

Identifying reliable suppliers has been key to her success. She emphasizes the importance of vetting suppliers and products, especially for significant transactions. “I suggest po na mas okay yung suppliers na nagla-live and nakikita nila na on-hand yung items. Okay din kung malapit rin lang sa kanila para pwedeng i-check nila personally yung seller and items lalo kung malaking transaction and gagawin nila.”

On the time she spends on reselling, Rowena shared, “Honestly, any time of the day and night, I answer queries and accept orders. As long as I am free or I am done with the chores or after I tutor my kids or when I already put them to bed. I do the shipping on weekends though para no classes ang kids but I do Lalamove depending on my free time on weekdays.”

Her major challenge is when sales are up due to holidays or occasions, “It takes a little longer before I can attend to customers, and sometimes, I lose buyers because of that. I have to finish the chores first and prepare my kids for school or help in exams.”

Rowena is a stay-at-home mom to two boys, aged 10 and 4, and is content with her current profession. Her side hustle has not only helped pay for her older son’s tuition but also allowed her to plan for her younger son’s future educational expenses. Moreover, the income has enabled her to indulge in “luxury items” for her family, “??I bought cellphones na rin po, appliances, watches, usually gold pieces of jewelry ang binibili kong guilty pleasure po [laughing emoji] and investment na rin at the same time.”

Rowena has an online shop on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Shopee, with Facebook being her most active platform.

Korean cuisine business

Inspired by her love for K-Dramas, Grace Martinez-Carpio found a niche in selling Korean food and pastries on top of her part-time online job. “Yung cravings ko lang noon, binebenta ko na ngayon. [Selling] Korean food and pastries. I learned how to cook and bake from Youtube [then] practice lang sa house. Ngayon kung ano i-crave ng mag-ama ko, ginagawa ko na for them. Praise God sa provision and opportunities na binibigay Niya sa akin,” she shared.

Grace started selling Kimbap during the pandemic, which she also learned just by watching YouTube videos. One of her business mantras is not to sell anything unless she’s fully satisfied with the quality, often seeking feedback from her churchmates and family. “No professional classes. [Hehe.] Watch lang, practice at maraming recipe testing. Hindi ko po binebenta hanggang hindi ako satisfied sa products namin. Nanghihingi rin ako ng feedback sa mga kachurch mates and family namin kasi sila yung unang nakakatry ng food namin [smile emoji].”

Starting with a mere P1,000, Grace now earns more than triple her initial capital, especially during Holidays. As for time management, Grace shared her hack, “Since it’s [on a] pre-order [basis], I collect orders from Monday to Friday and prepare orders on Saturday. I usually spend 4-7 hours preparing orders, that depends on how many orders I get every week. For pastries, I usually spend at least 3-4 hours preparing the dough and another 2-3 hours baking them. My son is already in Grade 1 so it’s easier for me to juggle work and being a mom. He spends 5 hours in school and I make sure to be productive while he isn’t at home yet. Sometimes I prepare orders at night because it’s easier when the house is already quiet.”

She added, “Being responsible with time is very important. I also make sure that I have more time for my family than for my small business. So there are days that I don’t accept orders because they are dedicated to my husband and son. I don’t pressure myself to get many orders since I’m the only one preparing them. I’m able to do this as well because of the support of my husband. He’s my number 1 cheerleader and critic! This business will not be a success without his support.”

Grace's menu includes Kimbap, Kimbap Bilao, and a variety of Korean pastries.

Crafts and personalized items business

Marigina Santos-Buizon, a BPO Team Leader, found an unexpected source of income in personalized items. “Actually malaki ang kita, hindi ko inexpect,” she shared.

“I love doing arts and crafts since I was a kid. When I became an adult, it became my stress reliever too. It's [a talent] that I get to share with everyone and of course, additional income.”

Marigina handles everything from design to packaging, “I spend 2-3 hours a day depending on the orders I received. I plan at least 1 week prior - what to do and priorities for the week.” She also admits that her venture was made possible with the support of her husband and mother, “I have the help of my husband, he is in charge of preparing our breakfast and helping my son every morning before going to school.” While her mother looks after their kids whenever she needs to rest.

Marigina's initial investment was P22,000, thanks to a Cricut machine gifted by her husband, which paved the way for her business.

Frozen foods business

Lovey Fresco’s side hustle was born out of understanding the needs of busy parents in her community. “Dito po kasi sa amin malayo ang palengke. Usually maraming working moms kaya busy sila para mamili pa ng mga needs nila, lalo na kapag rest day nila hindi na nila ilalaan yung free time nila sa pag-alis pa sa bahay.” Lovely resells frozen foods within her community.

She’s currently using her personal refrigerator for storing the frozen goods but plans to invest in a new freezer due to space constraints. “Plan ko sana bumili kasi hindi nagkakasya sa personal ref namin. Kaya lang naisip ko, may mga times na mahina din siya, pero sa ngayon po nagbabalak po ako bumili [smiling emoji].”

“I started at 5k, last year lang po ako nag-start. Since I have to take care of my kids, I decided na magbenta muna dito samin habang wala pa naman akong work,” she continued.

The earnings from her side hustle usually go into savings, and also acts as a mini-emergency fund. “Usually tinatabi ko po, pero kapag nasho-short po kami, doon po ako humuhugot ng pangbili [ng] baon ng mga bata, minsan ulam.”

Lovely also shared her approach to time management, “As early as 6 AM, nagdedeliver na ako within the subdivision. As long as may nag-order na and nakapagluto na ako and naasikaso ko na ang mga kids bago pumasok, up until 10 PM, basta gising pa ako.”

Balancing everything can be challenging, especially when domestic tasks or meal preparations get delayed. “Mahirap siya minsan pagsabayin kasi minsan hindi maiwasan ma-delay yung luto ng tanghalian or hapunan minsan naglalaba pa, pero kaya naman, time management lang and with the help of family members na din.”

She believes firmly in the viability of food businesses, stating, “Ang pinaka-mabentang product na hindi ka mabibigo ay ang pagkain.”

Printing and crafting business

Ladylyn Grace Flores discovered her side hustle almost by accident, through her DIY invitations and souvenirs for her kids, “I love crafting, to the point na almost all of my kids’ invitations and souvenirs [mula] baby hanggang ngayon, ako lang nag-D-DIY. So ginawa ko na lang din talagang side hustle, nag e-enjoy na ko, may pang additional income na din for the family.” She didn’t take professional classes for layout and printing, learning instead through YouTube.

Starting with a basic printer at home, the demands of her business soon necessitated an upgrade. “This year lang nag-upgrade ako [ng] some machines and tools, umabot din ng P30k na gastos namin.”

This upgrade marked the beginning of their business expansion. Initially, they printed invitations, tracing pads for kids, signages, and souvenirs. With the upgrade, they now also design and sell refrigerator magnet souvenirs, keychains, and the latest trending product, the Spotify frame.

Ladylyn shared insights into how she manages her time, “Depende din, lalo kapag may kasamang layout. Editing pa lang kasi, isang buong araw ko ginagawa. But mostly, kapag weekdays, half day lang. Kapag anjan na ang anak kong panganay para makatulong sa pag-aasikaso sa bunso namin, doon na ko nagsisimula gumawa. Kapag linggo lang ako nag-fu-full day para mabilis matapos. But may times din naman kasi na walang order so nakakapahinga at focus din ako sa mom role ko.”

Her advice to moms looking to start their own business is practical and encouraging, “Sa mga gustong mag-start ng negosyo, kahit maliit lang, ang piliin mong business ay yung mayroon ka kahit basic knowledge about it and passionate ka to do it.”

Here are 5 life hacks for busy moms from a mompreneur.