The Reality Check: What I Learned from Trying to Become an AI Solopreneur#
After spending time attempting to build a solo business in the AI space, I want to share some honest reflections on what this journey actually entails.
There’s no denying that AI has fundamentally changed our world. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t at least once asked ChatGPT how to properly season fish without burning it. 🎏 AI is undoubtedly here to help us tackle routine tasks more efficiently. But I want to address a different aspect—the professional one. Specifically, the idea that the AI era has made transitioning to independent entrepreneurship not just possible, but easy. But has it really?
Everyone talks about how artificial intelligence has democratized technology. The narrative goes: anyone can now build an internet product independently, launch it with minimal effort, add some monetization, and retire early. 💃
It’s true—the tools exist and are more accessible than ever. But there’s something that no technology can change overnight (certainly not as quickly as new AI tools and management platforms hit the market). Technology cannot fundamentally alter how a person thinks, what drives them, their approach to problem-solving, their work habits, or their perspective on challenges.
Let me illustrate with an example:
Meet Teddy#
Teddy has been an employee his entire career. Caught up in the AI hype, he suddenly believes he can become an entrepreneur overnight. 🎉 But despite having access to powerful tools, they can’t change Teddy’s ingrained mindset. His entire career has been built around short-term tasks (hello, sprint planning! 👋), where he rarely participated in strategic decisions—a skill crucial for entrepreneurs. Teddy typically clocked out at 5 PM sharp, leaving work behind like a forgotten dream, much like leaving an exam room and immediately forgetting what subject he was just tested on.
Now consider what entrepreneurship actually requires. An entrepreneur doesn’t just make daily tactical decisions within their area of expertise. They must make decisions across multiple domains they may not fully understand, think strategically at all times, and maintain a bird’s-eye view of all processes. These skills develop over years of experience—something no tool, AI or otherwise, can instantly provide.
The Reality of Competition#
Some might argue that my points only apply to large companies and products generating millions in ROI. 💸 But let’s think about this: even the small product that Teddy plans to build will enter a competitive jungle 🌴! He’ll encounter numerous obstacles and edge cases 🪨 that are better anticipated than discovered. Success requires thinking big and wearing multiple hats—developer, product manager, marketer, and more. 🎩
And let’s talk costs. While many AI tools have relatively modest monthly fees (around $20), someone without a technical background will likely need intensive usage to build something meaningful. This can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars monthly. 😮 At that point, you might be paying as much as hiring a professional freelancer.
The Bottom Line#
Yes, the door is open. Technology is more accessible than ever. But lowering the technological barrier doesn’t mean everyone can quit their job and start churning out profitable products. The real challenge lies in developing an entrepreneurial mindset and work habits. 🤷
For Those Still Interested#
If you’ve read this far, don’t despair! 🎿 My point is that anyone considering this path needs honest self-reflection. Are you suited to fill the (often oversized) shoes of an entrepreneur? This question matters whether you’re using AI tools or not.
If you lack the necessary skills, ask yourself: are you willing to invest significant effort in learning—not just the technical tools, but the soft skills that entrepreneurship demands? This is fundamentally different from learning a new JavaScript framework or mastering prompt engineering techniques that supposedly make ChatGPT and Sam Altman bow to your will. 🙇
We’re talking about learning market identification, customer relationships, and completely restructuring your daily routine. In essence, becoming a businessperson in every sense of the word.
The Reality Behind the Hype#
As always, reality isn’t as rosy as the marketing suggests—whether from giant AI companies competing for market share or YouTube influencers claiming to make $50,000 daily from their couch. You get the picture.
We must be careful that in chasing our homemade product 🥨 that will deliver life-changing success, we don’t become the product ourselves—similar to what happened to many good people with social media addiction. This time, we might also drain our personal and family finances in pursuit of this supposed “accessibility.”
The key takeaway: AI tools have lowered technical barriers, but entrepreneurship remains as challenging as ever. Success still requires the same fundamental business skills, strategic thinking, and relentless work ethic it always has.