What if I told you it’s totally possible to build a one-person small business and make your first $100,000 in 12 months? Without being an AI genius, spending a ton on software, or having thousands of followers?
AI is already part of our world. You can either learn to use it to your advantage or resist it and get left behind.
The choice is yours.
That probably would’ve sounded insane back in 2019. Back then, starting an online business meant managing a team of virtual assistants, hiring designers, spending thousands on tools, and hoping it would all work out.
But now?
AI changed the game. Tools like ChatGPT, Canva and others have made it realistic for one person to run an entire business that used to take 5+ people and do it for less than $100/month.
So today, I’m walking you through the four-step process that helped me build a profitable one-person business, working just 2 hours a day.
Table of Contents
Use AI to Make $100K with Your Small Business
First, let’s break it down.
To hit $10,000/month, you need to make around $333/day.
You can get there by:
- Selling 5 ebooks at $75 each
- Selling 7 affiliate products at $50 each
- Selling 1 course at $350
Every option comes back to one thing: eyeballs on your product. Step four covers how to get them, but before that we’ve got to talk about what you’re selling and why.
1. Start with Problem Pinpointing
Money comes from solving problems.
The more people you help? The more money you make.
Let’s use Uber for example. The driver gets paid to drive one person. The CEO built a system that helps millions of drivers move people – he earns 10,000x more, just for solving a bigger version of the same problem.
Now apply that to your business.
Your job is to pinpoint a specific problem in a niche and solve it consistently.
Not sure what that problem is yet? Here’s how to uncover it:
- Think back 5-10 years. What have you struggled with and solved?
- Were you broke and figured out budgeting?
- Were you terrified of public speaking but got better?
- Did you lose weight, get promoted, or overcome anxiety?
Even something small like learning Excel or organizing your home. These are all everyday pain points that people pay to solve.
Still stuck? Use this ChatGPT prompt:
“Give me a list of common problems people face that I can solve with a one-person content business.”
Pick one and move to the next step.
2. Define Your Unique Angle
Here’s something to think about: someone else is already solving the problem you picked.
But it doesn’t matter. Why? Because you’re going to stand out.
So how do you stand out?
With a Unique Selling Proposition (USP).
Think of it like your secret sauce, this is what makes you different from everyone else.
When I got started, I struggled to sell digital products. Everything online was too advanced or aimed at 22-year-old hustle bros. I was working a 9-to-5, exhausted, and just wanted something simple that worked in 1-2 hours a day.
So I created a product for people like me who are total beginners with busy lives and full-time jobs.
That was my USP.
Yours might be:
- A fitness course for postpartum moms
- A stock investing guide for retirees
- A productivity system for ADHD professionals
If you’re not sure what makes you different, ask ChatGPT:
“Give me 10 unique angles or USPs I could use to stand out in my niche.”
Boom! Now you’ve got your problem and your angle.
Next up: what to sell.
Reference: AWeber.com
3. Create a Minimum Viable Product
This is where a lot of people get stuck.
They think they have to build a fancy course or launch a giant membership site to make money. Nah.
What you actually need is a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Something fast, simple, and easy to test.
That could be:
- A $50 ebook with 10 tips
- A 60-minute video mini course
- A few 1-on-1 coaching sessions
Think of it like a test. If people buy the small version, then it’s worth turning into a $500 program later. If not? You saved yourself months of work and $$$.
Here’s a ChatGPT prompt to help you build your MVP:
“I want to create a simple ebook or mini course for beginners who [describe audience]. Break it into easy sections with actionable tips. These are the problems they struggle with: [list problems]. Here’s how I solve them: [your solutions].”
Don’t forget:
You can also sell affiliate products if you’re not ready to build your own.
The key is to get something in front of people now and validate that they want it.
Reference: CleverTap.com
4. Get Attention (From the Right People)
Now for the fun part: getting people to actually buy.
This isn’t about going viral with dance videos. It’s about creating content for the people already looking for a solution.
Let’s say you’re selling a $50 healthy cooking e-book. You could:
- Post recipe reels on Instagram
- Share meal-prep tips on Pinterest
- Make short YouTube videos showing quick healthy meals
- Break down weight-loss tips in email newsletters
Wherever your audience hangs out, show up there.
Then, always include a clear call to action (CTA). Something like:
“Want the full 7-day meal plan? Grab the ebook here.”
Use this ChatGPT prompt if you’re stuck:
“Give me 10 content ideas I can use to promote a [type of product] for [audience] on [platform]. Include a CTA to drive sales.”
Once your content builds trust, people click. People buy. And that’s how you go from posting online… to making $333/day.
The Value Equation (aka Why People Buy)
Before we wrap up, there’s one more tool I have to share:
Alex Hormozi’s Value Equation from $100M Offers.
This formula shows what makes people take out their wallets:
Value = (Dream Outcome x Perceived Likelihood of Success) ÷ (Time Delay x Effort & Sacrifice)
Let’s break that down:
- Dream Outcome
What do they want most? Lose 20 lbs? Make $10K/month?
The bigger the dream, the more valuable your product. - Likelihood of Success
Can they trust it’ll work? That’s where testimonials, results, and reviews come in. - Time Delay
How fast can they get the result? The shorter, the better. - Effort & Sacrifice
How hard will it be? The easier it feels, the higher the value.
When your offer hits all four, then you’re golden. That’s when someone says: “This solves my problem. It’s proven. It’s fast. And I don’t have to sacrifice much.”
They buy. They become a repeat customer. And your $10K/month machine is officially rolling.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to go viral.
You don’t need a huge team.
And you definitely don’t need to burn out trying to build 10 funnels and 6 offers at once.
You just need:
- A problem to solve
- A unique twist
- A simple product
- The right people seeing it
And with tools like ChatGPT, Canva and others – you’ve got a virtual team at your fingertips for less than $50/month.
So, are you going to wait another year or start today?
FAQs
1. Can I start a one-person business even if I work a full-time job?
Yes! That’s actually who this model is perfect for. You can build a $10K/month business in just 1-2 hours a day using the right tools and content strategy.
2. Do I need to create my own product to start?
Not at all. You can promote affiliate products or offer coaching first. The key is solving a real problem for your niche, your offer can grow over time.
3. What platforms are best for promoting a one-person business?
Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok all work well. Choose the one where your audience already hangs out and build simple, valuable content around your niche.
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