How AI is Revolutionizing Tools for Independent Entrepreneurs

The Rise of Solopreneurs and AI

Cody Luongo, an independent media consultant, and Amin Astaneh, who founded the technology consulting firm Certo Modo, are among those who have embraced artificial intelligence to develop applications tailored to their professional needs. Donaven Doughty and Simon Simard, involved with BISolopreneurs, are also exploring the use of AI tools to manage their businesses. Platforms like Base44, which facilitate vibe coding, are favored by these founders for creating custom applications. However, sometimes it is wiser to stick with existing SaaS solutions.

When Cody Luongo left his job to become a freelance consultant, he sought a way to measure the impact of his public relations efforts for his clients. After testing Semrush, a marketing tool, he decided that the monthly subscription cost, ranging from $199 to $499, was too high for his needs. He opted for Base44, a service at $40 per month, which allowed him to develop a custom application to track audience engagement.

Luongo is not alone in this approach. Many solopreneurs are turning to AI for vibe coding, a method that uses AI tools and simple instructions to design applications. These solutions can sometimes replace traditional SaaS tools. However, some founders still prefer existing AI platforms, which are considered more affordable than certain SaaS services.

Business Insider interviewed five solopreneurs who have found in AI a cost-effective alternative to some software subscriptions. In addition to the savings, they emphasize that these tools save them time, increase their efficiency, and enhance the customer experience.

The AI-Powered Solopreneur series highlights how these entrepreneurs are using AI to drive their growth. Luongo expresses his excitement about the possibility of creating a product that meets his exact needs. However, vibe coding is not universally suitable, as noted by another entrepreneur.

Savings and Time Gains

Sacha Walton, a business strategist and event organizer in Virginia, runs SWI Management Group. She used Base44 to develop a financial tool that not only manages her accounting but also provides advice on improving her business's profitability. This tool replaced her subscription to QuickBooks, which cost between $38 and $275 per month, and eliminated the need for tedious analyses she previously performed manually.

However, not everyone is diving into vibe coding. Beth Nydick, a media consultant in New Jersey, was spending up to $300 per month on various SaaS subscriptions. She now uses Claude from Anthropic, a generative AI tool at $20 per month, which meets most of her needs. This streamlining gives her more time to create content. Sarah Busse, owner of Magdalene Design Co. in Wisconsin, estimates she saved $600 in time and photo licenses for a recent project thanks to ChatGPT.

Customization Through Vibe Coding

Amin Astaneh uses AI to create custom tools for his Boston-based company Certo Modo, which helps avoid technological failures on websites and other systems. As a developer, Astaneh emphasizes that SaaS products impose predefined choices on users. Creating his own tools, like the one developed with Claude to facilitate webinar sign-ups, gives him complete control. "I can now provide a seamless user experience," Astaneh states.

However, vibe coding is not suitable for everyone. Astaneh advises solopreneurs, especially those without strong technical skills, to carefully assess the time required to develop, debug, and maintain their AI tools. "Solopreneurs have limited time each week," he reminds.

Other reasons may lead an entrepreneur to stick with existing software. Walton considered using AI to rethink her website hosting but ultimately chose to stay with her current provider due to the investments already made in SEO optimization. Astaneh, for his part, weighs the time required to keep up with new technologies and the potential risks in case of issues. He uses Claude only to code tools he can fix if necessary. "If you think coding will solve all your business problems, you might just be trading one problem for another," Astaneh warns.