How I Built a Profitable AI Startup Solo — And the 6 Mistakes I’d Never Make Again

Once I launched PhotoPacks.AI, I did not have a staff or funding. Simply an concept: supply studio-quality headshots, powered by AI, for a fraction of the price of a conventional picture shoot. Right now, the product works, and it is rising steadily. However I’ve realized lots of classes the onerous approach.

Listed here are seven errors I made early on, and what I might do otherwise if I needed to begin over.

1. I attempted to construct for everybody, and transformed nobody

At first, my startup supplied the whole lot: headshots, modeling images, pet portraits, fantasy scenes. I figured, if AI might generate it, why not let individuals select?

However once I confirmed it to pals and tried to promote it, no person understood what it was for. Zero conversions. The repair? I targeted the product round one clear worth: skilled headshots. That change alone made the product click on with customers, and gross sales adopted. I realized to be particular and located {that a} clear, targeted message converts higher than a broad one.

Begin with a targeted, singular use case. The extra apparent the worth, the sooner you will get traction. You’ll be able to at all times develop later, however do not launch large and obscure.

2. I underpriced — and it backfired

I began with a $9.99 value level as a result of I did not wish to scare individuals away. I apprehensive that elevating costs would improve refund charges or kill momentum. However that attracted low-intent prospects, elevated refund requests and made the product really feel low-cost.

Once I raised the worth, gross sales did not drop — they bought higher. Folks handled the product extra significantly. Refunds dropped. Income grew.

Take a look at increased pricing sooner than you assume. Pricing sends a sign. For those who’re fixing an actual drawback, value with confidence, not worry.

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3. I dealt with the whole lot myself for too lengthy

I dealt with help tickets, wrote copy, managed uptime, ran advertisements, pushed code — all in someday. It wasn’t sustainable. Ultimately, I outsourced key items and purchased again my time. It let me deal with technique, product and development.

Do not confuse “solo” with “doing all of it.” Delegate repetitive duties early. Defend your cognitive bandwidth — it is your most respected useful resource.

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4. I over-engineered the primary model

I spent months perfecting options earlier than launch, together with ones nobody had requested for. I wished it to look polished and spectacular from day one.

Wanting again, I ought to have launched an easier model a lot earlier and formed the product round actual consumer suggestions. The bells and whistles can wait. What issues most is whether or not individuals need what you are constructing within the first place.

Launching lean does not imply decreasing requirements — it means prioritizing readability over complexity. Get a easy model dwell, then iterate. Early customers do not count on perfection — they need progress. Pace beats polish.

5. I wager an excessive amount of on search engine optimisation, not sufficient on group

Early on, I employed an search engine optimisation company to create keyword-optimized content material. However most of my precise visitors got here from Reddit, the place I had been partaking instantly with communities.

That also holds true at this time. My best-performing visitors continues to return from natural conversations, not weblog content material. The lesson? Your superb prospects are already hanging out someplace. Discover them, present up authentically, and deal with what’s really driving outcomes, not what’s alleged to.

Go the place your customers already hang around. Be helpful in these areas. Authenticity scales higher than search engine optimisation tips, particularly early on.

6. I underestimated how briskly AI evolves

Even after spending a yr immersed in generative AI, I used to be nonetheless caught off guard by how briskly issues moved as soon as I launched. What felt groundbreaking one month felt outdated the following.

It is thrilling, however it’s additionally exhausting. Making an attempt to maintain up with each new growth is a recipe for burnout.

As a substitute of chasing developments, I’ve realized to construct round secure, lasting worth. Maintaining issues — however not on the expense of your sanity or technique.

Begin easy — study quick

For those who’re a solo founder in AI, here is my recommendation: Do not attempt to create demand from scratch. Discover an underserved viewers, meet a transparent want and launch quick. Do not fall in love together with your imaginative and prescient. Fall in love with fixing issues.

You need not get all of it proper — simply get it on the market, study and hold going.

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