AI isn’t mainstream yet, solo startup teams scale with chatbots, and bizarre niches go viral
In this edition:
[SIGNALS] AI adoption isn’t as wide as you think
[AI IN ACTION] Founders rely on AI, but context is key
[MONETIZATION] Selling hair and socks pays for holidays
[AI IN ACTION] Chatbots reduce support costs by 30%
[NICHES] Vibe-coded printables make $20K/month
THE NOTE
We assume everyone’s using AI. The data disagrees.
Despite the hype, recent data shows that a large share of the population still doesn’t actively use tools like ChatGPT. Even among 25-34 year-olds, only about 60% of UK entrepreneurs say they turn to AI for business advice. That means there’s a wide gap between perception and actual adoption—and a clear opportunity for tailored AI products that serve overlooked niches.
At the same time, small teams and solo founders are relying on AI more deeply, not broadly. They’re using it as a 24/7 support team or as a no-code creative engine—but often without guidance or structure. This is a moment to build smarter tooling, not just newer ones.
THE UPDATE
[SIGNALS] AI adoption is still surprisingly limited
A new Statista survey on excitement vs adoption of AI in daily life reveals a disconnect: even in digitally advanced countries, a large share of users remain curious but not committed. Among non-technical users, general-purpose tools like ChatGPT feel too abstract or irrelevant. The implication? There’s untapped demand for AI solutions with tighter UX, vertical focus, and built-in context—especially in small business, healthcare, and local services. Broad AI adoption won’t happen through hype alone.
[AI IN ACTION] Young founders lean on AI, but risk overrelying
As reported by TechRadar via Reuters, about 60% of UK entrepreneurs aged 25–34 use AI like ChatGPT or Gemini to guide business decisions. This signals major trust—but also risk. Experts caution that AI models often miss industry-specific nuance, which can lead to shallow strategies or overconfidence. The takeaway: there’s real demand for AI copilots built for founders, with better filters, domain grounding, and guardrails that reflect business reality—not just a well-written answer.
[AI IN ACTION] Chatbots as your first “team member”
In a recent post from Nucamp, solopreneurs are deploying AI chatbots to manage customer support around the clock, especially in early-stage or one-person businesses. These tools now handle up to 80% of recurring queries, across multiple languages and time zones, while slashing support costs by 30% or more. For early-stage startups, it’s effectively like hiring a global team without the overhead. The bigger trend: AI is becoming operational infrastructure—not just a productivity hack.
[MONETIZATION] A TikToker makes $20K/year from socks and braids
A report by The Sun and Axios profiles a 24-year-old who sells used socks (£60) and hair braids (£800) on TikTok, using storytelling and viral hooks to generate demand. She’s now funded seven holidays this year alone. It’s a striking case of extreme monetization from hyper-niche markets, especially when paired with high-margin digital sales and minimal startup cost. These oddball verticals reveal a larger truth: niche + narrative = attention + revenue.
[NICHES] Vibe-coded printables are a $20K/month solo biz
In a deep dive from Business Insider, a solo Etsy seller explains how she built a $20,000/month business selling printable journals and planners, many of them vibe-coded using AI prompts and GPT customization. Her customers don’t want generic—they want products that match an aesthetic or emotion, not a function. It’s a signal that AI + no-code + personal expression is powering a new creative economy. There’s massive room for tools and platforms that help non-technical creators ride this wave.