Could AI make you a billionaire in 2025?

There I was, minding my own bidness, watching Formula 1 videos on IG. 🥰

Sam Altman pops up, talking about the future of AI as it relates to business owners.

He said that one day, we could see a one-person billion-dollar company. 😱

My first thought was, “Dude is wilding.” Then I thought, “What if he’s right?”

I promised myself I’d explore all new tech with an open mind since I learned my lesson from missing out on Bitcoin.

Also: I invested $50 in Bitcoin in 2022, and it’s been a ride. Here’s how much I have now

(I’m still salty about not becoming a Bitcoin trillionaire from a $25 investment) 😫

Understandably, that missed opportunity still haunts me, but let’s save that story for another day.

So, with all this in mind, I decided to do some detective work.

Today, I will share my fascinating findings on AI tools that help everyday people like you and me build a software company without knowing how to code. 🤯

In this article, I’ll also share:

• What tools to use
• A few ideas I have around what to build
• Tips and tricks on how to get your first users

I’ll even give you some insight into the tool I built to help me with my workflow.

Buckle up. This is going to be good.

Quick intro

If you’re new to my work, my name is Lester, but feel free to call me Les. 👋

I’m a founder with a successful exit, but at my core, I’m an award-winning performance marketer. Like most people who have started an online business, I wish I knew how to code.

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Starting out, I had to choose a direction: focus on the technical side of building products or lean into understanding people and how to reach them.

I chose marketing as it aligned more with my strengths and interests. 🤓

That said, you no longer have to make that choice. With a prompt, AI can help you create software and bring your ideas to life.

My experience using low-code/no-code

So, what are these magical AI tools where you input a prompt, and out comes a billion-dollar software company? 🪄

While there are a few out there, we will focus on Replit today.

Replit Agent is a tool that helps you build software using simple instructions. You can tell it what kind of app or website you want, and it will create it for you automatically. It works in the cloud, so you don’t need to install anything on your computer. This makes it easy for anyone to make their programs quickly, even if they don’t know how to code.

Replit’s claim to fame is “No code needed.” Its website says: “Tell Replit Agent your app or website idea, and it will build it for you automatically. It’s like having an entire team of software engineers on demand, ready to build what you need through a simple chat.”

Bold claim!

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But for $25 bucks, I gave it a shot. You ain’t gonna Bitcoin me twice in one lifetime. 😤

What happened next? I was pleasantly surprised.

First, let me explain my workflow. A big part of my job is sending emails, especially cold emails.

You can use many services to find someone’s email, but I have a personal beef with some of them. They’re ridiculously overpriced, and I don’t negotiate with terrorists. So, I do the process manually.

Sure, it’s not the best use of my time, but I’m a man of principle, dammit! 😠

Now, the manual process is time-consuming but simple. Most businesses use the same structure for all employee emails.

For example, joe.smith@awesomecompany.com or john@awesomecompany.com.

Once you know the format and the name of your prospect, the next step is to verify it’s an actual email. Again, there are plenty of services that can do this for you.

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Doing it manually is a pain, so I asked someone on our dev team to help me automate this process.

After a quick review, they said, “It’ll take three weeks to build.” Bruh!🙄

That didn’t sit right with my spirit.

Then it hit me: “I wonder if Replit could help me build my email finder.” 

I built my tool with a few prompts and started using it the same day.

That’s the power of tools like Replit. Now, let’s be clear, you’re not going to build the next Facebook with this tool (at least not yet).

We’re still in the early stages of this technology, but if this is what the early days look like, I can only imagine how much better it will get.

The good, the bad and the kinda ugly

👍Let’s start with the good:

• Replit is easy to use
• It works well for Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
• The AI-assisted coding is clever

👎 Now, the bad:

• It’s buggy at times
• It’s not very robust when dealing with complex user interface designs
• Customer support is spotty

🥴 And the ugly:

I don’t like that even when the software makes a mistake, you still use your credits. You tell the AI agent to fix the issue, it makes the same mistake again, and you lose more credits.

You know when ChatGPT gets stuck in a loop? It’s like that, but the difference is you’re paying for it. I’m not a fan of the pricing model, but I get it.

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While my project was simple for the most part, I see how tools like this could get annoying for more complicated tasks.

Overall, no-code tools like Replit are a great place to start, but they’re not the end-all, if you get what I mean. I can also see this tool being more powerful if you know what you’re doing.

If I had to describe it, I’d say it makes intermediate coders great, but it doesn’t make newbie coders great. This process could be challenging for someone completely new, and patience is not included with the $25 plan.😬

What should you build?

This is the tricky part. I don’t want to tell you what to do, but I’ll share this.

Following your passion is excellent advice for a hobby, but not so much if you’re trying to build a meaningful business.

You need to ask yourself what kind of lifestyle you want. The bigger your ambition, the more you’ll need to put into it to see meaningful results.

So start there. Sit with yourself and be honest. What do you want?

My unsolicited advice? Find the intersection of a big problem and something you can stay committed to.

Also: I’m an AI tools expert, and these are the only two I pay for

The truth is, no matter what path you take, you will face challenges. You won’t feel motivated some days, so discipline and commitment matter more than anything else.

You’d probably quit at the first challenge if I told you what to do. That’s why you should take the time to sit with your thoughts before making a decision. 🤔

That said, here are a few software companies Replit says were built using its tool.

MagicSchool.ai – An innovative platform with over 60 AI-powered tools designed to enhance the educational experience for teachers and students.

AutomateNow.xyz – A platform that helps businesses streamline their operations through automation.

GetCubicle.com – A straightforward productivity tool designed to enhance focus and efficiency. For a one-time fee of $10, it offers five key features.

You can also check out the Replit community for more ideas. Whatever you decide, remember this: you need to commit.  💪

My two cents

Can you build a billion-dollar business with just one person? Sure.

Sam may be on to something.

I can see it happening, but it’s not as simple as using a no-code tool and boom, you’re rich.

When it does happen, it will be a masterclass in marketing and solving the right problem at the right time.

Also: What’s really destroying your productivity – and 3 simple ways to focus better today

If you’re looking for a side hustle or how to build your startup, this is worth exploring. 🕵

But here’s a pro tip:

It’s not about how hard you row; it’s about the boat you’re in, the problem you choose to solve, and for who is very, very, very, very important.

Once you figure out how to serve your users, remember that you’re building something for real people. You need to understand them and know how to serve your community in the best way possible.

If you’re unclear on how to market your new SaaS company, feel free to join my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts. I share what’s working in the world of digital marketing, the latest trends, and the occasional pep talk to keep you inspired. 🤓

If this sounds like your jam and you wanna be besties forever, click here to sign up. It’s totally free.

😇 Hope this article helps; I’m rooting for you!

P.S. I’m watching more AI tools like this and will share updates in the newsletter.