AI for Solopreneurs: Your First 90 Days
Find a clear path to using AI in your business, without the overwhelm.
Like many people, I was an AI skeptic in the early days. I saw the usefulness, but the output required a lot of work (especially since I'm a writer).
Fast forward a few years, and AI is an embedded part of my solo business. It's become as necessary as email or my project management tool.
One of the hardest parts about adopting AI for solopreneurs is that there's no specific route from Point A to Point B. The use cases are so varied. It's about trying different things and seeing what works.
The solopreneurs getting real results from AI aren't the ones who tried every tool at once. They're the ones who started small, saw the impact, and then layered AI into their processes.
What does it mean to adopt AI as a solopreneur?
AI for solopreneurs is a lot different than the experience at a big enterprise company. You get to identify the parts of your business where spending too much time on a task and let AI speed things up.
A Reimagine Main Street survey found that 76% of small businesses are either using or exploring AI — but many are stuck on where to start.
That's why you need a specific plan. If you give yourself permission to go slow and explore, you'll gain confidence in the AI skills you develop before you move on to the next thing.
Getting started with AI: your first three months
The biggest mistake solopreneurs make with AI is trying to do everything at once. So everything works "sort of well" instead of a few things working "really well."
Instead, think of AI adoption as a three-month project, to start. Each month introduces a new skill or tool that builds on what you learned the month before.
Month 1: Learn to use what you already have
The fastest way to start using AI is to turn on features inside tools you're already paying for. You avoid the learning curve of a new platform.
Check your existing tools for AI features
Most SaaS tools have added AI features since you originally signed up. Your accounting software might offer AI-powered transaction matching, or your email client might suggest smart replies. Your project management tool might have AI automations you've never turned on.
For example, I use Airtable heavily and it has AI field agents. I created a bunch of field agents that now do work I was doing manually before.
Spend 30 minutes this week auditing the tools you already use. Open the settings, check for anything labeled "AI," and turn on what looks useful.
Quick win: Add an AI notetaker to your meetings
If you only add one new AI tool this month, make it a meeting notetaker. A notetaker auto-joins your calls, records the conversation, transcribes everything, and sends you a recap with action items afterward. You can be fully present during client conversations instead of splitting your attention between listening and scribbling things down.
There's almost no setup involved, and you don't need any AI prompting. Over time, you build a searchable archive of every meeting.
Foundation work: Start using a chatbot for everyday tasks
Don't overthink this part. Open ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini and start using it for the small stuff: drafting a client email, summarizing a long document, or brainstorming blog post ideas.
It can take some time to get good results from a chatbot, so this isn't about mastery. Instead, you want to build the habit of reaching for AI before doing everything manually.
Anna Burgess Yang
Month 2: Document your processes with AI
Now that you're comfortable with AI in your daily work, use it to capture how you actually do things.
You might not plan to hire anyone right now. But standard operating procedures (SOPs) help you, too. They make it easier for you to remember a process you only use occasionally. They give you the ability to hand off work if you're sick or overloaded. And they're critical if you eventually bring on a virtual assistant or contractor.
The problem is that writing step-by-step instructions for everything you do is time-consuming. Most solopreneurs know they should document their processes, but never get around to it.
AI tools solve this problem. Screen-recording tools watch you complete a task and automatically generate written documentation, complete with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.
Month 3: Build your AI business coach
The first two months handled tasks. This month, you're using AI for the kind of strategic work that solopreneurs usually do alone.
One of the hardest parts of working solo is not having colleagues to bounce ideas off. You make decisions about pricing, clients, marketing, and strategy without a gut check from anyone else.
AI chatbots can serve as an on-demand sounding board. I think of my business coach in Claude as my "sparring partner." Chatbots won't replace your judgment — they can't understand the full nuance of your relationships and circumstances. But they're useful for thinking through options, weighing tradeoffs, and gently pushing back by asking questions. I find that replying to Claude helps me clarify my thinking.
The key is giving your AI chatbot enough context to be genuinely helpful. You should set up a Project in whatever tool you use and attach some documentation:
- Information about your business: what you do, who you serve, how you make money
- Examples of your past work: proposals, case studies, content you've created
- Your voice and tone: how you communicate with clients and your audience
- Your goals and constraints: what you're working toward and what limits you (time, money, bandwidth)
The more context you provide, the better the output.
Your AI starter toolkit
You don't need a dozen tools to get started. Here are some options that cover the essentials:
- AI notetaker: Otter, Fathom, or Fireflies* [affiliate link]
- AI chatbot: ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini
- SOP creator: Scribe* [affiliate link], Loom AI, or Tango
- Knowledge system: Notion* [affiliate link], Capacities, Tana, or NotebookLM
What comes after 90 days
Once you're comfortable with AI as a daily tool, you can try something more adventurous: the ability to build custom tools for your specific business.
Vibe coding is a process of describing what you want in plain language and letting AI generate the code. Solopreneurs can create apps, dashboards, and automations — no coding experience required.
You may have situations in your business where you can't get exactly what you want with tools on the market. Or you can build a tool you use with clients — a truly custom product that sets you apart. For example, I built a calculator for solopreneurs using Claude Code.
Whether it's vibe coding or going deeper into some of the tools you're using, the goal is to keep improving your use of AI. It's not going anywhere and will eventually become as necessary as knowing how to use basic tools like Word, Excel, or email.
Thinking about vibe coding your own site or tool?
Grab this free checklist so you're ready for your first session.
FAQs
What AI tools should solopreneurs start with?
Start with an AI chatbot like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini for everyday tasks like drafting emails and brainstorming. Then add an AI notetaker like Otter, Fathom, or Fireflies to your client calls. These two tools cover the most ground for the least effort.
How long does it take to learn AI as a solopreneur?
You can start seeing results within the first week — especially with quick wins like AI features in tools you already use. Getting comfortable enough to use AI as part of your daily workflow typically takes a few months of consistent use.
Do I need technical skills to use AI in my business?
No. Most AI tools designed for solopreneurs work through plain language. You type what you need, and the tool generates a response or completes a task. The learning curve is more about figuring out how to give clear instructions than anything technical.
What is vibe coding and can non-technical people do it?
Vibe coding is the process of describing what you want an app or tool to do in plain language and letting AI generate the code for you. It's specifically designed for people without a coding background. You focus on what you need, and the AI handles how to build it.
How do I create SOPs with AI?
Use a screen-recording AI tool like Scribe, Loom AI, or Tango. These tools watch you complete a task and automatically generate written documentation with screenshots and step-by-step instructions.
