1/
Here’s how I started an AI services business in February that’s now doing ~$5k/month on the side while still working full-time.
No funding.
No team.
No coding background.
Just consistency, curiosity, and putting myself out there.
🧵
@ShawnDanCap I’ve found even when they do know a little bit, they still don’t know how to execute well. Those are almost easier wins than the people who are totally unaware.
If you started or are considering starting an AI Agency/Advisory/Consulting firm in 2026. Corey is a Top 3 Follow.
1) Corey Ganim - Get started/growth
2) Jon Cheney - Fractional Chief AI
3) PJ Ace - Viral Marketing/AI Video
Seriously, these three for me, personally have delivered extreme value. For free. On X.
A few of the things I learned that have worked:
-Blueprint for Small Business (25 done)
-Gamma (Professional deliverable fast)
-Website Visibility/Revenue Audit
-AI concierge service
-Setting expectations with clients.
-Storyboarding, 2x2 Grid Prompts
-Replit | Codex | Runway | More
My company started day one as an AI native advertising firm, it has evolved into an AI Business Advisory firm with Visibility | Attention | Implementation as the services we deliver on.
Closing in on $10k/monthly and growing.
That doesn’t happen if I wasn’t following these guys and others in the AI building community on X.
The playbook is available, just go follow it. Have you started yet?
Let me know in the comments what’s working for you or holding you back.
Most consultants have never done the thing they’re advising you to do.
He’s not talking about firms like McKinsey or BCG.
There are plenty of people willing to sell you a course, ideas, book, etc..
Just ask:
“Have you done this before?”
"How is this working for you?"
“What were your results?”
Find the people who have achieved what you want to achieve or are actively doing it at the level of success you want to reach.
Then study their playbook. Ask for their advice.
What’s your take?
@nisarkhan2 Still building it. Talked to everyone I knew about it. Then educational workshops. Now referrals. Just refreshed our website for Local SEO and AI Visibility. Considering marketing/paid ads maybe on LinkedIn?
@TraeNunnink It feels hard when you first start. Educate and give value for free, it will start opening doors and become easier, not easy, but easier. Sales always is.
@VadWh1te Exactly. The assessment is valuable. Do the first few for free to get some reps and process down. The assessment is valuable but it should also give a path to bigger, higher pay work : the implementation.
@GoncaloCEsteves The Blueprint (assessment) is the primary lead magnet/offer. I also put together several free guides to ChatGPT/Claude/Grok/Gemini and What’s A Chief AI Officer and What AI Tool is Best for Your Business. I don’t think I use those as effectively as I could be though.
@cjblev True. There is so much opportunity. Like 97% of users are on a free tier of ChatGPT or Claude. Most have no idea what can be done right now. So the model is Education = Sales. Go for it!
What. A. Performance. @USMNT
4-1 over Paraguay.
Great way to kick off the group stages.
Let’s see how far the boys go because it looks like the sky is the limit!
@clarityx Got two partners currently, more operations/relationship management. My little bro is down in Austin. Stay connected, maybe we can help each other grow.
Yes, mostly local/regional now.
Talk to EVERYONE about what you are doing and be excited.
My first 5 clients came from talking to people at the gym and friends. First client was in California, I’m in Mississippi. 😂
Yes, free assessments, do a couple. It’s helps to establish your process and refine it. Also gives you momentum.
I did a free assessment for a social media company locally. They did several paid projects afterward and got my name out. Search locally in your area for social media firms, tons of solo run and small teams, huge value for them from AI.
Workshops! Host an “AI for Businesses” workshop at the library or even better link up with Chamber of Commerce | CPA | Local Bank | whoever can put business owners in front of you. There are tons of groups that exist to deliver value to their members. You hosting an AI workshop is that value. Guaranteed you get clients from it.
Put up a website! Easy to do, make it look professional. It gives you just a bit more credibility.
Great question David. I’d view Meta AI like any other AI tool: garbage in, garbage out. Most businesses will turn it on and get subpar results.
Learn how to optimize it, improve workflows, and connect it so your clients get real value from it.
The pitch is that the chatbot is good for FAQs, lead capture, appointment requests, and qualification, so I think it’s gonna work best for simple sales processes for brands (retail, restaurant, home services) with good Facebook and Instagram followings. Complex sales it will struggle with.
Lastly, dive in and learn meta business suite. The vast majority of businesses that use it only tap into like 20% of its features.