The $100 MBA Show, Episode 2728

Title: The Best AI Businesses To Start In 2026
Host: Omar Zenhom
Date: January 12, 2026

Overview

In this highly actionable episode, Omar Zenhom zeroes in on the five best AI business models for 2026 that solo or small team entrepreneurs can realistically build, launch, and profit from—without requiring a huge, highly technical staff. He emphasizes that the real opportunity in AI isn't in the technology itself, but in carefully solving painful problems for niche markets in ways that scale and deliver instant, obvious value. Omar delivers hard-won insights from his own experience and offers a quick decision tree for aspiring founders to pick their model.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Core Principles of Successful AI Businesses

[01:45–03:16]

• AI businesses don’t win just for using AI.
  1. Automate a painful problem: Remove time, frustration, and admin headaches.
  2. Deliver instant value: “If people don’t feel the benefit in under 10 seconds, they’ll leave you.” — Omar, [02:20]
  3. Scalable margins: These models should work without a huge team, ensuring high profitability and fast growth.

“It’s about business models... not about cool tools or prompts or fancy demos.”
— Omar, [00:36]

Model #1: Micro SaaS for Specific Niches

[03:17–07:20]

• Single, clear pain point for one group.
  Examples:

  • Whisper Flow (AI-driven dictation for busy business builders)
  • AI workout generator for Pilates instructors
  • Plod Note: Records, transcribes, summarizes talks/lectures—one tool, one function.

• Why it works:

  • Quick to build
  • Clear, reachable buyers
  • Low maintenance and cost
  • Niche focus = premium value

“Think about the tool examples I gave you. Think of the tools you use that have a specific use case. I love these types of tools because they actually scratch a specific itch.”
— Omar, [05:50]

Model #2: AI Workflow Automation for Small Businesses

[08:54–11:20]

• Targets the universal pain points for small teams:
  • Automating follow-ups, scheduling, client intake, documentation.
• Example:
  • OneBrain by Dale Beaumont: 500 built-in AI-driven SOPs for small businesses.
• Why now:
  • Small businesses want to avoid expensive hires and crave efficient systems.
  • “AI eats these [admin tasks] for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It's its forte.” — Omar, [10:05]

Model #3: AI-Powered Education & Coaching

[11:21–13:14]

• The next step beyond online courses:
  • Personalized, adaptive coaching/lessons using AI.
  • Learners get feedback and guidance tailored to their actual path and progress.
• Real example:
  • Omar’s own “Omar AI” inside The $100 MBA program—scaling his knowledge without scaling his time.
• Key benefits:
  • Immediate support for students.
  • Higher completion and success rates.
  • Massive profit margins by “cloning” your expertise.

“Just like the iPod got cannibalized by the iPhone, I'm trying to do the same in my own little way.”
— Omar, [12:02]

Model #4: AI-Powered Creation Tools

[13:15–14:52]

• Solves urgency for all creators:
  • AI video editors (auto cut clips)
  • AI slide and course outline generators
  • AI thumbnail and script writers
• Why powerful:
  • Instant time savings = instant value.
  • Viral marketing effect: “Creators share their results publicly... people ask, ‘What tool are you using?’”
  • Recurring revenue & low churn: Content creation is ongoing.

Model #5: “AI Money Tools” — Direct ROI Drivers

[14:53–16:17]

• Most powerful model: Direct line between tool and users making more money.
  • AI sales page or ad generator
  • AI pricing localization tool (auto-localizes prices by region, maximizing revenue)
• Super clear value prop:
  • “Use this, make more money.” — Omar, [15:20]
  • Easiest sale, lowest churn: People never stop wanting to make more.

Quick Decision Tree: Which Model To Choose?

[16:18–16:46]

• Want to start fast? Micro SaaS (#1)
• Want low churn? AI Money Tool (#5)
• Are you a creator/educator? AI Coach (#3)
• Want mass market? Content creation tool (#4)
• Love business pain points? Automation (#2)

“All five of them are where it's going in 2026, so choose what's right for you.”
— Omar, [16:42]

What to Avoid When Building AI Businesses in 2026

[16:47–17:38]

• Don’t build general AI (broad tools):
  • Can’t compete with OpenAI, Google, or huge low/no-code app studios.
• Don’t build for everyone:
  • “AI is won by niching down, not niching up.”
• Don’t chase hype, chase pain:
  • “Pain always has a budget.”
• Don’t hide behind the tech:
  • Success will be determined by distribution (i.e., marketing, getting it into users’ hands).

Memorable Quotes & Final Lessons

“AI is not the real opportunity—you are. AI is just leverage.”
— Omar, [17:40]

• Focus: Solve ONE real problem for ONE real group with ONE AI-powered solution.
• Start small, iterate constantly.
• You don’t need VC, a big team, or even a co-founder—just a laptop, a niche, the internet, and the courage to launch.

Important Timestamps

• [00:36] – Introduction: AI in business is about models, not just tools
• [01:45] – The three keys to winning AI businesses
• [03:17] – Model #1: Micro SaaS for niches
• [08:54] – Model #2: Workflow Automation for small business
• [11:21] – Model #3: AI-powered education and coaching
• [13:15] – Model #4: AI creation tools
• [14:53] – Model #5: AI money tools
• [16:18] – Decision tree for which model to pick
• [16:47] – “What NOT to build” in AI for 2026
• [17:40] – Closing inspiration: “AI is leverage, but you are the opportunity”

In summary:
Omar makes a strong, down-to-earth case that the best AI businesses for solo founders or small teams in 2026 are those laser-focused on solving urgent, specific problems for clearly defined groups. Niching down, delivering instant value, and iterating quickly are the keys to capitalizing on the still early-stage AI gold rush—while sidestepping the impossible competition from tech giants.