Episode Summary: Build a $1M+ Solopreneur Business Using AI
Podcast: The Startup Ideas Podcast
Host: Greg Isenberg
Guest: Samuel Thompson
Date: January 16, 2026
Overview
This episode dives deep into practical, step-by-step strategies for creating, launching, and scaling a solopreneur business powered by AI. Host Greg Isenberg welcomes Samuel Thompson, a serial entrepreneur who has launched over 100 companies in 10 years, many of which are almost entirely AI-driven. Samuel walks listeners through his complete process for ideating, building, and selling digital products (specifically info products) using AI tools, with a live example of his “Divorce Bible” book project.
The episode is a goldmine for anyone interested in leveraging AI to run lean, scalable businesses solo—offering actionable insights for info products, e-commerce, SaaS, and more.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The AI Solopreneur Opportunity
- Why now is the time: Samuel and Greg emphasize that AI enables solopreneurs to do the work of an entire team, launching complex businesses quickly and inexpensively.
- Anyone can apply this: Even if you’re not interested in info products, these techniques and tools are applicable to e-commerce, SaaS, and other business models. (02:11)
2. Choosing and Validating an Idea
- Start with your 'offer': Samuel explains that the “offer” is crucial. He shares his own insight—while planning his wedding, he noticed the wedding industry is huge, but so is the often-overlooked divorce market. (02:30)
- Rapid validation: The first version of his “Divorce Bible” book was made in an hour, during a Lakers game, using ChatGPT and a landing page. Early sales validated the concept. (05:19)
- Market math: Samuel underscores the importance of finding markets where acquisition cost (CAC) and lifetime value (LTV) math can work in your favor. (08:39, 24:23)
3. Step-by-Step: Building an AI-Powered Info Product
Tools List (01:54):
- ChatGPT
- Shopify
- Canva
- Fiverr
- Envato Elements
a. Content & Product Creation
- AI book writing: ChatGPT is used to generate book chapters based on simple prompts (“Write chapter 2 of a book called X”).
- Iterative improvement: Initial product can be basic; iterate as you get sales.
- Formatting: Assemble content in Google Docs, format as needed, design a cover in Canva, and merge everything into one PDF for the final product. (05:19)
b. Design & Mockups
- Envato Elements: Download mockup templates for products; use Photoshop to add your own book covers and create high-quality visuals quickly. (08:40)
c. Shopify Store Build
- Theme selection: "Solo Drop" and "Elixir" are recommended for single-product, conversion-optimized stores. (11:03)
- Mobile-first: 99% of traffic is mobile, so prioritize mobile optimization. (19:07)
- Price testing: Use ChatGPT to sanity-check your price point by describing your customer persona. (18:29)
d. Copywriting & Benefits
- ChatGPT for copy: Generate everything from sales copy to headline options and emoji-styled benefit lists. Tweak results for clarity and conversion.
- Samuel’s copy technique: “I want an 80% head start from AI, then I’ll finish it myself.” (32:04)
- Bonus gifts: Offering digital bonus products or checklists boosts perceived value and conversion rates. (29:25)
e. Ad Creatives
- Static images: Use Canva to make ads with ChatGPT-generated headlines and benefit bullets.
- AI-generated images: Leverage HeyGen for AI people/photos, and even video testimonials using cloned voices for more realistic delivery. (34:03)
- Scaling up: Test multiple ad creatives/headlines, run Facebook Ads campaigns with a daily spend equal to or above your product price to validate. (38:56)
4. Marketing and Scaling Advice
- Conversion rates: 3–5% is a good target for these pages; under 3% means you should refine your offer/copy, over 5% means consider raising your price. (24:14)
- Math-driven scaling: Samuel emphasizes “rigging the slot machine”—if you can put $1 into ads and get $1.30 out, just scale as much as possible until the math breaks, then move on to the next product. (25:28)
- Multiple micro-businesses: Not every business is a unicorn, but “a handful of these can bring in $100k profit a year” with minimal ongoing work. (39:47)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Iterating Quickly:
“I’m a big fan of super low friction. So an ebook became kind of the natural, like, well, what if I just sold a book that helped people with this specific thing?”
— Samuel (03:00) -
On AI Writing:
“Literally a 30-second prompt... all I do is go like, ‘Alright, please write chapter 2.’”
— Samuel (05:19) -
On Offers and Validation:
“At the end of the day, it’s all like a math equation, right? Like CAC versus LTV and really, you want your cash conversion cycle to be negative.”
— Samuel (08:39) -
On Product Pricing:
“If you’re over 5% (conversion rate), depending on your math, you might consider raising your price... it’s all math.”
— Samuel (25:28) -
On Bonus Products:
“It’s just perceived value… [they] see one of them and be like, oh shoot, I really need that.”
— Samuel (29:25) -
On AI Ad Creatives:
“Write a 45-second script for an ad that is a customer reviewing the book… All AI generated with a little bit of love.”
— Samuel (34:03) -
On The Solopreneur Mindset:
“All I’m ever trying to do in E-comm is create a rigged slot machine. I know I can put a dollar in and get a dollar and thirty cents out. And then it’s like… how do I put as many dollars into that thing as humanly possible while that math holds?”
— Samuel (25:28) -
On The Potential:
“There’s no part of me that’s ever trying to convince somebody this is going to be the next billion-dollar idea. But... things like this can make you a hundred thousand dollars in profit a year.”
— Samuel (39:47) -
Host’s Takeaway:
“You’ve basically shown how one person could use AI to build a business that looks, feels, smells, tastes like a really, really big business.”
— Greg (38:56)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [01:37] – Samuel describes what listeners will learn: launching an AI-powered info product & making money via Facebook Ads in under an hour.
- [02:30] – The importance of choosing the right offer and the 'Divorce Bible' example.
- [05:19] – Step-by-step of writing an AI-generated book and assembling it for sale.
- [08:40] – Using Envato Elements for mockups & design assets.
- [11:03] – Shopify theme selection for high converting product pages.
- [14:59] – Drop shipping mentality applied to new businesses.
- [18:29] – Price testing with ChatGPT; thinking through pricing logic.
- [24:14] – What conversion rates to expect and what to do if they’re too low/high.
- [25:28] – Scaling advice: “rig the slot machine” math approach & launching multiple businesses.
- [29:25] – The power of bonus gifts as a conversion tool.
- [34:03] – AI-powered video testimonials and ad creative tips.
- [38:56] – Wrap-up & inspiration for solo founders.
Actionable Takeaways
- Leverage AI to shortcut product creation (books, content, images, video).
- Validate with minimal effort and scale what works—don’t aim for perfection at launch.
- Optimize for mobile, focus on the product page, and automate as much as possible.
- Be relentless about pricing and conversion math—iterate until the “slot machine” works.
- Use AI ad creatives and headlines—test widely and track performance.
- Niche markets can quietly produce serious profits for solo founders willing to execute.
Final Thoughts
Both Greg Isenberg and Samuel Thompson leave listeners fired up with a clear message: AI tools have made starting and running a profitable solo business more accessible than ever. The formula they share is transparent and battle-tested, ready for anyone willing to put in a few hours and run some experiments.
Next episode tease: Listeners are encouraged to leave comments for a part two focused on Facebook Ads scaling in greater depth.
Links mentioned: