My First Million
The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.
AI-First Generation Entrepreneurs
Timeframe: Currently happening, 2-3 year window of maximum opportunity
What's Changing
Young entrepreneurs (16-22) are building businesses with AI-native thinking, combining coding skills with social media mastery to create products impossible for previous generations
Driving Forces
AI tools mature enough for production use
Gen Z native understanding of viral content mechanics
Lower barriers to building and distributing apps
Normalized therapy/self-improvement culture creating new markets
Winners
- Young developers who understand both AI and social media
- Consumer app categories enhanced by AI (health, productivity, education)
- Platforms enabling no-code/low-code AI integration
Losers
- Traditional app developers without AI integration skills
- Marketing agencies without social media native understanding
- Established apps that don't adapt AI features fast enough
How to Position Yourself
Learn AI integration alongside traditional development skills
Study viral content patterns on TikTok and Instagram
Focus on visual, demonstrable AI features perfect for social media
Build products that create immediate 'wow' moments
Early Signals to Watch
Example Implementation
“Zach represents this trend: learned coding early, understood TikTok mechanics, built AI-enhanced calorie tracking app, used influencer marketing to reach $24M ARR by age 18”