I run a 30-year-old bookstore. Here's how I've kept sales rising for 4 straight years.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy, Style
Kandi West, Owner of WordsWorth Books in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Kandi West is the co-owner and general manager of WordsWorth Books.

Katie Adkins for BI

2 neurodivergent founders share how AI supports executive function and growth

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Rita Ramakrishnan; Chris Haddox
Rita Ramakrishnan, founder of Iksana Consulting, and Chris Haddox, founder of DECOY LTD, use AI to manage some of the challenges of business management.

Janice Chung; Matt Williams for BI

My small business modernized a 2,000-year-old tourniquet. We've already sold hundreds of kits through word of mouth.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment, Sports
Founder Hannah Herbst with AutoTQ kits at the Golden Hour Medical headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida on March 2, 2026. Herbst developed the AutoTQ automated tourniquet after learning about the frequency of blood loss deaths. (Photo by Jennifer Ortiz)
Hannah Herbst is the CEO of Golden Hour Medical.

Jennifer Ortiz for BI

They were about to shut down their business. Then a raw TikTok changed everything.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Portrait of ChocboxLA founders Brittany and Kevin.
Brittany Nemandoust, the founder of Chocbox, and her husband, Kevin.

Ethan Noah Roy for BI

I started a business with AI and no tech background. Here's what it still can't replace.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment, Style
Tim Desoto
Tim Desoto founded an AI startup in 2024 with no technical background.

Zachary Fineberg for BI

I've made $11.4 million from my clean skincare brand. Now, I'm rebranding to reflect my company's evolution and expect to double my revenue.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Elina Sofia Wang wears a pink blazer and stands behind ESW Beauty products.
Elina Sofia Wang is the founder of ESW Beauty.

My Muse Photography

AI agents make agreeable coworkers, and that's a problem for solo business owners. Here are 3 ways they're fixing it.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Tim Desoto, Yesim Saydan and Aaron Sneed
Founders Tim Desoto, Yesim Saydan, and Aaron Sneed all implemented a strategy to make their AI employees better.

Courtesy of Tim Desoto and Yesim Saydan; Michelle Bruzzese for BI

I'm a solo business owner who couldn't afford employees. A $20-a-month AI subscription became my team.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Christina Puder
Christina Puder discovered the power of AI through a free account with Lovable, an AI coding assistant.

Christopher Gregory-Rivera for BI

I stopped bartending full-time to sell ice. My company now makes nearly $3 million a year, catering to Michelin-starred restaurants in New York City.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
man at bar
Richard Boccato launched his ice business in 2011.

Business Insider

I'm a solo founder with AI agents instead of employees. My 'council' of AI agents saves me 20 hours a week.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Aaron Sneed

Michelle Bruzzese for BI

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