Starting a business no longer requires a large team or physical infrastructure. A significant and growing segment of the U.S. economy is now powered by "solopreneurs"—businesses with no paid employees. According to the most recent Census data, the nation's 29.8 million non-employer firms contributed $1.7 trillion to the economy in 2022, accounting for 6.8% of total economic activity.

This trend is accelerating. The Small Business Administration reports that entrepreneurs are filing over 440,000 business applications monthly—a rate more than 90% faster than pre-pandemic averages. Experts point to artificial intelligence and social media as key enablers of this boom, dramatically lowering the barriers to entry.

"An interested individual could start a side hustle in 10 minutes and start making money," said Mark Valentino, head of business banking for Citizens Bank. AI tools like ChatGPT can generate a business plan in minutes, acting as a ready-made virtual assistant and providing a solid foundation for securing funding.

Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, are serving as powerful, low-cost storefronts and marketing channels. Esme Lean, head of small business at TikTok, cites examples like a creator who sold 750 bottles of a niche monk fruit chamoy in her first week. "You don't even have to have a business idea; it could just be something interesting or something you love that you end up creating a business from," Lean noted. The platform hosts an estimated 7.5 million businesses, with significant growth among female entrepreneurs under 30.

This shift reflects a deeper change in work culture and consumer preference. People are increasingly prioritizing flexibility, autonomy, and purpose over traditional corporate careers. "Technology has lowered barriers to entry; one person with a laptop can now run a global business," said Najiba Benabess, business dean at Neumann University.

For many, like Angela Berardino, founder of the marketing firm Brouhaha Collective, AI was the catalyst. "AI has given me an army of admins and interns that take notes on calls, do first rounds of research, and help me analyze large data sets," she said, explaining that the technology enabled her to launch and scale as a solo parent.

The solopreneur movement spans all ages and demographics, from digital natives building brands on TikTok to retirees like 77-year-old Susan Bernstein, who runs a one-of-a-kind jewelry redesign business. As consumers seek authentic connections with founders and workers demand greater control over their time, the one-person business model is being redefined not as a last resort, but as a first-choice, viable path to professional and personal fulfillment.