Solopreneurship can be dream come true for many. But there's a hidden cost

"From greater flexibility to a sense of ownership and the hope of financial gain, solopreneurship feels like the new American dream. However, there's a hidden cost to that dream that has nothing to do with the unending hustle that comes with being both a business owner and that business's sole employee. It's the undeniable cost to the planet. In 2025, about 41 million businesses in the U.S. were run by a sole individual who is both its owner and only employee."

"Now, Mazei runs his own business as the founder and principal of All Tangled Roots, a marketing consultancy for brands, with the help of AI. Mazei tells Fast Company that AI is crucial to his business model, as it can "level the playing field for a solo service provider against a sea of heavily staffed agencies" that are doing the same kind of work."

Solopreneurship offers greater flexibility, ownership, and potential financial gain while driving a large increase in one-person enterprises. In 2025 about 41 million U.S. businesses were run by sole owners who were also the only employees. AI lets solopreneurs automate many tasks, enabling gigs from content creation to event planning, dog grooming, and jewelry making to thrive with a single person. AI can level the playing field against staffed agencies and help manage business and parenting demands. The rapid growth of AI-enabled solo businesses produces environmental impacts that are substantial and often hidden.

Read at Fast Company