Why Now Is the Best Time to Start Something of Your Own

In 2005, I was working in the entertainment & media industry when something seismic happened. YouTube launched—and quietly rewrote the rules of content creation.

Before YouTube, creating and distributing even the simplest content required significant resources. You needed an entire production team, expensive equipment, and significant funding. YouTube simplified this process to a couple of clicks: record and upload.



The shift from full production teams to solo creators enabled by YouTube.

Fast forward to today, and we're experiencing another powerful inflection point—this time driven by AI.

Today's AI tools, led by ChatGPT and others, are having a similar transformative effect on entrepreneurship. Tasks that previously required hiring agencies or building extensive teams—branding, market research, legal frameworks, web development—are now streamlined and accessible to anyone with an idea and ambition.

In 2023 alone, more than 5.5 million new business applications were filed in the U.S.—the highest number ever recorded. This surge reflects the immense democratization of entrepreneurship, driven significantly by the rise of accessible AI tools. Some believe we're on the verge of seeing the first one-person unicorn-an AI-powered startup built by a solo founder and valued at over $1 billion.

AI's rise parallels a record number of new business applications in 2023

 Of course, some skepticism remains around the practical reality of a one-person unicorn-many argue the complexity of scaling and relationships still demands significant human involvement. Personally, I believe the truth likely lies somewhere in the middle.

After spending more than 30 years in corporate roles spanning gaming, entertainment, media, and technology, I recently faced a crossroads. The conventional path would have been to step comfortably into another corporate role. But instead, I heard myself asking, "If not now, when?"

The answer kept pointing to now.

Here’s the key insight I want to share: You don’t need a massive team or a huge budget. You just need belief, a real problem worth solving, the curiosity to learn your way forward, and most importantly—your own experience and know-how.

Of course, AI can’t do everything. And it shouldn't.

Did AI help me write this article? Absolutely. But I drafted all the core ideas. My example of YouTube resonated deeply because I experienced firsthand how it simplified an entire industry. Similarly, my personal journey—leaving corporate life to build something of my own—is deeply personal and meaningful.

AI simply helped structure my thoughts, provided clarity, and kept me focused. But the true value—the real core—comes from human depth:

• Your expertise
• Your lived experience
• The relationships you've built
• The strategic thinking you've mastered over years

AI helps fill in gaps around infrastructure and tasks that you might find tedious, allowing you to stay energized and strategic about your core strengths.

Your unique value emerges where human depth and AI support intersect.

And that’s why, despite the uncertainty, I’ve chosen this moment to launch my own venture: ECOSYSiQ.

I’m not a serial entrepreneur. I’m someone who values consistency, trust, security and thoughtful decision-making. Yet, this moment feels distinctly different. It feels possible.

So, if you've ever thought about starting something of your own—this could very well be your moment, too.

For the first time in decades, it truly feels like the playing field has leveled for anyone who has ever thought, “One day...”

Well, this is that day.

ecosysIQ | www.ecosysIQ.com