The era of entrepreneurship has never been more promising. Thanks to technological advances, anyone with a smartphone and an idea can start a business, without the need for expensive tools or technical training. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based applications are enabling side activities to turn into prosperous ventures, making entrepreneurship an accessible reality for many.
According to a survey conducted with 720 users of the AI image editing tool, Photoroom, in the United States and the United Kingdom, human-centered AI is enabling small business owners and freelancers to achieve financial independence. Tools like Photoroom, ChatGPT, CapCut, Mailchimp, and others are lowering barriers that previously hindered the creation and growth of new businesses.
Today, 99.9% of the businesses in the USA are small, and in the UK, 99.05%. The Gen Z, in particular, is reshaping the future of work: 93% of young people in this generation show interest in entrepreneurship and 75% plan to start their own businesses.
“AI is transforming the landscape for new entrepreneurs, reducing and transforming the financial hurdle and empowering ordinary people to create and manage their businesses,” says Matthieu Rouif, CEO, and co-founder of Photoroom.
Democratization of technology
The rise of AI is revolutionizing the business landscape, becoming essential for small businesses and side activities. Tools that were once exclusive to large corporations are now available to anyone, democratizing access to advanced technologies.
According to research, 33% of entrepreneurs use ChatGPT to generate campaign ideas, while 87% of Photoroom users utilize the platform to create professional-quality product photos. Other popular tools include CapCut, Mailchimp, and Mojo, which assist in video creation, email marketing automation, and content enhancement for social media.
The impact is clear: small businesses adopting these AI tools report significant improvements in productivity, time savings, and sales growth. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, one in four small businesses that embraced AI saw enhancements in marketing performance and communication, along with a considerable profit increase.
How Photoroom is helping entrepreneurs achieve financial independence
Photoroom has been an essential tool for entrepreneurs to overcome challenges and boost their businesses. An example is Nick Hawkins, founder of The 1994 Candle Co., who started his candle business during the pandemic. Despite being a photographer, he struggled with traditional editing tools that were expensive and complex. By adopting Photoroom, Nick was able to create high-quality images quickly and affordably, resulting in a 40% increase in sales in the first three months.
Another success story is Sarah, who founded Cowgirl Clutch, a jewelry business, at the age of 15. With no marketing experience and limited resources, Sarah found Photoroom to be the perfect tool for creating attractive and professional images. By the age of 18, she had already achieved financial independence, something she never thought possible in such a short time.
In Brazil, Bel Demétrio began creating exclusive women’s handbags during the pandemic, turning a hobby into a profitable business. Initially, she struggled to capture high-quality professional photos that showcased her craftsmanship. Along her journey, Bel tried various editing platforms, but it was Photoroom that managed to combine the artisanal look with professionalism in the images, resulting in a significant increase in interactions on her Instagram profile and, consequently, in sales. Today, she uses the Pro version of Photoroom to optimize the visual presentation of her pieces and plans to launch a website with photos edited in the app.
Another Brazilian example is the story of Débora Campos, a carioca artisan who settled in Hortolândia to dedicate herself to motherhood, and also faced challenges in capturing attractive photos of her products due to the lack of suitable backgrounds. After discovering Photoroom, her results changed completely: now she can prepare photos in just 20 minutes, which not only improved the presentation of her work, but also boosted her sales and the number of followers by up to 30%.
“With Photoroom, my photos started receiving many compliments, and I no longer need to spend on paid ads,” says Débora, who recommends the app to friends and highlights the importance of a good photo to convey credibility and attract clients.
These stories demonstrate the positive impact of AI on the lives of small entrepreneurs, enabling them to turn their ideas into prosperous businesses with accessible and easy-to-use resources.
The economic impact of entrepreneurship
In addition to the obvious benefit of using Photoroom to enhance the quality of their images (76%), respondents reported that access to AI photo editing tools had a significant impact on various areas of their businesses.
53% of users highlighted time savings as one of the key benefits, allowing them to dedicate more time to other crucial activities for the growth of their companies. 32% mentioned cost savings, avoiding expenses on expensive professional services, while 15% noted an increase in sales, resulting from the improvement in the presentation of their products.
Small businesses not only encourage innovation but are also the central axis of the global economy. According to the Small Business Administration of the USA, small businesses represent 40% of the American GDP and are responsible for 63% of the new jobs created since 1995.
With the support of tools like Photoroom, entrepreneurs are not only overcoming barriers but also saving money. 78% of users reported saving up to $500 per month on photography services, while 22% save up to $1,000. This, in turn, is driving growth and enabling more people to achieve their financial goals.
AI and the future of entrepreneurship
As AI tools continue to evolve, they play a crucial role in promoting innovation, creativity, and economic growth. Small businesses represent a significant portion of the economies of the US and UK, creating jobs and contributing to GDP. With AI’s assistance, the next generation of entrepreneurs has the opportunity to thrive, shaping a new future for work and commerce.
“AI may replace jobs in large corporations, but it will unlock opportunities for small businesses, driving economic growth and creating new jobs,” concludes Matthieu Rouif.
According to the CEO, Photoroom’s commitment is to continue developing accessible resources that enable entrepreneurs to overcome barriers and achieve financial freedom. With AI, the power is in the hands of those who want to turn their passion into a thriving small business.
