The $20K/Month Job Nobody Is Talking About (But You Can Start from Your Laptop)

AI consulting for small businesses — it's one of the most talked-about opportunities in the creator and tech space right now.

The promise? Use tools like ChatGPT, Notion, and Make to help overwhelmed business owners save time, automate workflows, and grow faster — all while building a flexible, high-income solo business.

But is it as good as it sounds? Or is this just another online mirage?

Let’s unpack it — the good, the real, and what most people won’t tell you.

Why This Opportunity Gets So Much Attention

Let’s start with the obvious:

• 98% of small businesses already use AI tools in some form (via U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
• 40% are using generative AI like ChatGPT
• Productivity gains range from 27% to 133%, depending on implementation (via University of St Andrews)

That’s a big signal: Small business owners want AI. But they don’t want to spend 3 months Googling how to set up automations. They want someone to do it for them.

That’s where AI consultants come in — and yes, some are making serious money. But here’s what it looks like when you do it.

Real Case Study: From Corporate Job to $25K Consulting Contract

Let’s talk about Shaw Talebi, a former data scientist who quit his job at Toyota to go solo.

He planned to offer AI and data consulting services while building a product on the side. What happened?

• He took 36 discovery calls
• Closed 2 contracts
• One turned into a $25,000+ project, where he sat in a project manager role and didn’t even write the code himself

The kicker? Shaw realized consulting was profitable, but it didn’t light him up. So he walked away to go all-in on YouTube. Still, in less than 9 months, he proved the model works.

That’s the takeaway: It’s very possible to land high-ticket AI consulting work…But it’s not always the dream job people assume it is.

The Business Model Breakdown

Let’s look at the real numbers behind it:

• Hourly Rates: $200–$350/hour is standard for AI consultants
• Profit Margins: 15% to 40% depending on complexity
• Monthly Earnings: $20K–$ 50 K+ (if you build solid systems or retainers)
• Startup Costs: $500–$2,000 (if you’ve already got a laptop + internet)
• Delivery Style: Mostly async, remote, project-based, or retainer

You don’t need to code. You don’t need to be an AI expert. You need:

• Basic proficiency with tools (ChatGPT, Notion, Make, Zapier)
• An ability to simplify complex problems
• A clear value prop for small business clients

What No One Tells You

Shaw’s case study dropped some honest insights that don’t get enough airtime:

• Selling AI services is mostly about trust and communication, not technical skill
• Most of your time will be in sales, project management, and discovery, not building
• High-ticket offers = long sales cycles (lots of touchpoints before closing)
• The work can eat up your creative time if you’re also building a personal brand or product

Translation? This isn’t passive income. It’s client services. It’s solving real problems. But if you do it right, it pays well and teaches you a ton.

How to Get Started (The 4-Part Blueprint)

1. Lay the Foundation

• Launch a simple website (services, testimonials, contact)
• Create a Google Business Profile (for local SEO)
• Optimize LinkedIn to say exactly who you help and how

2. Build Authority

• Post weekly AI walkthroughs (on a blog, LinkedIn, or YouTube)
• Show: “Here’s how I automated onboarding for a coach using Notion + ChatGPT”
• Partner with template creators, AI newsletter writers, or solopreneurs for cross-promos

3. Capture Leads

• Offer a freebie: “Top 5 AI Workflows That Save Small Biz Owners 10+ Hours a Week”
• Build a 3-email follow-up that teaches + pitches your service
• Run live demos monthly: build a workflow live, Q&A after

🔁 4. Stay Visible

• Share weekly on LinkedIn: “Here’s one client automation I set up this week.”
• Hang out in relevant FB/Slack groups (Notion, Make, productivity creators)

So… Is AI Consulting Worth It?

If you like solving messy business problems, you’re decent with tools and great at communication, and you want to build a lean, remote-friendly solo business

Then yeah — it’s a very strong opportunity right now. Especially if you niche down and build trust.

But if you’re expecting passive income, hands-off clients, or viral fame from automation tutorials… this probably isn’t it.,