Agentic Futures: How Small Businesses Are Redefining Scale

Tech icon and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently made waves with a quote that captured imaginations across the startup world: betting on when we’ll see the first one-person, billion-dollar company (Sam Altman, as cited in Tiwari, 2025). It is the kind of provocative thought that captures imaginations and headlines alike. Tim Cortinovis explores this very idea in Single-Handed Unicorn: How to Solo Build a Billion-Dollar Company, unpacking what it truly means to build a big company without a team. To be clear, the idea of a “solo unicorn” isn’t new. But thanks to the rise of generative AI and agentic workflows, it’s gaining fresh momentum. Technology that was once gated behind deep pockets and big corporations is now available to anyone with a laptop, a vision, and the courage to try. That shift is powerful. It’s why we’re seeing more people talk about this dream not just as a possibility, but as an inevitability.

Even so, it is worth pausing. Just because something is possible does not mean it is likely, or even worth pursuing. Personally, I’ve learned never to say never, but the focus on chasing the solo unicorn might be a distraction from the bigger picture. Not because it’s impossible, but because the journey is long, isolating, and full of trade-offs. Going it alone means sacrificing speed, perspective, and the ability to deeply understand your customers or build the kind of relationships that fuel innovation. Sustainable growth has always been a team sport. Business is shaped by trust, creativity, and collaboration. That’s why I see the “solo unicorn” as more myth than model. It might work on paper, but in reality, how many entrepreneurs would willingly trade the power of a strong network for the narrow path of scaling alone? There are just some things you can’t build in a vacuum.

Not because it’s out of reach, but because the path is long, lonely, and filled with compromises. Going solo means giving up speed, fresh perspectives, and the kind of deep customer understanding that comes from collaboration. It means missing out on the relationships that spark creativity and sustain momentum. Real, sustainable growth has always been a collective effort. Business, at its core, is a human endeavor. It thrives on trust, context, and shared insight. That’s why the idea of the “solo unicorn” feels more like a myth than a reality. Sure, it sounds compelling in theory, but how many entrepreneurs would willingly sacrifice speed and efficiency for a solo climb, filled with risk and uncertainty?

That said, the enthusiasm surrounding this idea is not without merit. It speaks to something real and timely, the continued democratization of technology. AI is knocking down barriers, speeding up workflows, and extending the reach of individuals and small teams in ways that were previously unimaginable. It is giving small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) a chance to stay nimble, scale wisely, and compete in spaces that once belonged only to industry giants.

This conversation isn’t about chasing the unicorn, and it’s definitely not a list of “10 Ways to Become a Billionaire with AI.” It’s about rethinking what’s possible when the playing field begins to level. It’s a look at the power of today’s tools, not just in terms of their capabilities, but in how they enable more people to build, lead, and innovate on their own terms.

Let’s not forget, being small doesn’t mean it’s easy.

Still, if we want to understand the true impact of this shift, we shouldn’t just look to unicorns—we should look to the underdogs. Small businesses have always been masters of adaptation, fueled not by endless resources but by deep insight into what their customers care about.

Small businesses have long held a secret weapon, one that big companies can’t fully capture: what sociologist Tricia Wang calls “thick data.” This kind of insight doesn’t just quantify behavior; it reveals the why behind it. It’s the emotional context, the lived experiences, the unspoken needs of customers. Thick data doesn’t replace big data; it complements it.

Small businesses, whether consciously or not, have been tapping into this for decades. Take independent bookstores. They’ve survived not one, but two major industry disruptions. First came the rise of corporate chains like Barnes & Noble and Borders, followed by Amazon’s overwhelming dominance, a company that redefined not just bookselling but modern retail altogether. According to the American Booksellers Association, independent bookstores experienced a 43% decline between 1995 and 2000, with nearly half of them closing due to aggressive competition and changing consumer behavior (Harvard Business School, 2020). And yet, a quiet resurgence has emerged. In recent years, local bookstores have seen a 35% growth, even outlasting Borders, which shuttered in 2011 under pressure from Amazon’s digital force.

So, how did the underdogs pull off the improbable?

They leaned into what corporations often struggle to scale: trust, connection, and community. Independent bookstores didn’t just sell books; they curated experiences. They built relationships rooted in reciprocity and shared values. By embedding themselves in local networks, they fostered loyalty and resilience, hallmarks of both bonding and bridging social capital (Cohen & Prusak, 2001; Bizzi, 2015). Their inventory isn’t driven by the algorithmic churn of bestseller lists, but by conversations across counters, notes slipped between pages, and the rhythms of neighborhood life. Through readings, workshops, and intimate gatherings, they’ve become conveners, bridging generations, ideas, and identities in a time when digital life often pulls us apart.

Of course, this path wasn’t easy. Small businesses have had to get creative and resourceful. Competing against corporate giants with deep pockets and massive teams meant innovating with limited resources. But they’ve survived, and in many cases thrived, thanks to a powerful mix of intuition, creativity, and grit.

What’s often overlooked is that SMBs actually do have a competitive edge. It’s just not always easy to see under the weight of day-to-day operations. Owners and employees wear a dozen hats, juggle tight margins, and navigate constant change, all while trying to keep up with the pace of today’s hyper-competitive market. But here’s where things get interesting: the playing field is shifting. The democratization of technology, everything from global internet access and low-cost software to 3D printing and AI, is supercharging what individuals and small teams can do. Suddenly, one person with a clear vision and the right tools can tackle giants.

Now, a new wave is coming.

Picture this: a small florist shop tucked just off your local downtown strip. Inside, Janet, the owner, walks in on a Monday morning after a whirlwind weekend. It’s peak event season, and she’s been busy creating floral arrangements for multiple weddings. She hasn’t had a moment to check emails, respond to customer inquiries, update the schedule, restock inventory, or share any of the weekend’s stunning work on social media.

Normally, that kind of backlog would be overwhelming. But for Janet and her team of six, it’s already under control. Why? Because alongside her staff, Janet works with a tightly coordinated team of AI agents. Think of them as digital coworkers, each with their own virtual desk, specialized skillset, and clear responsibilities.

Let’s meet the team:

Avery (Correspondence Agent): Avery manages all incoming emails, filters messages by urgency, and drafts thoughtful responses that reflect Janet’s tone and voice. Once approved by Janet or a team member, the replies are sent. Avery can also be authorized to send messages directly. On top of that, Avery flags calendar invites for Quinn and forwards order-related messages to Riley for inventory updates.

Jordan (Customer Support Agent): Jordan serves as the shop’s 24/7 customer support chatbot. Always available on the website, Jordan answers common questions, provides pricing estimates, and guides customers to helpful resources. When someone wants to schedule a consultation, Jordan works with Quinn to make it happen.

Quinn (Scheduling Agent): Quinn is in charge of keeping the calendar running smoothly. When Avery flags a new booking, Quinn tentatively schedules it, taking into account staff availability, breaks, and planned time off. If a scheduling conflict comes up, Quinn automatically drafts a friendly message suggesting alternative times, saving the team hours of coordination.

Riley (Inventory and Procurement Agent): Riley monitors everything from fresh flowers to decorative pots. She updates inventory after events or major purchases, watches seasonal pricing, compares suppliers, and recommends when to restock based on trends and projected demand. Her work helps the team reduce waste, avoid shortages, and keep costs under control.

Emerson (Marketing & Social Media Agent): Emerson leads social media and marketing efforts. After each event, Janet’s team uploads photos to a shared drive. Emerson curates the best shots, polishes them up, and writes trend-aware captions. Once posts are approved, they are published to the shop’s platforms. Beyond day-to-day content, Emerson also contributes strategic ideas to grow the brand’s presence online.

With her AI agents handling the heavy lifting, Janet starts her Monday with ease. She reviews emails, confirms appointments, approves social posts, and checks inventory status, all before finishing her first cup of coffee. That leaves more time for what she loves most: designing floral arrangements, mentoring her team, and connecting with the community.

Without the usual administrative bottlenecks, Janet’s business is thriving. She’s taking on more events and finally investing in long-postponed growth strategies. One of her longtime employees, James, recently pitched a new idea: a tool that lets customers upload photos of their event space and preview floral arrangements, like a virtual “try-before-you-buy” app for flowers showcasing the business's most popular arrangements. They were excited. Although James had minimal coding experience, he utilized low-code AI tools to develop a working prototype (MVP) in just a few days. It wasn’t just a time-saver; it opened the door for creativity and innovation to flourish with minimal barriers.

Now Janet is thinking bigger. With demand rising and her marketing efforts beginning to pay off, she is setting her sights on a new market: designing plant-friendly, low-maintenance office spaces that breathe life into grey corporate environments. To support this shift, she is seeking to bring on creative and driven individuals who can collaborate with her virtual assistants and help bring this new vision to life. She aims to combine human creativity with automation, fostering a collaborative environment where both thrive. As her human workforce expands, she is also growing her agentic team, introducing a new AI agent focused on monitoring plant health. This digital team member will help flag early signs of decay and ensure that every client receives vibrant, high-quality greenery.

Janet’s story may be fictional, but the opportunity is very real. This is the promise of democratized technology and the rise of Agentic AI. Small business owners can now innovate, experiment, and scale without sacrificing what makes them unique. They’re staying agile, staying authentic, and staying connected to the communities they serve.

And that’s the magic: even as they grow, businesses like Janet’s retain the heart and authenticity that made them special from the start. That’s something no algorithm can replicate.

This isn’t some far-off future. It’s happening right now.

This isn’t a far-off future; it’s already here. AI is no longer just a tool for big tech firms. It’s becoming the foundational infrastructure of modern business. According to Salesforce’s 2025 Small and Medium Business Trends Report, 75% of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are actively investing in AI, with over a third fully integrating it into daily workflows and 71% planning to increase their investment in the next year (Poon, 2025). This demonstrates more than just experimentation; it reflects a shift in operational approach. And the impact is clear: 90% report improved operational efficiency, 85% expect a strong return on investment, and 78% believe AI will be a game-changer for their company (Poon, 2025).

But beyond operational gains, the most exciting shift is how AI—particularly agentic AI—is democratizing business capacity. It’s not just making companies more efficient; it’s opening the doors for who gets to participate. Gartner forecasts that by 2028, one-third of enterprise software will include agentic AI, and 15% of business decisions will be made autonomously (Tiwari, 2025). This transition is not about replacing humans; it’s about augmenting their capabilities. Businesses like Janet’s fictional flower shop, powered by coordinated AI agents managing scheduling, customer service, inventory, and marketing, are emblematic of what’s already achievable.

This next section is about action. It’s not a checklist of tools or a shiny product pitch. It’s a strategy-first guide to help you move with clarity, not just curiosity. Think of it as a compass, not a map—because every small business is different, and your path will be uniquely your own. These steps are here to help you focus on what matters most: building systems, roles, and culture that support both human creativity and AI-powered scale.

Whether you're just starting to experiment with digital agents or already integrating AI into your daily workflows, these takeaways are designed to help you move forward with greater purpose, precision, and confidence.

Key Recommendations for Small Businesses in an Agentic Future:

Lead with Strategy, Not Software: Too many businesses kick off their AI journey by asking, “What tool should I buy?” when the better question is, “What problem am I solving?” The real starting point isn’t a shiny dashboard or a flashy chatbot; it’s a clear understanding of the challenges and processes in your business. Begin by identifying where time drags, decisions stall, or customers drop off. These pain points aren’t limitations; they’re your entry points for genuine transformation.

It’s no longer just about the model, the prompts, or even the data quality. It’s a mindset shift. Businesses that succeed with AI understand that the real value lies in how these tools integrate into workflows and collaborate with employees. When approached thoughtfully, AI becomes a partner in productivity and creativity, not just another software purchase.

This shift from tool-first to strategy-first thinking is what distinguishes experimenters from implementers (PayPal, 2025). Let your pain points—not the hype—shape your AI strategy. Think in terms of outcomes, not just features. AI should amplify your mission, not distract from it.

Focus on building strong processes and avoid falling into the “shiny object” trap of constantly chasing the newest tech. Agentic workflows rely more on thoughtful integration and role clarity than on having the flashiest tools. Success isn’t about being first to adopt—it’s about being strategic, intentional, and mission-aligned from the start.

Build for Roles, Not Just Tools: AI doesn’t thrive in a one-size-fits-all box. Think of these models as generalists; they hold immense knowledge across a wide range of topics. But when it comes to completing a specific task, a specialist will almost always outperform them. That’s where structure matters. Treat AI agents like a team. Give each one a clear role, a focused function, and a single outcome to deliver. For example, Quinn handles scheduling, Jordan manages customer queries, and Avery drafts outbound emails. Each has a defined purpose, working together like a well-orchestrated crew.

Start small, choose one to three core areas—maybe it’s marketing, inventory management, or customer service—and assign it to an AI agent. As you gain confidence and see results, you can scale up your efforts. Add more roles, more responsibilities, and more automation. But don’t fall into the trap of doing too much, too soon. Investing too broadly before you’ve built a clear foundation often leads to disappointment and missed expectations. Focus, clarity, and thoughtful integration will take you further than trying to do it all at once.

Double Down on What Makes You Human: AI can help you move faster, but it won’t help you connect deeper. Emotional intelligence, creativity, relationship-building, and contextual understanding —these are the human qualities that no algorithm can fully replicate. As Tricia Wang (2016) reminds us, businesses need more than big data, they need thick data: the rich, human insight that explains not just what people do, but why they do it.

These qualities—intuition, empathy, creative vision—are where your real value lies. Don’t trade them for a quick efficiency win. Instead, use AI to buy back your time and reinvest that time into the relationships, experiences, and imagination that make your business stand out. Prioritize these human skills in yourself and your team.

Create an AI-Ready Culture: AI adoption isn’t just an IT upgrade; it’s a cultural transformation. Your team doesn’t need to become technical experts overnight, but they do need to understand how AI supports your mission and values. Start by fostering a culture of curiosity and transparency. Celebrate micro-wins to build momentum. Invest in low-code platforms and promote literacy to lower the barrier to entry. Shift the mindset from working around AI to working with it. Weave it into your daily processes, not as an afterthought, but as an intentional collaborator.

Embedding AI into your company culture builds confidence, reduces fear about “tech taking jobs,” and opens the door for exploration, experimentation, and innovation. When teams begin to view AI as a partner, not a threat, they unlock a deeper understanding of its strengths and limitations.

Build Fluency, Not Just Functionality: Knowing how to use AI isn’t the same as knowing how to think with it. The future belongs to those who are AI-fluent, not just tool users, but process thinkers. These are the leaders who can orchestrate agents, map workflows, and align outcomes with purpose. The true opportunity lies in collaborative intelligence, humans and AI working together to solve problems faster, smarter, and more creatively.

As IBM’s Seshan put it in 2025, “Process mapping is the new prompt engineering.” In the age of agentic AI, fluency is your competitive edge. It’s what turns experimentation into execution and potential into performance.

Regularly Reevaluate AI ROI and Social Impact: As AI tools evolve, so too must the way we measure their success. For SMBs, it’s not enough to track only performance metrics, such as revenue growth or time savings. You also need to monitor customer experience, employee engagement, and trust. Transparent governance and human-in-the-loop review processes can help mitigate risks and ensure AI enhances—rather than erodes—your core values (PayPal, 2025).

Clear, concise KPIs should guide your strategy. It’s easy and tempting to overextend with all the promises AI makes. But resist the urge to chase everything at once. Instead, focus on two or three high-impact areas. Set measurable goals, monitor the outcomes, and refine as you go. The key is to treat your early AI initiatives as both operational improvements and learning experiences. Harness them to adapt your processes, iterate your approach, and scale with clarity. When done right, these early steps can compound—driving smarter, more sustainable returns over time.

Ready to Dive Deeper?

If you're feeling inspired and wondering where to go from here, you're not alone. The shift to Agentic AI isn’t something you need to figure out overnight, but taking that first step is easier when you’re armed with the right information. The resources below are curated to help small business owners like you get started. Whether you're exploring use cases, understanding new terminology, or looking for practical tools, each piece has been selected to offer insight, clarity, and a starting point for action.