The global AI market could reach $4.8 trillion by 2033, positioning major companies like OpenAI and Microsoft to generate massive profits.
Some individuals are already benefiting from the AI boom — including 17-year-old Samik Sidhu from Virginia. While running two small businesses in 2024 — an Etsy apparel shop and a paid networking community — Sidhu invested the earnings into tech stocks.
"Instead of letting my money sit idle, I wanted it to work for me," Sidhu said.
Sidhu earned about $37,400 from his Etsy store and around $28,000 from the networking group. He then invested roughly $53,100 into four AI-focused companies — Nvidia, AMD, C3.ai, and Super Micro Computer (SMCI) — between February and May 2024. Those investments grew to about $72,700, according to documents reviewed by Business Insider.
"I had a good feeling about companies involved in AI," Sidhu said. "I caught the AI wave at the perfect time."
Although he doesn’t consider himself deeply immersed in AI, he used the technology to streamline his e-commerce operations — from brand naming to logo creation and customer demographic analysis.
Demand for AI has surged in recent years, especially after the pandemic pushed companies to automate and reduce costs. The release of ChatGPT accelerated public awareness, leading major tech giants like Microsoft, Apple, and Google into heavy competition. Sidhu has since diversified his portfolio to include these companies as part of the S&P 500.
Finding the right business model
Sidhu said that seeing other young people succeed in e-commerce inspired him to begin experimenting with online ventures starting in 2022. He tried dropshipping, clothing reselling, social media theme pages, and print-on-demand — many of which he eventually shut down due to high costs or inconsistent demand.
"Each time a business didn’t work out, I reminded myself I was gaining skills I could use later," he said.
Those skills paid off when he turned to Etsy in early 2024. He saw the platform as a place with built-in customer traffic, which made it easier to get started. He launched his apparel shop in January but closed it in May due to occasional shipping delays and fulfillment issues.
Around the same time, he shifted to selling digital products and launched a private paid Signal community where he taught teens and young adults how to start print-on-demand businesses. Members could buy an e-book for $50 or receive branding support for $150. Sales peaked in April, then slowed, and he closed the group soon after.
Staying consistent
Sidhu acknowledges that being a young entrepreneur comes with challenges — balancing school, running businesses, and navigating age-restricted accounts. Still, he believes the key to success is discipline.
"The biggest advice I have is to stick with one thing and stay consistent," he said. "Set clear timelines and hold yourself to them."
His final message: persistence matters.
"There will always be someone with more experience,” Sidhu said. “But if you stay committed and adaptable, you can compete."