When I was a young whippersnapper, I used to fantasize about being born in 1970. I would’ve bought all the properties in downtown Manhattan. Or if I were born in 1990, I would’ve put all my money into Bitcoin and never sold.

Instead, I was busy wasting my early years being potty trained and figuring out basic stuff like learning how to walk and talk. 😩

Obviously, I’m being facetious!

But!!! I’ve spent much of my adult life searching for the next big thing, my generation’s “dot com” revolution, if you will.

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And I think I’ve finally found it! 😊

If you feel stuck and have been waiting for that one big opportunity, 2025 is the moment you’ve been waiting for.

In today’s article, I’ll share:

• Three big ideas that anyone can jump into, even if you’re starting from scratch
• My criteria for selecting these ideas and why they’re worth your time
• How you can get started today even if you’ve never done anything like this before

Sure, inventing a time machine would’ve been ideal, but these three ideas are the next best thing, and trust me, the last one will surprise you. 😍

Quick intro 

Where are my manners? I didn’t introduce myself! 

If you’re new to my work, my name is Lester, but feel free to call me Les 👋

I’m a founder with a successful exit, currently serving as the executive chairman of a group of ecom brands. But I’m an award-winning performance marketer at my core, and spotting trends is my thing.

To stay ahead in the competitive ecom space, my team and I built internal tools and processes to spot trends faster than anyone else. We operate more like a data company than a traditional ecom brand. 🤓

If you’re into data-driven business and marketing insights and strategies, check out my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts. I share what’s working in the business world, along with marketing insights and trends I’m seeing.

But that’s enough about me. Let’s get to the three big opportunities I see coming in 2025.

My criteria for ‘big opportunities’

Let me share my criteria for a “big opportunity.” 🎯

First, it can’t be generic, like “sustainability and green business.” Sure, that’s a real trend, but if I’m honest, what will I do with that information, lobby the government for a solar farm? Launch an EV startup?

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I’m all for sustainability innovations, but the way my bank account is set up, I don’t have hundreds of millions (let alone billions) to splash on a project like that, nor do I intend to raise money for this venture. 💪

With that in mind, here’s exactly what I look for:

• It has to be a simple idea.
• It must solve a specific problem for a clearly defined group of people. Think niche, but a big niche.
• It shouldn’t require a ton of money to get started.
• It must have the potential for repeat customers.
• I have to be able to do a lot with a little. (Minimal investment, maximum leverage.)
• It needs to be easy to start without special or technical skills.
• It should be fully operational online or remotely, providing location freedom.
• It has to benefit from strong tailwinds driven by market and technology trends.
• I need to test quickly and easily adjust based on feedback.
• It must have a clear path to profitability in a short timeframe (think months and not decades)  

Finally, I should be able to automate or outsource easily, giving me freedom once established; I need an opportunity to make moolah and not a job, ya feel me?  🤗

#1 – AI agents 

I’m bullish on AI agents because they allow you to do more with less.

I don’t think these agents are replacements for humans (at least not yet) but tools that supplement our workflow. They can automate tasks like email marketing or data entry. 🤖

Here is why I’m bullish… 

The global AI agents market is projected to reach $7.60 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 45.8% from 2024 to 2030. By 2025, 75% of businesses are expected to integrate AI agents, enabling more intelligent decision-making and enhanced productivity.

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The big opportunity here is to niche down into very specific functions.

For example, I’m a big fan of AI agents doing the legwork to find prospects and putting humans in the best position to close deals. (I’m not a fan of AI fully handling sales)

You can use this trend by incorporating AI agents into your workflow or offering services that help others integrate these agents.

Think of your service as “AI temp staff” for specific roles. 💼

If you’re technical, you could build a business solving specialized problems using AI agents in areas like sales development or data analysis. 

The key is to go deep on one solution, and having domain expertise is a huge advantage.

#2 – Building a personal brand

You didn’t see this one coming, did you? I bet you thought I would hit you with something generic like quantum computing.

Trolling aside, I’m incredibly bullish on personal brands, especially heading into 2025.

This opportunity is twofold: it benefits your business and you as an individual. 🚀

On the business side:

82% of consumers are more likely to trust a company when its senior executives are active on social media.

On the personal side:

Personal brands offer benefits beyond direct revenue. They help attract your ideal clients. Believe it or not, with a strong personal brand, prospects come to you and beg you to work with them.  

Look, I’m not saying you need to become Mr.Beast, but think about Jeff, Elon, Steve, or Warren. These are all powerful personal brands. I don’t need to say their last names, and you still know who I’m talking about. 🤔💭

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It’s a weird phenomenon, but it’s true.

An often overlooked benefit is how your online presence helps recruit top talent. I’m not even famous, but it is unreal how many high-quality resumes hit my inbox because people see me online.

So here’s what you do. Start telling your story. Show the behind the scenes of what you’re building: the good, the bad, the ugly. And if you’re uncomfortable in front of a camera, that’s cool. Do what I did and start a newsletter.

But whatever you do, start putting yourself out there. 😉

In a few years, I wholeheartedly believe the only way to build a direct connection with an audience and grow a business will be through a personal brand, similar to a creator or influencer. Otherwise, you will be stuck spending ridiculous amounts of money to acquire customers through traditional channels.

#3 – I saved the best for last

The best opportunity is combining AI agents and building a personal brand around what you’re already doing.

If you’re already seeing traction with your current idea, doubling down on it by mixing these two strategies is likely your best bet rather than jumping into something new. 🫶

I’m not saying this as a blanket statement for any idea because, let’s face it, if your current idea is terrible, AI can’t magically fix that for you. (Promise I’m not being mean.)

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But assuming you’re onto something, AI can amplify your results by automating tedious tasks and freeing your time to build your brand and audience. 🦾

You don’t have to guess if you’re unsure whether your current idea has potential. Just ask an AI to evaluate it for you objectively.

That said, the combination of personal branding and AI-driven leverage isn’t just smart. It’s the future.

My two cents

Not gonna lie, it would’ve been amazing to know about Bitcoin back in 2010 and throw in $1000 to become a gazillionaire today.

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, and my time machine progress isn’t good. That’s the bad news.

But here’s the good news! 🥳
What a time to be alive right now! With AI, the internet, and a friend namedLes, who’s got your back.

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I think we’ll look back at this exact moment and wish we had leaned in even harder. Information and powerful tools are at your fingertips in ways they’ve never been before.

But don’t lose sight of what truly matters because the basics never change, no matter how advanced things get. It always comes back to solving real problems, knowing precisely who your customer is, and building genuine connections that go deeper than transactions. ❤️

The winners in this new era won’t just master tech; they’ll master empathy, storytelling, and human connection. That’s your biggest opportunity.

By the way, 📩 want more data-driven marketing insights and actionable business ideas like this?Sign up for my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts.

😇 Hope this helps. I’m rooting for you.