Originally published on Medium on May 1, 2023 | Refreshed for Live Your Hobby on June 8, 2025
Preface: Why Revisit This Post?
Two years ago I traced the thread connecting AI, Web3, and the way value shifts between people, companies, and communities. The pace of change since then has only quickened: ChatGPT went from curiosity to daily co-pilot, Web3 projects moved from speculation to steady utility, and solo businesses started running leaner than ever. It felt right to revisit those insights with fresh eyes and fold them into the LYH framework.
Read the original here. https://medium.com/@easusj/evolving-with-ai-and-web3-redefining-value-in-the-modern-business-ecosystem-d86b6d63c954
1. The Moment That Pushed Me Off the Corporate Ledge
I still remember that 12 p.m. call: HR on the line, 15 years gone in 15 minutes. Losing my VP title forced me to confront how much of my identity rested on an employer’s brand. That original fear of this is what nudged me toward crypto in 2017, an Executive MBA, and, eventually, the advisory work you see here today. The takeaway for you: build equity in your name and skills, not just your job description.
Quick win: Block 30 minutes this week to list three skills you control end-to-end (e.g., prompt-writing, niche research, video snippets). That list is insurance if a surprise call ever comes.
2. 2023 → 2025: What Actually Changed
| Concepts covered | May 2023 | June 2025 (Today) |
|---|---|---|
| AI Literacy | ChatGPT hitting headlines | Custom GPTs, “Projects,” and reasoning-first o-series models make LLMs a daily tool—even for non-tech founders |
| Web3 Utility | Starbucks Odyssey pilot | Loyalty NFTs go mainstream; on-chain reputation scores help freelancers win work |
| Creator Economy | “Prompt artist” novelty | AI image, voice, and video tools shrink production budgets to near zero |
| Value Flows | Platforms capture most upside | Community tokens, rev-share NFTs, and AI-powered micro-SaaS push more revenue to individuals |
What it means for solopreneurs:
- Data is no longer a moat. Public-grade models cut research time in half.
- Trust travels with wallets. Web3 credentials replace “about-me” blurbs.
- Speed beats polish. Your audience forgives rough edges if you ship fast and iterate.
3. Practical Playbook (Aligned to LYH Pathways)
- Demystify AI – Run a one-hour “sandbox session” with the free tier of your chosen LLM. Prompt it to draft an email you sent yesterday and compare.
- Boost Productivity – Connect Calendly → Google Calendar → Notion via a two-step Zap. Result: meetings auto-create action-item pages so nothing slips.
- Build Your Tech Stack – Spin up a Carrd landing page and embed a HeyGen avatar welcome video. Cost: under $30, time: two hours.
- Grow with AI – Feed your top five FAQs into Chatbase, embed the chatbot on your site, and watch support emails drop.
Each action is tiny, but stacked together, they reclaim serious bandwidth.
Conclusion
The lesson that stuck from my exit interview, “There was nothing you could have done,” now sounds outdated. In 2025, there’s always something you can test, automate, or ship on a shoestring. So schedule that sandbox hour, build the tiny Zap, and keep living your hobby—because one unexpected call can turn it into your livelihood overnight.
Ready to go deeper? Start with our free “Demystify AI” Pathway and get your first quick win today.
