Hi, I’m Dan.
I left a 9-to-5 to build online businesses. Here’s everything I’ve learned.
Dan
Founder, StartWithAI · MadeThis affiliate
For a long time I was doing all the things you’re supposed to do — decent job, steady paycheck, weekends off. But I kept feeling like I was building someone else’s dream on a schedule someone else set. So I started looking for a way out.
I tried pretty much everything. Dropshipping stores that never got a single sale. Freelancing gigs that paid okay but traded one boss for ten. A print-on-demand shop I spent months setting up and then abandoned. Every time I hit a wall, I convinced myself the next thing would be the one that clicked.
Then two things happened almost at the same time: AI tools got genuinely useful, and I discovered digital products. Suddenly the blockers that had stopped me every time before — writing, design, tech, marketing — weren’t blockers anymore. I could move fast and test ideas without burning months on each one.
I found MadeThis.com while I was looking for a simple way to sell a PDF guide I’d written. It handled everything: the store, the checkout, the file delivery. I had a real product live on the internet in an afternoon. I’ve been building on it ever since.
I built StartWithAI because I kept getting asked the same questions: What tools do you actually use? What would you do differently? Is [platform X] worth it? This site is my attempt to answer all of those honestly — no fluff, no manufactured success stories, no products I don’t personally stand behind.
Everything here comes from first-hand experience. If I recommend something, it’s because it worked for me. If something doesn’t work, I’ll tell you that too.
What you’ll find here
- AI tools guides — Practical breakdowns of the tools I use every day — what they're actually good for and how to get results without the learning curve.
- Digital product tutorials — Step-by-step walkthroughs for creating and selling digital products, from idea to first sale.
- Platform reviews — Honest, hands-on reviews of platforms like MadeThis, Gumroad, and others — who each one is for and where they fall short.
- Real income reports — Actual numbers from my own business. What's working, what flopped, and what I'd do differently.
Why MadeThis?
Out of every platform I’ve tested, MadeThis is the one that actually removes the friction of starting. It handles the store, the checkout, the file delivery — and the AI co-founder helps you write copy, plan your business, and answer customer questions. It’s the closest thing to a business partner you can get for free.
Disclosure: Links to MadeThis on this site are affiliate links. I earn a commission if you sign up — at no cost to you. I only recommend it because I actually use it.
Ready to start?
If I were starting from scratch today, the first thing I’d do is set up a free MadeThis store and pick one digital product to sell.