With AI tools everywhere, cheaper SaaS options, and global freelancers, it feels like starting an online business has never been easier. But at the same time: Competition is insane Ad costs keep rising Organic reach is unpredictable Platforms can shut you down overnight So I’m curious — is the classic “lean startup” (low overhead, small team, mostly automated) still realistic in 2026? For those running businesses right now: What’s your monthly overhead? How many tools/subscriptions are you paying for? Are you more dependent on paid traffic or organic? If you had to start from scratch today, what would you do differently? It feels like margins are tighter unless you have a real moat (brand, audience, or proprietary data). Would love to hear real numbers and honest experiences from people in the trenches.