Have you ever tried to do homework while also doing chores and talking to your friends? It's hard, right? Now imagine going to college, working at two jobs, AND starting your own business! That's exactly what Saliou Samb did.
Saliou is only 21 years old, but he already owns a company called Realtor AI. Let me tell you his cool story.
How It All Started
Last summer, Saliou was working at two different places while studying to be an engineer. One job was at a small tech company. The other was at a big power company.
“Working at these two places showed me what I did NOT want to do with my life,” Saliou says.
Saliou comes from a family of go-getters. His dad owns a business, and his mom pushed him to study engineering. But Saliou wanted something different – he wanted to mix business with tech in his own way.
“I always had this feeling inside that I wanted to start my own business,” he says. “So even while I was working those summer jobs, I decided to try building something of my own.”
This wasn't his first try at being a boss. He had already tried selling stuff online and even tried to start another small company. But this time, he spotted a big chance in the world of AI.
Spotting a Big Problem to Solve
What Saliou noticed was simple but important: businesses needed AI help but didn't know how to use it.
“There was this gap,” he explains. “Companies knew AI could help them, but they didn't know how to make it work for their business.”
Saliou decided to focus on helping real estate agents.
“I picked real estate agents because they're basically running their own small businesses. And there are so many of them out there who need help!”
What His Company Actually Does
Realtor AI builds special AI tools for real estate agents. These tools do boring tasks like finding new customers, sending messages, and setting up meetings.
“We build systems that handle all the repetitive stuff real estate agents hate doing,” Saliou explains. “We connect everything together so it works smoothly.”
The best part? “It's not complicated. We build it, they use it, and it just works for them.”
Being a Student and a Boss at the Same Time
Starting a business while still in school wasn't easy for Saliou.
“Sometimes I'd finish a class and immediately jump on a video call with a possible client,” he remembers. “It was crazy trying to live in these two different worlds.”
Eventually, Saliou had to make a tough choice. “I realized I couldn't do both things perfectly. I had to pick one.”
He chose his business and went “all in” on helping real estate agents with AI.
The Ups and Downs of Being a Young Boss
Like anyone starting a business, Saliou has had good days and bad days.
“I once drove 20 minutes to meet a possible client. When I got there, they said the person wasn't available. But I knew they were just avoiding me,” he shares.
But Saliou stays positive:
“That's the world I chose. Being your own boss means never knowing exactly what will happen. There are always high points and low points. But part of it is the journey and the person you become along the way.”
Even when things get tough, he keeps a good attitude: “I'm always happy deep down, even at my lowest point. I enjoy the ride because I know the bad times won't last forever, and good times will come again.”
His Small but Mighty Team
Saliou isn't doing everything alone. He has a small team that includes developers who build the AI systems.
“I keep my team as small as possible,” he explains. “I'm the middle person who talks to clients, then explains what they need to our developers.”
His team has people who can build whole systems, plus experts who connect different programs together. He even has someone who designs thumbnails for his YouTube videos.
Interestingly, Saliou uses AI in his own business too! “We use AI for our ads, messaging, and finding new customers. We practice what we preach!”
Big Dreams for the Future
Saliou has big plans for his company. Next year, he wants to teach real estate agents about AI, even if they're not ready to use his services yet.
“We're going to offer courses and coaching to help agents learn about AI,” he shares.
Looking further ahead, Saliou wants to build a software product that any real estate agent can use, based on the common problems he's seeing from his clients.
Technology for Everyone
One thing that makes Saliou excited is how easy technology has become for regular people to use.
“With AI and all these new tools, it's much easier for anyone to learn and even build their own app,” he says. “I've seen people younger than me – even 17 or 18 year olds – build entire software platforms just using ChatGPT!”
This means more people can create tech businesses without needing to be computer experts first.
Wisdom Beyond His Years
At just 21 years old, Saliou talks like someone who has been in business for decades. He spots opportunities, handles problems, and stays calm during hard times.
As he grows his company and explores new ideas in AI, one thing is clear: Saliou Samb is just getting started. His journey from college student to tech company owner teaches us about following our dreams, embracing uncertainty, and finding opportunities in new technology.
Want to learn more from Saliou? You can find him on LinkedIn and YouTube where he shares tips about AI and starting businesses.
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saliousamb/
- YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAKQx4BTW12WZxiaTNFrJFA
What could YOU do with AI in your work or business? The future belongs to those who embrace these new tools – and young leaders like Saliou are showing us the way!