AI Entrepreneurship in 2025: The Ultimate Guide to Launch, Monetize, and Scale Your Startup

Introduction: Why 2025 Is a Golden Year for AI Startups

Remember when folks thought AI was just a fad—like the hoverboard hype of 2015? Well, fast-forward to 2025, and AI is everywhere. We talk to our fridges, our cars drive themselves (mostly), and a drone might deliver your dinner if you get that pizza craving. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs are cashing in big time.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re eager to launch an AI startup or scale your existing business into something that could make even the most tech-savvy investor’s jaw drop. You’re also probably thinking, “Is 2025 really the best time for me to take the plunge into AI?” Absolutely.

Why 2025?

• Explosive Market Growth: AI adoption has skyrocketed in every industry—healthcare, finance, marketing, retail. You name it, AI is there. According to industry reports, the global AI market is on track to surpass $200 billion by 2025. Yes, that’s billion with a “B.”
• Matured Tools & Platforms: Unlike a few years ago, you no longer need a PhD in Computer Science from MIT to develop an AI solution. No-code and low-code platforms have become mainstream, letting ordinary people (like us) build powerful AI-driven products.
• Investor Enthusiasm: Venture capitalists are pouring money into AI ventures—especially those with unique, disruptive solutions. Even if you’re bootstrapping, you’ll find grants, crowd-funding, and specialized AI startup accelerators that help new founders get rolling.
• Global Problems, AI Solutions: Sustainability, healthcare, education, automation—AI is tackling these areas head-on. Startups that solve real-world problems are winning hearts, minds, and wallets.

What You’ll Get in This Guide

In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about AI entrepreneurship in 2025—from starting an AI business with zero coding skills to scaling your venture without crushing your budget. We’ll even throw in a few corny jokes to keep things lively (you’ve been warned).

Expect real-world examples, actionable steps, and practical insights you can implement as soon as you finish reading. Think of it as your personal roadmap to building a profitable AI startup. Are you ready? Let’s do this.

Below, we’ll break down 10 essential steps to get you from idea to IPO—okay, maybe not IPO overnight, but definitely on track to scale in a big way. Each step also links to a more detailed article for a deeper dive—so check those out when you’re ready for the nitty-gritty.

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Step 1: How to Start an AI Business in 2025 with No Coding Skills

Let’s get one thing straight: You do not need to be a data scientist or master coder to create an AI-driven product. While it’s awesome to have technical chops, 2025 has blessed us with a wealth of no-code AI platforms that let you create machine learning models like you’re assembling Ikea furniture—without the leftover screws.

Accessibility at Its Finest

AI used to be the exclusive playground of people like Sam Altman (the mind behind OpenAI) or Demis Hassabis (DeepMind’s founder). In 2025, the gatekeepers have thrown open the doors. Platforms like Akkio, Teachable Machine, or other emerging no-code solutions enable you to:

1. Upload Your Data: Whether it’s a spreadsheet of customer info or a folder of images, the platform guides you to create training sets automatically.
2. Train the Model: Press a button. Wait a bit (maybe grab a coffee). The system does all the heavy lifting—no coding required.
3. Deploy & Integrate: Download your model or integrate via API into your website, mobile app, or wherever you need AI magic.

Rethinking “Technical Founder” Stereotypes

We’ve met many successful AI entrepreneurs who started without writing a single line of code. They focused on the business logic, user experience, and marketing, leaving the heavy AI-lifting to specialized tools and hired experts (when necessary). If you relate more to the business side, you’re in luck.

Outsource or Use Tools?

• Hiring Freelancers: You can find AI specialists on platforms like Upwork or Toptal, but rates can easily run $50-$200/hour depending on their expertise. A short-term project could quickly balloon beyond $5,000 if you’re not careful.
• DIY with No-Code Platforms: Subscription costs range from $30-$200/month, depending on usage. You save on freelancers but invest more time learning each tool’s nuances.

Potential Cost & Time Investment

If you go the purely DIY route (no-code platforms plus some trial-and-error), expect to:

• Spend $100-$300/month on software subscriptions (data hosting, AI training, maybe some analytics tools).
• Dedicate about 10-15 hours/week to learn, experiment, and refine your model.
• Possibly invest $2,000-$5,000 if you decide to bring in a consultant or specialist for one-off tasks like data cleaning or advanced integration.

For a step-by-step approach, see
How to Start an AI Business in 2025 with No Coding Skills

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Step 2: Top 2025 AI Business Ideas for Passive Income

Now that you know you don’t need to be a coding wizard, let’s talk about one of our favorite topics: making money while you sleep. Passive income from an AI-driven business is more than a dream; it’s entirely possible—if you pick the right niche and model.

Potential AI Business Models

1. AI-SaaS Products: Think AI-powered chatbots for real estate or a tool that automates graphic design. Businesses pay a monthly fee to use your solution, giving you predictable recurring revenue.
2. Affiliate + AI: Combine affiliate marketing with AI by analyzing data on consumer behavior to recommend the right products at the right time—boosting conversions and commissions.
3. Consulting & Training: Develop an AI “playbook” for small and medium businesses wanting to implement AI. Package your knowledge into courses or consulting retainers.
4. AI Marketplaces: Create a platform where businesses can find or trade AI models. You earn a fee from each transaction—like an Etsy for algorithms.

Choosing the Right Niche

It’s not enough to say, “We’ll do AI—somewhere, somehow.” In 2025, you need to niche down. For instance, maybe you build an AI tool specifically for podcast editing, cutting out filler words and normalizing audio levels automatically. Or you offer an AI-driven writing service for resume-building. The more precise, the better your odds of standing out.

Passive vs. Active Income

• Truly Passive: You build it once, and the machine runs itself. Subscriptions, licensing, or revenue share deals can fit here.
• Semi-Passive: You’ll still need to handle some customer support, occasionally update your tool, and manage marketing. But the day-to-day AI operations are largely automated.

Potential Cost & Time Investment

• Building an AI SaaS from scratch might cost $10,000-$50,000 if you hire a dev team or $500-$2,000/month in no-code AI tools, hosting, and marketing software.
• Expect to devote 2-6 months to get your product market-ready if you’re juggling between a side hustle and a day job.

Explore detailed niches and earning potential in
Top 2025 AI Business Ideas for Passive Income: Beginner’s Roadmap

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Step 3: How to Monetize an AI Startup in 2025

You can have the coolest AI in the world, but if you’re not making money, you’ve just got a fancy toy. From experience, we’ve seen too many entrepreneurs build an impressive model, only to struggle with go-to-market strategies. Let’s fix that.

Revenue Strategies

1. Subscriptions: The recurring revenue model is a favorite among investors. Charge a monthly or annual fee for access to your AI tool.
2. Licensing: Develop specialized AI modules (like an image recognition API) and license them to other businesses. You collect royalties or fees per usage.
3. Partnerships: Collaborate with complementary service providers. Maybe your AI voice generator pairs well with an existing audio editing platform, and you split revenue.
4. Freemium Model: Offer basic features for free and charge for premium features or higher usage tiers. Be strategic with what you give away versus what you monetize.

The Value Proposition Question

Before you choose a monetization path, ask yourself: “What problem does my AI solve, and how urgent is it?” If your AI solution saves a company $100,000 in labor costs, charging $1,000/month is a no-brainer.

Pricing Tips

• Tiered Pricing: Offer multiple plans (Starter, Pro, Enterprise) so you can capture users at different stages of growth.
• Competitive Analysis: Research what similar AI solutions charge. Undercutting everyone might win you short-term users but could devalue your brand in the long run.
• Premium for Speed & Accuracy: AI is about efficiency. If your model is faster or more accurate than competitors, that’s a strong selling point. Don’t shy away from premium pricing if you can deliver results.

Potential Cost & Time Investment

• Putting together a solid monetization strategy might take 2-4 weeks of market research and competitor analysis.
• You’ll likely invest in marketing automation tools, which can run from $50-$300/month, plus a possible commission for affiliate partners if you go that route.

Check out
How to Monetize an AI Startup in 2025: Proven Strategies for Rapid Growth
for in-depth tips.

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Step 4: Best No-Code AI Tools in 2025 for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

After countless Zoom calls with entrepreneurs, we can confirm that picking the right tools is half the battle. The next half is actually using them. (Go figure!)

Our Top Picks

1. Platform A (Hypothetical Example): Perfect for image and language processing. Intuitive interface and strong community support.
2. Platform B: Focuses on data analytics and predictive modeling. Great for e-commerce analytics and churn prediction.
3. Platform C: Automates the entire pipeline from data ingestion to model deployment. One-click setup, but limited customization.

What to Look For

• Ease of Use: If you find yourself lost in jargon, that’s a bad sign. Tools should guide you step by step.
• Scalability: Your AI might handle 1,000 requests a day now, but what about 50,000 in six months?
• Integration: Look for built-in APIs or plugins that work with your existing website, CRM, or e-commerce platform.
• Cost Structure: Some tools charge per dataset size, others by number of API calls. Compare carefully to avoid sticker shock.

Potential Cost & Time Investment

• Each no-code AI tool may cost $30-$200/month depending on the usage tier.
• Expect to invest 1-3 weeks learning the ins and outs, particularly if you’re new to data labeling, training, and model optimization.

Learn more in
Best No-Code AI Tools in 2025 for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Build Faster Today

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Step 5: Creating a Profitable AI Business Model in 2025

Your business model is like the blueprint to a high-tech spaceship. If it’s poorly thought out, you’ll end up crashing before you even leave orbit.

Key Elements of a Profitable AI Business Model

1. Value Proposition: Identify a real, burning problem your customers have and how your AI solves it better or faster than existing solutions.
2. Revenue Streams: As we discussed, whether it’s subscription or licensing, be crystal clear on how you’ll make money.
3. Target Customer: Narrow down your initial customer base. For instance, “SMB e-commerce retailers in North America” is more manageable than “anyone who sells anything.”
4. Cost Structure: Servers, bandwidth, developer hours—AI can be resource-intensive. Plan for these expenses.
5. Marketing & Growth: How will you get your first 100, 1,000, or 10,000 users? Partnerships, paid ads, content marketing—pick your poison.

Validating Your Model

We once saw a founder create a brilliant AI that could recognize cat memes in real-time. It was hilarious but struggled to find a market willing to pay. Lesson? Always validate early.

• MVP (Minimum Viable Product): Roll out a stripped-down version of your AI for real users to test.
• Feedback Loop: Collect user feedback and refine. You might pivot from cat memes to all pet-related content if the feedback tells you so.

Potential Cost & Time Investment

• Crafting a robust business model might take 4-8 weeks, including market research and interviews with potential customers.
• You may spend $500-$3,000 on user testing, prototype building, or pilot programs.

Dive deeper into revenue planning in
How to Create a Profitable AI Business Model in 2025: From Idea to Execution

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Step 6: AI-Powered Side Hustles in 2025

Not everyone wants to build the next OpenAI. Sometimes, a solid side hustle is enough to pad your income or test the waters before going all-in.

Why Side Hustles?

• Lower Risk: You’re not betting the farm. You can keep your day job while exploring something potentially lucrative.
• Flexible Hours: Perfect for nights and weekends. AI automation means you’re not glued to the screen 24/7.
• Scalable: Many side hustles can grow into full-fledged businesses if you see strong demand.

Popular AI-Powered Side Hustles

1. Chatbot Services: Sell custom chatbot setups to small businesses that need automated FAQs or lead qualification.
2. AI Writing & Content: Use AI tools to generate blog posts or social media copy for clients. Package it as a monthly subscription.
3. AI Data Labeling: Start a micro-tasking service to label images or text data for companies.
4. Voiceover & Translation: With text-to-speech AI or AI translation, you can deliver quick voiceovers in multiple languages for content creators or businesses.

Monetizing a Side Hustle

• One-time Fees: Charge per project or deliverable.
• Retainer Model: Ongoing support or monthly deliverables for a fixed fee.
• Marketplace Approach: If you set up a small team or platform, you can take a commission from each transaction.

Potential Cost & Time Investment

• Basic chatbot building or AI writing might require only $30-$100/month in software tools.
• Aim to spend 5-10 hours a week setting up, marketing, and servicing clients initially.

Explore the best ideas in
AI-Powered Side Hustles in 2025: Earn Online Without Technical Skills

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Step 7: The 2025 Guide to Automating Your AI Startup for Passive Revenue

Automation is the secret sauce that transforms a hustle into a fully scalable business. If you’re doing repetitive tasks manually, you’re burning time you could be spending on higher-value work (like brainstorming your next big idea on a beach in Bali).

Key Areas to Automate

1. Lead Generation & Marketing: Use AI-driven email marketing tools to segment and nurture leads automatically.
2. Customer Support: Chatbots can handle basic queries 24/7, escalating only complex issues to human agents.
3. Sales & Billing: Integrate CRM systems that automate follow-ups, invoices, and even subscription renewals.
4. Data Analysis & Reporting: Don’t waste hours crunching numbers—let AI dashboards do the heavy lifting so you can see insights in real-time.

Tools & Tech Stacks

• CRM Integration: Software like HubSpot or Salesforce (equipped with AI features) can handle the entire sales funnel.
• Marketing Automation: Platforms like ActiveCampaign or Marketo use AI to optimize send times and segment audiences effectively.
• Payment & Subscription: Stripe or Paddle can automate recurring billing, so you don’t chase customers for payment.

Potential Cost & Time Investment

• Automating your marketing, sales, and reporting stack might cost $200-$500/month depending on the suite of tools.
• Setting up automation workflows can take 2-6 weeks, depending on complexity.

See
The 2025 Guide to Automating Your AI Startup for Passive Revenue
for advanced strategies.

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Step 8: Securing Funding for Your AI Business in 2025

We’ve all seen Shark Tank re-runs (or the 2025 equivalent). It’s nerve-wracking to pitch your startup, but the payoff can be enormous. The AI space in 2025 is flush with potential—venture capitalists, angel investors, even governments offering grants for innovative solutions.

Funding Avenues

1. Venture Capital (VC): Great if you need a large infusion of cash. But be prepared for intense scrutiny and possibly giving up equity.
2. Angel Investors: Often more flexible and willing to invest smaller amounts than VCs, but you still need a solid pitch.
3. Crowdfunding: Platforms cater specifically to tech and AI projects. This is good if you have a compelling story and want to validate your product with real customers.
4. Grants & Accelerators: Governments and universities are dishing out grants for AI research and development. Some AI-focused accelerators will even provide seed funds for equity.

Crafting a Killer Pitch

• Start Strong: Lead with the problem you’re solving. Show how big the market is.
• Demonstrate Traction: Early user metrics, pilot project results, or letters of intent from potential customers.
• Competitive Advantage: What’s your “moat”? Is your technology hard to replicate, or do you have unique data?

Potential Cost & Time Investment

• Pitch deck creation might involve $0 (if you DIY) or $500-$2,000 (if you hire a designer).
• Networking with investors can eat up 3-6 months depending on how many pitch events or meetings you attend.

Discover pitch secrets in
Securing Funding for Your AI Business in 2025: Pitch Tips and Grants

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Step 9: How to Scale an AI Venture in 2025 Without Breaking the Bank

Scaling is where many AI startups stumble. They either scale too quickly and burn cash or fail to scale and get overshadowed by nimble competitors.

Lean Methods & Growth Hacking

• MVP Iteration: Keep your product lean and gather feedback relentlessly. Reduce wasted development cycles.
• Automated Marketing: Use AI to optimize ad campaigns, sending the right message at the right time, so you’re not throwing money at broad audiences.
• Partnerships & Integrations: Partner with complementary solutions to share user bases (and sometimes costs).

Budget-Friendly Expansion Tips

• Cloud Services: Pay-as-you-go models from cloud providers let you expand your server capacity gradually.
• Open-Source & Community: Leverage open-source AI frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch if you decide to go the custom code route.
• Remote Teams: Hiring globally can cut costs—talent outside major tech hubs often offers competitive rates.

Potential Cost & Time Investment

• You might spend $500-$1,500/month on scalable cloud infrastructure if your user base grows steadily.
• Shifting from a small user base to thousands could take 6-12 months. This timeframe varies wildly depending on your product-market fit.

Get cost-saving ideas in
How to Scale an AI Venture in 2025 Without Breaking the Bank: Cost-Effective Tips

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Step 10: Choosing the Right AI Platform in 2025

Finally, let’s talk about how to pick the best AI platform for your needs. We’ve seen entrepreneurs waste months on a platform that wasn’t built for their use case.

Factors to Consider

1. Budget: Are you ready to pay a premium for advanced features? Or do you need a more affordable solution to test your concept?
2. Features: Does the platform specialize in computer vision? Natural language processing? Predictive analytics?
3. Customer Support: Look for a robust community or dedicated support. It’s invaluable when you hit a snag.
4. Integration Capabilities: Make sure it fits into your existing workflow, whether it’s WordPress, Shopify, or a custom app.

Decision Time

• Trial Period: Most platforms offer free trials or freemium models. Test them out before committing.
• Community Feedback: Join AI forums or Slack groups. Ask for opinions and real-world experiences.

Potential Cost & Time Investment

• A premium AI platform may run $200-$1,000/month depending on advanced features.
• Evaluating multiple platforms could take 2-4 weeks of testing and comparing.

Read
Choosing the Right AI Platform in 2025: Tool Selection Tips for Entrepreneurs
to find your perfect match.

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How RevScaled Can Help

We’ve spent this entire guide showing you how to do it yourself—picking tools, hiring freelancers, researching markets, burning the midnight oil. It’s an amazing journey, but let’s be real: not everyone has the time, resources, or inclination to juggle these tasks while also running a business (or maintaining a personal life).

That’s where we come in. At RevScaled.com, we’re a fully-managed business growth agency that specializes in scaling startups to sustainable profitability and eventual exit. And yes, that includes the booming world of AI startups.

1. Cost and Time Savings

• No More Tool-Hopping: Instead of juggling multiple AI, marketing, and analytics subscriptions, you pay a single monthly fee—starting from just $497/month. We handle the heavy lifting.
• Cut Hiring Costs: Freelancers can cost thousands in the long run. Our monthly plans are designed to be cost-effective alternatives, offering a full suite of services under one roof.

2. Comprehensive Services

We don’t just do AI strategy. We cover:

• SEO & Content Creation: Optimize your new AI venture for search engines and generate compelling content that resonates with your target market.
• PPC Ads & Video Marketing: Launch data-driven campaigns to attract users and create engaging videos to showcase your AI product.
• Email Marketing & Lead Generation: Automate lead nurturing and follow-ups, so no prospect falls through the cracks.
• Business Setup & Automation: Get help setting up workflows, CRMs, and other tools that turn your AI startup into a lean, mean, revenue-generating machine.

3. Investment Support

Thinking about raising funds? We can guide you through creating pitch decks that stand out to investors. We also leverage our network to help you find potential investors who are looking for promising AI ventures.

4. Expertise

Our team has been around the AI block. We’ve helped clients in e-commerce, SaaS, gambling, crypto, adult content, and brick-and-mortar businesses. If there’s a niche, we’ve likely explored it. With our guaranteed profitability within 24 months—or a full refund—you can focus on building a groundbreaking AI solution without sweating every marketing or operational detail.

Our Subscription Plans

1. $497/month: Business Development & Management
2. $857/month: Client Acquisition & Lead Generation
3. $1,750/month: White-Labeled & High-Risk Business Support

If you’re serious about AI entrepreneurship in 2025 and want a more efficient path, we might just be your new best friends—minus the awkward friend zoning.

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FAQ

1. Do I need a huge budget to start an AI business in 2025?
No. Thanks to no-code AI platforms and affordable cloud services, you can start small with just a few hundred dollars a month. The trick is to pick a niche where you can provide immediate value and scale gradually.

2. Can I build an AI startup if I’m not a technical person?
Absolutely. It’s 2025, and the world of AI has never been more accessible. Plenty of tools let you create AI-driven solutions without writing a single line of code.

3. How soon can I expect profitability?
It varies by niche, business model, and market conditions. Some side hustles turn a profit within weeks, while more complex ventures might take 6-12 months or longer. At RevScaled, we guarantee profitability in 24 months or offer a full refund.

4. Do I really need investors?
Not necessarily. You can bootstrap or crowdfund, especially if your initial costs are manageable. Investors can help you scale faster, but they also take equity and influence decision-making.

5. What if I want to scale internationally?
AI startups are inherently global, especially if they’re SaaS-based. Consider localizing your product in different languages and researching regional regulations. Tools and platforms often have multilingual support to make global expansion easier.

6. Is the AI market oversaturated?
While the AI field is crowded, there’s still plenty of room for niche-specific solutions. Aim to solve a well-defined problem better or faster than the competition.

7. How does RevScaled compare to hiring a team of freelancers?
Hiring freelancers for design, marketing, AI development, etc., can cost thousands monthly, plus the hassle of coordination. With RevScaled, you get an all-in-one service starting at $497/month, which is often far more cost-effective and seamless.

8. Can RevScaled help with compliance and legal issues for AI startups in regulated industries (crypto, gambling, etc.)?
Yes. We specialize in high-risk business support, including compliance. Our $1,750/month plan is designed for exactly that, ensuring you meet all legal requirements while scaling.

9. Will RevScaled create pitch decks and connect me with investors?
Yes. We offer investor relations services, including crafting pitch decks that get noticed. We also tap into our investor network to help you secure funding faster.

10. Do you only work with AI startups?
We work with a variety of industries—e-commerce, SaaS, crypto, adult content, and more. AI entrepreneurship is just one of our specialties, and we bring the same growth-focused expertise across all verticals.

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Conclusion & Next Steps

Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of our mega-guide on AI entrepreneurship in 2025. Give yourself a pat on the back—and maybe some caffeine if you’ve powered through this in one sitting. We covered:

1. Starting an AI Business with No Coding Skills
2. Top AI Business Ideas for Passive Income
3. Monetizing an AI Startup
4. Best No-Code AI Tools
5. Creating a Profitable Business Model
6. AI-Powered Side Hustles
7. Automating for Passive Revenue
8. Securing Funding
9. Scaling Lean and Fast
10. Choosing the Right AI Platform

Each of these steps is crucial to not just surviving in the AI space—but thriving. We’ve also shown you the typical costs and timeframes for doing everything yourself. By now, you know that it can add up—both financially and time-wise—when you’re juggling freelancers, multiple SaaS subscriptions, and your own bandwidth.

If you’re looking for a more streamlined solution, RevScaled is here to help. Our monthly packages start at $497, a fraction of what you’d spend hiring multiple freelancers or juggling half a dozen software platforms. Plus, we bring expertise in marketing, compliance, and investor relations—basically, all the puzzle pieces you need for a successful AI startup.

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Sources

For further reading and authoritative information on AI trends, regulations, and market data, check out:

1. Stanford AI Index – Annual reporting on AI advancements and industry trends.
2. CB Insights – In-depth market research on startups, investments, and tech trends.
3. Harvard Business Review on AI – Thought leadership pieces on AI strategy and business impact.
4. OpenAI – One of the leading organizations in AI research and commercial solutions.
5. Forbes on AI – Insights, opinions, and case studies on AI in various industries.

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Feel free to explore each step’s linked article for more specialized advice. We hope this guide has been both informative and fun—and that you feel more prepared (and excited!) to conquer AI entrepreneurship in 2025. Now go forth and build something amazing… or let us build it with you!