AI Side Hustles
AI Agencies & ServicesSource date: April 21, 2026Last reviewed October 19, 2026

A design studio held $340,000 a year in revenue while cutting team and workload in half with AI

Tom Garcy says AI-run back-office work doubled or tripled income per project hour.

Subject: Garcy Studio (Tom Garcy)Boutique branding and digital studio

Read original source1 source linked below
A monitor showing an automation workflow diagram on a tidy desk

Case Overview & Background

Tom Garcy has run Garcy Studio for seven years. Revenue has stayed around $340K a year for two years while he cut the team and workload by 50%, with a core team of three. He also sold his startup Kyugo.

How AI Is Used

AI speeds up and automates back-office tasks, client management, task management and project management.

Step-by-Step Process

Step 01Run a small studio

Core team of three, specialists per project.

Step 02Automate operations

AI handles back-office and project tasks.

Step 03Keep revenue

Held revenue while halving workload.

Customer Acquisition & Distribution

Existing agency relationships; details behind the sign-up wall.

Limitations, Risks & Failure Modes

What may not apply to you, and what could go wrong:

  • Self-reported
  • Revenue is from design work, not an AI product
  • Exact AI tools not named in the public part

Key Takeaways

  • AI can raise income per hour
  • Smaller teams can keep revenue
  • Start with back-office automation

Sources

Indie HackersApril 21, 2026

Indie Hackers: Maintaining $340k/yr revenue while halving agency workload and headcount

Note: Interview by James Fleischmann.

Open Source
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Case ID: cs-a-design-studio-held-340-000-a-year-in-revenue-while-cutting-team-and-
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