From Layoff to Launch: How AI Helped Me Build Saudi's First Offline Business App

Tuesday morning started like any other day.

I was getting ready to give a presentation I'd been excited about for weeks - "How to Use AI to Boost Your Productivity." As a Saudi software engineer who'd spent over ten years building software for Canadian companies, I'd discovered some pretty amazing AI tools that were changing how we work.

Cursor AI, Claude Code, various AI models - these weren't just buzzwords to me. They were real productivity boosters that I couldn't wait to share with my team.

Then my manager called. Before I could even open my presentation slides, I was laid off.

The Irony That Changed Everything

The irony hit me hard. Here I was, about to teach people how to use AI to boost their productivity, and suddenly I had all the time in the world to actually do what I was going to talk about.

But instead of feeling defeated, something clicked.

I started thinking about my photography side hustle. For years, I'd been doing videos and photos for Saudi businesses - everything from corporate events to product launches. And for years, I'd been managing this business the same way most Saudi entrepreneurs do: Excel sheets, Airtable when I felt fancy, and tons of manual work.

Every invoice was a nightmare. Every client interaction was scattered across WhatsApp, email, and handwritten notes. I was spending more time on business admin than actually creating content for my clients.

And I realized: if this is frustrating for me as a software engineer, what must it be like for every other Saudi creative professional?

The photographers capturing stunning desert weddings. The graphic designers creating beautiful Arabic brand identities. The consultants helping businesses grow. They're all drowning in the same administrative chaos, using tools that were never designed for how we actually work in Saudi Arabia.

Building the Solution with AI

So I made a decision. Those AI productivity tools I was going to teach? I'd use them to build the solution I wished I had.

I opened Cursor AI and started coding. Claude helped me think through the architecture. Various AI models helped with everything from user interface design to Arabic localization. The very tools that were supposed to boost my productivity as an employee became the foundation for building my own company.

The development process felt like magic. What would have taken me months of traditional coding happened in weeks. AI didn't replace my expertise - it amplified it. My decade of software engineering experience, combined with my firsthand understanding of Saudi business needs, guided every decision. But AI handled the heavy lifting.

Six Months Later: Artiva Was Born

Six months later, Artiva was born.

Not just another business management app, but one built specifically for Saudi entrepreneurs. One that works offline (try managing clients during a desert photoshoot with spotty internet). One that handles Arabic text properly, not as an afterthought. One that understands local business practices, from cash payments to VAT requirements.

But here's what I'm most proud of: Artiva isn't just a product of AI assistance. It's a product of real understanding. Every feature comes from actual frustrations I've experienced. Every workflow reflects how Saudi businesses actually operate.

The client management system? Designed because I got tired of losing track of which wedding photographer needed what deliverables. The invoice generation? Built because creating professional Arabic invoices shouldn't take an hour. The offline functionality? Essential because creativity doesn't pause for internet connectivity.

The Response and What's Next

We're launching this month, and the response from beta testers has been incredible. Saudi entrepreneurs are finally getting tools built by someone who understands their reality.

This journey taught me something important: Getting laid off wasn't a setback. It was a redirection toward building something that actually matters. Using AI tools didn't make me less valuable as an engineer - it made me more capable of solving real problems for real people.

For every Saudi entrepreneur struggling with Excel sheets and scattered client information, Artiva is for you. Built by someone who's been there, using the most advanced tools available, to solve the problems we all face.

The irony? That productivity presentation I never gave became the foundation for building an entire company. Sometimes the best preparation for your future is exactly what you're already doing.

Artiva launches to the App Store this month. Join our beta program and help shape the future of Saudi business tools.

Key Takeaways

Authenticity matters: Build solutions for problems you've personally experienced
AI amplifies expertise: It doesn't replace your knowledge, it enhances your capabilities
Local understanding is crucial: Tools built for Saudi businesses need to understand Saudi business practices
Timing can be perfect: What seems like a setback can be the catalyst for something greater

Join the Movement

Ready to revolutionize how Saudi businesses work? Join our beta program and be among the first to experience Artiva.