The Person Behind Shmarlo
Carlo Santoro
Melbourne, Australia · Operating Virtually
Who I Am
I'm a virtual business owner, AI developer and digital investor based in Melbourne, Australia.
I build, launch and grow AI-powered online platforms — all operated remotely with no physical storefront, no warehouse, no office. Every business I create is designed to be maintainable by one person and scalable through automation.
My background spans retail operations, business management and software development. I've spent the last several years combining those skills into a single model: identify a real problem, build a focused tool to solve it, rank it organically, and hold it as an appreciating asset.
AI is at the centre of everything I build — both as a development accelerant and as the core product layer. Whether it's interpreting blood test results, calculating rent-to-income ratios, or generating compliance checklists, AI does the heavy lifting while users get instant, personalised answers.
10+
Live Platforms
500+
Domains Held
100%
Virtual Operations
MEL
Melbourne, AU
The Approach
How I Work
Niche-First Thinking
I start with search demand, not ideas. Every project begins with a validated gap — an audience searching for a tool that doesn't yet exist, or one that exists poorly.
AI-Augmented Building
I use AI to build faster and to build smarter products. AI code generation accelerates development; AI APIs become the product's core value — turning raw inputs into intelligent outputs.
Asset-Based Growth
Every platform I build is designed to become an asset — something with compounding traffic, defensible domain authority, and a valuation that grows over time independent of my daily involvement.
This Site
What You'll Find Here
Projects Portfolio
Every live platform, tool and site I've built — with screenshots, feature breakdowns, and links to visit them directly.
Browse Projects →Let's Talk
Acquisitions, partnerships, consulting or just a conversation about building online businesses with AI — reach out directly.
Get in Touch