33 Ways to Start a Business with Little Money: Complete Guide 2025

In recent years, starting a business has ceased to be a privilege reserved for those with substantial capital. Thanks to technology, the internet, and changes in Brazilian consumer behavior, a wave of viable opportunities with low investments has emerged. This guide presents 33 practical alternatives for entrepreneurship with low initial costs, along with information about required investment, profit potential, and ideal target audience.

Why Now Is the Best Time to Start a Business with Little Capital?

The democratization of digital tools, delivery platforms, social networks, and marketplaces has created a scenario where it is possible to quickly test business models with minimal risk. For many Brazilians, starting a venture represents:

• An alternative to informality and unemployment
• Income supplement to increase financial independence
• A step toward full-time professional independence
• An opportunity to work from home or with flexible hours

Segment 1: Digital Economy and Online Services

1. Social Media Manager

Companies of all sizes need to maintain an active presence on digital platforms. A professional manager handles posting, interaction, metric analysis, and campaigns. Investment: virtually none. Tools like Canva, Buffer, and Metricool are free or very affordable. Earnings: R$ 800 to R$ 3,500 per month per client, depending on the package.

2. Video Content Production

With platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts expanding, short video producers are in high demand. Software like CapCut allows professional editing at no cost. Target audience: small businesses, influencers, and brands needing content to go viral. Expected return: R$ 800 to R$ 3,000 per project.

3. Freelance Graphic Design

Logos, banners, visual identities, and social media graphics remain highly sought-after services. Starting with Canva and progressing to Photoshop and Illustrator is the natural path. Investment: very low. Connection platforms facilitate client acquisition.

4. Writing and Copywriting

Blogs, e-commerce, newsletters, and social media generate continuous demand for optimized texts. If you master clear, persuasive writing suitable for SEO, you have a guaranteed market. Types of services: articles, posts, product descriptions, scripts, social media content.

5. Website Development with WordPress

Thousands of small Brazilian businesses still lack an online presence. Offering creation of institutional pages, blogs, and small e-commerce sites via WordPress (free and versatile) is an opportunity for those who master themes, plugins, and basic design skills.

6. Remote Virtual Assistance

Entrepreneurs and small companies often need administrative support. Tasks include scheduling, email management, customer service, and social media support. Tools like Google Workspace, Trello, and Notion are sufficient to start with zero investment.

7. Affiliate Marketing and Commission per Sale

Promoting third-party products via blog, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or WhatsApp groups allows earning income without holding stock. The model works through commissions: you sell, and receive a percentage. Specialized platforms connect affiliates with advertisers.

8. Financial Education and Investments

Learning to build a balanced portfolio, understanding different assets (stocks, real estate funds, ETFs), and sharing knowledge is a way to generate passive income. The secret: study extensively before starting, use simulators, and participate in learning communities.

Segment 2: Food and Gastronomy

9. Customized Meal Prep

The search for healthy eating drives demand for custom meal services. Starting in your own kitchen, promoting via Instagram and WhatsApp, delivering personally or through platforms is entirely feasible. Differentials: fitness menus, vegan options, premium ingredients.

10. Confectionery and Decorated Cakes

Simple cakes, gourmet sweets, fitness desserts, and dessert tables for events are in demand year-round. Initial investment: basic ingredients. Customer acquisition strategy: tastings, high-quality photos, impressive portfolio.

11. Barbecue for Events

Mastering cuts, preparation techniques, and sides allows offering services for birthdays, weddings, gatherings, and corporate events. A menu with options across different price ranges (basic, premium, gourmet) increases sales potential.

12. Meal Planning (Meal Planning)

Professionals who understand nutrition and organization can offer personalized planning services: weekly menus, shopping lists, dietary guidance. Online service, with weekly or monthly packages. Marketing: share tips and recipes on social media.

13. Food Truck or Mobile Cart

An expanding model in Brazil, allowing testing menus with lower fixed costs than a traditional restaurant. Viable options: artisanal burgers, crepes, healthy snacks, churros, stuffed potatoes, desserts, vegan items. Success depends on: choosing the right location, presence at events, visual presentation.

Segment 3: Beauty, Wellness, and Health

14. Manicure and Pedicure at Home

Highly requested service post-pandemic. Low investment (materials + scheduling organization). Can be offered at home, at the client’s residence, or in a shared space. Techniques like gel extensions, fiber, and nail art increase profit margins.

15. Professional Makeup

Work at parties, weddings, graduations, photo and video shoots. Reduced initial investment. A growing portfolio allows increasing prices. Strategy: post before/after photos and reels with techniques on Instagram.

16. Resale of Cosmetics and Perfumes

Brazil is one of the largest global beauty markets. Starting resale via catalog, buying directly from distributors, or working on consignment drastically reduces investment. Promotion: Instagram, WhatsApp, local ads.

17. Therapeutic Massage

Growing demand post-pandemic for stress reduction and muscle relief services. With basic training and essential materials, offering sessions at home or in a domestic space is feasible. Profitable niches: relaxing, therapeutic, draining, sports massage.

18. Small Beauty Studio at Home

If you already work with beauty services, setting up a home space for cuts, blowouts, coloring, hydration, facial aesthetics, nail extensions, and eyebrow design is a minimal investment with quick return.

Segment 4: Pet Market

19. Online Pet Store

Brazil has the third-largest pet population in the world. Selling accessories, food, toys, and hygiene products via e-commerce requires small stock and simple structure. Dropshipping model further reduces initial costs.

20. Pet Sitter and Pet Caretaker

Services like walks, boarding, medication, and special care for pets have grown significantly. Target audience: owners who travel or spend long hours away. Offer via local apps, social media, and word of mouth.

Segment 5: Residential and General Services

21. Furniture Assembly

The e-commerce boom has increased demand for specialists in assembling furniture bought online. Minimal investment, high demand, easy client acquisition via marketplaces, furniture stores, and social networks.

22. Basic Gardening and Landscaping

Offer pruning, lawn mowing, maintenance, and fertilization for homes, condominiums, and commercial properties. Progress to more elaborate landscaping as experience grows. Strategy: before/after photos with excellent engagement.

23. Small Construction Material Stock

Construction remains strong in Brazil. Selling small quantities of paints, basic tools, electrical and plumbing supplies without large warehouse infrastructure is feasible. Differentiator: fast service via WhatsApp and quick delivery.

Segment 6: Education and Knowledge

24. Private Lessons

Tutoring, language, music, financial mathematics, programming are highly sought after. Conduct online or in person via social media and community groups with minimal investment.

25. Digital Info Products

E-books, video lessons, spreadsheets, tutorials, guides are highly scalable. No stock or shipping costs, offering high profit potential. 100% online delivery facilitates global sales.

26. Travel Consulting

Planning personalized itineraries, comparing prices, suggesting accommodations is a high-value service for tourists. Fully remote work allows offering quick consulting, complete itineraries, themed packages (luxury, low-cost, gastronomic, cultural).

Segment 7: Crafts and Personalized Products

27. Virtual Store for Personalized Items

Mugs, t-shirts, decorative items with customization are in growing demand. Print-on-demand model allows having a store without stock: supplier produces and ships directly to the customer, drastically reducing initial investment.

28. Online or Physical Thrift Shop

Secondhand market expanding due to circular economy and affordable prices. Start with items from your own wardrobe. Sales via Instagram, specialized platforms, and WhatsApp. Well-produced photos and competitive prices accelerate growth.

29. Smartphone Accessories

Selling cases, screen protectors, headphones, cables, and supports remains strong in retail. Affordable ticket, constant demand, reduced initial investment. Strategy: buy wholesale, focus on popular models.

30. Handmade Candles and Soaps

Aromatic candles, gift kits, natural soaps have high demand in wellness, decor, and corporate gifting niches. Low investment in basic materials, with the possibility of multiple product lines.

31. Cleaning Products

Disinfectants, detergents, liquid soap, multi-purpose cleaners have high turnover. Handmade production offers very high margins with minimal costs. Sell via Instagram, WhatsApp, and local partnerships.

32. Gift Baskets and Themed Kits

Breakfast baskets, chocolates, wines, artisanal products for birthdays, holidays, corporate events, and internal marketing. Initial investment: premium items and packaging. Visual appeal determines success.

33. Various Customized Products

From personalized frames to event souvenirs, the customization market has exploded. Low investment, high added value, and significant profit margins.

Conclusion: The Right Choice Matters More Than the Initial Capital

Starting a business with little money is no longer an exception — it’s an increasing reality among Brazilians seeking financial independence and professional autonomy. The 33 ideas presented cover different skills, experiences, and financial situations.

The success of any business depends not solely on initial investment but on clear strategy, consistent execution, understanding of the target audience, and willingness to learn continuously. Many Brazilian entrepreneurs started with little and built solid, scalable businesses.

Choosing the opportunity aligned with your skills, passions, and available resources is the first step. Discipline, realistic planning, and persistence turn ideas into real revenue.