Start Entrepreneurship with Little Investment: Practical Guide to 30+ Profitable Models for 2025

Many Brazilians associate entrepreneurship with large investments and complex structures. But the reality is quite different: today, it is entirely feasible to start a business with little money, earn extra income, or build a recurring revenue stream — all starting from home or online.

Digital transformation, democratization of tools, and changing consumer behavior have opened doors to accessible models that grow as revenue increases. Whether you are a professional seeking financial independence, someone wanting to leave the informal sector, or just exploring additional opportunities, there are dozens of viable paths.

This guide gathers more than 30 ideas to start a business with little money, all suitable for the Brazilian market and with real scaling potential in 2025. Each model includes an analysis of initial costs, target audience, and practical implementation strategies.

Digital Businesses: Starting with Almost Zero Investment

The digital economy has eliminated entry barriers. With a computer and internet, you can already offer highly sought-after services.

Social Media Management

Small and medium-sized companies desperately need someone to manage their online presence. A social media manager handles editorial calendars, interaction, metric analysis, and content creation. Tools like Canva and Buffer allow delivering professional work without significant investment. The model is simple: charge monthly fees for packages of posts and management.

Video Production for Social Media

Reels, TikToks, and Shorts have exploded in demand. Short video editors are extremely sought after. Even using CapCut (free tool), it’s possible to offer professional quality with cuts, automatic subtitles, and quick editing. Average income varies from R$ 800 to R$ 3,000 per project.

Freelance Design and Visual Identity

Logos, banners, social media graphics — demand is huge. Many designers start with Canva and evolve to Photoshop and Illustrator. It’s a skill increasingly valued by the creative economy.

Writing and Copywriting

Blogs, e-commerce, and social media need optimized content. If you master writing, you can produce articles, product descriptions, scripts, and SEO-specific content. Platforms connect writers to companies conveniently.

Web Page Creation

Many Brazilian companies still lack a digital presence. WordPress is the best entry point — free, versatile, and used in over 40% of websites worldwide. With basic knowledge of themes and plugins, you can create blogs, institutional pages, and small e-commerce sites for retailers, freelancers, and local businesses.

Virtual Assistance

Companies and individual entrepreneurs need administrative support. A virtual assistant organizes schedules, responds to clients, manages emails, and assists with social media. If you are organized and know Google Workspace, Trello, and Notion, you can start immediately at no cost.

Affiliate Marketing and Passive Income

Promoting third-party products and earning commissions per sale is one of the most accessible ideas for starting a business with little money. Use blogs, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, WhatsApp groups, or Pinterest as a showcase. Platforms like Hotmart, Amazon Associates, and Eduzz facilitate the process. It’s scalable income without stock.

Food Sector: Proven Profitability

The food sector is resilient in any economic moment, with very high profit potential.

Meal Prep and Customized Meals

The search for healthy eating has increased demand for fitness and personalized meal boxes. Start in your own kitchen, promote via Instagram and WhatsApp. Buy ingredients from small producers to reduce costs and enhance product appeal.

Artisanal Confectionery

Decorated cakes, gourmet sweets, fitness desserts, and dessert tables for events — the market is vast. Offer tastings and invest in professional photography. Customer conversion significantly increases with attractive visual content.

Event Barbecues

Mastering techniques for preparing, cutting meats, and assembling side dishes is a differentiator. Work at birthdays, gatherings, weddings, and corporate events. Create menus with different price levels (basic, premium, and gourmet).

Meal Planning (Meal Planning)

People seek to lose weight, gain muscle, or eat better while saving money. A meal planner creates practical menus, offers nutritional consulting, and sells weekly or monthly packages. Work entirely online and use Instagram to generate leads with tips and shopping lists.

Food Truck and Food Carts

The mobile food segment is growing in Brazil. Without fixed restaurant costs, test menus and locations. Artisanal burgers, crepes, healthy snacks, churros, and vegan options are trending with high margins.

Beauty and Wellness: Services with Continuous Demand

Post-pandemic, consumers value convenience and practicality. At-home beauty services have exploded.

Manicure and Pedicure at Home

Serve at home, at the client’s residence, or in shared spaces. The initial investment is low — mainly materials and organization. Techniques like gel extensions, fiber nails, and nail art increase your margin and competitive edge.

Professional Makeup

Parties, brides, graduations, and photoshoots are lucrative niches. Build a portfolio with before-and-after photos, post reels with techniques. As your portfolio grows, increase prices and launch special packages.

Resale of Cosmetics and Perfumes

Brazil loves beauty products. Start reselling via catalogs, buying directly from distributors, or working on consignment. Promote via Instagram and WhatsApp — the investment is minimal.

Massage Therapy and Wellness Services

Relaxing, therapeutic, lymphatic, or sports massages are in increasing demand. With proper training and basic materials, offer sessions at home or set up a simple space at home. Monthly packages ensure recurring revenue.

Mini Beauty Studio

If you already work in beauty, setting up a small space at home offering haircuts, blowouts, coloring, hydrating treatments, and facial aesthetics is an inexpensive way to start. Organization and a welcoming service are enough.

Pet Market: Growing Opportunity

Brazil has the third-largest pet population in the world.

Online Pet Shop

Sell non-perishable items without the need for large physical stock. E-commerce platforms integrated with suppliers drastically reduce initial investment.

Pet Sitter and Animal Care

With limited pet hotels, caregiver services are growing. Offer hourly visits, daily boarding, walks, and special care. It’s a highly valued service for pet owners who travel or spend long hours away.

Residential Services: Constant Demand

Furniture Assembly

Online shopping is increasing, and many need help assembling furniture. Simple service, high demand, low investment. Reach customers via marketplaces, furniture stores, and social media. Offer guarantees to build trust.

Gardening and Landscaping

Pruning, lawn mowing, maintenance, and fertilization are services offered for homes, condominiums, and businesses. Moving into simple landscaping is feasible with time. “Before and after” photos generate excellent engagement.

Hardware Store (Modelo Enxuto)

Construction remains strong. Sell paints, basic tools, electrical and plumbing supplies via WhatsApp with quick delivery. Stand out through convenience.

Education and Consulting: Monetize Knowledge

Private Lessons

School reinforcement, languages, music, programming, and even cryptocurrencies are highly sought after. Offer online or in person. Promote on social media and neighborhood groups — the investment is almost zero.

Digital Info Products

E-books, video lessons, spreadsheets, and digital guides are highly scalable. With no stock or shipping costs, everything is delivered online. Specialized platforms facilitate distribution.

Travel Consulting

Travel planners create personalized itineraries, compare prices, and suggest accommodations. Work 100% online offering quick consulting, complete itineraries, and themed packages (luxury, low-cost, gastronomic).

Crafts and Personalized Products

Print on Demand Virtual Store

Personalization of mugs, t-shirts, and decorative items without stock — the supplier produces and ships. Significantly reduces initial investment.

Online and Physical Thrift Shop

The secondhand market is growing driven by the circular economy. Start with items from your wardrobe. Sell via Instagram, Shopee, and specialized platforms. Well-produced photos and competitive prices lead to rapid growth.

Smartphone Accessories

Cases, screen protectors, headphones, cables — constant demand and affordable ticket. Buy wholesale, focus on popular models (Samsung, Motorola, iPhone). Sell via Shopee, Mercado Livre, and WhatsApp.

Handmade Candles and Soaps

Wellness products are in high demand. Low investment in basic materials, high margins. Focus on unique scents and premium packaging to increase perceived value.

Cleaning Products

Disinfectants, detergents, and liquid soap have high turnover. Handmade versions offer very low costs and high margins. Sell via social media and local partnerships.

Customized Gift Baskets

Breakfast baskets, chocolates, and wine kits make excellent corporate gifts. Visual presentation is a huge differentiator with very low initial investment.

Conclusion: Strategy Matters More Than Capital

Starting a business with little money is not about luck — it’s about choosing the right model for your profile, consistent planning, and disciplined execution.

The more than 30 models presented here encompass different skills, experience levels, and financial realities. Each offers a viable path to turn knowledge, time, or skills into revenue.

With proper planning and consistency, any of these ideas for starting a business with little money can evolve into a solid and scalable enterprise by 2025.