20 Business Ideas to Start with Little Money: Complete Guide 2025

Starting your own business is not a privilege reserved for those with abundant capital. In Brazil, thousands of entrepreneurs manage to start profitable operations with little investment, relying only on dedication, planning, and smart model selection. Technology has democratized opportunities: social media, digital platforms, and changing consumer behaviors have created gaps for accessible and scalable businesses.

This guide features 20 viable business ideas with low initial investment, categorized by area and potential return. Each has been selected considering the Brazilian reality, market demand, and ease of starting in 2025.

Digital Sector: The Fastest Way to Start

Digital businesses require little more than a computer and internet connection. The Brazilian market is growing exponentially in this area, with constant demand for specialized professionals.

1. Social Media Manager

Small businesses urgently need an online presence, but many owners lack time and knowledge. A social media manager structures editorial calendars, interacts with followers, monitors metrics, and creates content for Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Free and affordable tools (such as design software and scheduling apps) enable delivering professional work without high investment. Charges follow a monthly package model, varying according to volume of posts and platforms managed.

2. Short Video Producer

Reels, Shorts, and vertical content dominate social media algorithms. Video editors specialized in short formats are in high demand. Even accessible tools (like free software) allow creating professional montages, adding automatic subtitles, and effects.

Average earnings: between R$ 800 and R$ 3,000 per client, depending on project complexity.

3. Freelancer Designer

Visual identities, logos, banners, and social media graphics are among the most requested skills in the Brazilian digital economy. Many beginners start with popular, free tools, later evolving to professional software as they gain experience and clients.

4. Content Writer Specialized in Online Content

Blogs, e-commerce, and social media consume huge volumes of optimized content. Writers skilled in SEO and copywriting can secure steady work producing articles, product descriptions, scripts, and posts.

Platforms connecting professionals facilitate acquiring initial clients and building a portfolio.

5. WordPress Website Creator

Many Brazilian companies still lack a professional online presence — an obvious gap for entrepreneurs. Creating institutional sites, blogs, and small e-commerce using WordPress (free and versatile) is a sought-after skill.

With focused study on themes, plugins, and design basics, it’s possible to start quickly and attract shop owners, freelancers, and local businesses.

6. Virtual Assistant

Business owners and individual entrepreneurs often need administrative support, organization, email management, and customer responses. A well-organized virtual assistant familiar with productivity tools can work 100% remotely.

Useful platforms: freelance marketplaces connect professionals with constant demand.

7. Affiliate Marketing Specialist

Promoting third-party products and earning commissions per sale is a model without stock and initial investment. You can start through a blog, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or even WhatsApp groups.

Specialized platforms simplify link tracking, commission payments, and access to products for promotion.

Food Industry: Fast Return and Resilient Demand

The food sector withstands even in tough economic periods. Models based on homemade food, sweets, and made-to-order meals combine low investment with profitable margins.

8. Custom Meal Prep Producer

The growing demand for healthy eating has made fitness meal prep a lucrative niche. You can start in your own kitchen, promoting via Instagram, WhatsApp, or delivery apps.

Buying ingredients from local small producers reduces costs and offers a quality edge to the end consumer.

9. Artisanal Confectioner

Confectionery attracts customers year-round. Starting with order-based sales (using your kitchen) greatly reduces risks. Profitable niches include decorated cakes, gourmet sweets, fitness desserts, and candy tables for parties.

Differentiation strategy: offering tastings and high-quality photos of products significantly increases conversion rates.

10. Event Barbecue Chef

Barbecue is a national passion, and events often hire professionals to ensure quality. Mastery of cutting, preparation, and side dish assembly techniques can generate substantial income at birthdays, gatherings, weddings, and corporate events.

Creating a menu with different price levels (basic, premium, and gourmet) allows serving various segments.

11. Meal Planner( (Meal Planner)

Nutrition experts can help clients lose weight, gain muscle, or simply eat better while spending less. Online service allows selling weekly or monthly packages without geographic limits.

Content on Instagram )tips for meal prep, shopping lists( naturally attracts prospects.

) 12. Food Truck or Food Cart Operator

The mobile food sector is expanding in Brazil. A food truck allows testing menus without fixed costs of a traditional establishment. Viable options include artisanal burgers, crepes, healthy snacks, desserts, churros, and vegan options.

Success depends on strategic location, presence at events, and attractive visual presentation.

Beauty and Wellness: Services with Growing Demand

Post-pandemic, the trend has solidified: consumers want convenience. Delivery-format beauty services are growing rapidly.

13. Home Manicure and Pedicure

A stable sector with constant demand. Initial investment reduces to quality materials and scheduling organization. You can serve at home, clients’ houses, shared spaces, or specialized coworking.

Advanced techniques ###gel extensions, fiber, nail art( significantly increase profit margins.

) 14. Professional Makeup Artist

Talent in makeup opens doors at parties, weddings, graduations, and photoshoots. The initial investment is modest, and returns are usually quick. As your portfolio grows, prices and special packages increase.

Posting before-and-after photos and reels with techniques boosts organic demand.

15. Cosmetics and Perfume Reseller

The beauty sector is one of Brazil’s most robust. Reselling remains a solid opportunity: start by reselling catalogs, buying from distributors, or working on consignment.

Promotion via Instagram, WhatsApp, and simple ads reduces initial costs.

16. Professional Masseuse

Massage therapy relieves stress and muscle tension — demand increased after the pandemic. With a training course and basic materials, offer home sessions or set up a simple space at home.

Profitable niches: relaxing, therapeutic, draining, or sports massage. Monthly packages ensure recurring revenue.

17. Mini Beauty Studio

If you already work in beauty services, setting up a mini studio at home is an economical option. Offer haircuts, blowouts, coloring, hydration, facial aesthetics, nail extensions, and eyebrow design.

A small, well-organized space with a welcoming service is enough to start.

Pets: Expanding Market

Brazil has the 3rd largest pet population in the world — huge demand for accessories, food, toys, and hygiene products.

18. Online Pet Products Store

An online model reduces costs with stock and physical structure. Sell only non-perishable items and connect with suppliers through direct distribution systems — excellent for starting with minimal investment.

19. Pet Sitter### (Pet Caregiver)

Many pet hotels still have limitations. Pet sitting services are growing in Brazil, offering hourly visits, overnight stays, walks, and special care (medication, feeding, routines).

Highly valued by pet owners who travel or are away for long hours.

Residential Services: Practical Solutions with Steady Demand

( 20. Furniture Assembler

The growth of e-commerce has increased demand for furniture assemblers. A simple service to start, with high demand and low investment. Attract clients via social media, local ads, and marketplaces.

Offering a service guarantee greatly increases customer confidence.

Final Words

Entrepreneurship depends less on capital and more on strategy, discipline, and alignment with your profile. The 20 ideas presented cover different skills, experiences, and financial realities.

With consistent planning and disciplined execution, any of these ideas can evolve into a solid and profitable business. The Brazilian market offers abundant opportunities — just choose, start small, and scale intelligently.