7 Business Ideas to Start with Little Money in 2026

Want to start a business but think you need a lot of money to get started? The reality is quite different. In recent years, many Brazilians have discovered that it’s entirely possible to launch a profitable business with minimal investment, working from home or online. What has changed? Technology, social media, and shifts in consumer behavior have opened doors to accessible, fast-growing businesses. Whether you’re a beginner looking for extra income or someone wanting to leave the informal sector, there are dozens of viable paths. Here are the top 7 categories with practical, feasible ideas for those starting with little money.

1. Monetize Digital Skills: The Most Accessible Path

Digital marketing remains one of the best options for those with limited capital. All you need is a computer, internet connection, and willingness to learn. The demand for content creation, social media management, video editing, and design is huge—and still growing.

If you have skills in content creation, you can offer services such as:

Social Media Manager – Manage calendars, posts, stories, and analytics for small businesses. With tools like Canva, Buffer, or Metricool, you can deliver professional work charging monthly fees that vary widely depending on your experience.

Video Editing for Social Media – Reels, TikToks, and Shorts are trending, and those skilled in editing with tools like CapCut can earn a lot. Cuts, automatic captions, and quick montages are highly sought-after skills.

Design and Visual Creation – Logos, flyers, banners, and social media graphics are constantly in demand. Many designers start with Canva and progress to Photoshop as they gain clients.

Writing and Copywriting – Blogs, e-commerce sites, and social media constantly need optimized texts. If you write well, you can produce articles, product descriptions, scripts, and content for various platforms.

Building Websites with WordPress – Many Brazilian entrepreneurs still lack an online presence. Setting up institutional sites, blogs, and small e-commerce stores with WordPress (a free and versatile tool) is a real opportunity for those who learn the basics.

Virtual Assistance – Companies and individual entrepreneurs hire virtual assistants to manage emails, calendars, social media, and administrative tasks. If you’re proficient with Google Workspace, Trello, and Notion, you can start at no cost.

Affiliate Marketing – Promoting third-party products and earning commissions on sales is one of the simplest ways to start with little money. You can use blogs, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or WhatsApp groups. Platforms like Hotmart, Amazon Affiliates, Eduzz, and Monetizze connect you to thousands of products.

2. Food Business: Quick Returns and Steady Demand

The food sector withstands even during crises. Many people want to eat well but lack time or skills to cook—and that’s your opportunity. Starting with little money in this area is totally feasible if you work from your own kitchen.

Meal Prep and Custom Orders – With increasing demand for healthier, convenient food, personalized meal prep has exploded. Buy ingredients from small producers, prepare meals, and sell via Instagram, WhatsApp, or delivery apps. Offer traditional or fitness options.

Baking and Decorated Cakes – Baking attracts customers year-round. Start in your own kitchen with simple cakes that evolve into more sophisticated creations. Gourmet sweets, fitness desserts, and dessert tables for parties are highly profitable niches. The secret? Quality photos and tastings attract more clients.

Barbecue for Events – If you master cuts and preparation techniques, there’s huge demand for grillers at birthdays, weddings, and corporate events. Create menus at different price points (basic, premium, gourmet) to attract more clients.

Meal Planning Services – Ideal for those knowledgeable about nutrition. Meal planning helps clients aiming to lose weight, build muscle, eat better, or simply have a more practical routine. You can serve online and sell weekly or monthly packages.

Food Truck or Food Cart – This model is expanding in Brazil. With a lower initial investment than a restaurant, you can test menus and find what works best. Gourmet burgers, crepes, healthy snacks, churros—the options are many. Success depends on location and presentation quality.

3. Beauty and Wellness Services: Ever-Present Demand

Post-pandemic, a pattern has solidified: people seek convenience and practicality. At-home or delivery beauty services have boomed. This is a highly stable and profitable sector.

Mobile Manicure and Pedicure – A service with constant demand and very low startup costs. You can work at home, at the client’s house, in shared spaces, or beauty coworkings. Advanced techniques like gel extensions and nail art significantly increase your profit margin.

Professional Makeup – If you have talent with makeup, you can work at parties, weddings, graduations, and photoshoots. The investment is modest, and the return is often quick. As your portfolio grows, you can raise prices and create special packages.

Reselling Cosmetics and Perfumes – Brazil is one of the world’s largest beauty markets. You can start reselling via catalogs, buying from distributors, or working on consignment. Promoting on Instagram and WhatsApp is enough to generate sales.

Massage Therapy – Demand for massage services grew significantly after the pandemic. With a basic course and simple materials, you can offer sessions at clients’ homes. Relaxing, therapeutic, lymphatic, and sports massages are different niches with good demand. Offer monthly packages for recurring revenue.

Home Beauty Studio – If you already offer multiple beauty services, set up a small but well-organized space at home. Haircuts, blowouts, coloring, hydration, facial aesthetics, nail extensions—a welcoming service in a well-structured environment is enough to start.

4. Growing Pet Market

Brazil has the third-largest pet population in the world. This means huge demand for accessories, food, toys, and hygiene products. This market only grows.

Online Pet Shop – The online model is even more accessible. Sell only non-perishable items, reducing costs with inventory and infrastructure. Work with suppliers via direct distribution—start small and grow as sales increase.

Pet Sitter – With many pet hotels still limited, pet sitting services have grown a lot. Offer hourly visits, overnight stays, walks, or special care like medication and feeding. It’s highly valued by owners who travel or work long hours.

5. Practical Residential Services: Low Investment, High Demand

Many people are willing to pay for services that solve everyday problems.

Furniture Assembly – With the rise of online shopping, demand for furniture assembly has increased. It’s a simple service to start, with genuine demand and minimal investment. Find clients through marketplaces, furniture stores, local ads, and social media. Offering a guarantee builds trust.

Basic Gardening and Landscaping – If you like plants, offer pruning, lawn mowing, maintenance, fertilization, and revitalization of outdoor areas. Serve homes, condominiums, and businesses. Over time, evolve into more sophisticated landscaping. Before-and-after photos generate excellent engagement.

Mini Hardware Store – Construction remains strong in Brazil. A small-scale store selling paints, basic tools, electrical and plumbing supplies can serve local needs. Quick delivery via WhatsApp is a competitive advantage.

6. Education and Consulting: Monetize Your Knowledge

If you have valuable expertise, there are many ways to sell it.

Private Lessons – Tutoring in school subjects, languages, music, programming, or modern topics like personal finance is highly sought after. You can teach online or in person using specialized platforms. Use social media and neighborhood groups for promotion.

Digital Products – E-books, video courses, spreadsheets, tutorials, and guides are highly scalable. Since they’re digital, there are no costs for stock or shipping. Platforms like Hotmart, Eduzz, and Monetizze make selling easy.

Travel Consulting – Planning itineraries, price comparisons, and suggesting accommodations—all online. Offer quick consultations, complete itineraries, or themed packages (luxury, budget, culinary, cultural).

7. Crafts, Personalization, and Physical Products

Modern consumers value unique, personalized items.

Online Store of Custom Items – Mugs, T-shirts, decorative items—all customizable. Print-on-demand models allow you to run a store without inventory: the supplier produces and ships directly. Minimal initial investment.

Online or Physical Thrift Store – The secondhand market is booming. Start with your own wardrobe or donations. Sell via Instagram, Shopee, Enjoei, or WhatsApp. Good photos and competitive prices are essential.

Cell Phone Accessories – Selling cases, screen protectors, headphones, cables, and stands remains strong. Affordable price points, constant demand, and low investment. Buy wholesale, focus on popular models, and sell via Shopee, Mercado Livre, and Instagram.

Handmade Candles and Soaps – Aromatic candles, gift sets, and natural soaps are popular in wellness and decor niches. Invest in unique scents and premium packaging to increase perceived value.

Cleaning Products – Disinfectants, detergents, liquid soap, and cleaning kits have high turnover. Handmade versions have very low costs and high margins. Sell via Instagram, WhatsApp, and local partnerships.

Gift Baskets and Kits – Breakfast baskets, chocolates, wines—perfect for birthdays, corporate events, and internal marketing. Visual presentation is key. Initial investment only in items and packaging.

The First Step Starts with the Right Choice

Starting a business with little money is no longer an exception but the norm. The 7 ideas listed here are designed for various profiles—from those with digital skills to those preferring physical products.

The key to success isn’t the initial investment but choosing the right model for your profile, maintaining discipline in execution, and consistent monitoring. Start small, learn through practice, and gradually scale as your business grows. Any of these ideas, with planning and dedication, can evolve from a personal project into a truly solid business.