With a new year coming it is common to see that desire to do things differently, especially when it comes to money. In 2025, a survey by Ipsos/Ipec revealed that 56% of Brazilians performed some extra activity to supplement income. If you are looking at 2026 and thinking of entering this statistic in a more structured way, the internet is fertile ground. But where to start?
More than simply advertising a product, the key is in a solid plan to turn an idea into a real and sustainable source of income. Check out some tips!
Beginning to plan
Before any investment, take time for initial planning.This means going beyond the excitement and answering basic questions such as: What are you going to sell to? Who do you deliver to? Turning a hobby into a business or monetizing a skill, requires you to have clarity of these answers.
“Many people have the tendency to skip this stage because they are driven by enthusiasm, but end up getting lost on the way, precisely, by the lack of organization. Understanding your audience and calculating their minimum costs does not bureaucratize the dream; on the contrary, it is what will allow it to work without financial scares”, comments Ricardo Malachi, Director of Strategy, Billing and Operations at Simplic 100% online personal loan platform 100%.
Organizing finances and investing in the business
Keeping personal and business finances separate is essential to identify if there is real profit. Create a simple spreadsheet to write down all the money that goes into sales and, especially, all the money that goes out. Record the costs of raw materials, packaging, sales platform fee and even the value of the trip to the Post Office. So you will know the real price of your product and its effective profit. It seems obvious, but it is in this detail that many new businesses stumble.
What if, to cover these initial initial costs of inventory or material, you lack that initial capital? “Many entrepreneurs use a well-planned personal loan as a strategic boost for this start.The key is to treat this value exclusively as an investment in the business, including the portion in your cost planning from day one, to ensure that sales cover everything and still over profit”.“Financial control shows whether you are on the right track or whether you need to adjust the route.A small investment in organization at the beginning avoids major headaches down there in the front”, he reinforces.
Exploring digital tools to gain audience
The beauty of digital entrepreneurship today is that you do not need an expensive website or millionaire money for advertising. Social networks like Instagram and TikTok are powerful and free showcases. Use them to show the creation process, share customer testimonials and tell the story behind your product. Platforms like Mercado Livre, Enjoei or Shopee allow you to register your items and reach a larger audience without initial cost. The investment here is time and creativity, not money. Produce good photos with your mobile phone, write neat descriptions that tell a story and genuinely interact with those who comment on your profile.
The path to selling successfully online is less about a genius idea and more about consistent and organized execution.Start by defining your niche, track your financial flow with spreadsheets and use the free tools to your advantage.Slowly, what started as an extra activity can gain body and become a source of significant income. “Today, with planning and organization, anyone can turn your skill into a concrete opportunity for gain.The new year is the perfect time to take that first step with confidence”, concludes.
