Growing with few resources is possible: 10 tips to structure a small business

Brazil continues to advance in the entrepreneurship landscape. According to data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM 2024), a survey conducted by Sebrae in partnership with Anegepe (National Association for Entrepreneurship Studies and Research), the entrepreneurship rate in the country reached its highest level in four years, jumping from 31.6% to 33.4% in 2024.

This growth is largely driven by small businesses and micro-enterprises that boost the local economy and create opportunities in various regions of the country. However, knowing how to structure and manage these businesses sustainably is essential to ensure their permanence and evolution in the market.

Entrepreneurship with limited resources is still the reality for many Brazilians. When the investment is personal and the entrepreneur takes on multiple roles, growth may be slower but also more aligned with the business’s values and purposes.

For Andrea Rios, CEO of Orcas and an expert in sales and omnichannel strategies, even with budget constraints, small businesses have the potential for innovation, consolidation, and growth in the medium and long term. ‘The entrepreneur has greater control over the business and can focus on the main actor of the company: the customer, who is also the financier of the business. Additionally, they have the opportunity to evolve, acquiring unique skills in the market,’ she highlights.

Before seeking sales conversions, Andrea emphasizes the importance of building a well-structured and adaptable business plan. ‘Understanding the market, mapping competitors, and projecting the business financially is crucial for making more assertive decisions and knowing how to allocate available resources,’ she explains.

The expert from Orcas, a martech consultancy, compiled 10 steps that serve as a guide for those who want to turn a business idea into reality or make it more solid, even without major investments:

1. Validate the idea:talk to people close to you or potential customers. Share your proposal and ask for feedback.
2. Keep initial costs low:avoid large investments right from the start. Prioritize remote work and, if necessary, hire freelancers instead of assembling a fixed team.
3. Use open and free tools:there are no-cost platforms for accounting, content creation, financial organization, and project management. Explore these options before hiring paid services.
4. Focus on revenue generation:from the beginning, direct your efforts toward generating profit. Simple strategies can increase sales conversion and improve the company’s cash flow. Some ideas on how to do this:

• Bet on recurrence: turn your product into a subscription with low monthly fees but that generates added value in the medium and long term.
• Explore pre-sale actions: pre-launch actions help generate anticipation and engagement. You can also offer early access to VIP groups, such as already loyal customers, creating a sense of exclusivity and valuing those who already consume your brand.
• Invest in social media: even with a tight budget, it’s possible to expand digital presence. The entrepreneur can hire a professional in the field or invest in paid media strategically to increase brand reach and attract new customers.
• Work on leads for better sales conversion: if you already have a contact base, invest in qualifying these leads to increase the chances of sales conversion. Currently, there are tools with artificial intelligence, accessible even for small businesses, that help analyze and segment this data better.

1. Manage finances efficiently:have total visibility over income and expenses. A well-defined budget is essential to control the business and make good decisions.
2. Separate personal finances from business finances:mixing the two financial profiles is a common mistake. Having separate accounts helps better understand the company’s financial health.
3. Reinvest profits:when you start making a profit, reinvest the resources to accelerate the business. You can do this through new products, increasing marketing efforts, or hiring personnel.
4. Build a solid network of relationships:strategic partnerships, mentorships, and even new clients can emerge from a well-built network. Networking is an important asset for those starting out.
5. Ask for feedback continuously:embrace feedback and be mature enough to apply improvements if necessary.
6. Have a long-term vision:entrepreneurship with limited resources requires resilience. Keeping the focus on a sustainable model helps overcome challenges and continue growing consistently.

‘It’s very important to maintain your vision beyond the first few months or the first year of business, as entrepreneurship with limited resources requires a lot of patience and focus on a sustainable model. Having this long-term view will help you not to get discouraged by the setbacks that arise in the short term,’ concludes the CEO.