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

Brazil continues to advance in the entrepreneurship scene. According to data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM 2024), a survey conducted by Sebrae in partnership with Anegepe (National Association of Entrepreneurship Studies and Research), the country’s entrepreneurship rate 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 microenterprises that boost the local economy and create opportunities across 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 remains 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 amid 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 company’s main actor: the customer, who is also the financier of their 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 financials for the business are crucial for making more assertive decisions and allocating available resources wisely,’ she explains.

The expert from Orcas, a martech consultancy, has compiled 10 steps that serve as a guide for anyone looking to get a business off the ground or make it more solid, even without large investments:

1. Validate the idea:talk to close acquaintances or potential customers. Share your proposal and ask for feedback.
2. Keep initial costs low:avoid large investments at the start. Prioritize remote work and, if necessary, hire freelancers rather than 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 conversions and improve the company’s cash flow. Some ideas on how to do this:

• Bet on recurring revenue: turn your product into a subscription with low monthly fees but long-term added value.
• Explore pre-sale actions: pre-launch campaigns help generate anticipation and engagement. You can also offer early access to VIP groups, such as loyal customers, creating a sense of exclusivity and valuing existing clients.
• 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 strategically in paid media to increase brand reach and attract new customers.
• Nurture leads for better sales conversion: if you already have a contact base, invest in qualifying these leads to increase conversion chances. Currently, there are AI-powered tools, accessible even for small businesses, that help analyze and segment this data better.

1. Manage finances efficiently:have full visibility of income and expenses. A well-defined budget is crucial for controlling the business and making good decisions.
2. Separate personal finances from business finances:mixing the two 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 business growth. You can do this through new products, increasing marketing efforts, or hiring staff.
4. Build a solid network of relationships:strategic partnerships, mentorships, and even new clients can emerge from a well-built network. Networking is a valuable asset for those starting out.
5. Seek feedback continuously:embrace feedback and be mature enough to implement 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 grow consistently.

‘It’s very important to maintain your vision beyond the first few months or the first year of business because entrepreneurship with limited resources requires great patience and focus on a sustainable model. Having this long-term perspective will help prevent discouragement when facing short-term setbacks,’ concludes the CEO.