Growing with limited 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 Studies and Research in Entrepreneurship), the entrepreneurship rate in the country reached its highest level in four years, rising 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 in various regions of the country. However, knowing how to structure and manage these companies 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 assumes multiple roles, growth may be slower, but also more aligned with the company's values and purposes.

For Andrea Rios, CEO of Orcas and specialist in sales and omnichannel strategies, even in the face of 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 their business. Additionally, they have the opportunity to evolve themselves, acquiring unique skills in the market," he highlights.

Before seeking sales conversions, Andrea emphasizes the importance of building a well-structured and adaptable business plan. "Understanding the market, mapping competitors, and financially planning the business are crucial to making more accurate decisions and knowing how to allocate available resources," he explains.

The Orcas martech consulting specialist has 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 significant investments:

1. Validate the idea:Talk to close contacts or potential clients. 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 building a permanent team.
3. Use open and free tools:There are free 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 to generate 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 generate added value in the medium and long term.
• Explore sales anticipation actions: pre-launch actions help generate expectation and engagement. You can also offer early access to VIP groups, such as loyal customers, creating a sense of exclusivity and valuing those who already consume your brand.
• Invest in social media: even with a limited budget, it is possible to expand your 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 the leads for better sales conversion: if you already have a contact database, invest in qualifying these leads to increase the chances of conversion into sales. Currently, there are artificial intelligence tools, accessible even for small businesses, that help analyze and better segment this data.

1. Manage finances efficiently:Have full visibility over entries and exits. A well-defined budget is essential for controlling the business and making good decisions.
2. Separate your personal finances from the company's finances.Mixing the two financial profiles is a common mistake. Having separate accounts helps to better understand the company's financial health.
3. Reinvest the profits:When you start to profit, invest in reinvesting resources to accelerate the business. You can do this through new products, increasing marketing efforts, or by hiring staff.
4. Build a strong network of relationships:Strategic partnerships, mentoring, and even new clients can emerge from a well-built network. Networking is an important asset for those just starting out.
5. Continuously seek feedbackEmbrace feedback and be mature enough to implement improvements if necessary.
6. Have a long-term vision:Entrepreneurship with few resources requires resilience. Maintaining focus on a sustainable model helps overcome challenges and continue growing consistently.

"It is 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 perspective will help prevent discouragement in the face of setbacks that arise in the short term," concludes the CEO.