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150+ Profitable Small Business Ideas & Opportunities in the Philippines

Last Updated on – Feb 9, 2024 @ 3:32 am

What’s the best business idea to start in the Philippines? When starting any type of business, don’t expect it to make you an overnight millionaire. It takes research, hard work, and resources.   That said, some of the best business ideas with the biggest earning potential are often service-based that include freelancing, consulting, and brokerage because of their low capital investment. You also don’t need to worry much about high operational costs.   Online selling is another extremely profitable business idea. Whether you want to sell on an e-commerce platform, post on FB marketplace, or try live selling, this will enable you to expand your business’ reach to a wider audience (and sales) quickly.

See our Editors’ Top Picks

Dreaming of setting up your own business in the Philippines but don’t know where to start?

You’re in luck—here’s our massive list of small business ideas to kickstart your vision into reality.

Why is it a good idea to start a business this year?

Answer: The Philippines is experiencing some serious economic growth right now making this a great time to ride the wave.

Our study shows that the preferred investment strategy for most Filipinos (27%) is to start their own businesses, rather than choosing other investment vehicles.

It surely is the best time to start investing to build your own business.

What is a Business?

An entity or an enterprise that is committed to providing goods or services in exchange for some form of payment. In its most basic form, to do “business” is to make a living through commerce.

Types of Businesses

Service business.

A business whose output/product is not an actual physical or tangible product is engaged in the service business.

Banks, accounting firms , law firms (and other types of consulting firms), review centers, training facilities, gyms, barber shops, salons, kids play centers, arcades, are some examples since their “product” takes the form of some kind of service/action.

Merchandising Business

It’s a business that operates under the “Buy and Sell” concept.

Typically, they will buy their merchandise or product at lower prices from wholesalers then sells it at a markup, for profit.

A merchandising business does not make any changes to its supplies or products. They simply act as a gateway for people looking to purchase products.

Examples are groceries and malls, resellers and suking tindahans.

Manufacturing Business

An enterprise or company that is involved with the creation of a product is engaged in the manufacturing business.

They buy raw materials in order to come up with a product they can sell.

For example, an ice cream business needs raw materials like milk and sugar in order to product their ice cream.

The same can be said for companies producing processed foods or a furniture business who needs raw timber to create beds and chairs.

Forms of Business Organizations

If Service, Merchandising, and Manufacturing refer to how an organization or company conducts business, the following refer to how a business is formed or managed.

Sole Proprietorship

A business owned exclusively by a single person is called Sole Proprietorship.

While this is the easiest type of business to set up, it also presents the most risk since the owner is open to unlimited liability.

The owner will need to surrender personal assets to creditors if he goes into debt and can’t pay.

Partnership

Exactly what you think it is. But not strictly tied to just two owners only.

A partnership can be composed of two or more parties who combines resources into setting up and running the business.

A partnership can have unlimited liability (like sole proprietorship) unless the owners specifically set up a limited-partnership (LP) type of business.

Corporation

If you think that a corporation is a big company/organization/factory which produces goods or services, think again.

What many people realize is that a corporation simply refers to a business that is ran by a separate legal entity (can be in the form of shareholders) that is distinct from its owners.

It enjoys most of the perks and responsibilities like a normal individual has, like loan and borrow funds , sign contracts, and even sue (or get sued).

Limited Liability Company

A Limited Liability Company, or LLC, are considered a form of hybrid type of business that merges traits of a sole proprietorship and a corporation.

It is not, however, considered a corporation since LLCs cannot be incorporated. In general, LLCS are easier to form versus corporations since it allows small groups of people to easily build a company.

An LLC enjoys the limited liability feature of a corporation and can elect to be taxed as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation as the owners/members see fit.

Cooperative

If you’ve been to the province, you probably noticed that their water and electricity is provided by some sort of electric or water cooperative. These are perfect examples of this type of business.

In a nutshell, a cooperative is a business wherein members and owners benefit from the process of running the business.

If a corporation offers stocks to shareholders, a cooperative sells its shares to members.

These members have the some form of leverage in terms of their opinion in affecting the course of running the business.

Non-profit Organization

A business that is made with the intention of promoting a specific goal or purpose. For example, charitable institutions .

Any revenue earned by a non-profit goes to paying the operational costs of running the company.

This means that there are no shareholders earning income from the company itself.

All the money earned goes back into funding operation and pursuit of the company’s mission and vision.

Best Small Business Ideas in the Philippines [Editors’ Picks]

1. online selling.

Capital: P5,000 – P10,000 Monthly Income: P10,000 – P200,000 Difficulty: Medium Requires (Skills): Design, Technical, and Marketing.

It can be very lucrative to sell your products online because it lets you operate your business without a traditional shopfront.

What’s more, your customers can purchase your products any time and from anywhere. In the Philippines, there are popular shopping platforms like Shopee, Lazada, and Facebook Marketplace where you can sell your products easily .

You just have to create a seller account. If you lack the funds to start an online shop, you can try dropshipping. In dropshipping, you receive an order, you forward the order to the supplier, and then the supplier fulfills the order.

2. Digital Marketing Services

Capital: P1,000 – P5,000 Monthly Income: P30,000 – P500,000 Difficulty: High Requires (Skills): Technical, Marketing, Networking, Sales, and Communication.

Having online presence and making sure people can easily see a company’s website online can make or break a business. Digital Marketing services offer solutions to website owners who want to reach a wider audience and generate more potential customers /revenue.

As a provider, you can sell your expertise in SEO, Social Media, Content & Email Marketing to businesses looking to grow their brands online.

You can easily find clients to work with through freelancing websites such as Upwork, Freelancer.ph, and Manila Craigslist. And eventually scale by starting your own website where you can promote your services, and by building a team who you can delegate tasks to complete your projects.

3. Vending Machine

Capital: P10,000 – P20,000 Monthly Income: P1,000 – P20,000 Difficulty: Low Requires: Good location & maintenance.

If you’re looking for a business with minimal supervision, this one’s a good choice. Regular maintenance and re-stocking will be your prime tasks here, virtually no manpower for day to day operations is required.

4. Street Food

Capital: P5,000 – P10,000 Difficulty: Low Requires: Good location

Is there anything more classic than the fish ball stand?

For decades, the classic favorites: Fish balls, kikiam, squid ball, isaw, barbecue, tenga, betamax, balut and others have been a part of the Pinoy’s daily culture.

5. Manufacturing or selling ready-to-assemble furniture

Capital: P80,000 – P500,000 Difficulty: Medium Requires (Skills): Logistics, Management, Sales, and Marketing.

Thanks to the natural abundance of wood, our country is home to skilled woodworkers who produce world-class furniture for local and import. With the right channels, you can set up a business by sourcing (or through consignment) from a local manufacturer while you focus on logistics/delivery system and marketing.

6. Storage Rental Services

Capital: P300,000 – P700,000 Difficulty: High Requires: Management, Logistics, and Marketing.

With living space becoming such a premium commodity these days, having a dedicated area to safely tuck away your important stuff or memorabilia is important.

Storage services are popular abroad, and in the Philippines, sites like Kahon.PH and StorageSpace.PH offer the same experience to our fellow Pinoys.

You can start small by renting a small industrial space or warehouse where you can build several storage units you can rent out.

7. CCTV installation

Capital: P20,000 – P50,000 Difficulty: Medium Requires (Skills): Technical, Sales & Marketing.

As prices of CCTV systems went down and became viable outside of business and commercial use, more and more people are getting one for the security of their homes.

You can take advantage of this growing user base by getting trained as a certified installer and offering services to these folks. You can also upsell other relevant products such as car dashcams, and other home security systems.

8. Smart home & automation services

Capital: P100,000 – P300,000 Difficulty: High Requires (Skills): Technical, Programming, Sales & Marketing.

For engineers and techies who are abreast with the latest in smart home tech and automation systems , this is one practice you can excel at.

We’re a bit behind in terms of these types of modern conveniences (like smart locks, smart security systems, appliance control, and pet care) and it’s about time that we catch up.

You can start small by offering consulting services at first, and having your clients buy the necessary equipment while you take care of the technical side for installation and maintenance.

9. Junk Shop

Capital: P100,000 Difficulty: Medium Requires: Good location, Accounting, Management, and Sales.

Junk shops earn money through buy and sell. Scavengers sell them junk which they buy per kilo. The shop will then sell it to partner recycling agents who will convert the junk to recyclables.

Learn more:

  • How to Start a Junk Shop and Scrap Business

10. Home & Office Furniture rental

Capital: P200,000 – P500,000 Difficulty: High Requires: Tracking systems, Sales, and Accounting.

This is a niche market for those looking into leasing their products instead of selling them. I’ve seen ads online where they offer short and long term “contracts” depending on the client’s needs.

Why rent furniture?

Like renting apartment houses, vacationers who stay in the places they visit for longer periods of time (a few months to a year) can make their living spaces feel more at home with rented furniture.

Definitely saves on money and effort versus importing their own furniture from abroad.

Entrepreneurs can use this same concept when building their companies from scratch. Instead of buying furniture for their rented office space, they can lease them for a year and just renew as they see fit.

They’ll save on start-up costs and can easily “dispose” of the furniture should the business fail. Aside from furniture, you can also choose to lease out computers and other office equipment to business owners (or even offer rent-to-own options for all your products).

11. Business & Company incorporation services

Capital: P10,000 – P20,000 Difficulty: Medium Requires: Technical, Networking, Management.

Building a business is no easy task. With all the legal paperwork required, you’ll probably need professional help to make sure all bases are covered and with zero loopholes.

Incorporation services make the process streamlined and easy for clients. If corporate and legal matters are your thing, this is a potential business venture.

Also read: How to register a corporation in the Philippines

12. Videography business

Capital: P40,000 – P100,000 Difficulty: Medium Requires: Equipment, Video Editing Software, Design, and Marketing.

We Filipinos love documenting our lives. From a baby’s christening to its 1st birthday, graduation, debut, wedding, reunions, and pretty much anything else.

Videography services can be a lucrative business if you have the skills and a creative team behind you. Outside family events, there are also other opportunities you can delve into that would pay lot more, such as covering conferences/conventions, producing online video commercials, as well as live recordings of concerts and festivals.

13. IT & Network consulting and training services

Capital: P5,000 – P20,000 Difficulty: High Requires: Standard Equipment, Technical, and Marketing.

Modern businesses that rely on computer systems to operate need regular maintenance and management – which makes the business idea lucrative as most clients will pay on a retainer.

Offices run on a bunch of computers networked together (including servers), groceries have an always-on surveillance and PoS system, and your friendly neighborhood coffee shop needs its WiFi always running for its customers.

All these require IT and network expertise. For additional revenue, some even offer training services to companies, freelancers, and enthusiasts.

14. Moving Company (lipat-bahay)

Capital: P5,000 (if you already have a Truck or Van) Difficulty: Low Requires: Customer Service, Marketing.

Moving from one place to another is best done with a lipat-bahay service. I personally recommend it against hauling stuff yourself as it will save you countless trips and prevent potential damage to your properties.

And with younger families constantly moving to be near their work, there will always be potential clients in this type of business. Starting one has also been made easier with apps/marketplaces like Mober , LalaMove , and Transportify .

Capital: Spare Room or Space Monthly Income: P20,000 – P60,000 Difficulty: Low Requires: Customer Service, and Marketing.

I heard from Tim Ferriss’s interview with AirBnB co-founder Joe Gebbia that they initially rented out Airbeds for their paying guests, hence the name, Air Bed & Breakfast or AirBnB.

Cool. For the uninitiated, AirBnB allows owners of houses and condo units to rent out their spaces to guests for a fee. They are significantly cheaper versus staying in a hotel that’s why popularity has been steadily rising in the past few years. If you have the space, you might want to check this one out.

Related: 10 Ways to Fund and Finance your Business

Out-of-the-box & Creative Negosyo Ideas

We know you want more, so we’ve created this guide for the more creative thinkers out there looking for maverick business ideas.

Sleep Capsule Hotels

Image Credit: Booking.com

Have you ever seen those “Sleep Pods” in Japan? These are tiny “rooms” that people book solely for sleep because that’s all you can really do inside given the miniscule space. Cute concept, huh?

Around the world, the concept transformed itself into full-blown relaxation havens called Sleep Capsule Hotels that combine sleeping amenities with relaxation options to make it more enticing to guests.

Electric Bicycles (Retail & Repair Services)

Image Credit: Business Insider

This New York times article reported that Electric Bikes (E-Bikes) are getting a significant boost in adoption worldwide. Sales of these battery-powered bicycles are starting to reach new highs that numbers are projected to grow to 35 million in 2018 worldwide.

What makes E-bikes an interesting business proposition? For starters, units costs a lot less versus owning a car/motorcycle dealership and more people are starting to love the concept of an electric-assisted bike.

3D Printing Services

Image Credit: Big Think

What is a 3D Printer, you ask? It’s a device that turns a design into an actual, physical prototype.

Cool, huh? So if you ever wanted to design a plastic keychain of your head, (not sure why that’s the first thing that came to mind) this is what you’ll use.

These things are pricey but prices have actually gone down significantly since they were first introduced years ago. Aside from manufacturing stuff from scratch, you can also customize or improve existing items for your customers.

Cryptocurrency ATM

Image Credit: ICO Pulse

Unless you’ve been living under a rock in the last 5 years, you probably heard about Bitcoin and other types of these so-called Cryptocurrencies . Yes, it is really happening.

Globally-recognized companies have already started investing in these and even governments and banks of some countries are starting to test the waters of this digital mode of payment.

This rising adoption translates into a steady increase in Cryptocurrency owners.

That’s where Crypto ATMS come in. Aside from being a hub for existing owners to buy and sell cryptocurrency with cash, it makes the process of getting into cryptocurrencies for newcomers easier due to the physical nature of transacting with a machine they are familiar with.

As an owner or a Crypto ATM machine, you’ll earn via transaction fees.

Citywide Prepaid Wifi HotSpot Service

Image Credit: Turbo Future

Don’t let its name intimidate you. It’s essentially an internet-cafe business sans the shop and computers but with boosted WiFi coverage area.

If you’ve ever tried connecting to a public wifi network and got routed to a web page asking you to log-in, that is basically it. But before you can do so, you’ll be asked to buy credits so you can connect and surf using that wifi connection.

Simple enough, right? Citywide Prepaid Wifi Hotspot Services aim to do the same thing—but at a much, much wider scope.

Smart Home Automation & IoT Services

That’s pronounced “Ay-o-ti”, silly. The “Internet of Things” or simply IoT, was the term coined to refer to the network of connected devices that are equipped with its own identifier (think IP address) so each device can “talk” to each other.

Samsung was very bullish in the concept of IoT that Samsung co-CEO B.K Yoon announced in 2015 that all Samsung devices will be IoT-enabled by 2020.

And when it comes to adoption, perhaps no other segment comes close to IoT-use than Smart Home Automation.

As a Smart Home Automation business proprietor, your goal will be to provide installation and maintenance services of these devices.

For example, thermal sensors can be installed around the house so that the AC will automatically adjust itself based on the client’s preferred settings.

Agency for Influencers

Remember that scene in the movie, “Jerry Maguire”? Cuba Gooding Jr was talking to Tom Cruise (his agent) over the phone when he started yelling “Show me the Money!” As an agent, it’s Tom’s job to find and land a great contract for Cuba.

If pro athletes, movie stars, authors, celebrities, etc., hava agents, then perhaps the same concept can be used for “ Influencers ” , right? These are the people who command a gigantic following in social media.

Their thoughts, opinions, and even the stuff they use greatly influence their followers.

An agency or talent management for influencers (or even video game streamers) can serve as their own agent that will handle contract negotiations, business and legal deals, and finding more clients.

Modern Jeepney Franchise

Image Credit: Yahoo! News

As of 2017, there are 220,000 registered public jeepneys nationwide but 90 percent of these are in service for more than 15 years.

A modern jeepney franchise will allow you to operate a fleet of new jeepneys that are approved by the Department of Transportation (DOTr). And while one might argue jeepneys numbers are slowly dwindling, they are never going away.

There’s a need for this type of transportation so demand will always be there.

Esports Team

Image Credit: Dota Buff

Did you know that some Dota 2 players here in our country consistently bag millions of pesos from tournaments?

That’s right, millions. And we’re not talking about 1-million peso team winnings here, but multi-million pot earnings that when totaled can reach almost the hundred-million peso mark. Google “TNC team earnings” and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.

TNC is a local Dota 2 Pro team.

Given the right players and resources, an esports team can start winning tournaments local and abroad and cash in on the big bucks. Who knows?

E-sports ain’t like basketball, you don’t have to be tall and be blessed with basketball genes to be a serious competitor (companies like TaskUs also started investing to start their own esports team ).

And teams like TNC proves that we can compete and win tons of pot money in a competitive arena.

Fleet for Sharing Economy Business Models

When Grab and Uber started catching fire in the Philippines, thousands of car owners started driving their own vehicles as a side hustle. Others had bigger plans in mind, so they started buying multiple cars and hiring drivers similar to the concept of owning a fleet of taxis.

Ride-sharing platforms like Angkas, JoyRide, and Move It are steadily becoming an essential part of the lives of thousands of commuters in the metro today.

All three are modeled after Uber, and the same core concept of fleet ownership can be applied (own multiple Angkas licenses and hire several riders, for example) with you running the whole thing as the operator/owner. 

The concept is not only limited to a ride-hailing platform like Grab. You can apply the same core structure to other business ventures.

Sharing economy platforms like Raket.PH, Gawin.PH, CleaningLady.PH, and MyKuya, serve as online marketplaces where you can hire professionals and freelancers to do tasks .

Others, like Transportify and Mober.Delivery offers logistical services allowing you to hire vehicles to transport your stuff.

Applying the same framework, you can create your own fleet of service professionals or transport vehicles and provide service through these online marketplaces.

Rage rooms are places where people can come in and start smashing stuff up with the goal of venting out pent up anger.

Some say it’s therapeutic, because the actual physical act of destroying things lets off steam and stress. Rage rooms (sometimes called smash or anger rooms) have been around for a while now and can be found in various cities around the globe. 

Office Pods

These are essentially soundproof tiny offices, about the size of a typical office cubicle, that can be installed anywhere. The purpose is to give users a space where they can work and have privacy.

In Japan, these are commonly known as Telecubes, and can be found in hotels, buildings, and even convenience stores. It provides a convenient and decent space to get things done whether it’s for work or personal stuff. 

Mobile IV Therapy Services

“IV”, which stands for intravenous, is a method for delivering fluids to the body through the veins. IV therapies are administered by healthcare professionals to ensure proper procedures are followed.

The actual IV solution will vary depending on the customer’s needs. Some IVs contain different types of vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and even antibiotics.

A Mobile IV Therapy business can function as a per-session service (can come visit the patient) or serve as a kiosk for walk-in customers.

ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit)

Although a relatively new concept, ADU is another investment Filipinos could look into. These auxiliary apartments serve as secondary houses or spaces shared with the primary home for affordable alternatives. 

According to statistics, CALABARZON, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas are three of the most prominent migration places in the Philippines in 2018. Individuals over 15 years old have experienced migration (regional or local) in the Philippines primarily for educational pursuits. 

With these insights, ADUs will likely thrive in areas where there are offices or colleges nearby. It will be a plus if your location is situated near a tourist spot too! These economic accommodations provide a win-win situation for the business owner and those who are looking for accommodations at competitive prices within the metro. 

You can go eco-friendly and check for container van suppliers nearby. There are pre-fab ones that you can check to make the transition more accessible and convenient.

Edu-ployment

In its October 2020 issue Labor Report, the PSA cited that the employment rate has risen to 91.3 percent from 82.4 percent back in April of the same year. The current economic outlook is optimistic, with more vaccine roll-outs given to the masses. 

With the economy slowly opening up, businesses may soon resume the usual working environment. And when this hits, you need to be poised to take the opportunity. 

Enter Edu-ployment . 

For this, you basically need to search niche markets and check those that are highly in demand . Search Google and job boards to see the kind of skills you’ll be offering to the market. From here, you can provide training materials to help these individuals to succeed in their chosen industry. 

Edu-ployment such as Acadium has already established itself as a dominant player in this expertise. Using apprenticeships, the business serves as a platform to link an apprentice to a company. You can also take advantage of local Facebook groups and use them as a job board to train potential apprentices. 

Draw inspiration from influencers of your chosen niche. You can then start providing valuable content through Youtube—or even start a podcast. These mediums could serve as a lead generating machine to help you network and find potential individuals to teach the skill.

Work from Home services

We are no strangers to a work from the home set-up. From a study done by Lenovo, there’s a 72 percent shift in the workplace environment from offices to work-from-home set-ups in 2019. The potential demand for this could spell M.O.N.E.Y for you. 

A workplace should provide as much comfort as possible. Find furniture, office accessories, and gadgets that promote health optimization. For example, you can look for equipment and other accessories that promote better back alignment, better hand rest, and even better headsets. The key is to provide optimum quality of work-life—even from home. 

Architects may also find a good pool of clients in this niche if they offer home interior design for home workspaces. You can act as a consultant in helping them utilize even a limited space.

NFT Games Business

NFT means “Non-Fungible Token”. They are unique tokens in cryptocurrency which represent a one-of-a-kind asset or good. Blockchain technology creates these tokens, which can be bought, traded, or sold.

When you use these tokens, you can earn cryptocurrencies which can be converted into cash in the real world. An NFT game that you can try is Axie Infinity, where you can earn cryptocurrency called Small Love Potions (SLP).

Players of the game can earn money by exchanging SLP for other cryptocurrencies and real money, by breeding and selling Axies to other players, and buying land plots which can be sold for a higher price. You don’t have to be a player yourself. You can choose to invest in e-sports players/gamers. The minimum initial investment for Axie Infinity is Php40,000 – Php60,000.

Mobile Coffee Shop

Many Filipinos love drinking coffee, so it is no surprise that mobile coffee shops are growing in popularity. If you have no idea what a mobile coffee shop is, it is basically a food truck or food cart that sells coffee.

Needless to say, you will need a vehicle of some kind to start this type of business. With a mobile coffee shop, you can “open” your shop at one location and then transfer to another location the next day. Some people think this is an advantage because you can go “where the people are”. 

Sleep Optimization

You’re not going to believe how many people are willing to pay you just to get a good night’s sleep. This is where sleep optimization comes into the picture.

This industry is forecasted to become a $112.7 billion industry by 2025. If you ride on this trend, you may hit the jackpot.

But what exactly is sleep optimization? Sleep optimization is the process of optimizing the sleep of a person by monitoring his/her body statistics and the environment around it. It includes sound therapy, optimized lighting, and appropriate temperature in your bedroom, among many others.

By understanding the process of sleep optimization and the technology behind it, you can create a business out of it. You can provide your services to hotels, hospitals, and individuals.

To say that there are tons of opportunities in this industry is an understatement.

Other products that are related to this sleep optimization include sleep-enhancers such as:

  • melatonin gummies
  • meditation & healthy sleep apps
  • gravity blankets
  • sleep masks
  • top-notch mattresses and pillows.

You can also capitalize on sleep education and release courses, videos, and books.

We also highly recommend checking out this list of small business ideas curated by Juan Investor !

Freelancing Business Ideas

Web design & development business.

It’s almost a requirement these days for businesses to have their own website. If you know how to build and design websites, there’s an ever expanding market both local and abroad.

App & Software Development 

These days, we use apps for different things: to order food, to pay bills, to watch shows and movies, and many others. While app development can be lucrative, you will need to invest plenty of time and effort upfront.

However, if you believe that you have a great idea for an app and you think the app will be a financial success, then go for it and develop your own app.

If you have no idea how to develop an app, you can hire individuals to design, develop, and deploy it  for you. 

Photography Business

Offering your camera skills to capture memories (weddings, birthdays, etc) or for professional purposes (businesses, commercial use) makes great use of your creative skills while generating a handsome fee.

Drone Business

Ever wondered how your friend pulled off that amazing aerial shot of an island in that video he posted in Facebook?

Thanks to drones, you can produce footage that were only previously achievable through professional and expensive video equipment. Offering drone services for a variety of purposes (creative video, security surveillance, filming, etc…) can be a unique way of generating income.

Virtual Assistant Services

Did you know that the most popular online job in the Philippines right now is Virtual Assistant? Filipino VAs are popular to clients abroad thanks to our natural capacity to handle tasks and assist in a variety of ways.

Learn More: Virtual Assistants – what do they do and how to become one

Hair & Make-Up Services

If you love making other people look good through styling, hair and make-up services can be a cool way of earning extra bucks.  

Graphics, Animation, & Multimedia Design Business

Put your creative juices to good use! Companies and clients pay a handsome fee for services that produce rich and amazing multimedia content.

Editorial Services

Editing skills will always be in demand as long as content for both print and the web is produced.

Content Writing & Ghostwriting Services

If you love writing, you can write content for websites (blogs, articles, product reviews, etc) and get paid for it.

Writing e-Books as a Ghostwriter commands a much higher fee that easily goes beyond more than a few thousand pesos.

Translation, Transcription, & Data Entry Services

If you’re interested in producing written content from audio and inputting data in systems or spreadsheets, this is another potential income source.

Translation services typically command a higher fee due to the expertise required on a certain language(s).  

Tutorial Services (Academic, Arts, Music)

if you have the passion for teaching others, you can help while earning money at the same time. So whether your a Math savant or a Voice coach, get out there and earn while helping someone be good at something!

Online Tutoring

You can share your skills by tutoring students online. Some of the things you can teach are language and different school subjects.

In case you didn’t know, there are websites where you can post your resume and where potential clients can contact you for lessons. It is usually free when you make an account on these platforms, but there are those that also offer paid premium plans that let you promote your profile or contact possible clients directly.

Calligraphy Business

In love with beautifully-crafted lettering? Lots of people appreciate the exquisite art of calligraphy and are willing to pay you to teach them how.

Private Investigator

Spying on someone can be a good thing, and you can even get paid for it. If you’re up to the demands of the job and have the skills, you can set up your own private security firm and charge a fee for detective work.

Telemarketing & Customer Support

With our natural capacity to speak and write in English, telemarketing and phone support is a solid way of earning moolah.

And you can do this at home! Talent sites like UpWork and Freelancer allow contractors like you to find clients who are willing to pay for your phone skills.

Related:  Business Process Outsourcing to the Philippines [Complete Guide]

Does Apo Whang Od ring any bells? Yes, the booming tattoo industry is sought by many (if not thousands) Filipinos looking to get inked.

The latest style and trends range from minimalist wave tats to hard-core realistic designs. It’s a definite tell-tale sign that this industry is going to fly high. 

Take advantage of the current demographics to start your tattoo business this year. Look into popular trends and ride the waves. Do your research diligently and snoop around forums and social media groups to see what your potential clients would go for.  

With a little bit of creativity and a few thousand pesos to buy for materials, starting a tattoo business will only require you to follow health protocols mandated by the Department of Health. If you have a passion for teaching, you can begin a course targeting those who might be interested to learn the trade. 

Niche down if you must. You don’t want to be labelled as a ‘so-so’ tattoo artist. You can specialize in specific tattoo designs such as minimalist, text, cover-ups, and many more. Once you’ve chosen a niche, look into other artists doing the same and follow what they do. You can start building a portfolio using your social media accounts (hello, Tiktok !).

Food & Beverage Business Ideas

Eat-all-you-can business.

If there’s a business that will never go out of style, it’s eat-all-you-can buffets. There will always be a market for buffets because of the fact that Filpinos are food lovers.

You can have your own buffet restaurant by purchasing a franchise or building your own. This business can have a huge potential especially if you are knowledgeable about certain types of food.

You can focus on desserts, Filipino foods in general, foods in your province, or international dishes such as Mexican, Italian, and Asian.

Cake Making & Baking

Love to bake? Folks love a good cake and other baked goodies. Whether it’s a creamy red velvet cupcake or an Elmo-inspired birthday cake, there will always be demand for rich, delicious bakes

Rice Retailing Business

Buy them by the sacks, sell them by the kilo. With rice as a Filipino food staple, there will always be customers.

Water Refilling Station Business

Demand for a good source and delivery service of drinking water will never run out. And with more Filipinos opting to live in condominiums , snagging a whole floor or building of customers for water delivery sounds very profitable indeed.

Catering Business

Filipinos love events. And what does an event needs to make sure attendees are happy? Good food. You can start by catering your neighbor’s birthday party and then move up to more commercial events like weddings and small corporate events.

Restaurant, Canteen, or Carinderia Business

The family that eats together, stays together. Filipinos love eating out. So whether its a simple neighborhood eatery or tapsilogan, you can always count on FIlipinos’ love for good food for demand.

Merienda & Palamig Business

My favorite is Sago’t Gulaman. I’ve seen Palamig stands in MRT flocked by thirsty commuters for their Buko Pandan and Pineapple coolers.

And there are also many local delicacies to explore, think about all the “kakanin” you have craved over and over again – because most likely – you’re not the only one craving for them.

Egg Supplier

As an ingredient used on a wide variety of foods and a breakfast must-have, eggs always had strong demand from both household and commercial customers.

Pork chops, beef strips, whole chickens, and a whole lot more—meat shops are one-stop stores for customers looking to stock up on their meat supplies.

From moms looking to cook her kids caldereta to the cook buying chicken wings for his food stall, expect customers to score their favorite cuts by the kilo.

Food Cart or Food Stand

The boom of Food parks in the last few years is testament of the Filipinos craving for a good spot that serves a variety of food. If you have a good product, you can sign up for a spot on a food park.

Even the classic Buy-1-Take-1 burger joints and siomai stands are good alternatives if you prefer to take the solo route.

Microbrewing

Have the know-how to brewing beer? Thanks to the internet, having access to the equipment and ingredients to start brewing your own servesa has never been easier.

If you have a winning product, you can start offering it to bars to spread the brand name or sell it on your own online.

Organic Food Business

Health aficionados helped drive the sales of organically-produced food in the recent years. And with more Filipinos becoming conscious about their health, you can target this demographic and get yourself a solid customer base.

You can also sell your products to restaurants of course.

Food Delivery Business

Online food delivery services like Foodpanda and Grab make it easy for Pinoys to order their food online. Others cook and deliver home-packed meals to busy working Pinoys who don’t have the time to leave their desks for a delicious meal.

Craft Beer Pub

Opening a craft beer pub attracts other folks with the same passion for craft beer. It’s akin to finding a niche product and having a solid base of enthusiasts willing to be paying customers.

Mobile Kitchen

Also commonly known as food trucks, Mobile Kitchens are essentially customized vans/mini-trucks equipped with cooking equipment. 

It provides plenty of flexibility and mobility in terms of when and where you want to set up shop.

More importantly, it possesses a certain charm that makes it very popular among food fans. In the US and other parts of the globe, food trucks are a part of the culture, and a thriving business niche on its own.

Health Supplements

Aside from being valued at USD 140.3 billion 1 , anyone who is into health-related niches will find themselves in a sweet spot. 

A study shown in Rakuten Insight showed 68 percent 2 of the Filipino respondents have taken natural supplements more often after the COVID outbreak. The current health expenditure in the Philippines account to 47.9 percent 3 on household out-of-the-pocket cost. 

So, what does this tell you? 

Health is becoming a priority among Filipinos, and joining the health supplement bandwagon is a no-brainer. 

Start with research. Look into trending supplements in the local market and see what consumers are looking for. You can check Google Trends.

Start researching manufacturers and look for product lines that are predominantly purchased by your target market. And finally, you can talk about these through your social media and even set up an e-com platform where your clients can check out the products.

Related: 14 Food Business Ideas

Retail Business Ideas

Niche sports equipment.

How many times have you been told to find your passion and make it profitable? This is where you can apply it.

There are a lot of people who want to play a certain sport but its equipment is not accessible. If you are knowledgeable about a certain niche sport, you can sell the equipment yourself.

This can be true for more popular sports equipment such as golf clubs, baseball bats and balls, basketball rackets, surfboards, or stand up paddle boards. 

You can also focus on sports that don’t cater to the mainstream crowd, some of them you may not have even heard of, such as:

  • Slippery stairs
  • Underwater hockey
  • Chessboxing

Clothing Boutique & Garage Sales

Got an eye for fashion? You can source your inventory directly from clothes makers/printing shops or buy in bulk at Divisoria and set up a boutique to house your products.

If you and your family have a bulk of used-but-not-abused items you can run a garage sale and profit from your second hand stuff.

Buy & Sell

A core business strategy . Buying and selling stuff is an age-old business model that covers almost every possible item imaginable.

From gadgets, clothes, food, real estate, commercial space, and others—having the skill to buy low and sell for a profit is what most businesses are all about.

Consignment

Similar to buying and selling but with one key difference—you’ll act as the agent for selling the goods by the owner.

A bakeshop, for example, can offer their goods for consignment at a lower price (usually with a minimum bulk amount). Consignees can then sell the baked goodies with a markup or earn from commission.

E-Loading Business

Even with the advent of online communication platforms, texting and calling is still an essential part of the Filipinos daily life. You can apply for a load retailing business and earn from a mark up from each transaction made.

You could also expand to selling various products such as RFID reloading (for EasyTrip and Autosweep).

Plant Selling Business

Plants not only make spaces look good, they’re also doing a positive contribution to the air around us. If you are passionate about plants, you can grow your own or buy it low from cheaper sources then prop them on pretty vases and sell for a profit.

Retailer of Local Produce

Earning while supporting your community at the same time is a noble act. For example, you can source freshly-ground kapeng barako from coffee bean farmers then re-pack and sell in the metro. It’s a win-win situation for both parties.

Online Clothing Store Business

E-commerce sites like Shopify allows individuals to easily set up an online clothing store with minimal fuss.

Sari-Sari Store

The classic Filipino “convenience store” is still alive and kicking throughout the years. Unlike western countries, we tend to buy things per piece or retail due to economic reasons and ease-of-access.

Thrift shops or “Ukay-ukay” are popular because of the uber-cheap prices of its merchandise.

Baguio and Bambang, for example, are well-known hubs for thrift shops and resellers flock here for items to buy inventory to sell in the metro.

And according to iMoney PH – thrift shops’ daily profits range from P1,000 – P10,000 per day 4 (and can earn as much as P15,000/day during peak seasons, which is December and January).

Collectibles Trading

Collectibles trading depends on a community of like-minded individuals looking to swap, buy or sell various items ranging from action figures to trading cards.

If you’re a collector, you can use your extensive knowledge of your item and look for deals that you can profit from.

Candle Making Business

Candle products have found a niche market in the form of spas and other relaxation spaces. It’s especially strong during Halloween/All Saints period. You can start learning how to make them yourself or get merchandise in bulk for reselling.

Selling Used Books

Selling pre-loved books is a nice way of earning money on the side. You can do a one-time “garage sale” of your personal collection or become an actual trader or buyer of used books for reselling.

Sell Homemade Products

Does your Embotido always get the thumbs up from relatives during reunions? Why not share the gift of your delicious creation by selling it?

Start small by selling them to your neighbors and office mates. To expand your reach, you can join trade shows or food bazaars. Note that this applies to all homemade products and not strictly always about food.

Personalization Business

Ever seen those T-shirts with the wearer’s actual name or face in front? Or those laptops and gadgets covered in bright skins and glitters? If you love DIY or have the knack at adding a personal touch to a product, you just might have a potential business at hand.

Some customize cars, adding parts or making it look like a completely different beast via car wrap.

Fashion Accessories Business

If you have a good eye for design and you are good with your hands, you might want to try starting your own fashion accessories business.

You can start small and make the accessories you sell yourself, or you can source the products online and resell them.

There are several fashion accessories companies in the Philippines that export their products to other countries. This means that there is potential for this kind of business to grow. 

Wet Market Stall (Palengke Stall) 

A wet market stall is a traditional business that sells meat, fish, and produce. Despite the small capital needed, this business has the potential to earn P2,000 to P18,000 per day depending on your location and the items you are selling.

A wet market stall requires early and long hours of work so if you’re not willing to man the stall yourself, you can simply hire someone to do the work for you.

The trick to making this business idea work is to find the right suppliers where you can get meat and produce at a discounted rate. 

Aside from that, you must also prove to customers that you practice cleanliness in your stall. This will encourage them to buy from you because they are sure that everything you are selling is clean and safe for consumption.  

Flea Market Business 

This type of business is a common business in the country. It is usually found in night markets, near palengkes , and areas that have huge foot traffic.

To start this type of business, you first need to create a list of the items you want to sell. This can include secondhand furniture, books, old clothes, kitchenware, and many more. 

If you want to take the extra mile, you can also branch out to live selling on social media. All the stuff that was not bought from your physical store can be offered online at a more affordable rate. This will also do wonders to spread the word about your business. 

Consulting Business Ideas

Financial planner/advisor.

As more Filipinos get financially smart and realize the importance of preparing for the future, the higher the demand for financial advisors who can explain and match them with a plan that best suit their needs.  

Digital Marketing & Social Media Consulting

For a business to thrive and get a wider customer base, it needs to tap on the power of the internet and social media.

Digital marketers and social media consultants prepare and manage marketing campaigns for businesses so they can reach the right audience and build brand authority through online presence.

Personal Fitness & Crossfit Trainer

Just look at the number of participants at a running event and you’ll have an idea how many Filipinos are into health and fitness. Gyms have steadily risen in popularity in the last few years.

Crossfit trainers don’t even need a dedicated space: they can operate in public places without any equipment.  

Nutritionist Consulting

In line with the rising interest in personal health, a lot of folks seek professional nutritional advice to be on the right track. Nutritionists asses their patients health and lifestyle and come up with a plan to achieve the results they want.

Coaching Services

If you’re an expert on something, you can help others and earn at the same time.

Coaching services cover a wide range of interest, from golf newbies to professionals seeking career advice , budding entrepreneurs needing business advice to shy individuals who want to master public speaking.

Most of us can use some guidance and shared experience to better our current circumstances and this is where coaching services come in.

Image & Advertising Consulting

Building and maintaining a reputable name and brand is crucial in today’s connected world. Image and Advertising consultants take care of the grunt work required to keep a person or a business’ image untarnished.

The practice typically involves public relations, marketing and reputation management. They also spearhead all initiatives and projects to build a following and a loyal fan base.

Personal Services

Bills payment.

You can find bill payment facilities at malls, convenience stores, and commercial buildings, among others. Bills payment centers like Western Union & Bayad Center also offer other services like money remittance, e-loading, money exchange, and airline ticketing.

Perhaps you have seen long queues at different payment centers before and thought it was a good business to invest in. The estimated total franchise investment for one of the more popular payment centers in the country is Php 475,000.

This amount doesn’t include the costs for equipment and site renovation, though. A return of investment is guaranteed within 2 years.

Professional Organizing

Do you love cleaning and organizing your home? Then why not turn this into a business? Just like Marie Kondo, you can make a fortune out of this skill. 

It’s important for people to be in a place where everything is organized. This is especially true for offices, kitchen spaces, and bedrooms.

Professional organizing is a personal service that includes cleaning and decluttering. It can be a huge help to companies and individuals who don’t have the time to organize their space.

Computer Repair Services

If you know your way around computers and geek out on building them, you probably have a good amount of knowledge and experience in fixing them as well. A computer crash or malfunction is inevitable, and people will be willing to pay you to get their beloved workhorses up and running again.

Coin Laundry Business

In 2017, I realized there were a total of 5 coin laundry shops around our area. Why are they popular?

The answer— convenience. I personally find it indispensable as it saves on time (as you can get your laundry done the same day) and effort versus doing the laundry at home via washing machine or leaving it for a couple of days on other laundry service shops.

And if you live in a condo or small space (read: nowhere to hang your wet clothes), this makes it a no-brainer.

The long customer queue on the shop I visit every weekend is proof of strong demand for this type of service.

Swimming Instructor

This is another way of earning from a skill you already have. And with summer upon us, expect a surge in demand as people flock the pools and beaches.

Yoga Instructor

The benefits of Yoga to one’s health are undeniable. And with today’s hyper-busy workforce, more people are seeking the calming effect of Yoga to their frayed nerves and tired body.

Home Massage Services

Nothing beats a relaxing massage after battling a week of overtime and deadlines. But what could make it even more better? Simple: Just pull out your phone and book a home massage session.

No need to prep yourself and brave the traffic, save on time and energy. These are the main draw of home massage services, and thanks to these you’ll never run out of potential clients.

Personal Shopper

I’ve seen some online services that do specific tasks like sending someone to buy your groceries. Similar to that, getting paid to shop and buy stuff can be an interesting and fun experience.

As a personal shopper, you’ll get asked to look for and buy specific things, so it helps if you already know your way around malls and where to buy stuff.

Dance Instructor

Dancing knows no limits when it comes to age. I’ve seen kids as young as 5 years old shake it and grind it in dance studios to prep for contests and events.

Teens and young adults flock these studios to learn the techniques and improve their craft. Heck, even our Titas and Lolas make the occasional visit to a “D.I” for some serious old-school dance session.

Day care Services

As a father of a 3-yr old, having a safe space for him to learn and interact with other kids is essential.

Young parents of today are both working full time to keep up with the demands of an ever-increasing cost of living, and having trained-professionals to look over their kids is of great help to ensure they’re on the right track.

Personal Concierge & Errand Service

Offering to be someone’s go-to person for personal tasks and errands is another way of earning extra bucks. You have to be clear and offer guidelines on the nature of the tasks that can be performed to make sure you and your client are on the same page.

House & Pet Sitting

Need to leave your place for an important business meeting? Don’t have someone to look over your pet while you’re away? By offering house and pet sitting services, you get to help your clients remove these worries away and get paid at the same time.

Car Wash Business

With the rise of car owner numbers in the past few years, more and more Filipinos avail of car wash services. And you don’t even need to set up shop if you’re starting from scratch with zero capital.

Here’s a thought: Be unique (and resourceful)—offer to visit their homes instead to do the cleaning—ala home service.

Auto Repair & Maintenance Shop (Talyer)

In lieu of car wash services, you can set up an auto repair shop. Filipinos are known for finding the best bang for their money, and sometimes car owners find regular maintenance through “Casas” (official car shops) just too expensive.

Auto repair and maintenance shops typically offer the same services at a lower price that’s why places like Banawe St in QC are popular to car owners and enthusiasts.

Vulcanizing Shop

Find auto-repair shop capital a bit too much for your wallet? Why not try setting up a vulcanizing shop instead? As long as there are cars on the street, the occasional flat tire is inevitable. Most drivers also drop by to pump some air in their tires and pays a small fee for it.

Whether it’s every few weeks, monthly, or just every once in a while, men need to get their hair cut short. Barber Shops tend to develop a loyal customer base if services are good. Tips are expected almost always for your barbers as well.

Dry Cleaning Business

Have a tux that needs cleaning? Evening gown to look fresh for the party tomorrow? Regular washing methods just won’t work with delicate clothing—and this is where dry cleaning services come in.

Grab Services

Whether you’ll drive it yourself or have someone do it for you, Grab services (GrabCar, GrabFood & GrabExpress) is still a popular way of earning money on the side.

Plus there are several other platforms that you can also utilize to provide these services, such as FoodPanda, Lalamove, and Angkas.

Tour Guide Services

If you have a passion for history and teaching but not within the confines of the classroom, take it outside and be a tour guide. Get paid for showing unique and historical places to others and sharing the stories behind the place.

Delivery Services

Depending on the delivery vehicle, you can set this business up for almost any kind of item. Think of those old-school bike messenger services and you’ll have a basic framework how this business runs.

Tailoring, Alteration & Seamstress Services

“Clothes maketh the man”. A tailor-fit suit trumps more expensive wardrobe that was bought off the shelf. Why? Because the custom fit is what makes it look perfect—no matter how simple it is.

More fashion-savvy customers know this and they will always look for these types of services for their needs.

Pet Businesses

When it comes to pets, here are a few ideas you can use.  

  • Pet Shop & Pet Grooming services – For selling a wide variety of pets like dogs and cats, birds and fish. You can also offer grooming services for dogs and cats.
  • Pet Sitting – If the owner needs to get away or be someplace where pets are not allowed, pet sitters can charge a fee to take care of the owner’s beloved animals.
  • Pet hotel and Daycare – Same concept with Pet sitting but with an actual place where the animals can hang around. Clients are willing to pay a premium for making sure their cute little pets experience the best service while they are away.
  • Selling Pet clothing and accessories online – You can source these or make them on your own. Put up a website or sell them via FB or other sites like Shopee.
  • Dog obedience trainer – Requires genuine knowledge in training dogs. You’ll need to undergo the training program for this to get certified.
  • Dog walking service – While the term “walking the dog” is probably more popular in Yoyo, its roots take from the literal meaning of the phrase. Walking your pet dog is both healthy for the owner and animal and people who don’t have the time to do this themselves can pay you to do it on their behalf.

Rental Services

The Filipinos’ love of the concept of “tingi” is what made the Pisonet popular when it first came out. It allowed customers (mostly students and teens) to connect to the internet for as low as 1 peso per minute.

I still see a couple of Pisonet shops around high foot traffic areas near schools and public places, proving there still a market for this type of rental business.

You can truly count on Filipinos to be resourceful, and Piso Wifi is a testament to that. Not everyone can afford to pay exorbitant fees for internet connection in their homes. This is why many prefer Piso Wifi.

Piso Wifi is a convenient vending machine that is connected to the internet, and it’s compatible with computers, tablets, phones, and other devices. Because there are no log-in requirements for users, it is hassle-free.

This vending machine allows people to access the internet by dropping coins in these increments:

  • P1 = 5 minutes
  • P5 =30 minutes
  • P10 = 1 hour

However, you can also customize your rates. As a Piso Wifi owner, you also have the freedom to filter content to ensure your clients won’t be able to access malicious websites.

The success of Piso Wifi is dependent on its location so make sure to place them in areas such as terminals, malls, local village puroks , and near sari-sari stores.

Internet Cafe

While not as plenty as they used to be, Internet Cafes are still around and can still be a profitable venture if yox   u do your due diligence.

I’ve always thought that it all boils down to the experience—when I was in college, we looked for shops which offered the best bang for our buck.

We prefer those which had a nice balance of computer graphics power, internet speed, peripherals (mouse, keyboard and chair), comfort and price.

Co-working Spaces

The rise of freelancers, home-based workers, and “Digital Nomads” paved the idea for Co-working spaces .

What is it, exactly? It’s essentially a shared workspace that houses various freelancers and small businesses to serve as their “office” – and often, students use these spaces for studying as well.

If you have the space and amenities to run this type of business, it can be a self-sustaining venture. 

Van Rental Services

We’ve rented out a couple of vans in the last few years for trips to provinces or team buildings. Services like this can be a good way to put an otherwise underutilized family van to good use.

Recording & Band Rehearsal Studio

Back in high school and college, I joined some bands. Since we didn’t have our own gear, we practiced our stuff at music/band studios. You call in advance to reserve your slot and pay by the hour.

I noticed that back then, the owners were musicians themselves or former musicians. They probably felt that setting up a venue where bands and budding enthusiasts like me back then can practice was a great idea. And it was!

Mobile Billboard Service

Ever seen those trucks with ads plastered around its whole body? Or the buses with huge ads roving around the metro with a picture of your favorite makeup brand?

Let me clear though, you don’t need to buy big-sized vehicles for this endeavor. I’ve seen plenty of private vehicles promote products and services via car wrap. Ask around, you might just get a decent pay for doing mobile ad service.

Formal Wear Rental Service

Filipinos love hosting and attending formal events. I should know, I probably rented more than a dozen “coat and tie” during my younger days. It’s not unusual for a kid to not own a decent pair of Tux or suit, at least in my day.

I argued that I don’t really need to buy one if I’ll only be using it once or twice a year. While this thinking might be flawed, the existing Formal wear rental shops serves proof that there are some out there who had the same reasoning.

Logistics, Trucking, & Hauling Services

There will always be a demand for these types of services. Simply because not all Filipinos have cars to do it themselves or the stuff that needs to be hauled is just too large.

Try fitting a fridge in a sedan and you’ll see what I mean. If you have the capital, you can buy a truck brand new or second hand. Make sure to do your due diligence first though and test the viability first before purchasing equipment.

Bicycle Rental

Parks are a great example. If you live near one or know of a place where you can set up shop, renting out bikes can be a good way to earn a buck.

Photo & Video Equipment Rentals

Photo and video equipment rentals can also be a good source of income because there are people who although skilled in this field, there are those who opt not to buy or can’t afford to buy certain gear.

The initial investment for this type of business can be pretty steep, but the return on investment is worth it.

When renting out your equipment just make sure you have a contract with your client that will detail your responsibilities in handling the equipment as well as what will happen in case of damage or loss.

This will help you cover the costs of any possible loss and protect you and your customer.

Costume Rentals

Although seasonal, costume rentals can be a good source of income as well. If you have sewing skills, you can create the costumes you’ll rent out on your own.

You only have to be resourceful in finding the right materials to make your costume close to the original. The initial capital will vary depending on the quality of materials you’ll buy and your target market.

No need to worry as you can increase or lower the price your costumes for rent according to those criteria as well. If you are going to buy the costumes you’ll rent out, it will usually take five to six rentals before you earn back your initial investment. After which, you’ll be able to continuously make profit out of them.

Campground Business

As tourism starts again, people are becoming more comfortable to travel. You can leverage this by putting up a campground business, which refers to your own campsite where tourists can stay.

You can put up tents and other necessary amenities that will be useful for your clients.

There are many types of campgrounds that cater to various markets. For example, you can put up car camping sites for those who want to drive to a camping location. You can also put up tent sites for backpackers who prefer lightweight tenting.

If you want to offer a more upscale experience, glamping is the way to go. This refers to glamorous camping, where you can have amenities such as hot showers, air conditioner, and electricity.

Depending on your location, you can also offer activities that are associated with camping such as farm camping or beach camping.

Printing Services

Print-on-demand .

Are you an artist who’s got a flair for designing shirts, sweatshirts, coffee mugs, pillows, and more? You can try setting up your own print-on-demand business. With this business model , your products will be sold online through a platform, where customers can place orders for them.

The POD platform is the one responsible for printing, packaging, and shipping your products. The demand for your product will determine the revenue, so no demand means no production.

Also, someone else will process your product, so you don’t have to worry about having a physical inventory. If you are not good at designing shirts, you can still start your own POD business. Just hire someone to do the designing of your products.

T-Shirt Printing Business

From witty one liners to over the top graphics, there’s always a design for everyone. You can go the traditional silk screen route or the more modern heat press operation.

I’ve seen heat press machines online being sold for as low as Php10K to as high as Php100K. From T-shirt you can also expand to printing mugs, caps and even ID laces.

Posters & Tarpaulin Printing

Tarp printing machines command higher prices compared to heat transfer printers. But if you’re interested and have the capital, there’s still a steady demand for large-format prints.

Both personal and corporate events avail of this type of service, not to mention potential tie-ups with advertisers for your clientele.

Photocopy Business

Photocopiers are a staple around schools and public places. A quick search online revealed prices hovered around the Php30K to Php50K mark. If your place is near a school or within commercial areas, this is one potential business venture.

Note: You can also upsell other relevant services, like taking and printing Photo IDs, to maximize the business’ potential profits.

Business Cards, Flyers, and Brochure Printing

More niche than photocopying in terms of customers but still a promising business idea. Also, most mid to high range inkjet printers allow you to do this so if you already have one, you can easily set up shop without shelling out significant capital.

Home Repair & Improvement Services

Solar panel installation.

Several players in the solar panel industry have popped up in the last few years. If you’re keen in getting in on the action, you must get certified first as a professional installer.

Interior Designing

The uptick in sales of condominium units proves that the trend in living in smaller but more convenient/prime locations is going strong. And what do homeowners do to spruce up their small space?

Hire an interior designer! A pro interior designer’s mission is to bring their client’s vision into fruition, transforming an otherwise drab space into a cozy, dream home.

General Cleaning Services

Modern families with dual-working parents are typically pressed for time to do some serious home cleaning. They would rather spend their precious weekends hanging out or going out for some quality time.

To make sure their space is well kept, they hire professional cleaners to save on precious time and energy.

Cable, Internet, & Telephone Line Contractors

You see them everywhere. Propping up make shift stands to hawk their products, these contractors earn a commission for each successful service installation.

If you have the gift of gab and know how to promote yourself and your product’s benefits, this can be a profitable income source.

Plumbing, Electrician, & Handyman Services

I’m a full grown adult male but I’m not embarrassed (well, maybe a bit) to admit that I’m no handyman. My wife can’t depend on me if there are problems with our home’s plumbing or electrical system.

I always say, better leave it to the pros than mess it up even further. And trust me, there are a lot of folks out there who have the same dilemma and are willing to pay for professional handyman help.

Electronics & Cellphone Repair

I once read in an article that our smartphones have become extensions of our bodies. And like injuries in our bodies, we rush to the nearest technician to get our precious smartphones fixed.

Same with other gadgets—in this entertainment-driven world fueled by short attention spans, customers always need to get their devices fixed ASAP.

Shoe Repair & Locksmith

If you’re like me, you never let go of a loyal pair of shoes that easy. And with each torn sole or trashed stitching, it’s an automatic trip to the shoe repair shop for me.

And you probably visited a locksmith once, if it’s anything related to padlocks and keys best to have these professionals do it.

Pest Control

This serious problem requires a serious solution from the pros. Exterminator services cater to home and commercial space owners who fell victim to pest damage.

Urban Farming & Gardening Services

Urban farming and gardening is the act of growing and producing plant-based food within the city or metro.

It lets people grow and develop their own plots of land for vegetable and fruit production. Some urban farms are built for both personal or commercial use, leveraging tiny to medium-sized plots of land.

A business that helps people set up, manage, and maintain an urban farm could be a viable business since novice urban farmers will likely need help with the whole process.  

Economy-proof Business Ideas

Poultry business.

When entrepreneurs get asked, which came first, chicken or egg?

They will probably reply, “It doesn’t matter, I’ll just take them both”. If you have the space and capital, a poultry business can scale well and bring in some serious bucks.

Modern Jeepney & Tricycle Franchise

As an undying relic of Pinoy commuting culture, Jeepneys stood the test of time thanks to its cheap rates and availability (and should soon become more of an interesting business venture when Jeepney modernization gets implemented).

The same can be said for tricycles, which were the Uber and Grab of our childhood when we need to go from one spot to another within the subdivision or barangay.

While they are no longer considered the king of the streets and highways, it can still be a profitable business provided you will be prepared to all the stuff and issues that go along with managing this type of franchise.

Related: 10 Best Low-Cost Franchise Business Opportunities in the Philippines

Upholestery

Whether it’s making custom sofas and furniture or restoring old and worn out cushions, Upholstery services can take care of it and more.

You can probably start with re-upholstery services to keep initial costs down then start making your own sofas and furniture sets once you have enough capital.

Travel Agency/Group Travel Package

Open Facebook and it won’t take more than a minute to see a friend’s post of their vacation or trip somewhere. What does this mean? People nowadays treat travel like a part of their lifestyle.

And with this boom, you can capitalize and set up a small travel firm to cater to the growing demands of this market. Alternatively, I’ve seen “joiner” packages online where trips will be initiated by a group or a person and the joiners will pay a fee for the whole package. Similar to paying for a field trip.

Import/Export Business

Depending on the product, you can try going the import/export route. Both have selling as its core concept and revenue generator. It’s all about how smoothly you can set up and run the logistics.

Once you have that figured, it’s just a matter of finding buyers and a target market.

Agribusiness

Agribusiness is one of the growing industries in the Philippines.

According to Dr.Glenn N. Baticados , director of Center for Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship at UP Los Banos, the rise of the middle class along with the increase of population in urban areas that are making the demand for more nutritious and varied food higher.

And nothing is more nutritious than food that’s naturally cultivated and grown. Getting into agribusiness allows you to take advantage of this demand for profit.

Manpower for agribusiness is also easy to come by, especially in rural areas where people naturally possess farming and other agriculture-related skills.

There are various agribusiness areas that you can explore such as mangoes, rubber, coffee, bananas, palm oil, coconut, and cacao.

Fishing Business

The fishing business spans a wide array of categories, but it mainly involves growing or catching fish for the purpose of selling them.

Depending on your location, you can either own a few boats and hire fisherfolk to find and catch fish.

The other route is to build fish ponds for the purpose of cultivating and growing a particular breed of fish (or maybe more).

This type of venture is of course more viable in places outside of the metro where there’s larger parcels of land to accommodate fish ponds. 

Scrap Metal Vendor 

Metal is a resource that can be recycled without losing quality, and this presents a wonderful opportunity for you to make a business out of it.

But before you collect scrap metals, you first need to know the difference between non-ferrous and ferrous metals. Ferrous metals have iron which makes them stronger than non-ferrous ones. This includes refrigerators, stoves, freezers, car engines, and old machinery. 

On the other hand, non-ferrous metals are more pliable and resistant to corrosion. It includes aluminum slidings, chairs, copper wires, and old computers.

Once you know the difference between both types of metals, you can start building a connection with scrap yards in your area. Then, develop your collection route for regular pickup. This can include:

  • Residential areas
  • Plumbing businesses
  • Small businesses
  • Demolition sites
  • Facebook marketplace
  • Auto repair shops 

While you may not earn a huge amount of cash unless you’re dealing with huge volumes of metals, this type of business is still great, especially for those who want to help the environment since it keeps unused items from ending up in landfills. 

Recycling Business

Have a soft spot for the environment? You can start a recycling business to earn more cash. 

However, starting this type of business isn’t as easy as collecting trash from people. It needs thorough planning. 

Before you can set up a recycling business, you first need to find a niche you’re interested in. This could be:

  • Used building supplies
  • Scrap metal
  • Junk collection
  • Used clothing

After this, you must analyze your competitors and make sure you offer something unique. This could be your price point or a one-of-a-kind service. 

Finally, you can set up a facility where people can drop off recyclables and get the equipment you need. 

Real Estate Business Ideas

Property management.

According to Wikipedia, “It is the operation, control, and oversight of real estate as used in its most broad terms”. As a property manager, you’ll be the owner’s PoC for handling all related stuff to managing and maintaining their property.

You’ll act as the middleman if potential buyers (if an owner is selling) or lease offers come in to bid.

Building Maintenance

Nobody likes a shabby, tumbledown space. As a building maintenance provider, you’ll take care of keeping the building in tip-top shape.

Real Estate Broker

Finding clients and landing a deal are your main responsibilities. Licensed real estate brokers earn a healthy commission for setting up deals between the buyer and seller.

Home Staging, Land Surveyor, & Landscaping

All three have common goals—make land and spaces livable and looking good.

If you have a background on any of these three, you can start by marketing your services to small scale projects like homeowners looking to sell their house or folks who want to renovate their front and back yard spaces.

Whichever it may be, grab the opportunity. It will jumpstart your business until you gather enough skills, resources and capital to move to bigger projects.

Building Safety & Inspection Services

Building safety is of utmost importance and is required to be met throughout the building’s lifetime. Starting this type of business will require accreditation and proper certification.

Once running, you can offer your services to both government units and private building owners needing regular building safety certification.

Waste Management Services

Nope, I’m not talking about waste treatment plants. You can probably start by developing a system for collecting and segregating waste from residential units.

Trust me, residents will be more than willing to have you collect their garbage and even pay for easy and convenient waste disposal. Once you’re done with the collection and segregation, you can sell to junk shops or perhaps straight to recycling agents.

Demolition & Wrecking Services

Another interesting business idea. Heavy machinery and manpower will be your main start-up costs.

Construction Business (for Renovation)

Same with above, initial capital will be allocated to machinery and manpower. You can start with small residential projects then move to commercial spaces once you build enough traction and capital.

Related: Top Construction Companies in the Philippines

Parking Business

Finding parking spaces in the city is a real pain in the neck. This is why you can provide services to people who need parking spaces by renting out your own. You can use space on your own property, or you can rent a spot.

To make it more convenient for your clients, you can build a parking garage.

You can also increase your profitability by offering parking solutions for special events, weddings, or those in a special area for VIPs. You can even provide valet parking services.

Business Services [B2B]

Accounting & bookkeeping.

You can go the freelance route and start by offering your accounting and bookkeeping expertise as a side gig. Depending on your skill level and experience, you can target high-income individuals and small business owners.

You can begin hiring a contractor or two once as you get more clients and from there expand as an actual firm.

Human Resources Services

If you have friends who have Corporate, Labor, Compensation & Benefits, headhunting and executive backgrounds, then perhaps a Human Resource firm is a viable business idea.

You will manage the company’s organizational structure, records management, payroll and benefits, and talent acquisition.

Security Business

Security firms provide businesses with the necessary personnel for ensuring safety of their operations and assets. You’ll set up a firm which will act as an agency for hiring and assigning security personnel to clients.

Sales Business

If you have a gift of gab and have no qualms about constantly networking with people, then a sales business may be for you.

The great thing about a sales business (ie: life insurance and real estate ) is that if you have no employees, you get to keep all the income to yourself.

The downside is, you have to be disciplined and self-motivated during hard times when you encounter a problem in your sales business. Also, you only earn as much as you sell, so you need to work extra hard, maybe even during weekends and holidays to reach your desired income.

However, if these qualities come naturally to you then you’ll have no problem making profit and staying in this business.

Legal Document Processing Services

If you have a legal background, you can build a small team of legal experts for preparing and processing legal and/or business-related documents for clients.

These could include drafting contracts, paperwork for setting up a business/corporation, notarization services, and other legal matters.

HVAC stands for Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning —- and the goal of HVAC services is to provide thermal comfort (either to cool or warm) and acceptable indoor air quality.

Most HVAC companies in the country specialize in the repair and management of airconditioning and refrigeration equipment. In the Philippines where the weather can be very hot and humid, airconditioning systems are important, so services that can maintain and fix these systems will be necessary.

Disinfection Services (Covid-19)

Keeping ourselves clean during these times (pandemic) is crucial and of utmost importance. That’s why companies that provide professional cleaning and disinfection services are in demand right now. They can ensure that places, equipment, and other items and locations that require continuous usage are adequately cleaned to prevent the spread of the virus. 

Before you throw this idea out the window for being too ludicrous, did you know that the minimum capital to start a rural bank in 5th or 6th class municipalities in the Philippines is just 5 million pesos? 5

That’s right. However, there’s a catch. The process of establishing a bank in the country is tedious 6 . Aside from the massive amount of paperwork that needs to be accomplished, you will have to comply with many requirements.

What’s more, a rural bank has to be opened for business within 8 months of the receipt   of the notice of approval from the Monetary Board/Governor. Otherwise, the authority to start a bank will be revoked automatically.

Brokerage Company

Basically, a broker solves their client’s problems for a fee. They also lend clients money for margin transactions and provide support by giving information about what’s happening on trading platforms. There are different types of brokers.

Different types of brokerage firms: 

Online brokers

This form of digital investment interacts with the client online. The main advantages of this type of brokerage are availability, speed, and low commissions.

Discount brokers

A stockbroker, they buy and sell orders but they charge a reduced commission rate.

Full-service brokers

This type of brokerage offers different professional services to clients, including tax tips , equity researching, investment advisory, etc.

Customs Broker

A customs brokerage firm is well-versed in international and local tariff laws, trade laws, and regulations for clearance of exported and imported goods. A customs clearance broker can provide assistance in filling out forms as well as gathering the necessary documents for clearance.

They can also help with computing taxes and other fees. A customs clearance broker coordinates with government offices and agencies on their client’s behalf, and complies with regulations to facilitate a fast and smooth customs clearance process. They help ensure clients can receive their cargo or have it shipped on time.

Related: Top Business Services in the Philippines

Event Planning Services

Wedding planner & coordinator.

A wedding planner/coordinator is crucial to the success of a wedding. Logistics, guests, wardrobe, accessories, church visits, invites, and everything else— a great coordinator will keep things running smoothly before, during, and after the wedding.

Floral Arranger/Supplier

Though peak sales are seasonal, there’s a constant demand for flowers. If you have the eye and know-how for good presentation, you can provide arrangement services.

Or you can go the supplier route instead and get product from sources and resell them to shops and customers.

Party Planner

If you love throwing parties, why not earn from it? Like a wedding coordinator, a party planner will manage all tasks and details necessary to throw a kick-ass and unforgettable day of fun.

Party Supplies Business

A great party requires the right stuff—balloons, tables, chairs, decor, etc. And with Filipinos being fond of throwing celebrations left and right, you’ll always have clients willing to pay to give their events the full party treatment.

Lights & Sounds Equipment Rental

Concerts, parties, corporate and private events and more. Lights and sounds are what elevates events to a whole new level and gives it a more classy vibe.

With the right equipment, you can set up a lights and sounds rental business for clients looking to spruce up their happenings.

Fun Run & Fundraising Events Organizer or Consultant

If you have the passion for running, you probably attended your fair share of marathons. Ever thought about setting up one yourself?

It may sound hard at first but with enough research and due diligence you can organize a fun run and earn a profit from it. You’ll help your clients in setting up the location, dealing with sponsors (if they have it), security, race details, promotion of the event, budget allocation and more.

Mobile Bar & Bartending Services

I’ve attended a lot of events featuring a mobile bar and I admit, it added a touch of class not to mention the (much needed) booze. Your initial capital will cover the vehicle and initial inventory of drinks as well as bartender services.

Photo Booths

A staple in almost all events. The long lines never cease to amaze and wear me down at the same time. Filipinos just love having their pictures taken, ‘nuff said. And you can capitalize on this by setting up your own photobooth.

I’ve seen basic setups (DSLR, Laptop, printer) to more high-end ones complete with complicated lighting setups, backgrounds and accessories.

Online & Home-based Business Opportunities

Online reseller (dropshipping & ecommerce).

Being an online reseller can mean two things:

(1) You have actual inventory and you use the internet to promote and sell,

(2) You serve as a middleman (dropship) who sets up a virtual shop online where your customers can place and process orders and payment. Once the order is confirmed, you will then have your product source deliver it directly to the buyer.

It’s like a consignment business but here you mainly handle marketing and promotion of the products and running the website.

Learn More:

  • How to build an online store (in 15 minutes)
  • 100+ Best Products to Sell Online in the Philippines
  • How to Start an Ecommerce Business in the Philippines

Start a Blog or a Niche Website

There’s a ton of ways you can profit from a website. You can earn from Ads, affiliate marketing , and selling your products and services. Whatever your strategy is, the goal is to get a good number of people visit your website.

Also Read: How to start a blog in 20 minutes and make money

Online Services

You have a lot of options here. You can provide website creation and development services, teach English online, do data entry work, Ghostwriting, Virtual assistance, App development, graphics and animation work, voice talent, and so much more.

Highly Recommended:  7-Figure Online Business Ideas: 6 Ways to Make Money Online

Vlogging or Live Streaming

Vlogging used to be purely recreational. Now, you can use vlogging to make money online . Just set up your account either on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, decide on your gear setup, shoot, and upload.

Of course, for you to grow your followers, you have to keep them engaged so spend time coming up with your content calendar as well. There are tons of ways you can earn from vlogging.

In YouTube for instance, your income in commensurate with the number of advertisers that place ads on your videos. If you reach influencer status, you can start charging companies who want you to post something about their products or go to their events as well.

Hobbies, Crafts, & Other Business Ideas:

Soap & lotion making.

I’ve seen local entrepreneur shows feature regular Pinoys who built a business empire from selling a product or service that was born out of a hobby.

If they can do it, so can you! Soap and lotion making, scents and perfume, require only a small capital to begin with. If you don’t have the expertise yet but interested in knowing more, you can attend trainings and workshops to develop your skills.

Yup, Vape is alive and kicking. If you are a Vape owner yourself, you probably know which products are good and which ones suck. Why not put this experience and knowledge to good use?

You can probably start low-key by in-person deals or sell online and send products via shipping.

Collection Agency

Well, somebody has to do it—no matter how stressful this business sounds like, it’s really all about asking someone to pay their dues. It’s that simple. So get over your worries and start being open to the potential income this business will generate.

Weekend Business Ideas

Sell on food expos.

Love hanging out on Food Expos and sampling the products? So do I! On a serious note, if you have a great food product, expos are a fun way of showcasing them and attracting potential re-sellers and buyers.

Not to mention, it can provide you with the first-hand feedback from customers to help you adjust and improve your product.

You see them almost everywhere, especially around Christmas season. Why? Because bazaars are chock-full of interesting stuff that you don’t easily find in malls. And it’s usually cheaper!

Bottom line is, Bazaars are pretty popular. If you have stuff you want to dispose of or simply interested in some weekend buy and sell, simply register and set up shop. Or you can organize it yourself!

Organize Seminars/Webinars

If you’re the type of person who finds joy in planning and running events, perhaps organizing seminars or webinars can be your thing. You’ll manage everything: From inviting speakers, discussing fees, marketing, location and logistics, equipment, attendees, and more. Basically everything from start to finish.

Cooking Class Instructor

I can’t remember the number of times I watched the “Panlasang Pinoy” channel in YouTube. It’s a lifesaver for those rare moments when my wife asks me to cook at home.

Mind you, I’m a complete noob. But if you’re someone who actually knows their way around the kitchen, why not share your skills and teach clueless novices like me how to do it, Gordon Ramsay-style? Ok, maybe not Gordon Ramsay—but you get my point. There will always be people like me who want to learn how to cook and are willing to pay for it.

Music & Craft Lessons

I may not know which is “kangkong” and which is “talbos ng kamote” at the supermarket but I know how to play a guitar. If you have music, crafting, drawing, or any other artistic skills, you can offer tutorial services.

This is especially popular during summer, where kids have a lot of free time. Teaching others while earning at the same time is a great way of sharing your talent.

How to Validate your Business Idea

“The most important thing is a hungry market. Not a brilliant burger.” –  Gary Halbert

Legendary direct mail response copywriter Gary Halbert points out that the most important thing that determines the success of a campaign (he sold products via mail) is not the brilliance of the product itself, but rather, if you’re able identify a hungry market who is already looking for the type of product you’re selling.

Think about it.

We might think we can create a better burger than McDonalds (I know most of us seriously can). Does this mean we will be as successful?

Probably not.

And here’s why: McDonald’s’ success was not the result of the taste of their burgers.

Rather, they were successful because they found a huge demand for cheap food that can be served very quickly.

That was their market. People looking to buy cheap, fast food.

Figuring out and identifying your target market is perhaps the most important step in validating a business idea.

Why the need to validate a business idea in the first place, you ask?

Well, without it, you’re basically throwing a hail mary pass—launching a product or opening a business simply because you can—without necessarily knowing if people will be there to buy it.

Here’s a personal example. There’s a small spot along road 3 in Project 6 that I noticed seem to change stores/businesses every few months.

The first time I saw it I think it was a computer shop.

A few months back, it was a barbeque store. Now they changed businesses again and are selling cupcakes.

I won’t be surprised if it folds up too and gets replaced by a laundry shop next week.

The moral of the story? Doing certain steps to test the viability of a business is crucial to its success.

What are these steps, exactly? Here are the top 3 ones to help you out.

Related: How to conduct a feasibility study in the Philippines

Step 1: Come up with a business that you’re genuinely interested in and determine if there’s a hot market for it

A lot of successful businesses were born out of a passion for something. Michael Dell was into computers.

He loved building them from scratch.

Back then, most desktop computers were sold pre-built (IBM, HP, Compaq) and were pricey.

Word of mouth through his college brought him plenty of customers, students looking for a cheap, custom built desktop. So Dell continued building PCs which eventually turned into the global brand that it is today.

A perfect example proving that merging passion and identifying a willing market to buy it is crucial to success.

Read Next:  Top 12 Industries to Invest in the Philippines

Step 2: Observe and talk to your target market

Once you’ve zeroed in on a niche and identified your target market, it’s time to do some old-school survey and research.

And by survey I don’t mean have random people answering 10 questions about your product.

No. Rather, ask potential customers what service or product they are currently using and what do they wish it did more/better?

What would they like to see more of?

Are they price-sensitive?

Ask them if they will be willing to pay for a product like you’re planning to sell.

The more information you can have, the better you’re idea will be of what customers truly want and willing to buy.

Where can you find potential customers for feedback? When building a physical store, perhaps you can ask the people who frequent the area.

Observe how they conduct business with surrounding or nearby stores. Does the place get plenty of foot traffic?

Or you can visit and join Facebook groups or communities that seem to be a perfect fit for your product.

Say you’re planning on creating an advanced digital course on Adobe Photoshop. You can frequent online groups made for digital graphics artist and the like.

Your task will be to spot pain points and problems and see if your product can address them.

You can even ask them directly if what you are planning to build is something they will be willing to purchase.

Step 3: Create your prototype

Once you are certain that there’s a demand and confirmed your potential audience’s pain points and needs, it’s time to do a “trial run”.

You can create a rough version of the product with all the key elements built in based on your market research. Distribute samples to potential customers, then wait and ask for feedback.

Some forms of businesses might not be able to perform this step and that’s understandable.

The main takeaway behind this concept is to get actual feedback based on a prototype of a product without burning through capital and going all in right away.

In the tech startup world, this first prototype is referred to as “Minimum Viable Product” or MVP.

Let’s take smartphone apps, for example. Let’s say Instagram’s first iteration (MVP) was an app with a strong focus on photo sharing and a few filters.

After the beta release, it was found out through feedback that people loved filters and wanted more types of it to be incorporated.

Taking this into consideration, they added more, better filters which served as its main advantage over Facebook.

After polishing the MVP using feedback from users, the creators were able to launch a near-perfect product that is far better than what they could have made if they didn’t have the insights from the initial feedback.

While this is not accurate and merely an example, this proves the importance of launching an MVP before going all-out to creating the actual product.

It allows you to quickly (and cheaply) build a prototype customers can use and provide crucial feedback on.

It’s no different to someone who got praised for his barbeque but was advised to adjust the spiciness a bit to suit the preferences of a larger audience.

After heeding their suggestions and feedback, more people liked his barbeque which lead him into thinking, “Ibenta ko kaya to? Parang madaming may gusto”.

A thousand barbecues later, Andoks was born. Just kidding, but I know you get my point.

For a more comprehensive guide on validating your business idea, also check Foundr’s  step-by-step guide to find your startup idea .

Tips on Starting a Small Business in the Philippines

Regardless of size, starting a business entails a lot of hard work and determination. Here are some tips on starting a small business in the Philippines to guide your way:

1. Register your business

Make sure your business is registered with the DTI (if it’s a sole proprietorship) or the SEC (if it’s a corporation or partnership ).

Also, see to it to register with BIR and secure your mayor’s permit from the city you’ll be operating your business from.

If you’ll be hiring employees, complete your employer’s registration at PhilHealth , SSS , and Pag-Ibig as well. If you have 10 or more employees, you must register your business with DOLE too.

If your business needs any other relevant form of registration in relation to the product or service you are offering, make sure you get that covered too.

2. Prepare yourself

Don’t haphazardly jump into a business without first studying all its pros and cons. Make sure to have a business and marketing plan ready along with a SWOT analysis to ensure you get all bases covered.

It pays to know the industry you are venturing into. Attend seminars/trainings, read books, and do everything you can to immerse yourself in the market before taking the plunge.

3. Learn how to manage money

Managing the cash flow of a business is no easy feat. While you can enlist the help of an accountant, it’s also wise that you learn how to handle your personal and business’ finances first.

In small businesses, you only got yourself to rely on at the start. So make sure you know how to sustain your cash flow and manage your books as well.

Related: Best Business Bank Accounts in the Philippines

4. Be mindful of taxes

Make sure to understand your taxes and be aware of the times wherein you’ll have to pay them. This will prevent you from falling out with the BIR, and ultimately the Philippine law.

If you find the computation and payment of taxes overwhelming, consult with an accountant or an expert when it comes to tax.

Recommended:  An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Filing & Paying Taxes Online in the Philippines

5. Invest in digital marketing

Consult someone regarding how you can best utilize digital marketing channels like websites, social media accounts, and the like to promote your brand. If you have no time, you can hire an expert to manage your accounts for you.

Digital marketing will increase other people’s awareness about your brand and allow you to reach a wider yet more targeted audience which in turn can increase your sales.

How to Fund your Business in the Philippines

Need ideas on how to fund your business in the Philippines?

Don’t have enough savings to fund your small business or don’t have much time left to wait for money to come around? Here are some methods you can consider:

1. Sell your assets

If you have a house, a piece of land or perhaps a car, under your name, you might want to consider selling them so you can have starting capital for your business.

Related: How to Sell your Business in the Philippines

2. Borrow money from a friend or family member

If you don’t have any personal means to produce the money needed for the capital of your business, you can borrow from a friend or family member.

Be careful though as things can get messy among close family and friends when money becomes involved. So be careful not to let this be the cause of any misunderstanding.

3. Consider a partnership

This is another option you can explore if you just need a bit more money to complete funding your business. But since you’ll be dealing with additional investors in your business, make sure to give their shares accordingly to avoid conflict.

4. Get a Bank Loan

If you want to avoid the risk of ruining your relationships with close family and friends when asking them for a loan, you might want to consider asking from the bank (or other lending institutions ) instead.

Each bank has different terms and conditions so choose one that best fits your needs.

5. Borrow From the Government

You can also borrow from either SSS or GSIS, provided that your business qualify for the criteria they set.

6. Try P2P Lending and crowdfunding

Alternatively, you can look at P2P lending as it allows you to borrow money at a lower interest rate, making it a cost-effective option to fund your business.

You can also use crowdfunding sites as it has been successful in funding several brilliant business ideas in the past. Remember Pebble ?

So there you go, several ways to fund your small business in the Philippines.

The Entrepreneur’s Checklist

If you’re reading this, you’re probably keen on building your own business now or in the near future. But aside from having the courage and discipline to kick start a business, what are the other traits most commonly found in the most successful entrepreneurs? 

What are the usual challenges and factors to consider before taking on the entrepreneur’s path?

To help you answer these questions, here’s an Entrepreneur’s Checklist to give you a better idea of what it takes to get a better shot at success in running your business .

Passionate about their idea

Some of the most successful businesses were conceived from a simple idea. But as simple as they may have been, it served as the catalyst for some of the biggest brands in the world today. 

However, ideas are but mere thoughts unless acted upon. What’s more important is the driving force to push that idea into fruition, so it can ultimately reach its best form and become a real business that has a very strong chance of succeeding. 

That driving force is passion. Some of the richest men in the world right now owe their wealth to a simple idea, but it was their passion that set forth a series of actions that actualized that vision into an actual product or business. 

Jeff Bezos saw the internet as the future for selling books. He devoted time, money, and even turned down lavish job offers to passionately pursue his idea which eventually developed into one of the biggest businesses in history. 

You’ll see similar paths taken by other world-renowned businessmen:  Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, to name a few. Your confidence and passion in your idea will go a long way and carry you, especially through difficult times. 

Ability to adapt

Before creating PayPal, its founders were in the business of developing security software for handheld devices but did not find success. They switched gears and decided to focus on creating a digital wallet, and PayPal was born. 

As it was gaining traction, the company decided to terminate its other online banking operations and focus on PayPal. In two years, the company went public and sold over $61 million worth of shares. eBay eventually acquired the company a few months after its IPO , buying it from the founders for $1.5 billion. 

The lesson of the story? Don’t be afraid to adjust your game plan and always be on the lookout for potential opportunities that may offer better leverage. PayPal founders realized it was failing in the security software industry, so they looked for other viable concepts which led them to online banking and eventually to the creation of PayPal. 

And after realizing that PayPal was their main moneymaker, they adapted yet again and dropped its other businesses to focus on PayPal. In another example, Apple was mainly in the business of creating and selling Macintosh computers and iPods. But seeing opportunity in the mobile market, they adapted to the trends and found atmospheric and financial success with the iPhone.

Successful entrepreneurs know how to identify opportunities and use their adaptive nature to leverage their potential.

Have the necessary financial IQ

One underrated trait that most successful entrepreneurs have in common is their “financial savviness”. Knowledge and understanding of how money flows (expenses, revenue, and anything else in between) throughout the entire endeavor is a critical part of running a business.

Professional in managing each aspect of the business

Contrary to what some people might think, business owners themselves don’t take it easy when it comes to running their business. In fact, it’s usually the other way around, because they understand that true and continuous success can only come if they treat each aspect of their business with a certain degree of professionalism and care.

Resourcefulness

Making the most out of what they have and leveraging creative ways to solve problems is another common trait among entrepreneurs.

In running a business, you’ll encounter all sorts of bumps and issues, and you won’t always have the best means to get around them. In these situations, being resourceful is especially helpful, and that’s why it’s an important skill to develop.

Knows how to make the most out of their time

Running a business isn’t easy, because if it was, everybody would be doing it. And those who are successful at it are people who can leverage the most value out of their time.

With everything that needs to be done (especially when you’re just starting out), time management will be crucial. Effective and efficient use of each minute can spell the difference between a business running like a well-oiled machine versus one that runs on squeaky wheels.

Effective people skills for properly dealing with employees and customers

Leaders understand that the success of the company will depend on the people running it, which is why having the right people skills is essential.  

Grit and focus

If you’ll read the biographies of some of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs, you’ll see a common pattern: they are laser-focused on their goals and endure hardship with indefatigable perseverance.

It doesn’t mean that they are doggedly stubborn though, it just means that they understand that success requires an immense amount of effort to achieve.

Willing to take calculated risks

Risks are an inevitable occurrence in running a business. As an entrepreneur, it is your job to develop critical thinking skills and be proficient in taking calculated risks. 

Strong sense of personal control

People with a strong internal locus of control tend to be more successful than those who don’t. They firmly believe that results are dictated by their thoughts and actions, and rarely use external factors as scapegoats for failure.

How to Future-proof your Business Idea

Stay up to date with the latest developments.

Keeping yourself abreast with the latest developments in your industry enables you to quickly adapt your strategies and methods to remain profitable and competitive.

Countless companies all across the globe have been forced out of business simply because they were too focused on existing methods, failing to recognize the new patterns and trends of the ever-changing market. 

Check out the competition

In combat sports (boxing, MMA, etc.,) part of the training involves analyzing their competition. Knowing the opponent’s strategies and tendencies will help in developing a well-planned strategy for the victory.

In a similar vein, entrepreneurs should always be on the lookout for their competition.

What are they up to? What are the current trends? What’s the general direction of the market? How are my competitors adapting to changes?

These are but a few of the questions successful entrepreneurs ask themselves to stay competitive.

Get expert advice

Businesses hire all sorts of consultants to help them solve problems and improve existing methodologies and strategies.

Why is this important?

Because having a fresh set of eyes to review and provide a more transparent analysis of the various aspects of your business will keep it in tip-top shape and a better position to innovate.

Not having any problems doesn’t mean the company’s A-OK, as being satisfied with past success and doing nothing to achieve new ones could lead to stagnation. 

Don’t rest on your laurels

Remember Nokia and Blackberry? Three decades ago, they were household names all across the world when it comes to mobile phones. Then out of nowhere, Apple dropped the iPhone. Google launched Android.

All of sudden, the titans of the mobile phone industry saw their market share crumble faster than a child eats a cookie.

The moral of the story? There’s always someone out there looking to improve existing ideas, technologies, and methods. Strive to improve and develop existing strategies and products to help secure your company’s future.

Learn to adapt

Continuing our train of thought from the previous pointer, learning to adapt to trends and changes is crucial in the survival of your business, especially if you’re in a very competitive niche. What if Nokia or Blackberry used Android as its OS earlier?

They probably would have maintained a significant market share, especially during that time when they were seen as two of the biggest names in the industry.

Samsung identified this shift into improved software and touchscreen tech and launched new products with Android OS. They identified the direction of the trends and adapted faster and their actions helped establish Samsung as a premier mobile phone brand years later.

Business Ideas FAQs

Still got questions about business ideas? We’ll answer them below.

Do I need to have a lot of money to start a business?

Not at all. Although some businesses do need a lot of money, there are business ideas that you can start with minimal capital. You just have to be creative and resourceful in finding ways to start your business without spending too much.

How do I determine if my business idea is viable?

There are a few key factors to consider when determining if your business idea is viable. First, you need to assess the market demand for your product or service. Is there a need for what you are offering?

Second, you need to evaluate the competition. How saturated is the market? Can you differentiate yourself enough to stand out?

Third, you need to consider the financial feasibility. Do you have enough resources to start and sustain the business?

Finally, you need to evaluate your own skills and experience. Are you equipped to run a successful business in this industry?

If you can answer these questions positively, then your business idea may be viable.

What are the risks involved in starting a new business?

Starting a new business entails a lot of risks. One risk is financial. There’s no guarantee that your business will be profitable, and you may need to invest a lot of money before you start seeing returns.

Another risk is market acceptance. Your product or service may not be well-received by your target market, which could lead to low sales and ultimately, failure.

There’s also the risk of competition. Even if your product or service is unique, there’s always a chance that someone else will come up with something similar, which could impact your sales.

Finally, there’s the risk of personal sacrifice. Starting a new business requires a lot of time, energy, and dedication. This could mean sacrificing personal time with family and friends.

Can I patent my business idea in the Philippines?

Yes, you can. You can file a parent to the Bureau of Patents in the Philippine Intellectual Property Office.

You need to include a drawing if necessary to make the explanation clear. Then, your patent will be published after 18 months if all your requirements are met.

What are the legal requirements for starting a business in the Philippines?

First, you need to register your business with the SEC. Then, obtain a barangay clearance and business permit from your city/municipality’s mayor’s office. Finally, register your business with the BIR.

How can I protect my business idea from competitors?

You can do this by applying for a patent. This will give you exclusive rights to your product or service, preventing others from copying or reproducing it without your permission.

How do I create a business plan for my idea?

Creating a business plan for your idea is essential to laying the foundation for a successful business.

To get started, write an executive summary, followed by your operations and organizational plans. Then, write your marketing and financial plans. For a more in-depth guide on writing business plans, visit this page .

How do I attract investors to my business idea?

Attracting investors to your business idea requires a well-crafted pitch and a solid business plan. Start with a clear and concise summary of your business idea, highlighting its unique value proposition and potential market.

Then, provide a detailed analysis of your target market, competitors, and financial projections. It’s also important to show your own expertise and experience in the industry.

Finally, demonstrate your passion and commitment to the idea to convince investors of your dedication to its success.

You can reach out to investors through networking events, online platforms, or by seeking referrals from other entrepreneurs and industry experts.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when starting a new business?

When starting a new business, there are several common mistakes to avoid.

First, don’t underestimate the importance of market research. It’s essential to know your target audience and the competition before launching your business.

Second, avoid overspending and be mindful of your finances. The last thing you want is to over-exhaust yourself financially.

Third, don’t try to do everything yourself. Delegate tasks to others and build a strong team to support your business.

Fourth, don’t ignore legal requirements and regulations. Make sure to register your business and obtain all necessary permits and licenses.

Last but not the least, don’t forget to prioritize self-care and avoid burnout.

Should I start my business alone or with partners?

The decision to start a business alone or with partners varies from person to person.

Starting a business alone means you have full control over the decision-making process and can work at your own pace. However, it also means that you shoulder all the responsibilities and risks on your own.

On the other hand, starting a business with partners can provide additional resources, expertise, and support. However, it also means sharing profits and decision-making power.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which option works best for your business idea and personal goals.

How long does it typically take for a new business to become profitable?

The time it takes for a new business to become profitable varies depending on several factors such as the type of business, the industry, the market, and the business’s financial position.

Some businesses may start generating profits within the first year, while others may take several years to become profitable.

In general, it’s realistic to expect a new business to take at least 2-3 years to become profitable. However, with a solid business plan, smart financial management , and consistent effort, businesses can increase their chances of becoming profitable sooner.

What are some resources available to help me develop my business idea?

There are many resources available to help you develop your business idea. You can start by exploring online courses, books, and blogs on entrepreneurship and business development.

You can also seek advice and mentorship from other entrepreneurs or industry experts.

  • How to Fund Your Dream Business in the Philippines.
  • How to Buy a Business in the Philippines
  • How to Sell a Business in the Philippines
  • Top Business Sectors in the Philippines [According to Data]

Disclaimer: All information listed in this article is for information purposes only. Although utmost effort was made to ensure accuracy of information on this website, readers must not solely rely on it in making any investment or financial decision since it does not take into consideration the risk tolerance, financial situation, investment goals, and experience of readers. It is best to consult a professional financial planner or your bank before investing to make a more informed choice and limit your risk exposure.

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low budget business ideas philippines

About Amiel Pineda

Amiel Pineda is the Head of Content at Grit PH.

He started freelance writing in 2010 doing product reviews and tech news. In 2018, he became a full-time freelancer, writing in the financial space and creating content for clients in various niches.

Prior to freelancing full-time, he worked 7 years in the financial services industry for a Fortune 500 company.

He also writes on his personal blog, Homebased Pinoy (https://homebasedpinoy.com/), where he shares tips and guides as a work-from-home freelancer, along with NFT-game guides.

Education: Technological Institute of the Philippines (Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering) Focus: Freelancing, Entrepreneurship, Financial Products, Investing & Personal Finance

Reader Interactions

low budget business ideas philippines

May 2, 2018 at 2:11 am

My family was actually considering a trucking business and it was great to see that you listed here some business ideas that includes trucking in it. Logistics, truck rentals, lipat-bahay. I think its a good idea knowing that capital will be used in purchasing trucks and having a location to store them.

low budget business ideas philippines

May 25, 2018 at 12:30 am

Thanks for sharing this. I went to the Philippines for a vacation. I noticed that filipinos loves bazaar. I think that it is really perfect business to start to in the philippines.

low budget business ideas philippines

June 26, 2018 at 10:49 pm

You might wanna add website flipping to your list. It’s a sub-niche under blogging but extremely profitable especially if your reader base is from the US. I suggest starting from a niche site that reviews high ticket items on Amazon and grow from there. I once sold a Nursing blog to a US-based entrepreneur for $45,000.

low budget business ideas philippines

June 27, 2018 at 8:31 am

We’re actually working on a different guide (a more exclusive one for online business ideas) that includes site flipping.

Thanks for dropping by – huge fan of your blog (used to spend hours scouring your history-related list posts).

low budget business ideas philippines

June 21, 2019 at 5:04 pm

Wow! Good for you.. I am looking into business aside from Nursing. 😊

low budget business ideas philippines

July 12, 2019 at 11:36 pm

Thank you for sharing your well researched and helpful insights for aspiring businessman like me:) May The Lord bless you more.

low budget business ideas philippines

August 9, 2018 at 1:18 am

Great blog! very informative but now a days online services is very important like Internet service provider, an email provider, a news provider, an entertainment provider, a search engine, an e-commerce site, an online banking site.

low budget business ideas philippines

March 24, 2020 at 3:57 am

hi John Lee.. im engaged in BPO business since July last year but i found its hard for me to manage esp in comes to maintenance, salary to agents and adm employee when i depend only on the revenue. so im planning to look for a lending with a lower rate where i can borrow for additional capital. and also i need a new campaign provider for another account after this pandemic season ends.

low budget business ideas philippines

October 19, 2018 at 4:03 am

Other income opportunities 99% of Filipinos don’t know and can earn anonymously: Legal but not profitable : 1. PTC 2. Faucet 3. TE 4. PTP 5. GPT 6. List go on… Illegal but profitable: 1. HYIP 2. ICO 3. Mining 4. Matrix 5. Cycler 6. List go on…

low budget business ideas philippines

November 8, 2018 at 4:20 am

I am an American with a Filipina wife. We will be moving to Angeles City soon. I own hundreds of very high value domains. I am looking to build a team of 4 web designers and marketers to help build the web business. This is an opportunity to partner with me and we share the profits. email me at [email protected] if you are honest, ethical and understand websites.

low budget business ideas philippines

May 8, 2019 at 6:27 am

hi sir, interested, but i know only microsoft word on how to use, work experience in audit

low budget business ideas philippines

April 11, 2020 at 1:32 pm

hi I am an Australian guy looking to set up a business in the Philippines. I have cash available. Any ideas out there?

low budget business ideas philippines

May 23, 2020 at 8:22 pm

Hi John, Hope all is well with you today. Feel free to message me. Thank you & God bless!

low budget business ideas philippines

September 23, 2020 at 2:13 pm

Hi, John. I would recommend you to set up an apartment building here particularly here in Davao. The City of our president. It is my very focused business idea why I am working so hard now. This business is one of the most needed here since a lot of people are moving in this area nowadays due to its booming economy.

low budget business ideas philippines

April 30, 2021 at 6:08 am

Thrift Business.

low budget business ideas philippines

December 25, 2018 at 4:06 pm

Sir I have a small mechanical idea however I don’t know how to make a plan were to go to put it into plan before it will be produced, I believe that my idea will sell like hotcakes and could make me rich. Will you please Sir, include in your list such concept of inventions as entrepreneurship kind of business. Selling product from our inventions. Thank you Sir,

low budget business ideas philippines

May 24, 2019 at 1:49 pm

I would suggest that for newbies in business, they could also consider franchising or investing in reputable companies. There are also try what we call mutual funds which could help one invest, earn money, while working at the same time. The construction industry is also a very profitable business, and I’m thinking of investing in one. I heard Flexicore Construction Services has great reputation and standing in the industry, and they are currently moving forward for further growth. Investing to them could be a wise endeavor.

low budget business ideas philippines

July 31, 2019 at 9:52 am

Hello everyone 🙂 I’m quite new to 3d printing and I have quite a few questions on the matter, so I hope you won’t get mad at me for asking here at least a few of them. I think even before I’ll get seriously into modelling I should focus on the software itself, and that’s what I’d like to ask you about. Mainly, should I start with the most crudest software there is or would it be better to start on something more complicated? I’m worried that I’ll get some undesirable quirks while working with less complex software. My second question is about the program as well: should I look for program that will allow me design and slice it in it, or should I use a different software for each of them? Does it even make a difference? Surprisingly, I couldn’t find the answer to that, as it seems like most sites want to focus on the very basics (like what is 3d printing and so on), and while the answers to those questions are fine, it seems like no one wants to go into the details (it looks like some of them even steal from each other! I swear I’ve found the same answers to the same questions on at least 3 different sites) but I’m getting off-topic… The last question is about 3d pens. Would it be possible to somehow convert whatever I draw with a 3d pen to a 3d model in a CAD software? For example, if I’ll draw a car with 3d pen, would it be possible to get its design in a software? I’m not sure how that could even work, but the very idea sounds interesting to me. Anyway, I think I’ll stop here just in case no one will answer me and all of this writing will go to waste. I apologise that I’m using your content to ask questions, but I hope you can relate and advice a beginner like me. Anyway, thank you for posting. I did learn something from this and that’s always appreciated. Thank you, and I hope to hear back from you very soon 🙂

low budget business ideas philippines

July 31, 2019 at 10:28 am

Great tips for a startup business with how much investment required befoe starting. you know Amiel I found That info only at your blog…

low budget business ideas philippines

August 14, 2019 at 1:09 pm

Amiel, I hate you! Because you just crossed out one of my to-do-list to create a list of Small Business ideas & Opportunities in the Philippines LOL. I want to add the following though because I think they are worth investing: (1) Document Management Services. Examples of tasks under this category would be managing electronic documents lifecycle, creating interactive PDFs, applying document version control, and performing back up, etc.; (2) Umbrella Repair Services; (3) Knapsack Sprayer Repair Services; (4) Any Type of Sprinklers Repair Services; and (5) Urban Farming Services.

low budget business ideas philippines

August 19, 2019 at 12:56 am

Perfect lists of business ideas with numerous tips for startup business. Great work!

low budget business ideas philippines

August 22, 2019 at 9:22 am

Wow, this is what you call a LIST! 😀 Thanks!

low budget business ideas philippines

December 30, 2019 at 2:10 am

Hi, in running a business it is always best practice to document your transactions with well-written legal and business documents. Don’t rely only on verbal agreements.

We here at Legal Tree can provide you with these documents for your business at affordable prices. With Legal Tree, you can create legal and business documents anytime online within minutes in a simple and affordable manner. You can also customise any document you create to tailor-fit it to your situation.

If you want to learn more about Legal Tree and our services, please visit our website at http://www.legaltree.ph or send us a message on our Facebook page at https://facebook.com/LegalTreePh .

We look forward to hearing from you and helping you save on essential legal services.

low budget business ideas philippines

February 29, 2020 at 4:03 pm

Magandang business ngayon ang Food Trucks. Pwede mo ipwesto kahit saan, Mayor’s permit lang kelangan. Maganda magpa-customize sa BONTELLA FOOD TRUCK BUILDERS PHILIPPINES. Just contact their number 0917-6581956, message their FB page https://www.facebook.com/bontellafoodtruckbuilders/ or visit their website at https://www.bontellafoodtruckbuilders.com/

low budget business ideas philippines

March 6, 2020 at 8:17 am

Thanks…..great blog. just a suggestion to include in your list. I have several friends who are into scale modelling, their creations are generally used as either background piece or props in TV ads, movies, real states exhibitions and museums. Its not a well known enterprise but I’m sure they make good money too.

low budget business ideas philippines

September 29, 2020 at 6:52 am

I will be on the lookout for more of your work.

low budget business ideas philippines

November 3, 2020 at 1:52 pm

You may want to add aquascaping in your list. Its for fish hobbyist and its a new industry in our country. Kailangan may skills ka but its not hard to learn from it. You can start selling it in your area but ideally in metropolitan cities.

low budget business ideas philippines

July 9, 2021 at 2:16 pm

The Philippines is one of the great Asia-Pacific Tiger success stories, and in just a decade it has grown into an enviable regional powerhouse with a higher GDP per capita than that of Thailand, Malaysia or Singapore. A lack of geographical barriers such as borders means the nation is ripe for trade and investment opportunities. The country’s infrastructure as well as its highly educated workforce have also served to attract growth from multinationals and SMEs alike. Furthermore, there are a number of additional small business ideas you may be interested in knowing more about should you wish to develop products for these markets. Just some examples include: agriculture; food processing; chemical industry (e.g., plastics); chemical grade steel production; electronics assembly manufacturing; and industrial exports.

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Best Business Ideas in the Philippines With ₱50,000 Capital (or Less)

Best Business Ideas in the Philippines With ₱50,000 Capital (or Less)

Whether you’re a college student looking for extra income, a corporate employee who is sick of running the rat race, or a housewife who wants to supplement your husband’s income, finding a winning business idea is the first step towards achieving financial freedom.

However, it’s easier said than done. That’s why we’ve scoured magazines, books, and the internet to compile a list of profitable business ideas in the Philippines that only require a small capital of ₱50,000 or less.

Related Article: How to Get a Part-time Job Online in the Philippines: An Ultimate Guide

Table of Contents

At a glance: top 10 pandemic- and recession-proof business ideas in the philippines.

pandemic proof business ideas in the philippines

1. Online Therapy or Counseling

Overview : Online therapy provides mental health services mostly through video conferencing.

Why it is Pandemic and Recession-Proof:

According to a recent assessment conducted by the World Health Organization, almost 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from depression and anxiety 1 . With the increasing number of people struggling mentally and emotionally, there is also a growing demand for licensed professionals who can address these problems.

Capital : ₱20,000 to ₱50,000 for video conferencing needs. ₱150,000 to ₱300,000 if you’re building your website for booking appointments, patient databases, and online payments.

Ideal for : Licensed psychiatrists and psychologists.

  • A lot of working professionals and business people are looking for therapists due to stress from work and family.
  • The chances of returning clients are high if they like your approach.
  • The average charge per client ranges from ₱1,500 to ₱3,000 for each session.
  • There is a constant need to maintain your website for a better user experience.
  • Issues with internet connectivity may arise.
  • Patients go to therapists with proven track records.

2. One-on-One Academic Tutorial

Overview : One-on-one tutorials offer a personalized and more focused way of providing academic support to students struggling in class or just aiming to excel.

Virtual learning is safe, but it is not always effective for children who mostly have short attention spans 2 . For this reason, many working parents are looking for tutors who can monitor and support their child’s academic performance.

Capital : ₱1,000 to ₱5,000 for educational materials and resources.

Ideal for: Anyone who has the means and patience to teach children.

  • There is a higher chance of getting clients who pay well because most of them are working professionals.
  • The things you will teach are topics you already know or have an idea about.
  • You don’t need to be an expert to start tutoring.
  • You need more patience.
  • Children are easily distracted, so you have to be creative to keep their attention.
  • There is a safety concern if your student is hyperactive.

3. Mentoring or Coaching for a Specific Field

Overview: Coaching services provide additional support to individuals looking to improve their business or skills.

The coaching industry has grown over the years with the majority focusing on business and life coaching 3 . With a growing demand for highly skilled workers, people have also been seeking ways to learn valuable skills that will make them marketable in the long run.

Ideal for: Professionals or aspiring specialists in a sought-after field like Web Development, Digital Content Marketing, Accounting , Finance, E-Commerce, and Online Content Creation.

Capital : ₱20,000 to ₱50,000 for laptop or computer setup.

  • You learn more by teaching others.
  • You can build connections within your field.
  • People pay to learn your skills.
  • You can create your package and sell it online.
  • Internet connectivity and technical issues.
  • It takes time to build your portfolio for people to trust you.

4. Art Selling

Overview : An art business is when you sell art to collectors or accept commissions for your original work.

Why it is Pandemic and Recession-Proof :

People buy art for its emotional value. It is also a long-term investment for collectors who see art as an expensive commodity 4 . And although the global art market suffered a 22% 5 loss in 2020, emerging digital artists continue to earn thousands of dollars in virtual auctions 6 .

Capital : ₱3,000 to ₱50,000 for art supplies and editing software.

Ideal for : Skilled or aspiring artists.

  • Art is a skill that can be developed.
  • Social media has made it easier to market your work.
  • You get to harness your creativity.
  • Art is therapeutic for both the artist and the buyer or collector.
  • You can collaborate with other artists.
  • It takes time and skill to build your portfolio.
  • You need marketing skills to grow your audience.
  • An art’s value is subjective, so pricing can be a challenge for beginners.

5. Live Game Streaming

Overview : Live streaming is a form of sharing raw video content in real time. Video game streaming is when people play games to a live audience through platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, or Twitch.

The gaming industry is expected to grow by 14.5 percent in revenue by the end of 2021 7 and will continue to thrive in the coming years. With this growth, live streaming has been proven to be a practical source of income among gamers.

Capital : ₱50,000 to ₱200,000 for the gaming and live streaming setup.

Ideal for: Anyone who is into gaming.

  • More people are looking for authenticity.
  • You can earn passive income once you have a loyal following.
  • Live streaming makes your content more engaging.
  • It takes less time to produce content.
  • The audience is consistently growing globally.
  • It takes time to build your audience.
  • The platforms are oversaturated, and you need to be more creative to stand out.
  • You will meet internet trolls or people who leave derogatory comments to provoke you.

6. Mobile Coffee Shop

Overview : Selling coffee from a truck, van, or any type of vehicle.

Filipinos are projected to increase their coffee intake by 32 percent in the next five years 8 . With the ongoing social restrictions forcing coffee shops to limit customers, it is the perfect time to start a mobile café and bring a unique coffee experience to people.

Capital : As low as ₱5,000.

Ideal for : Baristas and coffee enthusiasts.

  • Coffee is a popular drink and is nonseasonal.
  • It’s easy to attract customers through social media.
  • You can operate in any public place.
  • There’s no need to rent a space for your shop.
  • You need to acquire a vehicle (truck, van, cart, etc.)
  • The weather can be a challenge.
  • You’re competing with trusted coffee brands.

7. Writing Services

Overview : Writers assist in technical writing projects or write web content on different topics.

There’s a constant need for professional writers in specific niches such as Finance, Marketing, Technology, and Education. And in the digital age where web content management continues to grow, there is also increasing demand for outsourced content writers 9 .

Capital : ₱20,000 to ₱50,000 for a notebook or laptop.

Ideal for : Anyone who can write.

  • You have access to a lot of opportunities (ghostwriting, proofreading, translation and transcription).
  • You get to harness your skills.
  • You learn as you write.
  • It takes time to complete a project.
  • There’s a tight competition in the writing industry.

8. Video Editing for Vloggers or Businesses

Overview : Editing is arranging and putting together video footage or several shots to produce the final video product.

Businesses are going digital and statistics show that in 2019, 62 percent used YouTube to market their brand 10 . There’s also tight competition in the vlogging community, and this pushes video creators to keep producing content that would allow them to stay ahead of their competitors. Hiring professional video editors helps these brands and creators to make quality content that will get them the viewers or sales that they want while saving them time and money.

Capital : ₱3,000 to ₱20,000 for editing software.

Ideal for : Experienced video editors or multimedia students.

  • You can have returning clients who want consistency across their videos.
  • You hone your skills as an editor.
  • You’re able to work flexible hours.
  • You need to be skilled at editing.
  • Projects can be inconsistent.

9. Product Rebranding/White Labeling/Private Labelling

Overview : In business terms, rebranding means changing a company’s already established image or brand to fit its new business model. However, the term is also being used interchangeably with white labeling or private labeling. This is when suppliers offer their unbranded, pre-made products to retailers who already have a brand in mind but have no means to manufacture their products. The difference is that private label products are made for a single retailer or brand only, and white labels, on the other hand, can cater to several brands.

The global private label share has grown to 16% 11 over the past decade, and nowadays rebranding has been prevalent in local e-commerce sites such as Shopee and Lazada. This opened a lot of opportunities to small business owners including millennials. There is increasing demand for these products as buyers find that these can be great alternatives to more popular but expensive brands.

Capital : As low as ₱1,000.

Ideal for : Anyone who wants to build their brand.

  • Anyone can start immediately using small capital.
  • Since products are readily available, your main focus is on the branding and marketing side.
  • There are many products to choose from.
  • Products are not unique.
  • You need to do your research for trending products.
  • You have no control over the manufacturing process.

10. Accounting Services for Freelancers and Small Business Owners (Bookkeeping and Tax Filing)

Overview : Accountants help individuals and businesses keep track of their finances as well as assist in tax filing .

More and more Filipinos are switching to freelance. In the 2019 Global Gig Economy Index, the Philippines was the sixth fastest-growing market in the world with a 35 percent revenue increase 12 . Because more freelancers and small businesses have emerged since the pandemic, opportunities have become available for accountants who can offer their bookkeeping and tax filing services.

Ideal for : Accountants and bookkeepers.

  • Filing taxes is a tedious job and freelancers would want to outsource instead of doing this themselves.
  • You will have returning clients for the quality of your work.
  • You can work with multiple clients for a higher rate.
  • The volume of work can be stressful.
  • You need to constantly learn and stay up to date.

Best Business Ideas in the Philippines: The Ultimate List

In this section, we are going to list down some of the tried-and-tested business ideas in the Philippines organized into different categories.

Mind you, business success is 1% inspiration and 99% execution. So use this list as an inspiration but never forget to take action.

Let’s get the ball rolling…

A. Food Business Ideas

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1. Rice Business (Bigasan)

Why it’s a profitable business: Filipino meals aren’t complete without rice. There’ll always be buyers regardless of price movements. Rice dealers earn good profit in high-traffic locations (public markets and talipapa ) with good storage areas.

Capital: ₱50,000 (retailer) to ₱ 300,000 (franchise)

Ideal for: Filipinos looking for a business with affordable start up costs and guaranteed profits.

  • High and steady demand from consumers who purchase by kilo and food businesses that order by the sack .
  • Low startup cost .
  • Prone to pest infestation and early spoilage if storage is in poor condition .
  • Hard to maintain rice quality in flood-prone areas .

READ: How to Start a Rice Business (Bigasan) in the Philippines

2. Kakanin Business

Why it’s a profitable business: Selling native delicacies like suman, biko, and puto is an affordable home-based food business idea with high-profit potential.

In fact, a kakanin business helped a mother fund her children’s college education 13 .

Capital: Starts at ₱ 5,000 or less

Ideal for: Stay-at-home moms and office employees looking to earn extra income from home.

  • Cheap and readily available ingredients .
  • Business growth potential: Start selling in small quantities and later on produce bigger quantities and sell them to resellers and distributors for higher profits.
  • All-year-round sales that peak during holidays .
  • Short shelf life .
  • Labor-intensive and time-consuming operation.

READ: How to Start a Kakanin Business in the Philippines

3. Street Food Business

Why it’s a profitable business: Street food is cheap, which is why queues in stalls are always long. Selling street food returns great profits, too. Fishball vendors, for instance, make a net profit of ₱ 500 to ₱ 1,000 daily.

Capital: ₱ 5,000 to ₱ 20,000

Ideal for: Street food enthusiasts with limited startup budgets.

  • Low startup and operational costs .
  • A wide variety of affordable street foods to sell .
  • Appeals to a very diverse market (students, blue-collar workers, yuppies, etc.) .
  • Stiff competition in high-traffic areas .
  • Tedious and time-consuming food preparation .

READ: How to Start a Street Food Business in the Philippines

4. Water Refilling Station

Why it’s a profitable business: Even with tight competition, water refilling stations enjoy a steady income. You can earn a monthly net profit (before taxes) of more or less ₱ 36,000.

Capital: ₱ 40,000 (down payment) to ₱ 150,000

Ideal for: People with little entrepreneurial experience who want to minimize the risk.

  • High and steady demand for clean, safe drinking water in residential and commercial areas .
  • Simple to operate .
  • Zero/low rental fee; can be installed in a space as small as 20 square meters and in a home .
  • Costly equipment maintenance .
  • ROI takes time (six months to one year) .
  • Water quality is held to a strict national standard.

READ: How to Start a Water Refilling Station Business in the Philippines

5. Bakery (Panaderya)

Why it’s a profitable business: Bread is a Pinoy breakfast and merienda favorite. This lucrative business yields a net profit of ₱700 to ₱ 2,500+ per sack of flour or ₱ 2,000 to ₱ 6,000 daily.

A former bus inspector, for instance, earned ₱ 500,000 in a year (or roughly ₱ 40,000 monthly) from his pan de sal stores 14 .

Capital: ₱ 120,000 to ₱ 150,000

Ideal for: Entrepreneurs with deep interest, patience, and commitment to baking and managing a bakeshop.

  • High profitability with minimal investment .
  • Can cater to either the masa market (pan de sal, ensaymada, monay, mamon, etc.) or the high-end market (baguette, whole wheat bread, cinnamon rolls, etc.) .
  • It requires time, patience, dedication, and training to set up and manage a bakery.
  • Price fluctuations of baking ingredients (due to competition and demand) affect the prices of bakery products.

READ: How to Start a Bakery Business in the Philippines

6. Pizza Business

Why it’s a profitable business: Pizzerias offer customers convenience, which is why Filipinos often order pizza for parties, family and barkada gatherings, and corporate meetings.

Capital: ₱ 50,000 to ₱ 850,000

Ideal for: Anyone with passion, skills, and experience in pizza business operations.

  • Affordable and readily available ingredients .
  • Easy to prepare and serve .
  • Cutthroat competition with leading pizza brands .
  • Requires pizza-making training and skills .

READ: How to Start a Pizza Business in the Philippines

7. Food Catering Business

Why it’s a profitable business: Filipinos are willing to pay for convenience when it comes to party and event preparation. Caterers are among the most sought-after suppliers for this purpose. Based on the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority 15 , event caterers earned an average gross profit of ₱ 16 million.

Capital: ₱ 100,000 to ₱ 1 million

Ideal for: Entrepreneurs with passion and experience in cooking who want to make it big in the food business.

  • Quick ROI of four months .
  • Very competitive industry .
  • Working long hours, especially in the first few years of operation .
  • Expensive startup cost (but financially rewarding) .

READ: How to Start a Catering Business in the Philippines

8. Food Cart

Why it’s a profitable business: Starting a food cart business on your own seems like a lot of work, but with the right location, concept, and product, you can make good money.

Capital (non-franchised food cart): ₱ 30,000 to ₱ 300,000

Ideal for: Inexperienced entrepreneurs with small capital for selling a particular food they like.

  • Low capital with a high-income potential (creating your own food cart) .
  • Easier and cheaper to set up than restaurants .
  • Flexibility in location (can move the food cart to a better area if the original one doesn’t work out) .

Cons: Need to build everything from scratch (from planning to execution) if you’ll start your own food cart instead of franchising one.

9. Canteen/Eatery Business (Carinderia)

Why it’s a profitable business: Small eateries, locally known as carinderia or turo-turo, are still the go-to places for customers looking for cheap home-cooked meals. With the right location, pricing, and menu, you can profit from running a carinderia with just a small capital.

Capital: ₱ 15,000 to ₱ 25,000

Ideal for: People with culinary skills who live in high-traffic areas near schools and offices.

  • Quick ROI in two months .
  • High growth potential. One of the popular wedding caterers in the Philippines, for instance, started out as a   carinderia
  • Unstable availability of ingredients and supplies due to seasonality and typhoons .
  • Challenges in maintaining food quality and sanitation .
  • It requires a great deal of time, passion, dedication, and patience .

10. Baking Business

Why it’s a profitable business: Baking and selling cakes, cupcakes, cookies, or other pastries is an enjoyable food business you can start right in your home. It’s also easy to attract customers via social media and word of mouth.

Capital: ₱ 15,000 to ₱ 50,000

Ideal for: Stay-at-home moms who love baking and want to turn their hobby into a home-based business.

  • Low capital and high returns .
  • Steady demand from customers who buy cakes and pastries for special occasions, snacks, pasalubongs, and gifts.
  • It can be stressful when bulk orders are coming in.
  • Requires experience in home baking or training in a baking course.

11. Ice Cream Busines

Why it’s a profitable business: Ice cream is the Pinoy dessert favorite any time of the year. Getting an ROI takes around six months. Profit margins range from 70% to 100%, which means you can sell ice cream at double the production cost.

Capital: ₱ 2,500 to ₱ 16,000 (homemade ice cream)/ ₱ 100,000 to ₱ 450,000 (commercial soft-serve ice cream)

Ideal for: Entrepreneurs who plan to put up a business near schools or those who enjoy making and selling ice cream.

  • Simple ingredients and recipes for homemade ice cream .
  • Quick preparation with commercial ice cream makers .
  • The short shelf life of 7 to 10 days .
  • Commercial-scale ice cream businesses are expensive to set up .

12. Chicken Rotisserie (Lechon Manok) Business

Why it’s a profitable business: Roasting and selling chicken can be considered a negosyong patok . You’ll never run out of customers and suppliers. With passion and determination—plus a good location, you can succeed in this business with modest capital (or no capital, like how Andok’s started out 16 ).

Capital: ₱ 250,000 to ₱ 450,000

Ideal for: OFWs and balikbayans looking to grow their hard-earned money in the Philippines .

  • Significantly lower startup cost than opening a fast-food outlet .
  • It offers customers a cheaper (and healthier) alternative to fried chicken from fast-food chains.
  • Tough competition against established lechon manok brands like Andok’s and Baliwag Lechon Manok.
  • Need to come up with your special recipe or sauce and offer better pricing to stand out.

13. Lugawan/Gotohan Business

Why it’s a profitable business: “Tubong lugaw” (earning large profits from small capital) best describes lugawan businesses in the Philippines. A perfect example is Lugaw Queen 17 which started with a capital of just ₱1,100. The business, which sells cheap bowls of lugaw, and earns as much as ₱50,000 daily.

Capital: ₱ 1,000 (home-based) to ₱ 15,000 (mobile cart)

Ideal for: New entrepreneurs who are willing to work long hours to maximize profits.

  • Large ROI from little capital .
  • Ease of business setup and food preparation (simple recipes and ingredients) .
  • Ability to offer affordable meals .

Cons: Can be taxing and stressful to operate, especially if the business is open 24/7.

14. Meat Processing Business

Why it’s a profitable business: The Philippine meat processing industry has been growing in recent years 18 , offering a lucrative business opportunity. This food business can earn you as much as a 100% profit.

Some entrepreneurs even got rich producing and selling processed meat with a measly capital of ₱ 500.

Capital: ₱ 1,500 to less than ₱ 20,000.

Ideal for: Anyone with the passion and patience for running a processed meat business.

  • Growing processed meat consumption in the Philippines that raises the demand for easy-to-cook products like longganisa, tocino, tapa, hotdog, and ham.
  • Longer product shelf life (due to preservation methods) than unprocessed meat.
  • Spending time and money on meat processing training courses (Each course takes from one to five days and can cost over ₱ 2,000).
  • Quick spoilage if the meat isn’t handled or processed correctly.

15. Meat Shop/Meat Retailing Business

Why it’s a profitable business: Most Filipino families consume meat daily. If your meat shop is situated in a strategic location, you can earn a high and steady income.

Capital: ₱ 120,000 (own shop) to ₱ 3.5 million (franchise).

Ideal for: Entrepreneurs who can find an ideal location (like a commercial space or market stall) for selling meat.

  • Higher profit margins than other food items like rice .
  • Stable demand (except during Lenten season) regardless of the economic situation in the Philippines .
  • May require a huge capital (as much as millions of pesos) for franchising a meat shop.
  • Need to invest in expensive equipment like a generator to prevent the meat from spoiling during power outages.

16. Palamig/Samalamig Business

Why it’s a profitable business: Demand for palamig peaks during summer, but you can make money (around 50% to 100% daily profit) from selling cold drinks all year round.

Capital: ₱1,000 to ₱ 3,000 (starters/home-based) to ₱ 40,000 to ₱ 99,000 (food cart franchise).

Ideal for: First-timers who want to give entrepreneurship a try with a minimal investment.

  • Simple and readily available ingredients .
  • Sells cheap at only ₱ 5 to ₱15 per cup .
  • Profitable addition to a street food business or kakanin business .

Cons: Ingredients like buko and other fruits can easily spoil.

17. Tapsilog Business

Why it’s a profitable business: Tapsilog is the Filipino breakfast favorite. With its affordable price, this meal is so easy to sell. A tapsilog business offers great potential for growth 19 , as in the case of the famous Tapsi ni Vivian .

Capital: ₱ 10,000 to ₱ 50,000.

Ideal for: Retirees and work-from-home moms with cooking skills looking to earn extra income.

Pros: No need to rent a space, as you can prepare packed meals at home for selling to neighbors, office workers, students, and jeepney, and tricycle drivers.

Cons: Requires a lot of patience and hard work, especially when you’re starting out.

18. Siomai Stand

Why it’s a profitable business: Siomai is among the easiest businesses to set up in the Philippines. It yields at least a 150% profit margin for a cheap startup cost.

This food business also has a high earning potential, as proven by a couple who makes ₱ 50,000 by selling siomai 20 .

Capital: ₱ 2,500 to ₱ 17,000 (own business)/ ₱ 160,000 to ₱ 280,000 (food cart franchise).

Ideal for: Newbie entrepreneurs who want to make money through a food business that doesn’t require much prior knowledge and skills.

  • No need for a big space; it can be sold in a mobile cart .
  • Very low startup cost .

Cons: Requires tons of patience, consistent food quality, location with high foot traffic, and a good sales and marketing strategy to succeed.

19. Healthy Meal Delivery Service/Diet Delivery Program

Why it’s a profitable business: This type of food business is a hit among busy and health-conscious Filipino millennials lately. Its recent popularity comes from offering a convenient way to eat healthy, with low-calorie meals delivered right to the customer’s home or office.

Capital: ₱ 3,000 to ₱ 5,000 daily.

Ideal for: Healthy eating advocates who love to cook and want to capitalize on their passion to help others while making money out of it.

  • Increasing demand for healthy and organic food among young professionals, celebrities, students, and even older people with dietary requirements.
  • No need to rent a space or build a shop; all transactions can be done online.
  • The challenge of keeping the freshness and quality of ingredients and preventing food spoilage.
  • Need to invest in a vehicle or outsource a third-party service for daily meal deliveries.
  • Need to consult nutritionists, dieticians, and other specialists for the recipes and meal preparations.

20. Samgyup-to-go

Why it’s a profitable business : Samgyeopsals capitalize on Filipinos’ love for K-pop, K-dramas, and all things Korean. Samgyeopsal is a popular grilled Korean dish consisting of pork belly meat. Diners usually grill the meat themselves and eat directly from the grill. With dine-in restrictions still in place, you can bring samgyeopsal ingredients and equipment to your customers’ doorsteps so they can still enjoy their favorite food in the comfort of their homes.

Capital : Around ₱ 50,000 (for samgyeopsal restaurant owners) to ₱ 80,000 (for new entrepreneurs with no restaurant)

Ideal for : New entrepreneurs who have the passion to run a samgyeopsal delivery service or samgyeopsal restaurant owners who want to increase their sales.

  • Can increase your sales (for restaurant owners).
  • Able to provide convenience to your customers.
  • No need to rent a space or build a shop (for new entrepreneurs).
  • Outsourcing delivery to a third party can reduce some of your control over quality and delivery time.
  • Possibility of overworking your employees due to the increase in demand (if you have an established samgyeopsal restaurant).
  • More expenses for entrepreneurs with an established samgyeopsal restaurant.

B. Consulting Business Ideas

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1. Financial Planner/Advisor

Why it’s a profitable business:  Providing financial planning services as a licensed professional can earn you more than ₱ 100,000 to ₱ 1 million per year, according to PayScale 21 . Because it allows flexibility in schedule, even full-time working professionals can practice financial planning as a side business.

Ideal for: Professionals in the field of finance such as accountants and bankers.

  • Free or discounted financial education training.
  • Generous bonuses and commissions .
  • International travel opportunities .
  • Fulfillment from helping clients get their finances in order and achieve their life goals .
  • Need to prepare for and pass the Insurance Commission’s licensing exam to operate as a financial adviser in the Philippines.
  • Intense pressure to meet sales quotas .
  • Spending evenings and weekends for business meetings and servicing clients .

2. Digital Marketing/Social Media Consultant

Why it’s a profitable business: There’s an opportunity to profit in lucrative niches and attract high-value clients such as law firms and dental clinics that need digital marketing and social media marketing services to meet their business goals.

Ideal for: Experienced digital marketing and social media marketing professionals who want to become their own boss rather than continue to work as employees for companies.

  • High demand from small and medium businesses in the Philippines and abroad, as digital marketing is more cost-effective than traditional marketing.
  • No need to set up a physical office, as you can operate your business at home or rent a co-working space .
  • Tight competition with established digital marketing agencies and consultants not only in the Philippines but also in other locations such as India and Australia .
  • Intense workload, as you’ll be juggling multiple roles when you’re starting until you form your team .

3. Coaching Services

Why it’s a profitable business: Clients pay around ₱ 2,000 to ₱ 3,000 per one-hour life coaching session. The income can be higher when you do business coaching for high-level clients such as corporate executives.

Capital: ₱ 35,000 to ₱ 50,000 (for investment in a computer, internet connection, and website)

Ideal for: People with a passion for personal development, empathy, compassion, and people skills.

  • Fulfillment from helping people improve their lives.
  • Does not need to have a specialized degree or to be licensed, as the industry is unregulated in the country .
  • Cheap business to start; you can start a coaching business from home .
  • Need a lot of patience in dealing with clients.
  • Need to set aside personal problems when talking to clients .
  • Making the business stable can take quite a whil e.

4. Personal Fitness Trainer

Why it’s a profitable business: On average, personal trainers earn more than ₱ 1,000 per session. Training celebrities is even a more lucrative business. Some celebrity trainers 22 charge around ₱ 5,000 to ₱ 10,000 in c.onsultation fees.

Capital: ₱ 15,000 to ₱ 60,000 (for fitness training course and certification)

Ideal for: Fitness enthusiasts with people skills and a passion for helping others become fit and healthy.

  • It doesn’t require a fitness background or sports science degree.
  • Helping clients meet their fitness goals and seeing results .
  • Free gym memberships and other gym access perks .
  • No guarantee of a stable income (Tendency to lose clients during off-peak season, like summer and Christmas).
  • Unconventional working hours, like during late evenings and weekends (Depending on clients’ availability) .

5. Image Consultant

Why it’s a profitable business: Image consultants usually work with high-paying clients such as politicians, celebrities, and business tycoons. It requires minimal investment, too.

Ideal for:  People with expertise in styling, excellent communication skills, people skills, and a network.

  • Low startup costs; no need to set up an office, as the image consulting business can be operated from home.
  • Sense of pride when clients become successful .

Cons: Highly specialized niche; difficulty finding clients when starting unless you already have referrals .

6. Nutrition Consultant

Why it’s a profitable business : More Filipinos are becoming more health-conscious but don’t have the knowledge needed to start and maintain a healthier lifestyle. If you have the qualifications, you can reach out to this market and provide consultation services for a profit.

Ideal for : Registered Nutritionist- Dietitian (RND) with people skills and a passion for helping others improve their health. 

  • You’re helping people become healthier.
  • Interaction with a diverse group of individuals.
  • Flexible work hours.
  • Many opportunities to work in food product manufacturing businesses, schools, hospitals, and nursing homes.
  •  A lot of educational and training requirements are needed.

7. Career Consultant

Why it’s a profitable business : As more and more Filipinos explore non-traditional work options, guidance from a career consultant has become more valuable than ever. Online jobs and remote work has broken the barriers of the workplace. You can now work at home in the Philippines for high-paying companies in the West. If you can guide Filipinos to create appealing applications for these high-paying jobs, your clients will be willing to pay you even more.

Ideal for : Filipinos with HR and recruitment experience, especially for helping people land jobs abroad or online.

  • You’re teaching people how to earn a living.
  • You can network with future successful professionals.
  • You can set your rate and your schedule.
  •  Getting results for your client may take some time. And if you can’t produce results, it’s your reputation that will suffer.

C. Personal Services

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1. Personal Shopper

Why it’s a profitable business: Shopping for the rich and famous—such as celebrities, socialites, tycoons, and executives who are too busy to shop—can earn you good money. High-end department stores also hire personal shoppers to provide services for their premium clients. Personal shoppers charge around 10% of the total purchase they make for their clients.

Capital: Around ₱ 50,000 (for a smartphone or digital camera, laptop, and website)

Ideal for: People who love shopping (particularly clothes, shoes, and bags) with impeccable taste in fashion and networking skills.

  • Allows you to earn money while doing what you love.
  • Doesn’t require any degree or special training—just having a sense of style will do .
  • Challenge of finding clients, especially when starting.
  • Need to have plenty of connections to access hard-to-find designer items for clients .
  • Dealing with hard-to-please clients .
  • Working in late evenings and weekends to have meetings with busy clients .

2. Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Why it’s a profitable business: Professional dance instructors are usually booked for events such as birthdays, weddings, and private parties. Particularly, Zumba instructors are in demand in the Philippines. Dance instructors can charge around ₱ 1,500 to ₱ 35,000.

Ideal for: Dancers who want to share their talent and love for dancing while earning from this profession.

  • Doing what you love while making money from it.
  • Staying fit and healthy while helping others to achieve the same for themselves .
  • Need to be trained and licensed as a dance instructor before teaching dancing lessons.
  • Physically draining and requires a lot of energy .

3. Guitar Teacher

Why it’s a profitable business: There’s a market for guitar lessons in the Philippines. Parents enroll their children in music lessons, especially during summer. Guitar teachers charge from ₱8,000 to ₱ 15,000 per 12 lessons (one hour each).

Ideal for: Music Education graduates or those who are highly skilled in playing guitar with good communication skills.

Pros: No need to build a music studio; guitar lessons can be taught at the client’s home or online.

Cons: Need a lot of patience, as students have different learning paces and behaviors.

4. Yoga Instructor

Why it’s a profitable business: Millennials these days have become more conscious of their health, and yoga is one of the popular ways to achieve a fit and healthy body. With proper time and energy management, there’s a potential to earn a high income from teaching yoga classes.

Capital: ₱ 88,000 to ₱ 170,000 (for a teacher training course)

Ideal for: Fitness and wellness enthusiasts who want to make teaching yoga a full-time career.

  • High demand for private yoga classes.
  • It gives the motivation to practice yoga more .
  • Enjoying the health benefits of yoga .
  • Expensive yoga teacher training courses cost as much as ₱100,000+.
  • Intense competition; the market is full of yoga teachers, especially in cities like Manila.
  • Risk of exhaustion and injury .

5. Car Wash Business

Why it’s a profitable business: The number of vehicle owners in the Philippines is growing. So is the demand for car wash services. Running a car wash can earn you a net monthly income of around ₱30,000.

Capital: ₱ 68,000

Ideal for: Car care enthusiasts who can find a high foot traffic location in a residential area.

  • Steady demand from customers.
  • Ability to offer affordable services (as low as under ₱ 100 for every sedan) .

Cons: Requires spending a lot of time to study the different aspects of operations, such as auto detailing and engine wash.

6. Vulcanizing Shop

Why it’s a profitable business: You won’t run out of customers (both car and motorcycle owners) who need to have their flat tires pumped or repaired. Simple jobs like these can earn as much as ₱ 1,000 to ₱ 2,000 daily.

Capital: ₱ 15,000 to ₱ 20,000

Ideal for: Business-minded people who know how to repair tires and want to grow their small capital.

  • Very easy business to start (no need for special skills) as long as it’s located along a busy road and you have the equipment for fixing tires (Even a person with a disability has been operating a small vulcanizing shop by himself for a decade

Cons: Challenge of providing higher-quality services when you have a lot of competitors in your area.

7. Laundry Shop

Why it’s a profitable business: There’s a growing demand for laundry businesses in the Philippines. Laundry shops sprout like mushrooms in condo communities and residential areas in Metro Manila where working professionals barely have the time and space to do their laundry.

Capital: ₱1,000,000 to ₱2,500,000 or more

Ideal for: Entrepreneurs who can find a location with a steady water supply and accessibility to target customers.

  • Steady customer demand, especially if the business services commercial establishments such as salons, hotels, and restaurants.
  • Quick ROI in five to eight months .
  • Need to invest in brand-new washing machines (which are more expensive yet sturdier than second-hand units) to avoid high maintenance costs.
  • Tight competition with other laundry shops within the vicinity .

8. Personal Concierge and Errand Services

Why it’s a profitable business: Running errands for busy clients and businesses (such as paying bills, laundry pickup and delivery, gift and grocery shopping, and product delivery) make a great source of income.

Capital: ₱ 30,000 to ₱ 100,000 (for a motorcycle)

Ideal for: New entrepreneurs and former taxi or ride-hailing drivers.

  • No need for special skills, training, and equipment; only a motorcycle or car is enough to start the business.
  • Fulfillment from helping busy people save time .
  • Dealing with demanding clients and schedules.
  • Unstable income (Revenues peak during busy times such as holidays but drop during lean times) .

9. Auto Repair Shop

Why it’s a profitable business: If you love to tinker with cars, a talyer makes a good small business idea. Once you earn their trust, car owners will come to you for routine repair jobs, even if your shop is in a not-so-ideal location.

Ideal for: Car enthusiasts with automotive repair and maintenance skills.

  • Lucrative business to start in the Philippines .
  • Free TESDA automotive courses for those who want to start an auto repair shop.
  • Needs adequate space (at least 300 sqm) to accommodate multiple cars and customers .
  • Requires a lot of work: supervising workers, paperwork, sourcing car parts, etc.
  • Fixing cars is usually taxing (unless you hire mechanics and focus on managing your shop) .
  • Dealing with stingy customers and dishonest employees .

10. Cellphone Repair Shop

Why it’s a profitable business: Cellphone repair is still a booming industry in the Philippines, as the latest models are becoming more fragile and prone to damage. People with damaged phones would rather save money by having their phone fixed (especially for simple, minor repairs) than buy a new unit.

Capital: ₱50,000

Ideal for: 

  • Gadget enthusiasts .
  • Employees and entrepreneurs looking for an easy way to boost their income .
  • Can be started from home .
  • Requires only a small space .
  • Can also double as a retail business, like selling phone accessories while providing repair services .

Cons: Tight competition with other cellphone repair businesses if your shop is located in a mall .

11. Shoe Repair Shop

Why it’s a profitable business: The tradition of preserving shoes for sentimental and money-saving purposes is still alive in the Philippines. If you get your customers’ trust, you’ll enjoy repeat business from them.

Capital: Around ₱ 1 million for a franchised business

Ideal for: People who enjoy restoring shoes and other leather goods and want to make money out of it.

  • Requires only a small space (at least 10 sqm) .
  • Can increase earnings by providing other services such as shoe cleaning, bag repair, key duplication, and locksmithing .

Cons: The challenge of finding shoe repair courses to gain shoe repair skills .

12. Delivery/Courier Services

Why it’s a profitable business: Parcel and food deliveries are growing in popularity nowadays, and so is the demand for motorcycle and bicycle couriers. Drivers for companies like GrabExpress/GrabFood, Food Panda, Honest Bee, and Lalamove earn around ₱71 23 per hour or ₱ 1,200 up to ₱ 1,500 24 daily for an average of 11 deliveries.

Ideal for: Employees who want to earn extra income in their free time.

  • Requires only a motorcycle/bike/vehicle, professional driver’s license , and a smartphone with mobile data .
  • Flexibility—you can deliver only when you’re available .

Cons: Driving under the rain or intense heat of the sun .

13. Tailoring/Alteration Services

Why it’s a profitable business: Do you know how to use a sewing machine? You can start with a home-based alteration business and later provide tailoring services. Some alteration shops make as much as ₱ 5,000 in a day.

Ideal for: Stay-at-home mothers with sewing skills.

Pros: Potential to grow into a multi-million retail business, like the success story of this Pinay seamstress 25 .

Cons: Requires a lot of patience and determination .

14. Computer Repair Services

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Computer troubles due to viruses, malware, or mechanical wear happen to everyone. People are willing to pay technicians to restore their machine’s normal functions. If you know how to fix PCs and laptops, providing computer repair services can be a lucrative part-time or full-time business.

Ideal for: IT professionals and technicians with computer diagnosis, troubleshooting, and maintenance skills .

  • Flexible schedule.
  • Clients are not limited to individual computer owners—you can also get a stable income from servicing other small businesses and offices without in-house IT staff.
  • Start the business from home or offer home service (fixing client’s computer on-site) to save on rental or shop construction costs.
  • Requires not only technical skills but also people skills to attract and retain clients .
  • Need to keep updating your skills, as computer technology always changes .

D. Pet Business

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1. Pet Grooming Services

Why it’s a profitable business: There’ll always be customers willing to shell out money to keep their pets clean and well-groomed. Earn steady income (up to 68% profit margin) by providing good-quality service to keep customers coming back.

Capital: Less than ₱ 50,000

Ideal for: Enterprising animal lovers.

  • Turning your love of animals into a small business.
  • Can be started from home by grooming your neighbors’ pets.
  • Can partner with other pet businesses like pet shops and veterinary clinics.
  • Potential to expand business by offering other pet-related services like pet sitting and dog walking.

Cons: Requires knowledge and skills in handling different animals, breeds, and temperaments.

2. Online Pet Supplies Shop

Why it’s a profitable business: Filipinos treat their pets like family, so they buy pet food, clothes, accessories, grooming tools, and toys. You can profit from that by selling pet supplies through Facebook, Instagram, Lazada, Shopee, and other online marketplaces. This online business can earn you an average margin of 30% (for common products) to 200% (for rare or upscale products).

Ideal for: Entrepreneurs who have no space for a brick-and-mortar store and can source low-cost pet product suppliers.

  • No need to build or rent a physical store.
  • A steady stream of income from new and repeat customers.
  • Requires large and clean storage space for stocks.
  • Must offer a wide product range to maximize profit.

3. Pet Care Services

Why it’s a profitable business: If there are many pet owners in your neighborhood, you can offer pet sitting and boarding services right in your home. Your neighbors will find it helpful, as they’re assured their pets are well taken care of while they’re away. Pet care businesses usually require clients to leave food for their pets. You’ll only need to buy cages and have enough space where your clients’ pets will stay. 

Ideal for: Business-minded pet lovers.

  • Doing what you love and getting paid for it.
  • The joy of meeting and interacting with different animals.

Cons: Requires a spacious room to accommodate multiple pets and differently sized cages.

E. Retail Business

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1. CCTV Installation

Why it’s a profitable business: The demand for CCTVs is growing in the country. Many shops, private and government offices, subdivisions, and commercial establishments are setting up surveillance cameras on their premises for security reasons. Capitalize on that by offering security technology solutions to businesses.

Capital: ₱ 20,000 to ₱ 50,000

Ideal for: Entrepreneurs with IT background, knowledge in CCTV operation, and experience in electrical or electronics work.

Pros: Rising demand for CCTV installation .

Cons: Investing time and money in CCTV installation and management training for yourself and your technicians.

2. Garage Sale Business

Why it’s a profitable business: Selling pre-loved clothes, bags, shoes, household items, and other used things not only eliminates the junk but also earns you a generous income. Run a garage sale on weekends when buyers are usually available to visit your home.

Ideal for: People with used items to sell and have skills in networking and sales talk.

  • No need to scout for a location, as this is a home-based business.
  • Great way to de-clutter your home.

Cons: Involves a lot of work—from gathering, organizing, and labeling items, advertising the business, and post-sale cleanup.

3. Cellphone Load Retail Business/E-Loading Station

Why it’s a profitable business: Cellphone reloading is an easy business to start in the Philippines, where billions of text messages are sent every day. You can sell prepaid loads with just a basic phone, retailer SIM card, and initial load credits. Earn around 7% to 13% commission per transaction, which is equivalent to ₱690 per month.

Capital: ₱ 0 to ₱ 1,000 (cellphone) and ₱ 65 to ₱ 600 (retailer SIMs)

  • Stay-at-home moms, full-time employees, and students.
  • Entrepreneurs who want to boost income from their existing business like a sari-sari store, internet cafe, pharmacy, etc.
  • No need for a physical store—prepaid load can be sold from home or anywhere .

Cons: Earning back the money invested can take some time.

4. Local Produce Retailer

Why it’s a profitable business: Many people are too busy to go to the market to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Make life easier for them by setting up a fruit and vegetable stand in your neighborhood. You can buy cheap local produce in bulk from Balintawak or Divisoria and sell them per piece or kilo.

Ideal for: Would-be entrepreneurs willing to wake up in the wee hours to buy crops to sell.

Pros: Profitable business for hardworking and patient people.

  • The constant need for the storage area to be kept clean to avoid pests.
  • Wasted crops due to spoiling or rotting.
  • Needs to invest in a truck or any large vehicle for procuring and/or delivering the goods.
  • Low sales during typhoon season when supply is limited.

5. Online Clothing Store

Why it’s a profitable business: Sell affordable clothes as a wholesaler or retailer online, and earn a profit margin of around 30% to 70%. Running an online store keeps your business costs low. Source cheap yet quality products from Divisoria, Taytay Tiangge, and ukay-ukay stores.

Capital: ₱ 5,000 to ₱ 50,000

Ideal for: People with good fashion sense who want to start a clothing shop but without space for a physical store.

Pros: Low startup cost and ease of setup.

Cons: The challenge of making clothes in a broad range of sizes.

6. Ukay-Ukay Store/Thrift Clothing Shop

Why it’s a profitable business: Pinoys on a tight budget flock to ukay-ukay stores to shop for second-hand clothes at bargain prices. Even if you sell discounted garments, you can still earn a high profit, about twice up to four times the item’s original price.

Capital: ₱ 5,000 to ₱ 70,000.

Ideal for: Fashion lovers with good negotiation skills (when dealing with haggling customers) and an eye for saleable pre-owned garments in good condition.

  • Very low investment cost per piece.
  • Easy business to start.
  • Ukay-ukay items sell quickly because of marked-down prices.
  • Occasional slow business days and delays in supply delivery.
  • It requires a lot of patience and hard work.

7. Sari-Sari Store

Why it’s a profitable business: Convenience stores are sprouting everywhere, but sari-sari stores still rule the neighborhoods because Pinoys prefer to buy in tingi . Located in a high-traffic area, a sari-sari store can make ₱ 700 to ₱ 2,000 daily.

Capital: ₱ 2,000 to ₱ 30,000 + (inventory cost only)

  • Housewives who want to help increase their household income.
  • Undergraduates who can’t find a job.
  • Easy and affordable business to start from home.
  • It can start with a small space of at least 10 sqm.
  • Competition with nearby sari-sari stores.
  • Unpaid debts of customers can affect profitability.

8. Convenience Store/Mini-Grocery Store

Why it’s a profitable business: Ready to take your sari-sari store to the next level? Consider putting up a convenience store or small grocery store to sell a wider variety of goods. Grocery retail sales are seen to grow in the next few years 26 , so take advantage of it.

Capital: ₱ 100,000 to ₱ 400,000

Ideal for: Sari-sari store owners who plan to expand their business.

Pros: Stable source of income.

  • Requires a large space (at least 250 sqm.).
  • Long operational hours, usually 24/7, to meet customers’ needs.
  • Inventory losses when food products reach expiration dates.

9. Collectibles Business

Why it’s a profitable business: Do you collect toys, vintage items, books, comics, or any rare finds? Make your hobby a profitable business by selling these collector’s items. Fellow hobbyists are willing to pay for something they want to have, especially hard-to-find collectibles.

Ideal for: Collectible hobbyists with a keen eye for rare, high-demand items.

Pros: Turning a hobby into profit.

Cons: Requires a lot of patience, as some items don’t get sold immediately due to low demand.

F. Home-Based Online Business

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Related Article: 25 Legit Online Home Based Jobs in the Philippines (Up to ₱160K+)

1. Digital Marketing Services

Why it’s a profitable business: Get paid using your skills in helping companies drive more traffic to their websites. You can start small by offering services within your specialization, whether it’s SEO, PPC, content writing, web design, or web development. Later, you can hire professionals in other digital marketing fields to build your own full-service agency.

Ideal for: Digital marketers who are either full-time employees needing a sideline or full-time home-based workers.

Pros: Great way to earn money from selling your skills and improving your digital marketing knowledge.

Cons: The challenge of getting initial clients.

2. Virtual Assistant Business

Why it’s a profitable business: There has been a boom in virtual assistant (VA) companies in the Philippines because of the growing demand for Filipino VAs. If you’ve had a long and successful career as a VA, increase your earning potential by providing virtual assistance outsourcing services to overseas companies and entrepreneurs. 

Ideal for: Freelance virtual assistants who want to start their own business.

  • Easy business to start, as you tap your work experience and existing network of clients.
  • High demand for VA services in the Philippines because of quality and cheap labor.
  • The challenge of finding, hiring, and training new VAs.
  • Need to invest in equipment (computers and headsets).

3. Blogging

Why it’s a profitable business: Ever considered becoming a full-time professional blogger? This can be a lucrative home-based business, earning you up to ₱ 50,000 (or more) monthly per blog.

Capital: ₱2,000 (for the personal domain name and hosting plan)

Ideal for:  

  • Professional writers, stay-at-home moms, travelers, and personal finance experts.
  • Anyone who loves to share their knowledge, passion, advice, and experiences.
  • Easy and affordable to start.
  • A good way to earn passive income.
  • Different ways to monetize blog: Google Adsense, brand partnerships, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, etc.

Cons: Requires a lot of effort and patience in earning money at the start.

4. Medical Transcription Services

Why it’s a profitable business: The Philippines is considered one of the top outsourcing destinations in the world for medical transcription services 27 . It’s an opportunity for business-minded Filipinos to start a transcription business from home and hire project-based, part-time transcriptionists.

Ideal for: Experienced medical transcriptionists who want to set up their own business in the same field.

Pros: No need to build or rent an office, as this business can be started from home.

Cons: The challenge of finding qualified transcriptionists with a medical background plus fast and accurate transcribing skills.

5. Software/Mobile App Development

Why it’s a profitable business: Building software programs or mobile apps is a lucrative freelance business for web developers. Monthly earnings range from ₱40,000 to ₱ 150,000.

Ideal for: Office-based web developers who want to become full-time freelancers.

  • Very profitable.
  • High demand for software/app developers in the Philippines.

Cons: Requires work experience and highly technical skills in programming languages and/or mobile app development.

6. Online Selling

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Running a buy-and-sell business is now easy through the internet. It’s also lucrative, especially for entrepreneurs who offer top-selling goods such as gadgets, clothes, and beauty products.

Capital: ₱ 3,000 to ₱ 20,000

  • People who love to shop online.
  • Stay-at-home moms, college students, full-time employees, and anyone looking to earn extra income from selling products online.
  • Reaching customers nationwide through various online channels: social media (Facebook and Instagram) and online marketplaces (Lazada, Shopee, OLX.ph, Sulit PH, etc.) .

Cons: Dealing with customer complaints due to product defects, delivery delays, and other issues.

7. Vlogging

Why it’s a profitable business idea: YouTube is the third most visited website in the Philippines, which makes it a good tool to make money online . Vloggers get paid per click or view of ads on their YouTube videos. They also earn when they attend events and vlog about them. Some are paid to mention or review a certain product on YouTube. If you consistently share engaging content, earnings can go up to six digits a month.

Capital: ₱ 20,000 to ₱30,000

Ideal for: People who are comfortable and confident being in front of a camera and can engage viewers with their content

  • Fulfilling experience of creating content about something you’re passionate about and sharing it with the world .
  • Videos catch more people’s interest than blog posts .
  • Tight competition in popular niches such as travel and food .
  • Creating and editing videos can be daunting and time-consuming .
  • Unpredictability and uncertainty of income .

8. Dropshipping

Why it’s a profitable business : Dropshipping is an order fulfillment method wherein the seller accepts orders and lets the supplier handle inventory management and product delivery. The market for this almost hands-off business is huge as online shopping activities continue to increase not only in the Philippines but anywhere in the world 28 . 

Capital : ₱ 0 (home-based dropshippers who run online stores on their clients’ behalf)  to ₱ 120,000 (if you own the business)

Ideal for : Home-based freelancers and entrepreneurs who are looking for a sustainable source of income.

  • No need to keep a physical inventory.
  • Has little risk and lower capital investment.
  • Streamlining cash flow and invoicing leads to efficiency.
  • Flexible location.
  • Easier to test.
  • High competition since there’s a low barrier to entry.
  • Zero control over product quality and shipping.
  • Lower profit margins.

9. Online English Teaching Business

Why it’s a profitable business : Teaching English online is a lucrative business for English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers. The demand for ESL teaching is growing due to the number of learners, mainly in China, Korea , and Japan. It is easy to start this business, and on average, ESL teachers earn a minimum of ₱140,000 per year. 

Ideal for : English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers who want to start their own business.

  • Has a big potential market.
  • Opportunity to meet people with different cultural backgrounds.
  • The challenge of finding, hiring, and training certified ESL teachers.
  • Need to invest in equipment (computers/laptops, webcams, and headsets).
  • High competition.

10. Online Courses

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Online courses are educational written and video content that’s usually sold through a subscription model. You only need to create a course once, and you can profit from it for a long time. You can target Filipinos as a niche, or you can sell to an international audience for higher potential profits.

Capital: ₱50,000 to ₱150,000

Ideal for: People who excel at teaching others about their expertise.

  • While it’s not cheap to make a high-quality online course, the potential profit is immense.
  • Teaching and helping others is fulfilling.
  • Your online courses, which are paid content, need to compete with the free educational content on websites like YouTube.

G. Rental Business

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1. Piso Wi-Fi

Why it’s a profitable business: Take advantage of the Filipinos’ tingi culture and obsession with smartphones and social media by opening a Piso Wi-Fi business that provides affordable internet access. You just need to buy a coin-operated internet vending machine and pay for a monthly internet connection and electricity bill . Sales range from ₱10,000 to ₱40,000+ per month.

Capital: ₱15,000 to ₱30,000

Ideal for: Tech-savvy people who want to earn passive income.

  • Easy to set up; requires lower capital than an internet cafe.
  • Very profitable business.
  • Quick ROI in three to four months.

Cons: Needs reliable and high-speed internet (at least 20Mbps).

2. PisoNet Business

Why it’s a profitable business: The rise of free public Wi-Fi, cheap smartphones, and portable gaming devices has led to the doom of many internet cafes. While the traditional internet cafe is no longer viable, all is not lost if you want to venture into this kind of business. Through a PisoNet business, you can offer sulit internet (one peso per 4-5 minutes) that students and low-income earners can afford. With five PisoNet machines, you can earn around ₱ 20,000 monthly.

Capital: ₱ 125,000 to ₱ 150,000 (for five PisoNet machines with printers and chairs)

Ideal for: People with computer/IT backgrounds, OFW families, and those living near schools.

  • Easy to set up and maintain.
  • Less prone to theft than conventional internet cafes, as PisoNet coin boxes have locks.
  • No need to rent a space if you have an extra room at home.

Cons: Must supervise minors to prevent access to illicit websites and avoid getting your business into trouble with the law 29 .

3. Videoke Machine Rental

Why it’s a profitable business: There’s a large market for videoke rental in the Philippines, even in remote barangays where singing is a favorite activity during birthday and fiesta celebrations. You can start with one to five machines and rent them out for ₱ 600 to ₱ 1,500 each.

Capital: ₱ 20,000 to ₱ 60,000 per unit

Ideal for: Videoke enthusiasts living in neighborhoods where people usually rent videoke units.

Pros: High demand for videoke machines for rent.

  • High maintenance and repair costs.
  • Requires a vehicle for videoke delivery and pickup.

4. Airbnb Rental

Why it’s a profitable business: Foreign and local travelers prefer booking their accommodations via Airbnb because of its cheaper rates than hotels. Do you have an idle apartment or condominium unit? Earn around ₱ 40,000 to ₱ 50,000 monthly by renting it out on Airbnb.

Capital: At least ₱ 100,000 for renovating and/or furnishing the unit .

Ideal for: Apartment and condo owners with an unoccupied unit in a good location.

  • High demand for short-term rentals in the Philippines.
  • Listing a property for rent on the Airbnb app is free (The company earns commissions from bookings). 
  • Risk of property damage due to reckless guests and natural disasters.
  • Requires regular maintenance and housekeeping.

5. Drone Rental

Why it’s a profitable business: Drones are expensive, especially popular brands. People would rather rent than buy a drone they’ll use only once. If you own several drones, you can rent them out for ₱ 1,500 to ₱ 2,000 each per day. You can earn more (over ₱ 5,000 per day) if you’ll be operating the drone for prenup, wedding , commercial, and corporate shoots.

Capital: ₱ 25,000 to ₱ 100,000 per drone

Ideal for: Drone enthusiasts who seldom use their drones.

Pros: Easy business to start from home.

Cons: Difficulty finding initial clients.

6. Formal Wear Rental

Why it’s a profitable business: Budget-conscious Pinoys rent gowns and suits for weddings, proms, debuts, and other events to save money instead of buying brand-new ones. You can start a rental business offering formal attire for men and women and charge ₱ 300 to ₱ 7,000 apiece.

Capital: ₱ 300,000

Ideal for: Fashion designers, tailors, and seamstresses.

  • High demand for gowns and suits all year round.
  • It can be started from home and marketed online.

Cons: Requires sewing skills and equipment for alterations to match customers’ sizes.

7. Costume Rental

Why it’s a profitable business: Cosplayers, students, and employees need costumes and props for different events and occasions. Offering costumes for rent can earn you good money, from ₱ 500 to ₱ 2,000 per costume.

Capital: ₱ 500 to ₱ 6,000

Ideal for: Creative people who love designing and creating costumes.

  • High demand for costumes all year round.
  • High sales during peak seasons like Halloween and Christmas.
  • Enjoyable business for anyone who loves costumes.

Cons: Occasional repairs are needed to fix any damaged costume due to customers’ negligence.

8. Storage Rental

Why it’s a profitable business : Storage space has become expensive, especially in crowded cities such as Metro Manila. Businesses are always looking for space to store their products and equipment. Meanwhile, residences may need to store furniture, antiques, or other bulky items. These items need to be stored in a safe and secure location. If you can provide that, then you can charge a premium for your storage rental.

Capital: ₱200,000 to ₱1,500,000

Ideal for: Those who have a vacant property where they can build storage units.

Pros: You can prioritize business clients to charge a premium on storage rentals.

Cons: The safety of your client’s items is paramount. You can be liable for damages if anything is broken while in storage.

H. Events Business

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1. Photo Booth Rental

Why it’s a profitable business: Photo booths are a hit at birthday, wedding, baptismal, reunion, and corporate parties in the Philippines. No wonder because Pinoys love keeping their photos as keepsakes. Photo booth suppliers charge ₱3,000 to ₱ 5,000 per two to four-hour event. So the more frequent you’re booked, the larger the profit you’ll make.

Capital: ₱ 75,000 to ₱ 250,000

Ideal for: Employees with a passion for photography who want to earn extra income on weekends.

Pros: High demand for photo booths for events.

  • ROI takes time (after at least 15 bookings).
  • Difficult to sustain as a full-time business because of lean months (Photobooth business is better as a side business for people with day jobs). 

2. Event Live Streaming

Why it’s a profitable business: Streaming live events has become a popular way for people to come together, even without physically being in the event. Filipinos love being connected to their family and friends. Live-streamed weddings, in particular, can reach Filipinos from all over the world, even people who could not have joined otherwise. You can typically charge ₱10,000 to ₱30,000 for just a day’s worth of live streaming, depending on how much value-add you can provide.

Capital: ₱50,000 to ₱150,000 for the video camera and live streaming equipment.

Ideal for: People who enjoy covering events and capturing them on video.

  • Simple business to set-up and market to couples, families, and businesses.
  • You don’t need the most expensive video cameras on the market.
  • ROI takes just a few events.
  • While it’s becoming popular, it’s not a well-known service yet. You need to make an effort to market it.
  • You can’t provide live streaming services in places with no internet coverage.
  • It’s unknown if event live streaming will remain popular post-pandemic.

I. Agribusiness

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1. Indoor Plant Business

Why it’s a profitable business: Love taking care of plants and want to make money from it? Grow and sell ornamental plants from home. This profitable business can earn you up to 400% profit per plant.

Capital: ₱ 3,000 to ₱ 10,000

Ideal for: Senior citizens and gardening enthusiasts.

  • Low-investment, high-return venture.
  • It requires only a small backyard for growing plants.
  • Therapeutic, relaxing activity for gardening enthusiasts.
  • Controlling plant pests and diseases.
  • May need to invest in a vehicle or hire a delivery service for transporting plants to customers.

2. Mushroom Business

Why it’s a profitable business: Mushroom farming 30 has so much potential in the Philippines where there’s a growing demand for gourmet and organic mushrooms (which are used as ingredients for chicharon, noodles, burger patties, and other organic food products). Only 2% of mushrooms are locally grown (the rest are imported), so there’s a large market for this high-value crop.

Capital: ₱ 5,000 to ₱ 10,000

Ideal for: Agripreneurs who want to try something new for their business and have the ideal location with the right environment for growing a certain type of mushroom.

  • High-income potential.
  • Can grow mushrooms in your own backyard.
  • Easier to cultivate compared to other crops (Mushrooms aren’t prone to pest attacks and thus don’t need many pesticides).
  • 66% ROI in as fast as four months.

Cons: Need to thoroughly study and understand the nature of mushrooms and their production before starting the business.

3. Chocolate-Making

Why it’s a profitable business : Filipinos are naturally drawn to sweet foods like chocolate, so there’s always a market to be tapped. What’s more, you can start this business even with a small investment. With the right ingredients and proportion, you can thrive in this business and help out cacao farmers as well. 

Capital : Using a basic recipe 31 , a capital of ₱283 can produce as much as 1.126 kilos of dark chocolate which can be sold for ₱1,000/kilo with an estimated profit of ₱843. Meanwhile, a capital of ₱594 can make 1.110 kilos of milk chocolate which can sell for ₱1,000/kilo with an estimated profit of ₱586.

Ideal for : Chocolatiers, entrepreneurs, or cacao farmers 

  • Requires small capital.
  • Easy to start.
  • Competition is growing.
  • Marketing skills are a must.

4. Medicinal Plant Farming

Why it’s a profitable business : The pharmaceutical industry has an increasing demand for raw materials due to Filipinos’ growing interest in traditional herbal medicine. Therefore, there is a large market for medicinal plants. For instance, farmers can earn an extra income of ₱ 30,000 a year from lagundi (herbal medicine) farming alone. 

Capital : For agripreneurs with a farm →  ₱167,000 – ₱447,000

Ideal for : Agripreneurs who want to tap into the growing herbal medicine industry in the country.

  • Cultivation ensures a constant and regular supply of genuine drugs.
  • Being able to use sustainable indigenous medicinal plants.
  • It may take a while before you obtain a large financial return.
  • Must take into account general considerations for herbal farming such as the nature of the soil (must be free from heavy metals), site profiling of the farm, and location of the plantation (must be far from pollution).
  • Has a high cost of production.

J. Summer Business Ideas

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1. Swimming School/Swimming Instructor

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Every summer, parents look for coaches who will train their children to swim. Some adults also want to learn this critical life skill. You can start giving private swimming lessons in your pool or your clients’. Later on, you may expand your business by building your swim school.

Ideal for: People who are knowledgeable and passionate about swimming and love interacting with kids

  • Teaching can be enjoyable if you love being around kids
  • No startup cost if you already have a pool in your home or if you’ll conduct lessons in your client’s pool
  • Requires swim coach and Red Cross certifications
  • Needs patience in training children and adult beginners

2. Halo-Halo Stall

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Halo-halo—the popular Pinoy dessert —is a best-seller during summer. You can earn extra cash during the scorchingly hot season by starting a small halo-halo stall in your home. If it sells well, you can add more items to your menu (like kakanin and snacks) and eventually grow your business.

Capital: ₱ 1,000 to ₱ 10,000

  • Stay-at-home moms .
  • Entrepreneurs (especially those who own a restaurant, eatery, or bakery in an ideal location) who are looking to increase their income during the summer .
  • Cheap and easy-to-find ingredients .
  • It doesn’t require a large space .
  • Can maximize income by offering other cold treats like ice candy, saba con yelo, and mais con yelo .
  • The short shelf life of halo-halo ingredients .
  • The challenge of offering somethin.g unique to beat the competition .

3. Ice Candy Business

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Affordable cold treats like ice candies are a hit among kids and adults to beat the summer heat. Making and selling ice candies can be an easy source of income. You can start selling from home or peddling in your neighborhood.

With sheer hard work and perseverance, selling ice candies with low capital can grow into a multi-million business 32 as a distributor to sari-sari stores, carinderias, schools, or markets.

Capital: ₱300 to ₱1,000

  • Stay-at-home moms and unemployed people who want to try entrepreneurship .
  • Students who want to earn money while on summer vacation .

Pros: Easy and affordable business to start .

Cons: Needs a lot of patience to grow this small business .

4. Fruit Shake Business

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Seasonal fruits like mangoes, melons, avocados, and watermelons are abundant and cheaper in summer. Why not make something profitable out of fresh fruits during the hottest months of the year? You can start this summer business from home, with customers coming in for a refreshing drink.

Capital: ₱1,000 to ₱10,000

Ideal for: People looking to earn extra cash every summer .

  • Draws in a lot of health-conscious consumers .
  • Profitable in locations with good foot traffic .

Cons : Can’t stock too many fruits, as they easily spoil .

K. Recycling Business Ideas

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1. Junk Shop

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Starting a junk shop or scrap trading business is a great opportunity to convert trash into cash. Take it from the rags-to-riches story of a garbage collector 33 who became a millionaire through sheer hard work.

This small business involves buying scrap metals, used bottles, cartons, plastics, and newspapers and selling them at higher prices to recycling agents and factories. You can earn about ₱2,000 to ₱8,000 per week with just a truckload of scrap metals.

Capital: At least ₱100,000

Ideal for: Open-minded entrepreneurs who have adequate space and proper location for a warehouse and can negotiate for best deals with recycling agents .

Pros: The ability to support environmental conservation efforts through proper waste disposal and earning good money from it .

Cons: Complying with strict government requirements and regulations 34 on junk shop operations .

2. Selling Used Books and Magazines

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Got too many books on your shelves? If you have no plans of re-reading them, why not make money out of your reading collections? Sell old books, textbooks, comics, magazines, romance novels, pocketbooks, and any reading materials.

Nowadays, it’s easy to find buyers online through buy-and-sell websites and online marketplaces. You can also sell to book stalls and second-hand bookshops in Recto. If your collections include popular titles and rare or vintage books, you can sell them at higher prices.

Ideal for: Book enthusiasts and anyone with massive book collections at home (and are willing to let go of them in exchange for cash)

  • No capital is required, as you’re selling books you already have .
  • Easy business to start from home .
  • Great way to declutter bookshelves .
  • Promoting the reading habit in the community through second-hand books .

Cons: Needs a lot of patience, hard work, and determination, especially during weeks and months of no sales .

3. Selling Recycled Crafts

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Feeling crafty? Turn scraps into crafts and cash with a recycled crafts business. Starting this venture won’t cost you a lot because the materials are readily available in your home or from neighbors: plastic bottles, plastic wrappers, old clothes, and other common household items. These can be upcycled into home decors, bracelets, purses, bags, picture frames, and anything your imagination can come up with.

Ideal for: Business-minded and creative people with skills in arts and crafts .

  • A good creative outlet that generates income .
  • The ability to support environmental conservation efforts through recycling .
  • Producing crafts can be tedious and time-consuming .
  • The challenge of finding buyers who are interested in recycled crafts .

L. Printing Business Ideas

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1. T-Shirt Printing

Why it’s a profitable business idea: T-shirts are easy to sell all year round, what with the popularity of couple shirts and statement shirts with witty or hugot lines. Orders can surge during election periods for campaign shirts and the holiday season for customized shirts as gifts and giveaways. Depending on the shirt design, you can earn as much as 100% to 500% profit per piece.

Capital: ₱15,000 to ₱700,000

Ideal for: Designers and creatives who want to start a small business .

  • Easy business to learn and operate .
  • Can start with low capital and from home .

Cons: The challenge of finding the right suppliers for t-shirts, printing equipment, and ink .

2. Tarpaulin Printing

Why it’s a profitable business idea: If you want to break into the printing industry, one of the most profitable options is a tarpaulin business. There’s a good demand for printed tarps in the Philippines. Families use them for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and other occasions. Businesses use them for signages, advertisements, and company events. Politicians need them for their campaign ads and banners every election.

Capital: ₱50,000 to ₱1 million

Ideal for: Entrepreneurs with graphic design knowledge and/or experience running another type of printing business (e.g., digital printing and printing) .

Pros: Potential for growth 35 with the right combination of hard work, dedication, and strategy .

  • Intense competition .

3. Photocopy Business

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Photocopy or “xerox” centers still thrive in the Philippines because they provide cheap copying services to students and employees. Even if several photocopy businesses are already existing in your area, you can still beat them by offering higher-quality services at lower costs. The key is to start your business with low-cost, refurbished, or second-hand photocopying machines.

Capital: ₱30,000 to ₱120,000

Ideal for: Aspiring entrepreneurs who live or can find a good rental space near a school, government/private office, or any establishment that need bulk copying services .

Pros: Cheap business to start with a potential for profit .

Cons: Risk of losing customers when your photocopying machine is broken or when you run out of toner or paper .

4. Digital and Offset Printing Services

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Personalized printing services are in demand all year round, especially during peak seasons like the Christmas holidays and elections. You can earn huge profit from your printing business when you get bulk orders for customized giveaways like mugs, button pins, caps, and shirts, as well as corporate materials like business cards, flyers, brochures, calendars, and posters.

The emergence of more advanced printing technologies nowadays allows for faster and more efficient printing of various types of items in large quantities.

Capital: ₱10,000 to ₱200,000

Ideal for: Enterprising Pinoys with knowledge in graphic design and operating printing equipment

  • Can start with a small investment and then scale up later on
  • Doesn’t require a large space for the printing equipment

Cons: Risk of reduced productivity and sales when printing equipment fails to work

5. Custom Stickers

Why it’s a profitable business idea: This is the smaller-scale version of a personalized printing business. You can make custom or trendy stickers that people would like to add to their smartphones, laptops, bags, and other belongings for a more personal touch.

The key to success here is understanding what kinds of stickers will sell well in the communities you are part of. It could be stickers of the latest memes, fictional characters, or even popular Kpop groups. You can make it a low-risk business by taking orders first before printing.

Capital: ₱1,000 to ₱10,000. Cheaper if you already have a quality printer.

Ideal for: Students and other people who just want to start a small but profitable venture.

  • Only a small investment is needed.
  • Doesn’t require an expensive commercial-grade printer.

Cons: Small growth potential since you won’t have large corporate orders.

M. Health and Beauty Business Ideas

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1. Beauty Salon/Barber Shop

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Beauty is a booming industry in the Philippines, thanks to the rise of the middle class who are willing to pay for hair care and grooming services to look and feel better.

Specifically, there’s an increasing demand for popular hair treatments like rebonding and Brazilian blowout. Your salon business can be a lucrative one if you’re able to satisfy customers with your top-notch-quality services.

Capital: ₱500,000 to ₱3.5 million

Ideal for: Hairstylists, hairdressers, or beauty enthusiasts who want to start their own business .

  • Profitable business if it’s in a high-foot-traffic location .
  • The fulfillment of helping people feel great about themselves .
  • Can start offering salon services from home .
  • Need to be constantly updated on the latest hairstyle trends, products, and services .
  • Need to adequately and regularly train personnel, as well as purchase high-quality hair products, to avoid unpleasant results like damaged hair and skin rashes .

2. Hair and Makeup Services

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Do you love makeup? Thinking about shifting to self-employment? If you’re skilled in networking, starting a freelance business as a professional makeup artist is a way to go. Once you’ve established your brand after a few years, you can earn as much as ₱ 5 0,000 per month serving clients in the wedding, corporate, publishing, and/or entertainment industry.

Capital: ₱12,000 to ₱50,000

Ideal for: Makeup artists and enthusiasts who want to earn money from their passion for cosmetics .

  • Getting paid for doing the job you love .
  • Can start the business from home (or traveling to clients’ locations) at a low startup cost .
  • Can start as a side business while maintaining a full-time day job .
  • Flexible work schedule .
  • Paying expensive tuition if you take up a makeup artistry course in a beauty school.
  • Zero to low earnings in the first few years, as you’re honing your skills and building your brand as a makeup artist .
  • Need to invest in a vehicle, so you can quickly go to your clients and conveniently bring your professional makeup kit .

3. Spa/Massage Therapy Business

Why it’s a profitable business idea: In this day and age of fast-paced lifestyles, many working professionals turn to spa and massage centers to relieve stress and body pains. So much so that these businesses are often fully booked, especially on weeknights and weekends. The high demand for massage therapy services makes this venture a financially rewarding small business idea.

Capital: ₱400,000 to ₱10 million

Ideal for: Massage enthusiasts and anyone trained in massage therapy who wants to build their own spa or massage business .

  • Great demand for massage services in the Philippines .
  • Can start small by offering affordable home massage services to clients in your neighborhood .
  • The fulfillment of helping people get their needed relaxation and rejuvenation .
  • Capital intensive even if the business is just catering to lower-income clients .
  • The challenge of standing out and offering something different from the usual spa and massage offerings of competitors .

4. Soap Making Business

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Th ere’s a growing preference for natural personal care products among health-conscious and environmentally conscious consumers. With handmade or herbal soaps, you provide a healthy, eco-friendly alternative to commercial bath soaps that contain harsh chemicals. Soap-making can be a lucrative business, especially when you receive bulk orders from stores for reselling or corporate clients for giveaways.

Ideal for: People with a background in chemistry or chemical engineering .

  • Can be started from home with a small capital, simple ingredients, and standard kitchen equipment .
  • Income-earning opportunity from a fun hobby .
  • Potential to grow into a multi-million business
  • The tedious and time-consuming process of producing soap .
  • Stiff competition with other handmade soap products in the market .
  • The challenge of finding natural raw material suppliers .

5. Gym/Fitness Center Business

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Many social media-savvy millennials are conscious of their looks and health. They’re looking for an accessible gym with affordable rates where they can work out to stay fit. You can make money from this profitable market by opening a small gym or fitness center in your home or a heavy foot traffic location.

Capital: ₱3 million to ₱15+ million

Ideal for: Trained and certified fitness instructors who want to shift from employment to entrepreneurship .

Pros: The rewarding experience of sharing your passion for fitness and helping people meet their fitness goals .

Cons: High capital required, more so if you’ll buy a franchise of a well-known gym brand .

N. Tourism Business Ideas

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1. Tour Guide Services

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Tourism is a lucrative industry in the Philippines, especially in places most frequently visited by foreigners. If you’re passionate about showcasing the beauty and interesting stories of the different attractions in your area, you can build a financially and emotionally rewarding business as a private tour guide.

You can start offering personalized walking tour services. To boost your income, you may partner with travel agencies to hire your services as an add-on to their tour packages.

Ideal for: Local culture and history buffs who live near (or can regularly travel to) popular tourist attractions , love talking to people, and can speak English (especially those who can also speak other foreign languages like Chinese, Japanese, and Korean)

  • Earning income from doing something you love .
  • Opportunity to meet people from different cultures and walks of life .
  • Sharing your passion for Philippine culture and history .
  • Dealing with bad-tempered and dissatisfied tourists .
  • May need to buy or rent cars and vans to transport tourists .

2. Adventure Tourism Business

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Do you love hiking, surfing, paragliding, or any other outdoor activity? Turn your passion into profit by starting an adventure travel business.

There’s certainly a market for adventure tourism. Studies found that millennials would rather spend money on experiences than things 36 . And with the many air, land, and water adventure destinations in the Philippines, you can offer different tour packages to young adventure junkies. 

Ideal for: Outdoor adventure enthusiasts .

Pros: Feeding your passion for adventure while earning money from it .

Cons: Inclement weather, natural disasters, or closure/regulations of adventure destinations may affect income .

3. Travel Agency

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Travel is one of the most profitable industries in the Philippines, thanks to the growing number of domestic tourists and the influx of foreign visitors. A travel agency caters to business or leisure travelers who have no time for DIY travel planning.

You have various ways to make money as a travel agent. You can sell tour packages, airline tickets, hotel accommodations, travel insurance, car rental services, cruises, and more. You may also offer passport and visa processing assistance, as well as travel Wi-Fi rental.

Travel agencies earn as much as ₱80,000 during the low season to ₱200,000 per month during peak season through commissions and markups for every closed sale.

  • Home-based travel business package: ₱2,500 to ₱30,000
  • Modest commercial travel agency: ₱50,000 to ₱300,000
  • Larger-scale travel agency (corporation): At least ₱500,000

Ideal for: Starting entrepreneurs with a passion for travel and who enjoy organizing tours and travel planning .

  • High demand for services of travel agents in the Philippines .
  • Easy business to learn, even if you have little travel background (by attending a seminar on setting up a travel agency) .
  • Can operate as an online business from home with low capital and small workspace .
  • Requires minimal office equipment (computer with an internet connection, phone lines, printer, etc.) .

Cons: Need to establish first a solid network of partner hotels, freelance tour guides, tour operators, car rental companies, and other travel-related businesses .

O. Transport Business Ideas

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1. Car Rental Business

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Do you have a newly purchased vehicle that you don’t use that often? You can turn that idle asset into a profitable business. Offer a car rental service to tourists, business executives, corporate clients, and motorists whose cars break down. It’s a lucrative business once you’ve acquired repeat customers who are happy with the quality of your service and may get you new clients through word of mouth. 

Ideal for: Anyone who can drive and owns at least one vehicle that can be put up for rent .

  • Easy business to start from home with only one vehicle
  • Expensive cost of car ownership (e.g., maintenance, repairs, insurance, fuel, etc.) .
  • Fast depreciation of cars .
  • Risk of vehicle damage and theft .
  • Complying with strict government regulations on car rental companies in the Philippines .

2. Bicycle Rental Shop

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Although the Philippines isn’t as bike-friendly as the Netherlands and China, there’s still a market for bicycle rentals. There are hobbyists and health-conscious millennials who can’t afford to get their own bikes yet—they can be your customers.

You can put up a bike rental shop in a park, biking trail, or biking destination 37 where your target customers are.

Ideal for: Cycling enthusiasts and anyone knowledgeable on bike operation and repair who can find a suitable location near a biking destination .

  • Potential for expansion: Can start with one or two bikes for rent and then expand later on to sell bicycle parts and accessories or offer bike repair services .
  • The fulfillment of helping people stay fit and contributing to environment conservation .

Cons: Risk of bike rental inventory loss from damaged bikes due to accidents or careless renters .

3. Moving Company/ Lipat-Bahay Service

Why it’s a profitable business idea: The worsening traffic in the metro has led to a recent trend: working professionals moving to condos and apartments near their workplace. This presents an opportunity for entrepreneurs to provide moving aka lipat-bahay services. Through this type of transport business, you’re fulfilling a need—a stress-free and hassle-free relocation—while making good money from it.

Capital: At least ₱300,000+ (small truck) to ₱600,000 (utility van) 

Ideal for: Van and truck owners who wish to maximize their vehicle’s earning potential .

  • Can start with a van or small truck and then gradually expand your fleet with bigger trucks .
  • Easy startup by joining logistics companies or apps (such as Lalamove, Mober, and Transportify) as a partner driver/operator .
  • Can be an additional service to a car rental business to increase income .
  • Need to build and maintain a secure and climate-controlled storage space for furniture, appliances, and other household items .
  • Damage to items may affect business reputation .

4. Logistics/Trucking/Hauling Services

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Along with the growth of manufacturing and retail industries in the Philippines is the increasing demand for logistics services, such as trucking, that can efficiently transport goods. Thus, starting a trucking business now—especially as a B2B service—will be a great investment for the future.

Capital: At least ₱500,000 to ₱1 million

Ideal for: OFWs and employees in the trucking department of a manufacturing company who wish to shift to self-employment .

  • High ROI despite high startup capital .
  • A great demand for trucking services in the Philippines .
  • High startup cost .
  • Heavy regulation in the trucking industry: Plenty of legal requirements and fees for securing a permit to operate a trucking business in the Philippines .
  • Truck ban policies in Metro Manila, plus heavy traffic, can lead to delivery delays .
  • Risk of cash flow issues when clients take several months to pay for deliveries .

5. Modern Jeepney Franchise

Why it’s a profitable business idea: The government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program is a controversial issue in the Philippines—with transport groups protesting its implementation due to the high cost of e-jeepneys. But for enterprising Filipinos, this can be a potentially profitable venture, as eco-friendly PUVs are expected to replace the old traditional jeepneys that will soon be phased out 38 .

Capital: ₱1.4 million to ₱2.5 million per unit

Ideal for: Existing and prospective jeepney operators, OFWs, and anyone with enough capital who plans to enter the transport industry .

Pros: According to the Department of Transportation 39 :

  • Increased ridership due to cleaner, safer, and eco-friendly PUVs .
  • Can save on cleaning, maintenance, repair, and fleet management costs .

Cons: High capital cost .

6. TNVS/Ride-Hailing Services

Why it’s a profitable business idea: In Metro Manila and other key cities in the Philippines, app-based ride-hailing services, also known as transport network vehicle service (TNVS), are enjoying a higher preference among commuters over taxis for their premium service—even if their rates are higher.

If you own a car and you’re thinking of driving it for profit in your free time, you can join any ride-sharing companies like Grab, OWTO, and HYPE as a TNVS operator or driver.

Ideal for: Car owners who want to use their vehicle to generate income .

  • Great way to earn money on the side .
  • Potential to increase income through incentives and other perks offered by TNVS companies .

Cons: Tedious franchise application process with the LTFRB .

P. Home Repair and Improvement Business Ideas

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1. Interior Design Business

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Interior design can be a lucrative business, as long as you set your rates right. Consultation fees alone range from ₱4,000 to ₱10,000 per day. You can charge at least ₱50,000 for every small project or renovation project. There’s a market for interior designers in the Philippines—homeowners, entrepreneurs, and companies hire interior designers to plan and decorate their spaces.

Ideal for: Licensed interior designers who are considering self-employment .

  • Profitable business if you have connections with real estate agents, architects, and reliable suppliers and contractors .
  • Opportunity to pursue your passion for interior design while making money from it .

Cons: Requires education, training, and experience, which can take time .

2. Liquid Detergent Business

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Making and selling liquid detergents for home or commercial use can be a lucrative business that provides a cheaper alternative to expensive liquid detergent brands. A liquid detergent business requires only a small capital, yet you can earn 40% to 45% profit per bottle.

Capital: At least ₱2,000

Ideal for: Housewives and anyone looking for affordable home-based business ideas .

  • Low startup cost with high-profit margins .
  • Easy product to make with simple utensils readily available in the kitchen .
  • Easy-to-source raw materials from supermarkets and chemical retailers .

Cons: To sustain the business, you need connections with laundry shops, restaurants, eateries, and other businesses that use liquid detergents .

3. Residential/Commercial Cleaning Services

Why it’s a profitable business idea: There’s an increasing demand for cleaning services, especially in Metro Manila where people lead fast-paced lifestyles.

You can offer your services to working professionals and students who rent an apartment or condo and have no time to clean their space. Or you can target commercial clients, providing services to offices, schools, and malls. Corporate downsizing is a trend nowadays, as businesses eliminate their in-house janitorial teams and outsource cleaning services to third-party providers.

If you’re able to provide a satisfactory service, your existing clients will refer you to others who might become your clients, too.

Ideal for: Kasambahays who have saved enough capital to start a business and newbie entrepreneurs who have the passion and patience for this type of business .

  • Easy business to start with a low startup cost .
  • Can start from home on a part-time basis .
  • Can get free TESDA training on housekeeping to provide quality services .

Cons: The challenge of finding your first clients, especially if you’ll target commercial clients .

4. Pest Control Services

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Termites, cockroaches, mosquitoes, mice, and other pests exist everywhere and can cause health and sanitation issues. This is why households and businesses avail of pest control services to eliminate pests and protect their properties from infestation.

You can offer termite control, rodent control, fumigation, and other similar services. By providing such services, you can build a profitable venture because of the high probability of getting long-term and repeat business.

Ideal for: Employees of pest control services companies who wish to start their own business .

Pros: High profitability from repeat customers .

  • Complicated business to learn for entrepreneurs who are new to this field .
  • Low-season months .
  • Exposure to harmful chemicals .

5. Furniture Upholstery Business

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Upholstery is a thriving business. Rather than buy new furniture, people would rather save money by re-upholstering their antique pieces or those damaged by pets or normal wear and tear. You can fulfill such a need with your upholstery business.

Ideal for: Furniture makers or anyone with sewing skills who enjoys working on furniture .

  • A low-cost business that can be started from home on a part-time basis .
  • Doesn’t require a large space .

Cons: The challenge of getting your first customers; may need to offer low introductory rates when you’re starting to build a client base .

6. Landscaping Business

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Turn your hobby or profession in landscaping into a profitable business. There are plenty of opportunities for anyone who plans to enter this industry. You can provide gardening consultancy and maintenance, indoor and outdoor landscaping, and other landscaping services to households, offices, schools, restaurants, resorts, and other establishments.

Ideal for: Landscape artists, architects, and hobbyists who want to start a business, as well as gardening enthusiasts who love decorating home interiors and exteriors with ornamental plants .

  • Can start from home while maintaining a day job .
  • Work flexibility .
  • Off-peak periods like typhoon season and tough economic times .
  • Doesn’t require training but need to make time and effort to learn gardening basics and techniques .

7. Plumbing/Electrician/Handyman Services

Why it’s a profitable business idea: There will always be something that needs fixing in a home. Sinks and toilets can get clogged. The roof and faucets can get leaky. Electrical connections can get faulty. Many homeowners lack the time and knowledge for DIY home repairs, so they turn to pros who can do the job for them. 

Ideal for: Knowledgeable and experienced people in home repair and maintenance .

  • Cheap and easy business to start if you already have the handyman tools and equipment .
  • Can start from home as a side business .
  • Potential high profits .
  • Building a profitable client base may take time .
  • You (or the worker/s you hire) must be in a good physical condition .

Q. Real Estate Business Ideas

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1. Real Estate Broker/Agent

Why it’s a profitable business idea: Real estate in the Philippines is a booming industry, with the growth in condominium and infrastructure developments in recent years. This is why selling real estate properties is highly profitable , and brokers earn huge commissions for every sale closed. 

Ideal for: Qualified people with strong people skills and sales skills .

  • High profitability through commissions with little capital .
  • The fulfillment of helping clients find their dream home or sell their home at the best price .
  • Requires a degree in Real Estate Management before taking the broker’s licensure exam .
  • Must be registered and licensed by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) .

How To Find the Best Small Business Ideas in the Philippines With High Profit: 4 Steps

To choose the right business idea, you have to factor in your passion, skills, experience, and the current demand in the market.

By choosing from the best business ideas in the Philippines that fit your values and market, you already have the battle half-won.

Let’s dive right in.

1. Look for Ideas Within Yourself

business ideas in the philippines with small capital

A business idea not in harmony with who you are will not only make you miserable but also waste a lot of your precious time that you’ll never get back.

This is why you don’t choose a business idea just because it’s popular or someone you know reaped great success from it.

Amateurs pick any business idea they fancy. Pros only choose those in line with their passion, core gifts, and values.

To ensure you end up with a perfect match, follow these tips:

a. Tap Into Your Expertise

If you’ve been struggling to find a feasible business idea, look no further than your own experience and skill set.

Regardless of what type of job you have or previously had, you most likely have a skill that can spawn a great business idea.

Cooks can open small restaurants, waiters can launch a catering business, renal nurses can start a dialysis center, teachers can offer tutorial services, dancers can launch a dancing school, and so forth.

b. Turn Your Hobby Into an Enterprise

Although there’s always a risk that you might eventually dislike your hobby once you turn it into a business, its money-making potential far outweighs it.

Do you have a hobby that can benefit others too? Perhaps it’s time to explore its potential. For example, if you love baking cakes, you may offer made-to-order cakes on Facebook or focus on a niche like wedding cakes and dominate it.

Gardening aficionados, on the other hand, may sell bonsai plants, garden fountains, or rent out the whole garden during special events like weddings. Even hobbies as obscure as collecting old toys may also profit from a buy-and-sell business model.

c. Put Your Technical Knowledge/Skills to Good Use

If you have had technical training from TESDA, you can also take advantage of it by opening a business based on the skills you learned.

Earning a certificate in massage therapy, for instance, gives you an opportunity to provide massage services for a fee or hire other therapists to open a spa or massage clinic.

For those who are adept in auto repair, you may consider opening an auto repair shop where you can offer your services and sell auto parts/accessories at the same time.

d. Fix Something That Bothers You

Can’t find a cosmetic product that cares for your sensitive skin? Formulate your own and hit it big like what  Happy Skin  did.

Are you sick of the subpar and bland bread sold by the only bakery in your barrio? Consider opening another one to give your people a better alternative.

Every time you complain about why this product or service isn’t available within your vicinity, or why no one bothers to improve what is already available, stop for a second. It could be a viable business opportunity ripe for the taking.

Remember, entrepreneurship is all about problem-solving. No matter how small your pet peeve is, it might inspire you to create a product or business that will make your and other people’s lives better.

e. Choose an Industry That Interests You

There are people who are convinced they don’t have any passion or skill/experience that can potentially turn into a business.

If you’re one of them, I suggest that you either look a little deeper or simply choose an industry that interests you. Who knows, you might learn to love it in the process and eventually make a business empire out of it.

What matters is you don’t stop trying.

As Martin Luther King once said, “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl, but by all means, keep moving.”

Dedicate at least one hour a week to explore and read about business. You can even commit less time if you are really busy. It’s okay to start slowly, as long as you just start.

Here are 5 different business industries you can explore:

  • Product industries are mainly about manufacturing and selling products. Examples: baking cakes, making pieces of jewelry, and producing children’s toys for the mass market.
  • Service industries , as the name suggests, are service-oriented enterprises that provide either creative or technical/professional services in exchange for a fee. Examples: tailoring shops, call centers , internet cafes, beauty parlors, and repair shops.
  • Process industries are only involved in one or two phases of the manufacturing process. This means that instead of making the product itself, these industries only provide vital components to create it. These could be initial operations on raw materials like cutting or sawing, final operations like packing, and/or skilled operations like testing and woodcarving.
  • Subcontracting industries perform subcontracting work for other businesses. For example, to save on operational costs, subcontractors are hired by companies to find smaller shops to manufacture the components and supplies in smaller quantities.
  • Trading industries include the sari-sari store and other businesses that profit through a simple buy-and-sell transaction. Another emerging example is entrepreneurs who provide soft drinks to restaurants that used to deal directly with the beverage manufacturers.

2. Look for Ideas Around You

small business ideas in the philippines with high profit

Passion and grit won’t take you far if there’s no market willing to buy your product.

You don’t just choose a business idea because you like it; you choose it because there’s a demand for it. At the end of the day, the goal of every business is to profit.

Hence, it’s not enough to look inside, you also have to look outside. Here are a few ways to do it:

a. Fulfill Unmet Needs

Consumers’ needs are at the cornerstone of every business. Whether it’s the need to belong, eat, sleep, or feel good, there’s always business ready to provide it.

It doesn’t mean you have to compete with the big dogs. If you’re thinking of starting a small business in the Philippines, there’s no better place to start looking for ideas than your own community.

Look for a human need in your barangay or municipality that can only be fulfilled by going to another place.

For example, if the nearest bakeshop in your place is 30 minutes away, consider starting your own so people won’t have to travel just to buy pandesal.

Are expensive medicines weighing your people down? Perhaps it’s an opportunity to open a drugstore offering low-cost but high-quality generic medicines.

Remember, the more problem you solve, the more likely your business will thrive.

b. Find a Gap in the Supply-Demand Chain

Being the first to tap into a business opportunity gives you a headstart. However, it doesn’t mean others can no longer join the bandwagon.

It all boils down to supply and demand. If the current demand for a product or service is high, but the available supply (businesses) can’t keep up, there might be enough room for competition.

For example, if there’s only one water refilling business in your place, one that can only serve half of the community, you should explore the possibility of opening another one to establish equilibrium in the supply-demand scale.

c. Create Alternatives for Imported Goods

Also known as “import substitution,” this strategy aims to find products we usually import and tap into local resources to produce a cheaper alternative.

On a national scale, this can be a very demanding endeavor. But you can always start anywhere you are.

Find something that your community has to import from Manila or elsewhere and offer a cheaper product or service. The quality may not be on par with the original, but by highlighting what you have to offer–i.e., quality at a cheaper price–you can attract a market that will support your product.

d. Explore Untapped Local Resources

The provinces can be a goldmine of business opportunities if you know where to look. Start with whatever is abundant in your area.

Pili nuts? Turn them into candies and sell the finished products to tourists. Abaca fiber? Invest in this raw material and strike it rich by becoming one of the Philippines’ leading suppliers.

Some local skills are also highly marketable. If you know several traditional weavers in your community, you can help them profit from their crafts by opening a handloom or weaving business.

e. Be on the Lookout for the Latest Technology

E-commerce has opened a lot of online business opportunities that you can manage in the comfort of your own home . But innovations also abound in other industries.

Research and development of DOST (Department of Science and Technology), for instance, has paved the way for agricultural products and ideas that have great profit potential. Examples are canned laing , vacuum-fried tahong , volcanic ash ceramics, and organic farming, just to name a few.

3. Get Inspiration From Profitable Small Business Ideas in the Philippines

Whether starting an online business or a traditional brick-and-mortar store, your goal should be to stand out from the competition. To do that, you don’t necessarily need to reinvent the wheel.

By getting inspiration from existing businesses and adding a unique twist to better serve your target market, you can create your own success story worthy of a feature in Entrepreneur magazine.

The list of business ideas above is a great place to start.

4. Test Your Business Idea

Sometimes, you can get lost in the excitement of getting an excellent business idea that you just forget about the most important part: Testing the idea.

If you skip this part, then you’ll be spending a lot of time and money building a business that doesn’t know if there’s a real customer for it or not.

There’s only one key indicator if a business idea will be successful or not, that is “If people are willing to pay money for it.”

a. Choose One Idea to Test

You should just focus on one idea for now. Testing multiple ideas at the same time can get overwhelming. If your first business idea doesn’t work out, then you can move on to the next idea.

b. Find Out the Main Benefit That Customers Can Get From Your Business Idea

The goal here is to put into words the “value” that your customers receive from patronizing your business. It’s important to learn what this is, so you know how to communicate it to potential customers.

For example, a healthy meal delivery service’s main benefit could be “no fuss, nutritious meals delivered to your door .” Meanwhile, a career consultant’s main benefit could be “helping you get a higher-paying job .”

Even a simple lugawan can have a main benefit, like for example, “mura, busog at masarap .” The main benefit doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s just the essence of what your potential customers would be willing to pay for.

c. Talk to People Who Want This Benefit

The most important part of testing your idea is actually putting it out there. You need to talk to people who would want this benefit that your business can deliver. It’s important to find out the following:

  • In their own words, how did they learn that they wanted to get this benefit?
  • What have they done to get this benefit?
  • What did they not like about the other businesses out there that provide this benefit?

You can do this through your own network or online channels such as social media. You can even talk to the customers of your competitors.

The insights you can get here can be very simple, but it doesn’t make them any less important.

For example, most lugawans provide the main benefit of “ mura, busog at masarap .” But what if you find out that customers cared about cleanliness the most in their lugawan of choice? Then, it’s something you can communicate to your potential customers.

d. Create the Simplest Version of Your Product/Service and Sell It

No product or service will be perfect at launch, and they shouldn’t be. Perfect is just an idea in your head when you haven’t even put your idea in front of a potential customer. 

You should already have insights from your potential customers at this point. As long as you can create a product or service that addresses the main benefit they want, then make it and sell it. The goal here is to make it quick and simple, so that you can get fast feedback.

For example, if you learn that there’s a market for healthy lugaw, you can just make the simplest version of it that you can. No need to worry about packaging, logos, and other stuff just yet.

Getting that first sale is difficult, but necessary. You can start with family and friends. But always charge money for it. Remember, if people aren’t willing to pay money for it, then it’s not a good business idea.

e. Use the Feedback To Improve and Build Your Business Idea

Paying customers is the most important source of feedback for your business idea. Use it to improve your product and service.

Sometimes, you just can’t find a paying customer just yet. That, in itself, is a kind of feedback for your business idea. Maybe you just haven’t talked to the right kind of customer. 

In those cases, it’s important to understand who your product or service isn’t for, that way you’ll be able to pinpoint who are the people who would be willing to pay for it.

After you have built confidence in your business idea, then, by all means, launch it to its fullest potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what are the best online business ideas for stay-at-home parents, 2. how do i register a business in the philippines, 3. what are the steps in starting a business in the philippines, 4. what are the best small business ideas for students.

For students, your priority is still to study and learn in school. So, you should only choose a small business idea that you can do in your free time.

You can start small; for example, an e-loading business that caters primarily to other students. Or, you can opt to run an online store with a bigger reach.

Here are some small business ideas for students that you can try based on the list in this guide:

  • Art Selling
  • Live Game Streaming
  • Writing Services
  • Video Editing
  • Pet Care Services
  • Virtual Assistant
  • Online Selling or Dropshipping
  • Online English Tutoring
  • Selling Recycled Crafts
  • Custom Stickers

As a student, you can do this slowly and on a smaller scale. Your goal shouldn’t be to make the big bucks just yet. It’s important that you treat this as a learning experience instead. Even people with years of business experience can still fail, and that’s okay. 

Failure is a natural part of the process. Everything you learn from failure becomes the tools you need to succeed.

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Written by Venus Zoleta

in Business and Finance , Juander How

Last Updated August 31, 2023 11:16 AM

low budget business ideas philippines

Venus Zoleta

Venus Zoleta is an experienced writer and editor for over 10 years, covering topics on personal finance, travel, government services, and digital marketing. Her background is in journalism and corporate communications. In her early 20s, she started investing and purchased a home. Now, she advocates financial literacy for Filipinos and shares her knowledge online. When she's not working, Venus bonds with her pet cats and binges on Korean dramas and Pinoy rom-coms.

Browse all articles written by Venus Zoleta

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33 Businesses You Can Start for Less Than ₱50,000 in the Philippines

Time and money are the top 2 reasons why many budding entrepreneurs end up becoming dreamers rather than doers. Yes, business takes time and costs money; but you can’t realize your dream without investing resources. Time is the irresistible force. It doesn’t matter how far technology has evolved, no one has invented a device that can control time. But money is a different matter. If you are willing to spend the time, you can start a business for less than 50,000 Pesos in the Philippines.

You don’t need millions of pesos to start a business. It’s nice to have an unlimited resource of capital to support a startup with but even then, having truckloads of cash will not guarantee success.

You can have a business that you can start for 50,000 Pesos and build on it to become a multi-million Peso success story in a few years time!

Here are 33 businesses you can start for less than 50,000 Pesos in the Philippines. As a disclaimer, some of the figures stated here were provided by the proprietors themselves.

Table of Contents

33 Businesses You Can Start for Less than 50,000 Pesos in the Philippines

There will always be a margin of error when it comes to estimating costs and revenues. The takeaway is that these businesses have continued to thrive throughout the last few years.

1. Sari-Sari Store Business

The iconic Filipino neighborhood convenience store remains a go-to small business idea for many budding entrepreneurs. If you ask a proprietor, he or she may share childhood memories of good times spent hanging around a favorite Sari-Sari store.

But it is a business venture that will easily fit a 50,000 Pesos budget and become viable provided management policies are strictly followed. A Sari-Sari store is a business that earns cash every day. The number reason it loses money is that proprietors give credit terms to customers.

If your home has a wide area with good street access, you would have an ideal location for a Sari-Sari store. Start out by selling popular items such as cooking ingredients, candies, snacks, soft drinks, toiletries, instant noodles and canned goods. Slowly add to your product mix by including cell phone load and school supplies.

You may also want to consider setting up a carinderia within the Sari-Sari store. This way you have another source of income. You can bring in new customers and move your inventory faster.

Related:  How to Start a Sari-Sari Store with Small Capital in the Philippines

2. English Instructor

If you have an excellent command of the English language, passed TOEFL or Test of English as Foreign Language and enjoy teaching people, you can have a financially rewarding career as an English instructor.

Filipino English instructors are in demand. Outsourcing companies are paying a salary anywhere between 15,000 and 30,000 Pesos a month depending on your qualifications and level of experience.

You can also start your online English instruction business. Set up a website and promote your services heavily on social media and on online job communities.

If you have limited capital, start out with a personal website. A professional web designer may charge you 10,000 Pesos. Add the cost of a brand new desktop PC, hardware and Internet service provider and your start up cost will remain under 50,000 Pesos.

3. Personal Trainer

Have you been an athlete all your life? Do you enjoy exercise? If so, you can start a Personal Training business and share your passion for health and fitness.

Gold medals, Philippine records, and certificates of recognition will not be enough to qualify you as a Personal Trainer. You must be certified by an accredited personal training agency such as the American Council on Exercise (ACE), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NCSA) or International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA).

Certification fees will be your biggest expense. These courses typically range between $600 and $1,000 but it will be worth it as PT sessions usually cost $15 to $30 per hour.

You can set up a home gym with a pair of adjustable kettlebells, Yoga mats, medicine ball, resistance bands, Bosu ball and jump rope for less than $300 or 15,000 Pesos.

4. Photographer

Talk to any photographer and they will tell you they could have bought a brand new car with the money spent on photography equipment. But why spend close to million pesos when starting out?

You can buy a good digital camera like the Nikon D5300 for under $500 or 25,000 Pesos. Lighting equipment can be purchased between 7,500 to 10,000 Pesos.

If you are not confident about your skills, you should take photography lessons which may cost you 7,500 to 10,000 per course. Another option is to find a friend who is a good photographer and ask him or her to train you. In return, offer to apprentice and help around for free.

5. Content Writer

Content writers are in demand because businesses are focusing on content-based strategies to create markets for their products and services. I know this from experience because it did not take long for me to develop a large clientele for content writing services.

Once we landed our first content writing project, we didn’t have to network for additional clients. The projects came in very fast; clients referred us to other companies and it snowballed from there.

Today we include blogging, article writing, copywriting, e-book writing and product reviews among our suite of services.

My only investments were the costs of incorporation, a brand new PC, and headset. As a content writer, you can make anywhere between 45,000 Pesos to 150,000 Pesos per month.

Success in content writing requires you to find the right balance between quality and quantity. Take in as many jobs as you can handle but be ready to scale up operations by hiring additional writers.

6. Transcriber

The first client my company signed up required transcription services in the legal and entertainment industries. I was fortunate enough to have hired 2 excellent transcribers to handle the projects.

Similar to content writing, the amount of income you earn in transcription will depend on the volume of work you can handle. In medical transcription, you are paid per line. In a legal and close caption, you are paid per word.

The rate will also depend on the quality of the audio and the number of speakers involved. The more inaudible, the higher should be your charge. At the start, don’t expect much work because the client will test you out. But stay consistent and the hard work will pay out.

Take advantage of cloud-based programs like Asana for project management and DropBox for file sharing. These are safe, secure and encrypted. Best of all, you can sign up for free.

7. Personal Shopper

If you enjoy shopping, have an eye for quality and value, you could do many Filipinos a world of good by offering Personal Shopper services. I have heard that these services are so far available only to high-end clientele who shop at the most expensive stores in Metro Manila.

Before becoming a Personal Shopper, talk to the merchandisers or someone from top management of the department store. Ask if you can work out a discounting scheme for clients. After all, as a Personal Shopper, you are promoting the retailer directly with clients. It saves them from spending money on marketing and promotional activities.

Set up a website and promote your services in social media. You should find yourself busy during Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and the Yuletide season. Of course, your services could be solicited for birthdays, anniversaries and special events that take place every day.

8. Personal Chef

Just like the Personal Shopper, as a Personal Chef, your target clientele are the affluent members of society. They have distinct tastes when it comes to food. Some are very strict with their diets. Others enjoy the good life and want to eat like royalty day in and day out.

So you should have a degree in the culinary arts to become a Personal Chef. I have a friend who has a Personal Chef. Eating in his house is like eating in a 5-star restaurant. Food is plated like a work of art.

He pays his Personal Chef 800 to 1,500 per meal not including ingredients! Oftentimes the ingredients are courtesy of the client who also provides transportation services. So the Personal Chef hardly incurs expenses.

According to the Personal Chef, he can only manage 4 clients a month and that he makes 200,000 Pesos “easy”.

9. Digital Marketer

Presently, more than 2 Billion people are on social media every day. How astonishing is that? For starters, the Internet attracts 3.7 Billion users every day. That means more than 50% of Internet users are on social media on a daily basis. This number is expected to rise as more people are using smartphones to connect to the Internet.

As the Internet grows in popularity so will the demand for digital marketers. More businesses are outsourcing this skill because it requires specialization, advanced training, and experience.

If you want to launch a career as a digital marketer you must be certified. There are courses offered online and in some technical schools. You should be familiar with the basics of web design and management, knowledgeable about SEO, understand the principles of content marketing and have shown success in social media marketing.

In addition to reliable PC or laptop, you should invest in a website to promote your services.

10. Web Designer

Despite the availability of free, downloadable website templates, the demand for web design services remains high. Nowadays, it is no longer enough just to have a website. It must be mobile-responsive, fast, accessible, fully functional and beautiful.

A professional web designer has the tools and expertise with an effective and efficient website. This can be a competitive field so it would be to your advantage to be certified and to have your own business website. It would also improve your value proposition if you’ve learned programming.

Remember, e-commerce is fast becoming the ideal business model for entrepreneurs. Retail giants in the US are dying while malls in the Philippines are experiencing high vacancy rates. These are telltale signs that the face of retail is changing.

11. Catering Business

Having spent 10 years in the food business, it’s not what it seems to be. Don’t let the long lines in restaurants fool you. The mortality rate is very high. And the “magic bullet” is the exorbitant rental rates charged by mall developers.

Food cost in the Philippines is already high because we are a net importer. From experience, food cost here averages 50% at best. Mall developers will charge you 34% of Gross Sales or a fixed rate, whichever is higher .

Now assuming, food cost is 50% and rent is 34%, how much will you have left to pay salaries, benefits, power, water, dues, packaging, cleaning supplies and contingencies?

Once the government pushes through with its “End to End of Contract” or ENDO scheme, these restaurants, and other retail businesses will die a slow and painful death.

A catering business becomes more viable for those who still insist on food retail because you don’t have to deal with feudalistic landlords and myopic minded government agencies. Buy ingredients and hire people when you need them.

Your 50,000 Pesos can go to pans, pots, utensils and other serving equipment.

12. Accountant

Statistically, less than 50% of all small businesses close down within 5 years. A big reason for business failure is the lack of sound money management policies.

You do not have to be a CPA to run an accounting business. A CPA is needed for auditing purposes. Otherwise, you can offer payroll preparation, bookkeeping services, inventory management, cash management, accounts management and preparation of financial reports.

In addition to a reliable computer, you should also subscribe to the latest accounting software such as QuickBooks or DelTek. You may need to hire a data encoder for payroll preparation.

Tutors are fast becoming an in-demand skill because parents no longer have much time to oversee their children’s homework and test preparation.

Worsening traffic conditions have also eaten up study time for parents and children. I know of parents who claim that because of poor traffic, the children only have enough time to have dinner, shower, and rest before bedtime.

The best solution would be to find tutors who can spend time with the children during weekends or whenever their schedule allows. Tutors get paid 15,000 to 30,000 Pesos per month depending on the workload.

14. Perfume and Cologne Making Business

Personally, I did not think much of the perfume and cologne making business until I saw a segment on TV which showed the house of an entrepreneur who launched his own line of affordable fragrances in the early part of the new millennium.

The guy’s house had it all: several rooms, multi-level floors, an infinity pool, a fleet of cars and an elevator! Who would have thought having a business that sold affordable fragrances could turn one into a mega-millionaire?

This is a low-cost business. The ingredients you need to create fragrances are inexpensive. Perhaps you would have to stretch out your 50,000 Pesos for packaging and marketing.

Affordable perfumes attract many Filipinos because imported scents are very expensive.

15. Coffee Stand Business

You don’t need an espresso maker to brew coffee Filipinos would love. Filipinos love their coffee and will get their caffeine fix any way they can. Go to any food court and you will see groups of people milling about with a cup of 5 to 10 Peso coffees in their hands.

You can lease out a coffee maker from any distributor of instant coffee. The machine is free of charge. You just have to buy a specified volume of coffee mixes every month.

Coffee is a low food cost item. Trust me; you still have good profit margins at 5 Pesos per cup! Use the coffee to up-sell sandwiches or pies as a value meal. You can just get a consignor for the sandwiches and pies.

16. Virtual Assistance

Virtual assistants are no longer just secretaries or those tasked with carrying out personal chores. Today’s virtual assistants are more highly skilled. The increase in demand has blown open the doors of the industry to those with specialized skill sets.

All you need is a reliable desktop PC, a good headset and a dependable Internet service provider. You can buy a brand new PC for 25,000 to 27,000 Pesos and a high-end headset for 1,500 Pesos.

For virtual assistance work, 3MB will be good enough to handle voice and transfers or large sized data.

Inexperienced virtual assistants are paid between $2 and $3.50 per hour. Those with more experience and who come with strong recommendations can earn $7 to $12 per hour.

17. Aromatherapy Air Freshener Business

Air Fresheners are not just for cars alone. They can be of great value for homes, offices and other enclosed areas. When they have been formulated for aromatherapy, they can help relax the mood or ease up stress levels.

This is another business idea that will cost you much less than 50,000 Pesos. There are many suppliers of aromatic fluid and the costs are quite low. You can price your product at market levels and still make a healthy profit margin.

18. Bakeshop Business

Another popular small business idea among Filipinos is a bakeshop. You can find more than one in a neighborhood offering similar products like pan de sal , spiral, pan de coco, pan de luma , Spanish bread and brownies among others.

Personally, I prefer the products prepared by these small bakeries than the ones sold at the supermarket. The one I go to prepares them fresh every day. I normally buy Spanish bread, hamburger buns and pan de coco . According to the proprietor, she bought the oven for only 5,000 Pesos 10 years ago. But I think it would cost more than 10,000 Pesos nowadays.

She said sales average 5,000 Pesos on weekdays and 2,000 Pesos on weekends.

19. Fruit Preserves Business

Fruit preserves are easy to make; I even make them at home, and there are different fruit varieties you can try year-round. You don’t require much capital to start a fruit preserves business. Packaging would be the most expensive component.

You can sell your products online, from your home or at flea markets and trade shows. If you have contacts in other countries, you can explore the possibility of exporting fruit preserves.

20. Dimsum Business

You can go to any food court, LRT station and street food corner and chances are some of the longest lines will be at dimsum stalls. Filipinos love to eat dimsum because they are light on the stomach; can be eaten as a snack or with rice and very affordable.

Dimsum is another low food cost item. Ground pork is comparatively inexpensive. Variety would be good but it is the pork siomai that sells the fastest.

The recipe for dimsum is very simple. It may not be worthwhile experimenting just to differentiate the flavor. Instead focus on sauces. While toyomansi with chili remains the classic sauce, there’s certainly no harm trying out different sauces. After all, they have a long shelf life.

21. Car Wash Business

More cash wash businesses are coming up in various neighborhoods. Cars in the Philippines get really dirty because of poor road conditions, unpredictable weather, and air pollution. You can have your car washed today and 2 days later, you will need to have it cleaned again.

All you need are industrial grade car cleaning solutions, a vacuum cleaner, and a few hard working people. Your budget of 50,000 Pesos can easily cover your costs.

Based on interviews with car wash owners, average gross sales is 50,000 Pesos per month.

22. Barbecue Stand Business

One of my fondest memories growing up was having a barbecue with my Mother at the parking lot of De La Salle Taft in Manila during the 1970’s. Eating barbecue on the street corner is part of Filipino culture. Everyone loves the salty, sweet flavor of grilled pork kasim dipped in vinegar.

Today barbecue stalls still thrive all over the metropolis. The more expensive, commercial ones cost 40 Pesos per stick while regular street food barbecue costs 25 Pesos per stick. Either way, business remains brisk.

Pork is one of the cheaper cuts of meat and the traditional marinade is made of inexpensive ingredients. You can buy a charcoal grill for 5,000 Pesos and set up the stall outside your home or in a place that has high foot traffic.

23. Cellphone Loading and Repair Business

A cellphone loading business will always have ready clientele because the number of smartphone users in the Philippines will continue to rise. In fact, its growth rate is higher than that of the Filipino population!

You only need a cellphone to start a loading business. Sign up with a local carrier and you’re good to go. But why stop there? Bring more customers to your business by offering cellphone repair services. Sell accessories because Filipinos love dressing up their cellphones!

You can set up the business in your own home and offer house visits if your schedule allows. You may need 1 or 2 technicians to help you manage all the repairs.

24. Noodle House Business

Filipinos also love eating noodles. You’ll be hard pressed to find any Noodle shop or stall that isn’t packed with customers.

Traditional noodle recipes such as Mami are low food cost items. The key to your noodle recipe is the broth which can be made from bones of chicken, fish, pork or beef. The broth can be frozen and re-heated every day. The longer the broth stays the stronger and more flavorful its taste.

Add complementary items like Siopao, Cuapao and Siomai which are also low food cost items.

25. Clothes Alteration Business

Personally, I’m glad someone started the clothes alteration business in the Philippines. I’m not a big fan of shopping for clothes. They’re expensive and I don’t like trying 2-3 pairs before finding one that fits well.

I first came across one in the mid-2000 and it’s great the industry is thriving. I even see clothes alteration shops inside subdivisions.

You don’t need much capital for this type of business. The shop I go to only has one sewing machine and one cutter. He spends mostly on material but sometimes the customers provide it themselves.

He told me he spent less than 20,000 to put up his store and he makes around 5,000 Pesos per day.

26. Computer Repair Shop Business

I’m surprised that despite mobile devices relegating the desktop on the wayside in terms of online traffic, PC’s remain expensive. I canvassed for a brand new unit with just the basic features (i.e.: not for gaming) and the price ranged from 25,000 to 27,000 Pesos inclusive of a 21” monitor.

A computer repair shop gives PC owners the option to just have their desktop repaired or upgraded. I have a technician who comes over to give my PC a tune-up every few months and he only charges me 800 Pesos per visit. But I pay extra if he changes hardware.

He says he only spends for software and charges clients the cost of hardware with a little markup. On a busy day, he would earn 4,000 Pesos. On slow days, he would make 1,200 to 2,000 Pesos.

27. Ukay Ukay Business

Asians are known to be fashionistas and Filipinos certainly have a sense of style. But unbeknownst to many, even the rich and famous buy their clothes from an ukay ukay or used clothes store.

I first came across an ukay ukay in Baguio sometime in 2002. The place smelled “old”; almost musty, it certainly did not appeal to me.

I even joked with the saleslady, “Does the shirt come with the death certificate or obituary of its former owner?” People used to say clothes sold at an ukay ukay were stolen from the dead.

But graveyard robbery or not, the stall had a good sized crowd. Merchandise was selling for 80 to 250 Pesos.

If you have relatives living in the United States, ask them to shop at outlet stores and garage sales. Pack everything in balikbayan boxes and sell them here at flea markets or via social media.

28. Hamburger Stall Business

In one of the food franchise seminars I attended in 1995, a survey revealed that hamburgers were the most popular food item in the Philippines beating out fried chicken and spaghetti.

Hamburger is a low food cost item. You can buy local ground beef for only 300 Pesos per kilo. A 140gm hamburger with bun will cost you 46 Pesos. Sell it for 100 Pesos and you have a good profit margin! If you want to improve your profit margin, buy your beef from a supplier to get a 20% discount.

You don’t need a fancy marinade to make a good burger. The secret has always been the quality of the beef. Just season with salt and black pepper then grill over charcoal.

29. Refreshments Stand Business

It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is, the Philippines will always be hot and humid. This is one reason why cool down refreshments are always brisk sellers.

A refreshment stand can sell halo halo, mais con yelo, saba con yelo, sago’t gulaman or buko pandan . Lately, my family and I have been trying out the different versions of these popular items at various refreshment stands.

One of the best sago’t gulaman is sold near our neighborhood church. The homeowner makes crushed ice out of the syrup! I tried the saba con yelo sold near my friend’s gym after a workout and it was really, really good! The saba was served warm with condensed milk!

These are all low food cost items. You can make a good profit even if you sell them for 50 Pesos. Here’s an idea: Crushed ice with syrup and condensed milk. Make sure you can make powdery ice.

30. Stuffed Toys Business

Stuffed toys are easy to make and these are not expensive to produce either. You can buy the materials wholesale and generate 100% profit margins selling these at 150 Pesos per stuffed toy.

If you’re not confident of your cutting and design skills, there are short courses you can take. Or you could hire a cutter because one mistake could be costly!

It would be better to design your own characters to avoid copyright infringement.

31. Buy and Sell Business

As a grade school student, I used to buy comic books for 25 Pesos then sell them to my classmates for 50 Pesos. Sometimes I would rent them out for 5 Pesos for overnight reading.

A buy and sell business is the very embodiment of retail. The concept is very simple: buy low then sell high to make profit. The question is what are you going to sell?

It has to be a product or item that you are knowledgeable about because you have to expect customers to ask you questions. If you come across as an expert, the chances are better that you will close the sale.

Related:  20 Buy and Sell Opportunities in the Philippines

32. Printing Business

50,000 Pesos will not be enough to buy you a digital printer that can run high-resolution posters, streamers, and flyers. But it will be more than enough to get you a printer that can produce elegant looking brochures, letterheads, calling cards and invitations.

If you have an eye for design, a printing business specializing in small scale collaterals could be worth your time and money. It is competitive; print shops have been around for more than 20 years, so you will have to network extensively to land accounts and clients.

33. Pet Grooming/Sitting Business

Pets are adored all over the world. Some owners treat their pets as part of the family. They would spend for them like they would for their own children. Thanks to Cesar “The Dog Whisperer” Milan, businesses that deal with pets have become a thriving industry.

One of the best ideas you can start for less than 50,000 Pesos is a pet grooming and sitting business. Start out with 1-2 certified pet groomers and have a Veterinarian on speed dial. You will have to buy top quality pet grooming supplies and equipment.

Offer your services within the neighborhood to gain experience then slowly expand your area coverage to nearby subdivisions.

Grow and start your business for less than P50,000

Do you still need convincing that you can start a business for less than 50,000 Pesos in the Philippines? Many of the Philippines’ most successful and iconic entrepreneurs started out with very limited capital. But with hard work, strategic thinking, and undying self-belief, they grew their businesses into the giants they are today.

Think about that whenever you visit Henry Sy’s SM Supermalls, drink Alfredo Yao’s Zesto juice drinks or browse through books at Socorro Ramos’ National Book Store!

Recommended article:  111+ Best Small Business Ideas in the Philippines for 2017

Ricky Sare is a writer, an entrepreneur, and a member of Tycoon Philippines editorial team. He is also the owner of Benchmark Global Management Solutions, Inc. , a BPO company located at Makati.

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Small Business PH

35 Small Business Ideas in the Philippines for 2023 

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Disclosure: Small Business Philippines strives to provide relevant and accurate information in all its articles. However, some information in our articles may differ or might be outdated from what you can see or read directly from the establishments’ or businesses’ websites. Please get in touch with us directly for any discrepancies.

Are you ready to start a business in the Philippines but don’t know what to choose? In this guide, we will explore 35 exciting small business ideas in the Philippines for 2023. These ideas are perfect for those who want to start a venture in this fast-growing economy. We will also provide practical advice and actionable tips to help you succeed.

The Philippines is a fast-growing economy with a population of over 110 million people. The country offers a rich market for various business opportunities . Before we dive into the list, remember that each business idea comes with its challenges and requirements. It’s essential to research and understands the market and regulations before starting any business.

Online Businesses

Food and beverage businesses, retail businesses, service businesses, agriculture and farming businesses, tourism and travel businesses, green and sustainable businesses, 1. research your market, 2. develop a solid business plan, 3. choose the right location, 4. comply with regulations, 5. build a strong online presence, 6. offer exceptional customer service, 7. network and collaborate, 8. monitor your finances, 9. adapt and innovate.

  • E-commerce store : Start an online store selling products that cater to the Filipino market. You can focus on popular categories like fashion, gadgets, or home essentials. Lazada and Shopee are popular e-commerce platforms in the Philippines.
  • Freelance services : Offer your skills as a freelancer in areas like writing, graphic design, or programming. Platforms like Upwork and Freelancer connect freelancers with clients worldwide.
  • Online tutoring : Teach English or other subjects to students in the Philippines or abroad using platforms like Preply or Tutoroo .
  • Digital marketing agency : Help local businesses improve their online presence through services like SEO, social media management, and content creation.
  • Online coaching : Offer your expertise in fields like fitness, career development, or personal finance to help others achieve their goals.
  • Street food business : Start a small food stall selling popular Filipino street food like fish balls, kwek-kwek, or barbecue.
  • Franchise a fast-food chain : Invest in a popular fast-food franchise like Jollibee or Mang Inasal .
  • Bakery : Start a bakery that offers fresh bread, cakes, and pastries to the local community.
  • Milk tea shop : Open a milk tea shop offering a variety of flavors and toppings. Local brands like Gong Cha and Chatime have become popular in recent years.
  • Food delivery service : Start a food delivery business that connects customers with their favorite local restaurants.
  • Convenience store : Open a convenience store that offers essential items and services to the local community. Franchising options like 7-Eleven and Mini Stop are popular choices.
  • Fashion boutique : Start a clothing store that caters to the latest fashion trends and offers a mix of local and international brands.
  • Cellphone and gadget store : Sell the latest smartphones, tablets, and accessories in a store that appeals to tech-savvy customers.
  • Bookstore : Open a bookstore that offers a wide range of titles, including local literature, bestsellers, and educational materials.
  • Hardware store : Start a hardware store that provides essential tools, materials, and equipment for home repairs and construction projects.
  • Laundry shop : Open a laundry shop that offers washing, drying, and ironing services to busy households.
  • Beauty salon or barbershop : Start a beauty salon or barbershop offering haircuts, styling, and other grooming services.
  • Car wash : Establish a car wash business that caters to the growing number of vehicle owners in the Philippines.
  • Event planning : Offer event planning and coordination services for weddings, birthdays, and corporate events.
  • Printing services : Start a printing business that offers services like t-shirt printing, business cards, and promotional materials.
  • Crop farming : Start a crop farming business that focuses on high-demand products like rice, corn, or vegetables.
  • Livestock farming : Raise animals like pigs, chickens, or goats for meat, eggs, and dairy products.
  • Fish farming : Invest in fish farming, also known as aquaculture, to produce fish for local markets and exports.
  • Organic farming : Start an organic farming business that provides chemical-free produce to health-conscious consumers.
  • Agri-tourism : Develop a farm that combines agriculture and tourism, allowing visitors to experience farm life and participate in activities like harvesting and animal feeding.
  • Travel agency : Start a travel agency that offers customized tour packages, airline ticketing, and accommodation bookings.
  • Tour guide service : Offer guided tours to local attractions, historical sites, and cultural experiences.
  • Bed and breakfast : Open a cozy bed and breakfast that provides travelers with a comfortable place to stay and a taste of Filipino hospitality.
  • Adventure tourism : Start a business that offers thrilling activities like ziplining, trekking, or scuba diving.
  • Souvenir shop : Open a store that sells unique and locally made souvenirs, handicrafts, and products that showcase Filipino culture.
  • Solar panel installation : Start a business that offers solar panel installation and maintenance services to homes and businesses.
  • Eco-friendly products store : Open a store that sells eco-friendly products like reusable bags, bamboo toothbrushes, and biodegradable cleaning products.
  • Waste management and recycling : Offer waste management and recycling services to help communities and businesses reduce their environmental impact.
  • Green consultancy : Provide consultancy services to help businesses adopt environmentally friendly practices and reduce their carbon footprint.
  • Vertical farming : Start a vertical farming business that utilizes indoor farming technologies to grow crops in urban areas with limited space.

Tips for Starting a Small Business in the Philippines

Here are some practical tips to help you start your small business in the Philippines successfully:

Understand the needs and preferences of your target customers, and identify gaps in the market that your business can fill.

Create a detailed business plan that outlines your goals, strategies, and financial projections. This will serve as your roadmap to success.

Select a strategic location for your business, considering factors like foot traffic, accessibility, and competition in the area.

Register your business with the appropriate government agencies, secure necessary permits, and comply with local laws and regulations.

Establish a professional website and social media profiles to connect with potential customers and promote your products or services.

Prioritize customer satisfaction by providing excellent service and addressing customer concerns promptly.

Join industry associations, attend events, and collaborate with other businesses to expand your network and gain valuable insights.

Keep track of your expenses and revenue, and maintain a realistic budget to ensure your business remains profitable.

Stay up-to-date with industry trends and be ready to adapt your products or services to meet changing customer needs.

The Philippines offers a wealth of opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to start a small business. With the right idea, thorough research, and dedication, you can launch a successful venture in this fast-growing economy. Use our list of 60 small business ideas in the Philippines for 2023 as a starting point, and explore additional resources and tools to help you achieve your entrepreneurial goals.

For more information on starting a business in the Philippines, visit these reputable resources:

  • Department of Trade and Industry : The government agency responsible for promoting trade, investment, and entrepreneurship in the Philippines.
  • Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry : The largest business organization in the country that provides support and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs.
  • Go Negosyo : A non-profit organization that promotes entrepreneurship and provides training, mentorship, and support for aspiring business owners.

Good luck, and may your small business journey in the Philippines be a successful and fulfilling one!

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180+ Small Business Ideas in the Philippines

There has never been a more opportune time to start a business in the Philippines.

With costs of living beginning to rise, Filipinos need additional sources of income to sustain themselves and their loved ones. But aside from that, the rise of the internet is also making it much easier to buy, sell, and advertise your businesses to your key consumers.

There’s both a need and an incentive pushing Filipinos to start a business of their own – but it can be difficult to come up with a good idea or two.

Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. This article has the largest compilation of potential business ideas that you can start in the Philippines, along with important details such as their estimated startup costs and ROI turnaround time.

With this article, you can surely get an idea of what business you’d like to start!

Micro Business Ideas (₱5,000 and below Capital)

low budget business ideas philippines

Source:  Ficco

Sari-Sari Store

·        Initial budget:  ₱3,000 to ₱5,000

·        Difficulty level:  Easy

·        ROI turnaround:  several months

Sari-sari  stores have been around forever. One of the most popular types of small businesses in the Philippines, this quaint community store sells everything, from daily essentials to school supplies.

You can open a  sari-sari  store for only a few thousand pesos and provide a small spot for it in your own house. 

Location is key to succeeding in this business, however. If you really want to earn, it needs to be in an accessible area in your community, with plenty of foot traffic and not a lot of competition nearby.

GCash Cash-In/Cash-Out

·        Initial budget:  ₱1,000 to ₱5,000

·        ROI turnaround:  Weeks

GCash is becoming a nationwide phenomenon, making bank account functions more accessible to the masses. A potential low-cost business that you can start from this is a GCash cash-in or cash-out station.

Typically, such transactions occur in convenience stores, partner merchants, or even banks – but some people are willing to pay a fee to cash in or out without having to go far.

You can start with very little capital. Most people transact only small amounts on GCash, and you can set your own commissions at around 5% to 10% of the transaction amount.

Loading Business

·        Initial budget:   ₱3,000 to ₱5,000

·        ROI turnaround:  Months

E-loading stations are another popular choice, especially for stay-at-home moms, students, and full-time employees. 

All you need is a working mobile phone and a sim card, and you’re good to go.

Better yet, modern loading platforms such as GCash allow you to load basically any network without additional charge on your end. You can set your own commission depending on the competition around you.

Kakanin/Snack Stall

·        Initial budget:  ₱5,000 above

·        Difficulty level:  Medium

If you have a kitchen, you can easily make delicious native snacks for high profit.

Native snacks such as  biko, puto,  and  suman  are guaranteed to sell out, especially during holidays, fiesta times, or when there are events around. The recipes are easy to learn, and since the ingredients are cheap and plentiful, there is a potential for high margins.

Street Food Business

Filipinos love street food. Staples like  kwek-kwek, fishball, kikiam,  and more always sell out. This is especially true if you have a good source recipe and position in a very populated area. The ingredients you need for these foods are easily accessible, and the operational expenses are cheap.

The only downside is that the success of this business is entirely dependent on your location. Competition can be tough in some areas, but as long as you’re getting enough foot traffic, you should be fine.

Halo-Halo Stall

Another delicious snack in demand in Filipino streets is  halo-halo , the local version of shaved ice jam-packed with all kinds of goodies. 

Halo-halo  recipes are rather straightforward, making them a great pick for new entrepreneurs. They require minimal equipment, and the ingredients are easy to come by. Depending on demand, you can place pretty high margins on your  halo-halo  too.

However, like the other snack-making businesses,  halo-halo  stands can be pretty labor-intensive. Make sure that you have a good team to help you out, especially during the peak season: summer.

Coffee Stall

Another snack that is becoming popular is coffee. Due to the daily grind, more and more people are turning to coffee drinks to relax and recharge. You can put up a small coffee cart and start serving different kinds of brewed coffee and frappes.

If you’re just starting out, all you need are basic brewed coffee-making materials such as a small espresso machine, a blender, some cups and lids, and a small refrigerator to store your milk and other drink ingredients.

Once your stall starts getting more customers, you can also start offering pastries and snacks to go with the coffee.

Custom Stickers

·        Initial budget:  ₱3,000 – ₱5,000

Creating custom stickers is easy and hassle-free, and the materials you need to make that business work are easily accessible. You only need to know how to make a few images, or at least learn how to source free ones, and you can print them out on sticker paper.

There are a few other things you need to think about, such as packaging and competition, but overall it’s an accessible micro business, especially for people who like art.

Financial Advising

·        Initial budget:  ₱5,000

·        ROI turnaround:  Months – Years

With the current state of the economy, more and more Filipinos are starting to worry about their finances. As a result, they turn to financial advisors on how to manage their assets. 

In order to become a financial advisor, you need to take an exam administered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Once you pass, you will be able to give professional advice to clients on how to handle their finances. 

To be successful, you’ll need to have a keen understanding of financial products and services. You should also be able to provide sound advice on how to invest money wisely.

Data Entry Services

·        Initial budget:  ₱5,000 – ₱10,000

·        ROI turnaround:  Weeks – Months

If you or your group of friends all have laptops and can type reasonably fast, you can offer data entry services and get a quick buck. 

Even if you’re still a student, you can get various clients who need data entry services such as small businesses, entrepreneurs, and even some government offices.

The work is pretty easy, but can be quite repetitive and boring, so you need to be prepared. The key is to look for clients who are willing to give you long-term projects so you can establish a good working relationship and some stability.

Silk Products

The Philippines is home to a huge  silkworm industry . In fact, the country is one of the top producers of raw silk in the world. You’ll be amazed at how these small creatures can produce such beautiful and luxurious fabric.

You can start a small business by making silk products like scarves, ties, and shirts. You can also sell raw silk to clothing manufacturers. The initial investment is small, and the ROI can be quick if you know how to market your products properly.

Calligraphy Tutoring

·        Difficulty level:  Medium – Difficult

There are many people who want to learn how to write beautiful scripts. If you have the talent for it and the patience to teach people, you can offer calligraphy tutoring services in-person or online. 

To make this small business work, you need to be able to market your skills well and attract the right students. You also need to be able to set a reasonable price for your services.

Chocolate-Making Business

·        Initial budget:  ₱5,000 

·        Difficulty level:  Difficult

Delicious chocolate treats will always be in demand. While it’s going to be reasonably difficult to find the recipe that your customers will want to buy, the materials and ingredients for making chocolates can be found easily.

Chocolate-making businesses enjoy patronage from those with a sweet tooth and money to spare. Plus, it’s a business that you is easily scalable, meaning you can small-batch your products at first to test the market and, if successful, increase production later on.

·        Difficulty level:  Easy – Difficult

Blogging is sort of a mixed bag when it comes to business. On one hand, it’s a very easy business to start, without the need for any special equipment. As long as you have a computer and know how to write, you can start blogging.

However, the difficult part is succeeding. To be a profitable blogger, you either need to have enough skills to write other people’s blogs on a commission basis or you need to be good enough to make your own blog prosper.

This can be difficult to achieve when you’re just starting out, but if you can find your niche and build a following, blogging can be a very profitable small business.

Content Writing

·        Difficulty level:  Easy – Medium

If you have a knack for words and fast fingers for typing, you can offer content writing services to people who need help with their website copy, social media posts, or even email newsletters. 

You can start small by offering your services to friends and family, and then gradually build up a client base by marketing your skills online or through word-of-mouth.

The hardest part will be looking for clients that pay well, but the work itself can be easy if you have the right skills.

Ghostwriting Services

If you know how to write and don’t mind not getting the credit, you can offer ghostwriting services for a wide variety of industries and businesses. The publishing industry, in particular, is always in need of good ghostwriters. 

You can also find clients in other industries such as small businesses or entrepreneurs who need someone to help them with their writing but don’t have the time or skill to do it themselves.

Translation Services

Do you know multiple languages? It’s time to use your skills to get money by providing translation services.

In a globalized world where businesses need to communicate across borders, you can find many opportunities as a translator. There’s a wide range of industries that need translation services, from medical and legal to technical and marketing.

You can start small by translating short documents for businesses or individuals, and then gradually build up your client base by offering your services to more and more people.

Transcription Services

Transcription services are in high demand due to the increasing popularity of podcasts and audio recordings. If you have good listening skills and can type fast, you can offer your services to businesses and individuals who need help transcribing their audio recordings.

Your first clients can be students who might need help transcription a video project, professionals who need help transcribing an interview, or even small businesses who might need help transcribing a meeting.

Indoor Plant Business

·        Initial budget:  ₱3,000 – above

Noticed the rise of ‘plantitas and plantitos’ during the pandemic? There’s now a bigger market for easy-to-cultivate ornamental plants that you can capitalize on if you have a green thumb.

You can start by growing plants in your own home, and then gradually build up your business by renting a space for a small greenhouse or opening a small shop.

To be successful, you will need to have a good knowledge of plants and how to take care of them. You will also need to be able to market your plants to potential customers.

Small Business Ideas (₱6,000 to ₱20,000 Capital)

low budget business ideas philippines

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Online Selling

·        Initial budget:  ₱5,000 – ₱20,000

Running a buy-and-sell business is now much simpler, thanks to the internet. You can transact with customers anywhere in the world – all you need is a laptop, an internet connection, and a social media account.

You can join several online selling platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, OLX, Carousell, Shopee, and Lazada.

To get started, simply set up an account on your chosen platform and start posting pictures and descriptions of the items you’re selling. You can even livestream your products to reach a wider audience.

Digital Marketing Services

·        Initial budget:  ₱4,000 – ₱15,000

Starting a digital marketing company is great since you can handle everything by yourself. Once you gain a number of regular clients and a greater workload, you can recruit other experts to your team. 

You can increase your revenue by adding graphic design, search engine marketing, and content marketing to your list of services.

However, digital marketing services are not for everyone. There are a variety of technical skills that you need to learn first, plus you have to market your services and build a network.

·        Initial budget:  ₱15,000 to ₱20,000

Piso WiFi is a form vending machine that allows access to WiFi for a measly ₱1 per 10 minutes. This may seem small, but don’t be deceived – the profit potential for this is significant, especially if you don’t have competition. If you dominate your location, you can earn anywhere from ₱10,000 to ₱40,000 every month in gross income.

To get started, you just need to buy a Piso WiFi machine and pay for electricity and internet bill. Of course, you’ll have to keep a careful watch on your machines and make sure that they’re not targeted by thieves and vandals.

Phone Accessories

·        Initial budget:  ₱10,000 – ₱20,000

·        Difficulty level:  Easy

·        ROI turnaround:  Weeks – Months

In the Philippines, phone accessories are always in demand because they are relatively cheap and people are always upgrading their phones.

The most popular phone accessories include phone cases, earphones, power banks, and screen protectors.

To start this business, you can either sell online or offline. If you sell offline, you’ll need to find a strategic location, such as near phone stores or malls.

·        Initial budget:  ₱15,000 to ₱25,000

If you have the culinary skills and the passion for cooking, you can start your own  carinderia , also known as a local eatery. This type of small business is perfect for those who want to be their own boss and set their own hours.

Plenty of people rely on a  carinderia  when they want to buy inexpensive home-cooked food. With the right location, pricing, and menu, you can start a  carinderia  and make money with very little investment.

Homemade Ice Cream Business

·        Initial budget:  ₱2,500 – ₱16,000

Ice cream is a lovely treat that everyone can enjoy, no matter their age. It’s also one of Filipinos’ go-to snacks from childhood. 

As a small business idea, making your own ice cream is relatively easy and inexpensive, which means each serving has high profit margins. 

You can make small batches using a blender or an ice cream maker. You can also experiment with different flavors, ingredients, and toppings to come up with creative combinations.

Lugawan Business

Rice porridge, also known as lugaw in Tagalog, is one of the most popular breakfast staples in the Philippines. 

A lugawan business is a great way to start small and make a lot of profit. Filipinos like lugaw because it’s filling and cheap, and you can definitely take advantage of that by opening a lugawan in a populated area.

All you need is a small space to set up your business, a few kitchen supplies, and some raw materials. You can sell your lugaw in small plastic bags or in styrofoam cups with lids.

Home-Based Specialty Baking

·        Initial budget:  ₱15,000

A fun food business you may start in your own home is baking and selling pastries like cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and other sweets. Social media and word-of-mouth marketing are other effective ways to get clients, especially if you post Instagrammable pictures of your treats. 

If you already have the equipment and you love baking, you don’t need a lot to get started at all. However, you do need to have pretty good recipes for your treats to stand out.

Floral Arranger/Supplier

If you have an eye for design and a passion for flowers, starting a small floral business may be for you. You can start small by offering your services to family and friends for events like weddings and funerals.

Alternatively, you can take the supplier route and become a middleman between growers and event organizers. You don’t need to have your own farm, but you will need to have good relationships with growers and a good understanding of the flower business.

Party Planning Services

·        Initial budget:   ₱10,000

Whether it’s a child’s birthday party, a company event, or a wedding, there are always people who need help planning and executing a successful event. If you’re organized, creative, and have a knack for detail, starting a small party planning business could be a profitable endeavor.

You’ll need to be good at marketing and networking to get clients, but once you get a few under your belt, word-of-mouth will likely take over.

Freelance Beauty Services

·        Initial budget:  ₱12,000 – above

With the ubiquity of social media, it’s no wonder that everyone wants to look their best at all times. If you’re a hair stylist, makeup artist, or nail technician with a strong following on Instagram or Facebook, you can parlay your online popularity into a brick-and-mortar business by offering freelance beauty services.

To get started, you’ll need to invest in a good quality kit of makeup, hair, and nail products. You may also need to rent a space in a salon or beauty parlor, or invest in portable equipment if you plan on offering your services at clients’ homes.

Vending Machine

This is an excellent option if you’re looking for a business with little oversight. Your major responsibilities here will be routine upkeep and replenishment – daily operations hardly ever require staff unless you expand to a large fleet.

The most difficult part will likely be acquiring and deploying your vending machine unit. There are all sorts of vending machines you can get into, from snacks and drinks to cigarettes and lottery tickets. The machine will be your biggest expense, but after that, all you need to do is to pick a location and keep it stocked.

Legal Incorporation Services for Businesses and Corporations

Starting a new corporation or company is no simple task. You’ll probably need expert assistance with all the necessary legal documentation to make sure everything is done correctly and without any gaps in coverage.

This is a great business opportunity if you enjoy dealing with commercial and legal issues. Your clients will be people or groups who want to be registered as a business, but don’t have the time or inclination to navigate all the legalities. With incorporation services, you can help them get their business up and running quickly and efficiently.

IT Technical Services 

Companies that depend on computer systems need constant maintenance and management, making the company idea lucrative. Most clients will pay on a retainer basis, making it a profitable venture.

Nearly all businesses rely on some form of computer network, whether it’s servers for an office, a PoS system for a grocery store, or WiFi availability for a coffee shop. All of them call for knowledge of computers, networks, and IT.

This is a great opportunity for anyone with technical know-how and customer service skills. As an IT consultant, you can offer your services to small businesses that can’t afford a full-time IT staff. You can also provide support remotely, which opens up this business idea to entrepreneurs anywhere in the world.

Web Design & Development Business

·        Initial budget:  ₱10,000

Owning a website these days is practically a prerequisite for organizations. There’s a constantly growing market for website designers and developers both domestically and internationally. 

That said, you’ll need to have marketable skills, such as web design, development, SEO, and graphic design. It’s also important to be well-versed in the latest trends and technologies.

This is a great opportunity for creative individuals with a flair for technology. As a web designer or developer, you can offer your services to small businesses or even large corporations that need help with their online presence.

Music or Artistic Coaching Services

Sharing your gift and earning money while doing it is a wonderful way to give back to your community. You can provide tutoring services if you are talented in music, crafts, sketching, or another artistic endeavor. This can be done through online services, which makes it a great option for those who want to work from home.

Since children have a lot of free time in the summer, this can be a great opportunity to offer your services as a coach. You can also offer your services to adults who want to learn a new skill or develop their talent.

Professional Organizing Services

Do you enjoy keeping your house clean and organized? Cleaning and decluttering are both parts of the personal service known as a professional organization.

This business idea is perfect for someone who loves to clean and organize. For businesses and individuals who don’t have the time to organize their area, you can offer your services to help get their space back in order.

Piercing Services

If you love body piercings and have a talent for networking, offering piercing services is an easy way to earn a significant amount of money.

This business idea is perfect for those who are passionate about body piercings and have a steady hand. You can start by asking your friends and family if they’re interested, and then build up a clientele by piercing at local events and festivals.

Candlemaking

Making customized or artisan candles is a great way to earn additional income if you have an artistic side. This business idea is perfect for those who have a creative touch and an eye for detail.

People are willing to pay for pretty, fragrant, and high-quality candles that they can’t get in malls, and the ingredients can be easily sourced from convenient sources.

Moving or Lipat-Bahay Company

·        Initial budget:  ₱5,000 (if you already have a vehicle)

If you have plenty of personal belongings, the best way to move from one location to another is through a  lipat-bahay  service.

There will also always be prospective customers for this kind of business because young families are moving around a lot to be closer to their places of employment. With the help of applications and markets like Mober, Transportify, and Lalamove, starting one has also been simpler.

However, you do need to have a heavy-duty vehicle on-hand to keep costs down. If you don’t have a vehicle for carrying items, your startup costs are going to be much bigger. Don’t worry, though, you can start with vans, or even other vehicles, such as multicabs.

Meat Processing Business

·        Initial budget:  ₱1,500 – ₱20,00

The meat processing sector in the Philippines has been booming recently, creating a profitable business opportunity.

Your earnings from this food business could be as high as 100% for every product sold, meaning that you can cover both the costs of the material and labor. Some entrepreneurs have even managed to build an entire business from a meager investment of ₱500.

You do need to have a good supplier though, plus the tenacity to sell your products and network your business. Meat processing can also be labor-intensive if you’re the sole employee.

Egg Supplier

·        Initial budget:  ₱10,000 – ₱15,000

Eggs have long been in high demand from both domestic and business clients as a versatile commodity that is a morning staple. These days, cage-free eggs are especially popular among the more socially responsible consumers.

The start-up cost is low because all you need is a small amount of capital to buy the eggs from your supplier, and then you can price them according to the market rate. However, you will need to have a good marketing strategy to get your eggs noticed by potential customers.

Siomai Stand

·        Initial budget:  ₱2,500 – ₱17,000

One of the simplest businesses to launch in the Philippines is  siomai . It has a low initial cost and at least a 150% profit margin for each  siomai . It’s easy to make, and people love it so it’s always in demand as a street food. 

Nevertheless, your enemy would be competition – because  siomai  stands are so easy to start, you’re going to have to do a lot more to stand out.

Nutritionist Consulting

·        Initial budget:  ₱10,000 – above

Many people seek professional nutritional counsel to stay on the right track, in keeping with the growing interest in personal health. Nutritionists evaluate the health and lifestyle of their patients before developing a plan to help them get the outcomes they desire.

You can start for as low as ₱10,000, but can spend more if you want professional accreditation to increase your potential value.

Swimming Instructor Services

If you know how to swim and think you can teach others, becoming a swimming instructor could be a viable small business idea. Swimming is not only a great form of exercise but also a life-saving skill.

There is no official license or certification needed to become a swimming instructor in the Philippines. However, you will need to be a good swimmer and have the patience to teach people of all ages and abilities. Ideally, you should also be CPR certified.

Calligraphy Business

With the resurgence of all things vintage, calligraphy has made a comeback in recent years. This small business idea is perfect for those with a steady hand and an eye for detail.

With a small amount of capital to buy your materials and tools, you can immediately go to business by looking for clients. Events such as marriages, forums, conventions, and more might want to personalize their invitation lettering.

Carpentry Services

·        ROI turnaround:  Months – Years

Carpentry is a profitable small business that requires relatively little in terms of initial investment. If you have the creative talent and the necessary tools, you can start your own carpentry business from home. 

This is perfect for small-scale businesses that need woodworking for their product prototypes or small batch production runs.

Vulcanizing Shop

·        Initial budget:  ₱15,000 – ₱20,000

A vulcanizing shop is a relatively simple business to launch because no specialized technical knowledge is required.

As long as it’s near a busy route and you have the tools for changing tires, it can be profitable. There will always be people who own cars and motorcycles that need their flat tires pumped up or fixed. Simple jobs like these can pay between ₱1,000 and ₱2,000 per day.

Tailoring/Alteration Services

If you know how to use a sewing machine and know the basics of altering clothing, you can get started on tailoring or alteration services.

With the boom of the fashion industry here in the Philippines, more and more people care about their clothing, but only a few people know how to sew. Whether it’s repairing bags, pants, dresses, polos, or formal wear – this means that there has never been a greater demand for people to fix or alter their clothes to keep them in good condition.

This business can be scaled up from a small home-based alteration gig to later provide large-scale tailoring services if that’s the route you want to go.

Soap Making Business

Natural personal care products are becoming more and more popular among consumers who value their health and the environment.

With this business, you can offer a wholesome, environmentally responsible substitute for typical soaps that include harsh chemicals with handcrafted or herbal soaps. Making soap can be a successful business, especially if you obtain large orders from retailers for resale or from businesses for freebies.

Perfume Making Business

The perfume industry can net you awesome profits. And anyone can start a perfume business and turn a profit with the correct goods and marketing approach. People are always looking for niche and new scents – nobody wants to smell like everybody else, so consumers are willing to pay a little bit extra to be more unique.

Although, the materials and technical skills required for making perfume can be a bit difficult to learn. The mixing part is easy, but coming up with the right product that sells requires a bit of trial and error that can be a bit costly.

Home-Based Vape Shop

A home-based vape shop is a small business idea that can be started with a small investment. Vaping has become a popular hobby and there are many people who are passionate about it.

To start a home-based vape shop, you will need to invest in some vaping equipment and e-liquids. You can either sell online or set up a small shop in your home. Make sure you have the proper licenses to sell.

Room Freshener Making Business

An air freshener is an ideal solution to having a bad smell in your room. They come in various scents and can be placed anywhere in the room.

In this post-pandemic era, the market for air fresheners has grown as a result of increased income levels and a focus on cleanliness and hygiene.

Like perfume-making though, the materials and ingredients can be a bit costly, especially at the beginning. That said, you can quickly recover the costs as soon as you start selling your products.

Fashion Accessory Making

·        Initial budget:  ₱10,000 to ₱15,000

·        ROI turnaround:  Weeks to months

With an accessories business, you can use your creativity and passion for beautiful things. Sell handmade items including bracelets, necklaces, earrings, wallets, backpacks, phone pouches, and more. There are no limits to cute, trendy items you could make or sell.

At the very basic level, ₱10,000 is a suitable starting capital for this home-based business concept. This covers goods, overhead, and website design for your online shop. However, it can go up depending on other factors, including expensive materials.

Home-Based Travel Agency

To get started in this business, you’ll simply need a computer, a phone, a printer, and an internet connection. For this business, you don’t need to be well-traveled or have experience in the travel sector.

You just have to be familiar with the booking or ticketing procedure, be knowledgeable about the travel requirements of every nation, and provide courteous customer service. You may start your own home-based travel agency business for as little as ₱15,000.

Mushroom Growing Business

There’s a rising demand for gourmet and organic mushrooms in the Philippines. 

Mushroom farming has a lot of potential for profit, as it is used as an ingredient for chicharron, noodles, burger patties, and other organic food products.

Mushrooms are a high-value crop, yet only a little percentage of the overall mushroom consumption is farmed locally, while the rest are imported. You can supply this gap for fresh mushrooms by starting your own business.

Fruit Shake Business

·        Initial budget:  ₱1,000 to ₱10,000

Filipinos love sweet, cold drinks such as fruit shakes. This small business idea takes advantage of this by offering a refreshing and healthy alternative to sugary drinks. Why not turn fresh fruits into a profitable product during the warmest months of the year? 

Summer is a good time to buy seasonal fruits in bulk and offer them as shakes to your customers. You could start small, with a pushcart or kiosk, and expand as your business grows.

Car Rental Services

·        Initial budget:  ₱20,000 – above

·        Difficulty level:  Easy 

If you have a car that you don’t need or don’t use often, you can easily start a vehicle rental service. Clients can rent it for tours, temporary city stays, and more.

As the owner, you will be responsible for tracking your vehicle, as well as doing maintenance and repairs. Your initial budget will be spent on registering your business.

Medium-Sized Business (₱21,000 – ₱50,000 Capital)

low budget business ideas philippines

Source:  Hyundai

·        Initial budget:  ₱30,000

·        ROI turnaround:  months

The demand for car wash services rises as more people own automobiles. Filipino auto buyers want their cars to look good at all times but do not have the time to keep it clean and sparkling every day.

A car wash business can be a profitable small business in the Philippines with the right location and marketing strategy. You can set up your own home-based car wash as long as your garage has adequate space to park numerous vehicles at once.

Wedding Planner & Coordinator

·        Initial budget:  ₱10,000 – ₱30,000

A wedding’s success depends on a wedding planner or coordinator. A good organizer will keep things flowing smoothly before, during, and after the wedding.

While the primary market for this small business in the Philippines is weddings, you can also offer your services to debutantes, corporate events, and other occasions that require coordination.

Keep in mind that this business isn’t for the weak: you need to handle logistics, guests, attire, accessories, church visits, invitations, and everything else. Good organizational and interpersonal skills are a must.

Beauty Products Reseller

·        Initial budget:  ₱20,000 – ₱50,000

Many small businesses in the Philippines started out as resellers of big beauty brands. Because of low initial investments and easy access to products, this type of business is ideal for first-time entrepreneurs.

To be successful as a reseller, you’ll need to choose products that are in demand and have a good margin. You should also focus on building a strong online presence and creating a loyal customer base.

Health Supplements

·        Initial budget:  ₱50,000 – above

Filipinos are starting to realize the importance of health and fitness, which has made health supplements a hot item in the market.

You can either be a retailer or an exclusive distributor of a particular brand. For this small business in the Philippines, it’s best to have a retail space in a high-traffic area such as a mall or a busy street.

As an exclusive distributor, you can sell to retailers who resell the products to end-users. You can also operate online and sell directly to customers.

Gym Supplements

If you’re a gym rat and have a wide network of friends, you can turn your passion into a small business in the Philippines by becoming a retailer of gym supplements.

This includes not only vitamins, but also protein powders, amino acids, and other products that help bodybuilders bulk up or achieve their desired physique.

You can sell your goods online and even take advantage of Filipino “tingi” culture by repacking them for single use and increasing your overall margins.

Videoke Rentals

·        Initial budget:  ₱25,000

The Philippines is a nation of music lovers, and videoke rentals continue to be one of the most popular small businesses in the country.

Whether it’s for a small gathering at home or a big party, videoke rentals are always in demand. If you want to advertise your business, though, you’ll need to stand out from the competition.

One of the most affordable methods of advertising your company is on Facebook. Other methods include banners, tarpaulins, and word-of-mouth marketing. In Raon, Manila, videoke machines are priced more reasonably, and you can easily acquire five machines for as low as ₱5,000 each to launch your business.

Pet Care Services

·        Initial budget:  ₱30,000 – ₱50,000

If there are lots of pet owners in your community, you can set up shop in your house and provide pet sitting and boarding services.

It will be beneficial to your neighbors because they will know their dogs are cared for while they are away. Clients are typically required to provide food for their pets at pet-care establishments. The only things you’ll need are cages and adequate room for the animals that belong to your clientele.

However, you’ll most likely need to have a pretty good-sized space to be able to accommodate pet care necessities, such as cages and yards for them to play in.

Aircon Cleaning and Maintenance Service

·        Initial budget:  ₱20,000 – ₱50,000

·        ROI turnaround:  Months

If you know how to clean and maintain air conditioners, then this business is perfect for you. This is a service that is in high demand, especially in hot and humid countries like the Philippines.

To get started, you’ll need to invest in some basic equipment, such as an air compressor, vacuum cleaner, and air conditioner cleaner. You should also have a van or truck to transport your equipment.

Window Installation Service

·        Difficulty level:  Easy 

This business is a great idea for those who have the necessary skills to install windows. The most important thing is to find good-quality materials so that your customers will be satisfied with your work.

It’s a fairly simple business to set up, but you’ll need to market it well to attract potential customers.

Pet Grooming Services

There will always be pet owners who are willing to spend money to keep their pets tidy and well-groomed. If you love pets and have the skills to groom them, then this small business in the Philippines is perfect for you.

You do need to invest in some pretty expensive equipment though, especially if you want to ensure your and the animals’ safety. The list includes necessities like tables, harnesses, sprays, scissors, shavers, and blow dryers. If you do well, though, you can earn consistent income from repeat customers.

Party Supplies Business

The party supplies business is perfect for those who love to plan and organize events. Party-goers are always on the lookout for new and unique ways to make their events stand out, so if you can provide them with what they need, you’re sure to be successful. 

Additionally, since Filipinos enjoy hosting parties left and right, you’ll always have customers willing to spend to make their gatherings truly festive.

Home-Based Pet Supplies Shop

Many Filipinos consider their pets like members of the family, so it’s no surprise that the pet supplies industry is booming. You can sell pet food, clothing, accessories, grooming supplies, and toys on online platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Lazada, and Shopee.

Depending on your pricing and the specific items, you can expect to make an average profit of 30% to 200%. Plus, you don’t need to pay expensive fees for rent since you can operate your business from home.

CCTV Installation

More and more Filipinos are purchasing a CCTV system for their home’s protection. The installation process, however, is not as easy as it looks. If you’re familiar with electrical wiring and have an eye for detail, you can offer your services to install CCTV systems in people’s homes.

Of course, you need to dedicate enough time and resources to train yourself to install all kinds of CCTV systems. After that, though, you just have to worry about growing your customer base.

Niche Sports Equipment Rental

Many people wish to participate in a certain sport, but they don’t want to commit to buying all the necessary equipment. This is where your small business comes in.

You can start a niche sports equipment rental by catering to a specific sport, like golf, tennis, or badminton. The only thing you need to do is invest in high-quality equipment and market your business to people who are interested in the sport.

Collection Agency

In any business, there will always be customers who don’t pay their bills on time. While this is unavoidable, you can still do something about it by starting a collection agency.

Your job is to help businesses collect the money that’s owed to them by their customers. Of course, this isn’t an easy task, but it can be very lucrative. After all, businesses are always willing to pay a good amount of money for someone to help them get paid.

Home-Based Videography Business

·        Initial budget:  ₱40,000 – above

·        ROI turnaround:  Months – years

Filipinos love to document their lives, so it’s no surprise that many of them are in need of a videographer. From a child’s baptism to its first birthday, graduation, a person’s first public appearance, a marriage, a reunion, and pretty much anything else,  there’s always an event that needs to be filmed.

To start out, you need to have a video camera and some basic editing skills. Most videographers also invest in good equipment, such as a high-end camera, a high-performance computer, and other peripherals necessary to take great shots.

Photography Business

If you have good photography skills, you can freelance for weddings, events, community gatherings, and more to take pictures. In today’s social-media-obsessed world, many people are willing to pay for good pictures.

Your capital will likely be spent on buying good equipment such as a DSLR camera. You can also start a small photography business by printing and selling your photos online or in physical stores. There are many ways to make money with this small business idea, so it’s definitely worth considering.

Influencer Handling Agency

·        ROI turnaround:  Years

The influencer industry is booming in the country, with many well-known personalities gaining prominent media attention. As a result, they are likely to get business deals for various reasons.

For influencers (or even streamers), an agency or talent management can be very useful. As an agent, you’ll be handling business and legal transactions, contract negotiations, and client acquisition, allowing them to focus on what they do best.

Home-Based T-Shirt Printing

·        Initial budget:  ₱15,000 to ₱50,000

If you have a creative spirit and entrepreneurial drive to market your designs, t-shirt printing can be extremely lucrative.

Because of the popularity of couple shirts and statement shirts with clever or funny prints, t-shirts are simple to sell year-round. Campaign shirts and personalized shirts for gifts and freebies can see a spike in demand during special seasons such as elections. Your profit margin per shirt might range from 100% to 500%, depending on the design.

Collectibles Trading

There’s money to be made in trading collectibles, whether it’s comics, coins, stamps, or even action figures. 

The key is to find items that are in high demand but have low supply. If you’re a collector, you can use your in-depth understanding of the market to find items that are undervalued and have the potential to increase in value. You can either buy these items yourself or find someone who is willing to sell them to you at a lower price.

Meal Planning Business

If you like meal planning and are a health buff, you can customize people’s meal plans according to their dietary restrictions and food preferences. You can either cook the meals yourself or outsource them to a catering service. 

Your main market is people who want to eat healthy food but don’t have the time to cook, busy moms who want to make sure their families are eating well, or working professionals who don’t have the time to meal prep.

Tattoo Shop

·        Initial budget:  ₱100,000

If you have an artistic talent and a love for body ink, a tattoo shop might be an ideal investment for your skills. Tattoos have become more popular in recent years, with more people getting them for both aesthetic and sentimental reasons. 

However, because tattoos are a permanent form of body modification, it’s important to do your research before opening a shop. You’ll need to have a strong understanding of the tattoo industry, as well as the different types of equipment and supplies. You should also be familiar with the latest trends in body art.

Tarpaulin Printing

Tarpaulin businesses are one of the most lucrative ways to enter the printing industry. In the Philippines, printed tarps are in high demand, especially during family events like birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and graduations. They’re also used by businesses for advertising, company events, and signage.

The main cost of starting a tarpaulin printing business is the printer itself. A good quality printer can cost anywhere from ₱20,000 to ₱200,000. If you don’t have a place yet, you need to pay rent, as well. You may also have to hire other people to help you with daily operations.

Design and Printing Services

·        Initial budget:  ₱10,000 – ₱50,000

The need for customized printing services is constant throughout the year, but it’s particularly strong around elections and holiday times. You can also do personalized promotional items like mugs, button pins, caps, and shirts.

Luckily for you, modern printing technologies enable small businesses to provide a wide array of services at relatively low costs. The biggest expense is usually the printer and related equipment.

Adventure Tourism Packaging Business

·        Initial budget:   ₱50,000 – above

Do you love outdoor activities? Do you live in an area with plenty of tourist attractions and outdoor adventures? You can turn your hobby into a profitable business by marketing adventure packages.

The Philippines is one giant outdoor experience – there is surely plenty of demand for adventure travel. You can sell your packages to adventure seekers, both domestic and international, thanks to the Philippines’ abundance of air, land, and water adventure attractions.

Bicycle Rental Shop

Although the Philippines isn’t as bike-friendly as other countries in Southeast Asia, there’s still a market for bicycle rental shops, especially in tourist areas. If you live near a beach, mountain, or other tourist destination, you can start a small business that rents out bicycles by the day, week, or month.

You can buy quality bicycles for as low as ₱10,000 per unit, particularly if you buy them secondhand. Your units can be rented using a government ID and waivers as collateral. From there, all you have to do is monitor and periodically maintain the bikes.

Interior Design Consulting Business

An interior design business is a great small business idea for those who have a flair for aesthetics and a knack for putting together beautiful spaces.

While the initial investment is relatively small, around ₱20,000 to ₱50,000, you will need to put in a lot of time and effort to build up a portfolio and attract clients. Interior design is a service-based business, so your success will depend largely on your ability to market your services and build a good reputation.

Cleaning Service Business

·        Initial budget:  ₱20,000 – ₱30,000

Cleaning services are in higher demand than ever, particularly in Metro Manila where people live fast-paced lives. Your target market includes students and working professionals who rent apartments or condos but don’t have time to clean, as well as businesses like malls that hire outside contractors.

If you can deliver a high-quality service, your regular customers will recommend you to others who might end up becoming regulars as well. This business is labor intensive, though, especially if you plan to do most of the work yourself in the beginning.

Honey Bee Production

·        Difficulty level:  Medium – Difficult 

Beekeeping is a low-effort, low-resource industry with positive social, economic, and environmental effects. If you manage to balance the delicate conditions required for bees to thrive, selling honey can be a profitable endeavor for you.

If you already have a place to put your hives, the capital investment will mostly go to equipment and bee acquisition. You’ll also need to have patience and dedication, as it can take years for a hive to start producing honey in large quantities.

Pest Control Services

Pests like termites, cockroaches, mosquitoes, mice, and other critters can ruin a place’s hygiene and health. This is why businesses and homes utilize pest control services to get rid of bugs and guard against infestation.

You can provide services like fumigation, termite treatment, and rodent control. Because there is a significant likelihood that you will receive long-term and recurring business by offering such services, you can easily find regular customers.

Landscaping Service Business

·        Difficulty level:  Medium – Hard

If you like being outdoors and have an eye for detail, starting a landscaping business could be a great small business idea for you.

You can offer services such as indoor and outdoor landscaping, gardening consulting, and maintenance to homes, workplaces, schools, restaurants, resorts, and other establishments that have a need for such services.

Multimedia Design Business

Do you enjoy expressing your creativity through visual or audio-visual means? If so, you could start a small business in multimedia design.

This industry is in incredible demand, not just in the Philippines but internationally as well. You won’t run out of interested clients willing to pay good money for rich multimedia content, such as graphics, design, animation, and more.

You do have to invest in good equipment, though, like a drawing pad, pens, and design software.

Homemade Pizza Business

Pizza is a classic favorite among Filipinos of all ages, which is why starting a small pizza business can be a great way to earn some extra income.

You can start by making pizzas at home and delivering them to customers in your area. Once you’ve built up a good reputation, you can start expanding by setting up a small store or kiosk.

Of course, making delicious pizza is no easy feat. It requires time, effort, and most importantly, the right ingredients if you want to stand out.

Mobile Food Trucks

Starting a food truck can be a profitable business if you know recipes that don’t cost much to make and have a lot of people lining up to buy them.

This small business idea is perfect for those who love to cook and experiment with food. They’re especially great because you can move them from place to place to take advantage of seasonal or hourly customers. With the right location and product, food trucks can be a very lucrative opportunity.

Tapsilogan Business

·        Initial budget:  ₱50,000

Tapsilog  is a staple Filipino breakfast consisting of  tapa  (cured beef),  sinangag  (garlic fried rice), and  itlog  (egg).

There are many variations of this popular local dish, and they’re all pretty affordable to make and easy to sell.  You can set up shop with very low costs, although this business model can be quite labor-intensive if you’ll do the cooking yourself. 

Online Clothing Distributor

Online retailers can make a 30% to 70% profit margin by selling reasonably priced clothing. You can keep your business costs down if you stick to an online-only store.

For supplies, you can either dropship from a clothing manufacturer or buy in bulk from a local supplier. Divisoria and Taytay Tiangge are just some popular areas that offer affordable yet high-quality goods which you can then resell on your online store.

Career Consultant

·        Initial budget:  ₱20,000 – ₱50,000 

As more and more Filipinos look into non-traditional employment opportunities, the need for career consultants who can help them make the right choices will continue to grow.

If you’re familiar with various industries and professions, you can start a small business offering your services to those who need guidance in choosing the right career path.

Online Tutorial Center

Do you appreciate learning and children? Why not launch a tutoring service online? Even if you don’t have a teaching license, you can easily try out this business, as long as you have a computer and a reliable internet connection.

The capital will be mostly spent on setting up your work area. Your capital will be used to set up your work area. Necessities include a working computer and camera, good wifi, and a distraction-free space.

Business With ₱51,000 – ₱100,000 Capital

low budget business ideas philippines

Source:  Rainmaker

Ukay-Ukay Shop

·        Initial budget:  ₱51,000 – ₱70,000

Pinoys on a tight budget frequent ukay-ukay shops to find slightly used clothing for much lower prices. You can still make a large profit, roughly twice to four times the item’s original price, even if you sell at discounted rates.

If you’re good at salestalking and negotiation and have an eye for fashion, this line of business can easily be your source of livelihood.

Cellphone Repair Shop

In the Philippines, cellphone repair is a flourishing business. People who have damaged phones would prefer to save money by getting their phone serviced than to get a new one (particularly for easy, minor repairs).

It can be tough to stand out from the competition, though, especially if your business is located in typical places such as malls. You need to have competitive pricing and work fast if you want to stand out.

Gift Shop/Boutique

Gift shops are always in demand because they provide a solution to people looking for the perfect present. If you have an eye for aesthetics and a knack for curating, you can start your own gift shop or boutique.

You’ll need to be located in a strategic spot, such as near malls, plazas, and other high-traffic areas. You can also sell your wares online if you want to save money on rent costs.

Computer Repair Services

·        Initial budget:  ₱60,000 – above

·        ROI turnaround:  Medium

This business is ideal for IT professionals that have the technical skills needed to diagnose, troubleshoot, maintain, and fix computers.

The biggest challenge for computer repair businesses is that there are a lot of small companies in the Philippines that offer the same services. What you need to do is focus on your target market and build a strong online presence.

Samgyeopsal

·        Initial budget:  ₱50,000 – ₱80,000

Samgyeopsal is a well-known Korean delicacy made with grilled pig belly. The majority of the time, diners broil their own meat and consume it hot off the grill. 

In the Philippines, Samgyeopsal businesses have become popular because of the growing demand for Korean food. If you’re planning to start this business, it’s important to find a strategic location where there is a high density of potential customers.

Event Live Streaming

·        Initial budget:  ₱50,000 – ₱10,000

Filipinos enjoy staying in touch with their loved ones. This is one of the reasons why event live-streaming services have become popular in the Philippines.

These businesses offer their services to customers by setting up cameras and broadcasting the event online, allowing people who are not able to attend the event to still watch it live.

You’ll have to learn plenty of technical skills for this kind of business, though, and buy some pretty expensive equipment and software.

Drone Rental

·        Initial budget:  ₱25,000 – ₱100,000

Drones are pricey, especially well-known brands. An expensive drone that will only be used once is preferable to be rented.

If you have multiple drones, you can rent each one out for between ₱1,500 and ₱2,000 per day. If you operate the drone for prenup, wedding, commercial, and corporate shoots, you can make more money — around ₱5,000 per day.

Bigasan (Rice Business)

·        Initial budget:  ₱50,000 – ₱100,000

Rice is a staple in the Filipino diet, which is why there are many rice dealers or  bigasan  businesses in this archipelagic country.

With rice, you’ll always have buyers, regardless of price changes. In busy areas with good storage (such as  talipapa  and public markets), rice vendors make a good profit.

Personal Fitness Trainer

·        Initial budget:  ₱50,000 – ₱60,000

A lot of people are now health-conscious and are willing to spend on personal fitness trainers. If you’re a certified professional with a passion for fitness, you can start your own business by becoming a personal trainer.

Personal trainers typically make anywhere from ₱500-₱1,000 per session, more if you’re already an established name in the field. Some celebrity trainers demand consultation fees of between ₱5,000 and ₱10,000.

Dog Training

Only individuals who can sincerely devote their time and effort to dog training should venture into this business. It’s a demanding and time-consuming job, but it can be rewarding — both emotionally and financially.

If you want to be a dog trainer, you need to invest in safety gear and treats, as well as create a sturdy and safe training area. 

Painting Business

·        Initial budget:  ₱50,000 – ₱70,000

While being a skilled painter may require a certain level of expertise, it also requires the same level of commitment as working in any other line of work.

The initial capital will mostly be used to purchase the necessary supplies, such as ladders, paint brushes, extension cords, and paint cans.

·        Initial budget:  ₱100,000 – Above

Farming, whether it’s planting high-demand crops or keeping livestock, is certainly not for the weak. It’s a demanding job that requires dedication, patience, and a lot of hard work.

Plus, starting a farm from scratch can be expensive, as you’ll need to purchase land, seeds, and equipment. However, it can be a very profitable business, especially if you manage to buy land that’s already being used for farming.

·        ROI turnaround:  Weeks – Years

Buying and selling stocks can be a very profitable business, but it’s not for the faint of heart. The stock market is volatile, and prices can fluctuate rapidly.

To be a successful trader, you need to invest money and time in learning about the stock market and strategies for trading. You also need to have a large amount of capital to invest, as well as the ability to take risks.

Accounting and Bookkeeping Company

·        Initial budget:   ₱10,000 – above

If you’re a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), you can start out as a freelancer and charge for your accounting and bookkeeping skills. 

For higher profits, make sure you target high-income individuals and thriving business owners. As you gain more clients, you can start by hiring one or two contractors until you form an entire firm.

Human Resources Services

A human resource firm can be a good business idea if you have connections with experience in corporate, labor, compensation & benefits, headhunting, and executive positions.

Many businesses increasingly contract with foreign companies to provide their HR services. You’ll be in charge of the company’s organizational structure, record-keeping, payroll, benefits, and hiring processes.

Dropshipping Business

Dropshipping is a form of order fulfillment in which the seller accepts orders while delegating inventory control and product delivery to the supplier. The potential for this nearly hands-off business is enormous given the continued growth of online purchasing activity worldwide, not just in the Philippines.

While you can technically start dropshipping for free, you’ll have to reinvest profits back into the business to eventually scale it.

Office Indoor Plant Services

·        Initial budget:  ₱100,000 – above

In addition to improving the aesthetics of a room, plants have a favorable impact on the quality of the air we breathe.

If you have a passion for plants, you can grow your own or get them from less expensive sources, prop them up in attractive vases, and then sell in-bulk to offices who want to decorate their spaces with healthy plants.

Appliances “Pautang”

·        Initial budget:   ₱50,000

With the internet and social media, you can easily advertise and loan appliances to people in your community.

This small business idea is perfect for those who want to start a business with little capital. You can even offer a discount for those who return the appliance in good condition.

Furniture “Pautang”

Many Filipino families consider furniture to be a must in their home, yet many malls don’t sell affordable furniture. When they do, they generally don’t offer flexible financing just for anyone. You can take advantage of this market gap by loaning furniture to buyers who are willing to get into an installment agreement over high-quality furniture.

Real Estate Agency

·        Initial budget:  ₱100,000 – above

·        Difficulty level:  Difficult

·        ROI turnaround:  Years

In the Philippines, there is a growing demand for real estate agents who can help people buy, sell, or rent property. The real estate industry is quite complex, so it’s important to have a good understanding of the market before starting this business.

To be successful in this industry, you’ll need to build a strong network of contacts and partners. You should also have a good amount of capital to invest in marketing and advertising.

Food Catering Services

When it comes to planning parties and events, Filipinos are willing to pay a premium for convenience. One of the most popular vendors for this use is caterers. Entrepreneurs that are passionate about and have experience in the kitchen and want to succeed in the food industry.

Despite the competitive industry, you can get your ROI in only months if you can stand out from the rest.

Professional Cooking Classes

If you’re a whiz in the kitchen and want to share your talents, then starting a professional cooking class might be a good small business idea for you.

There’s a lot of demand for hands-on skills like cooking. While people can learn about cooking online, some people, especially complete beginners, prefer personal teachers that can guide their hand and show them how it’s done.

You’ll need some capital for essential expenses though, such as equipment, location, ingredients, and marketing.

Do-It-Yourself Workshops

If you’re good at DIY projects and enjoy teaching others, then starting a do-it-yourself workshop might be the small business idea for you.

There are all sorts of do-it-yourself projects people can learn, such as painting, woodworking, gardening, and more.

Yoga Instructor

These days, Filipinos are starting to become more concerned about their health. One of the trendiest ways to get a fit and healthy physique is through yoga.

If you’re a certified yoga instructor, then you can start offering your services as a freelance instructor. You can offer private classes, group classes, and even solo classes.

Yoga Retreats

Aside from being a freelance instructor, you can also host yoga retreats for interested students. This is a great way to connect with like-minded people and share your love for yoga. Numerous people find yoga to be a very spiritual experience, and there are many ways to make a lucrative business out of people’s desire for calm and clarity. 

You’ll need a space where you can host the retreat, as well as enough money to cover expenses like food, drinks, and transportation.

Business With ₱100,000+ Capital

low budget business ideas philippines

Source:  Kqed

Convenience Store

You don’t need a lot of money to start your own convenience store. While franchise stores like 7/11, Ministop, and Family Mart typically cost a lot to start and maintain, small neighborhood sari-sari stores only need a small initial investment and can be just as profitable. The key is to find a good location with high foot traffic. In urban areas and rapidly-expanding residential areas, you can expect a lot of people to drop by your store for their daily needs.

Airbnb Rental

Because Airbnb offers more affordable rates than hotels, many international and local travelers prefer using it for accommodation.

If you spend a lot of time away from your house or condo, you may be able to make some extra money by listing your space on Airbnb. Just make sure that your place is clean, comfortable, and safe for guests. You can also add special amenities to make your listing more appealing, which is where you’ll spend most of your capital.

Urban Farming & Gardening Service Company

Growing and producing plant-based food in a city or metro is known as urban farming and gardening. It enables people to cultivate and create their own fruit and vegetable orchards.

You can create an urban farm by utilizing abandoned or unused spaces in the city, such as rooftops and small backyards. You’ll be using the initial capital to buy the seeds, soil, and other materials needed for planting.

DIY Construction Equipment Rentals

If you have plenty of construction equipment lying around, you may want to rent them out to small businesses or DIYers who don’t have their own equipment.

The demand is high for woodworking, metalworking, and welding instruments, which means there’s money to be made in buying and then renting out these kinds of heavy equipment.

Building Contractor

You can start with modest domestic projects and then transition to commercial locations if you have enough momentum and funding. This is the ideal small business if you’re familiar with the construction industry and have good managerial skills.

As a small building contractor, you’ll need to be registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB). You’ll also need to have an insurance policy in place to protect your business.

Recruitment Agency

If you have keen managerial, recruitment, and people management skills, you can start your own recruitment agency. You can begin by targetting janitorial companies, security services, construction firms, and other mass labor companies, and eventually, work with bigger-ticket clients as you scale.

Lights & Sounds Equipment Rental

Lights and sounds equipment rental is a small business that can be quite profitable, especially if you’re located in or near a city.

High-quality lights and audio can bring events to a whole new level and give a more upscale vibe. You can start small by renting out basic equipment like microphones and speakers and then gradually add more sophisticated items to your inventory. 

Mobile Bar & Bartending Services

Mobile bars are a classy way to liven up a party. People are going to hire you to mix their drinks, so you’ll need to be well-versed in bartending. 

You can provide a portable and convenient solution to parties that might be happening in uncommon locations such as beaches, mountain resorts, and any other places that might not have a stock of alcohol.

Meat Shop/Meat Retailing Business

·        Initial budget:  ₱120,000 – above

Most Filipino households regularly eat meat. You can make a large and consistent income if your butcher shop is located in a strategic area. This is perfect for business owners who can locate the perfect venue to sell meat, such as a storefront or market stand.

You can start for as low as ₱120,000 if you want to open your own shop with your own brand. However, if you want to franchise, this amount can reach millions.

Deep Cleaning Services

Modern families with two working parents frequently struggle to find the time to perform thorough house cleaning. They would prefer to spend their valuable weekends hanging out or going on date nights. 

As an expert cleaner, you can help maintain their environment in order to conserve time and energy. You can also perform deep cleaning services for offices and commercial spaces. 

Plumbing, Electrician, & Handyman Services Companies

If you have a lot of contacts and know how to market your services, you can easily create a service company that performs residential or commercial plumbing, wiring, and other upkeep services. 

It would be best to have people with the relevant skillsets on your team so you can offer a one-stop solution for all of your clients’ needs.

A fantastic way to turn rubbish into money is to open a junk shop or scrap trading business. This type of business consists of purchasing scrap metals, discarded bottles, cartons, plastics, and newspapers and selling them to recycling companies and factories for better prices. Depending on the current market rate, just one truckload of scrap metal can earn you thousands of pesos.

Personal Concierge and Errand Service

Errand-running for busy clients and organizations can be a terrific source of revenue. Examples include bill payment, laundry pickup and delivery, gift and grocery purchasing, and product delivery. 

You can scale this business by hiring more people to be a part of your team. You can also offer additional services such as dog walking.

Lechon Manok Business

·        Initial budget: ₱100,000 – above

·        Difficulty level: Easy – Medium

·        ROI turnaround: Months

Filipinos love roast chicken. In provincial towns, it’s very common to see lechon manok stands beside the road, and they usually have a line of customers waiting to get their hands on a delicious, juicy chicken. You can succeed in this business if you have drive, perseverance, and a suitable location.

Commercial Soft-Serve Ice Cream Franchise

·        Initial budget:  ₱100,000 – ₱450,000

Any time of year, ice cream is a favorite dessert among Filipinos. This kind of business is ideal for those who have the budget to spare but don’t have the time to formulate a homemade recipe. 

There are many well-known and beloved commercial ice cream brands in the Philippines. However, you’ll need to have a small space for your ice cream machine and enough initial capital to cover the franchise fee and other startup costs.

·        Initial budget:  ₱120,000 – ₱150,000

Filipinos love bread for breakfast and merienda. This successful venture generates a net profit of between ₱700 and ₱2,500+ per sack of flour, or between ₱2,000 and ₱6,000 per day. It’s an ideal small business for entrepreneurs who are passionate about baked goods and have the necessary patience and dedication.

Water Refilling Station

·        Initial budget:  ₱150,000 – above

Water refilling stations make a consistent profit despite intense competition. After all, water is an essential commodity, ensuring that you’ll get your ROI back within just a few months to a year.

To start, you’ll have to secure a small space to set up your equipment and have a small team to help with the operations. You’ll also need to obtain the proper permits from the local government.

Abaca Farming

·        Difficulty level:  Hard

The Philippines is one of the world’s leading  abaca producers . Abaca is a type of banana plant whose leaves are used to make rope and fabric.

If you buy an abaca farm, you can harvest the crops and sell them to middlemen. You can also process the abaca yourself to create finished products like ropes and bags, which you can sell for a higher price.

Medicinal Plant Farming

Due to Filipinos’ increased interest in traditional herbal treatment, the pharmaceutical industry is experiencing an increased demand for raw materials. As a result, the market for therapeutic herbs is substantial. For instance, lagundi (herbal medicine) farming alone can generate thousands of pesos in profit.

You’ll need to learn extremely technical skills about farming and growing specific plants, though, which could be difficult if you don’t have a background in agriculture.

Microbrewery Business

·        Initial budget:  ₱200,000 – above

Craft beer is steadily becoming more popular all around the world, and the Philippines is catching up to this trend quickly. If you like brewing beer and are passionate about trying out new flavors, this small business idea might be perfect for you. 

To start a microbrewery, all you need is space and equipment. If your product is successful, you can sell it online on your own or even to local bars.

Storage Rental

·        ROI turnaround:  Months – Years 

Storage space has become a valuable commodity in populated cities like Metro Manila. If you have an extra room, garage, or storage container, you can start renting it to people who need somewhere to store their items.

You can start small by renting out a few square meters and gradually increase the size of your storage rental business as you get more clients.

Smart Home & Automation Services

·        Initial budget:  ₱200,000

As a smart home automation business owner, your objective will be to offer installation and maintenance services for these gadgets. Thermal sensors, for instance, can be installed throughout the house to enable the AC to adjust automatically according to the client’s preferences.

Home & Office Furniture Rental

For those considering leasing their items rather than selling them, this is a niche market. Vacationers who stay in the locations they visit for longer periods might rent furnishings to make their living quarters feel more like home. The same goes for businesses that might need to rent furniture for their office space.

Gym/Fitness Center

·        Initial budget:  ₱200,000 above

Many Filipinos are starting to care more and more about their physique. They tend to look for a nearby gym where they may exercise affordably and keep in shape.

A modest gym or fitness center can be a lucrative business idea. You just have to buy gym necessities like weight sets, exercise mats, and basic equipment such as a treadmill. As you start getting more clients, you can add more expensive equipment to your business.

HVAC Maintenance Contractor

The majority of HVAC businesses in the nation focus on the maintenance and management of refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Air conditioning systems are crucial in the Philippines because of the hot, humid weather, so services that can maintain and repair these systems will always be in demand.

Disinfection Services (Covid-19)

Keeping ourselves clean in this post-pandemic era is not only essential but also a service that is in high demand. If you have the knowledge and equipment to provide disinfection services, this small business idea might be perfect for you.

Of course, you must ensure that all your tools are always properly cleaned and sanitized. You also have to prepare PPEs (personal protective equipment) for yourself and your team to prevent any contamination.

Recycling Business

If you care about the environment and would like to make some extra money, then a recycling business is perfect for you. However, launching a business of this nature can be difficult without careful planning.

You will need to have a clear understanding of the recycling process, what materials are valuable, and where to sell them. Additionally, you must be able to find a steady supply of recyclables to keep your business afloat.

Photo Booth Rental

·        Initial budget:  ₱250,000

In the Philippines, photo booths are popular at birthdays, weddings, baptisms, reunions, and business events. It makes sense because Filipinos adore preserving their images as souvenirs. Suppliers of photo booths charge between ₱3,000 and ₱5,000 for a two to four-hour event. Therefore, your profit will increase as your bookings increase.

Laundry Shop

·        Initial budget:  ₱250,000 – above

Laundry businesses are in high demand in the Philippines. In condominium complexes and residential neighborhoods of Metro Manila, where working professionals hardly have the time or room to wash their laundry, laundry shops are popping up like mushrooms.

This is great for entrepreneurs who can pick a place with a good water supply and proximity to their intended market.

Formal Wear Rental

·        Initial budget:  ₱300,000 – above

For weddings, proms, debuts, and other festivities, thrifty Pinoys rent gowns and suits rather than purchasing brand-new ones to save money. You can launch a formal wear rental company, charging between ₱300 and ₱7,000 for each item of clothing that you rent out.

To maximize profits, you can also offer other services, such as make-up and hair styling, transportation, and photography.

Professional Beauty Salon or Barbershop

·        Initial budget: ₱300,000 – above

·        Difficulty level: Medium – Difficult

·        ROI turnaround: Months – Years

The Philippines’ growing middle class is increasingly conscious of its appearance, which has resulted in the boom of beauty salons and barbershops in the country.

That said, you need to focus on proper training and management to avoid undesirable outcomes like damaged hair and skin rashes.

Selling or Renting Electric Bicycles

·        Initial budget:  ₱300,000

Worldwide usage of electric bikes (E-Bikes) is significantly increasing. These battery-powered bicycle sales are beginning to hit new highs, and it is anticipated that they will continue to rise over the next few years.

The cost of each unit is significantly lower than running a car or motorcycle dealership, and more people are beginning to appreciate the idea of an electric-assisted bike for its practicality and environmental benefits.

Spa/Massage Therapy Business

·        Initial budget:  ₱400,000 – above

Many working professionals today seek relief from stress and physical aches and pains in spas and massage parlors due to their fast-paced existence. These establishments are frequently fully booked, especially on weekends and weeknights.

This type of business venture is a financially lucrative small business concept because of the strong demand for massage therapy services.

Security Agency

·        Initial budget:  ₱500,000 – above

Security agencies exist to help people and businesses feel safe. You can start a small security agency that provides guards for residential areas or small commercial establishments. As your business grows,

Businesses can hire the personnel they need from security companies to ensure the protection of their operations and assets. You’ll establish a business that will serve as a hiring and allocating service for security people to customers.

Parking Business

It’s a huge hassle trying to find parking in the city. One potentially lucrative business is building your own parking space and charging people for it.

Of course, this small business idea requires a large amount of startup capital because you will need to acquire land of some kind, which can be pretty expensive, depending on your location. However, if you pick the right spot, your investment will eventually pay off.

3D Printing Services

Although these items are expensive, their cost has really decreased dramatically since their introduction years ago. In addition to creating things from scratch, you can also modify or enhance current products for your clients.

3D printing is an ideal service for entrepreneurs who want to test the mockups of their concept product without necessarily having to shell out money for manufacturing. There are also many hobbyists that require expert training, maintenance, and more.

Cryptocurrency ATM Machine

The tangible component of trading with a device they are familiar with makes the process of getting into cryptocurrencies easier for newbies, in addition to serving as a center for existing owners to purchase and sell cryptocurrency with cash.

As the owner of the ATM, you’ll earn service fees for every transaction, so this kind of business depends on how strong the cryptocurrency industry in the country is.

Building Maintenance Firm

Nobody enjoys being in a run-down, unclean area. You will be responsible for keeping the building in peak condition as a building maintenance company.

Your services will be contracted by the building owner or management, and you will need to ensure that all areas are clean, functional, and safe for use. Most of your capital will be spent on hiring staff and buying equipment.

Landscaping Company

If you have experience in any of these three areas, you may start by pitching your services to small-scale projects like home sellers or those wishing to refurbish their front and back yards. Your firm could provide customized packages that take care of everything, from sourcing the plants to designing the landscaping.

Building Safety & Inspection Services

Building safety is of the utmost importance and must be maintained over its lifetime. Accreditation and the appropriate certification are needed to launch this kind of firm. Once operational, you can start providing your services to both public and private building owners that require ongoing building safety certification.

Waste Management Services Company 

Creating a system for gathering and sorting waste from residential units is definitely a good place to start.

Residents will be more than happy to have you pick up their trash, and some will even pay for quick and efficient rubbish disposal. Once the gathering and sorting are complete, you can sell to junkyards or even straight to recycling companies.

Scrap Metal Vendor 

·        ROI turnaround:  Months 

Because metal can be recycled without losing quality, it offers a fantastic chance for you to start a business.

This kind of business is still fantastic, especially for those who want to help the environment, since it prevents useless products from ending up in landfills, even though you might not earn a tremendous amount of money unless you’re dealing with huge volumes of metals.

Laser Engraving Business

·        Initial budget:  ₱500,000 

This is a business that’s perfect for those who have a steady hand and an eye for detail. A laser engraving machine is used to engrave images or text onto various materials, such as wood, metal, glass, and more. You can start small by targeting small businesses in your area that are in need of this service.

Photo & Video Equipment Rentals

Renting out photo and video equipment can also be a lucrative business. Despite being talented, some people in the industry can’t afford to buy their own.

Although the initial investment required for this kind of business can be rather high, it’s worth it, especially if you have mechanisms to ensure that your equipment won’t be damaged, such as contracts or waivers.

Pizza Business

Filipinos frequently order pizza for parties, family and barkada gatherings, and business meetings because pizzerias give customers convenience. There are affordable pizza franchises at half a million, but you need to find a profitable place to set it up. 

With the right location, anyone who is passionate about, skilled at, and experienced in operating a pizza business can be successful at this business.

Mango Processing Business

·        Initial budget:  700,000 – above

One of the more competitive culinary products made in the Philippines is dried mangoes. 85% of the nation’s total production of dried mangoes is exported, and the fruit is known for its quality across the world. You can turn mangoes into dried mangoes, purees, juices, syrups, jams, chocolate-dipped, and more.

Demolition & Wrecking Contractor

·        Initial budget:  ₱900,000 – above

Heavy machinery and trained manpower will be the bulk of your capital expenses, but you can get good money by partnering with engineering firms, especially if you specialize in urban locations.

Logistics/Trucking/Hauling Services

The Philippines’ expanding manufacturing and retail sectors are driving up demand for logistics services like trucking that can move products effectively. Therefore, launching a trucking company now, especially as a B2B service, will be a wise investment.

Import/Export Business

·        Initial budget:  ₱1,000,000

You may want to consider using the import/export method depending on the product. Both use selling as their primary idea and source of income. It all depends on how well you can organize and manage the logistics. Once you have that calculated, locating customers and a target market is all that remains.

Shoe Repair Shop Franchise

In the Philippines, it is still customary to save shoes for emotional and financial reasons. Gaining your clients’ trust will allow you to benefit from their repeat business. You can franchise from established companies, or you can hire people that you know who will have shoe-repairing skills.

Van/Hauling Vehicle Rental Services

·        Initial budget:  ₱1,000,000 – above

Instead of providing moving services, you can also rent out any extra vans and large vehicles that you might have to people who would like to use them. This is ideal for business owners who have a fleet of unused heavy vehicles but don’t want to go through the hassle of recruiting for and running a moving business.

Campground Business

Travel is getting more comfortable as tourists pick back up. By setting up a campground business—i.e., a personal campsite where visitors may stay—you can take advantage of this. You can also set up tents and other amenities that are beneficial for your clients.

The bulk of your capital will be used for purchasing or furnishing the land to be more camping friendly and to have campground amenities without destroying its natural beauty.

Rage Room Businesses

·        Initial budget:  ₱1,000,000 

Rage rooms are locations where individuals can enter and begin smashing objects with the intention of releasing their anger.

Some claim that it is therapeutic since the act of physically destroying items relieves stress. Rage rooms, also known as smash rooms or anger rooms, have been around for a long time and are present in many places all over the world.

Modern Jeepney Franchise

·        Initial budget:  ₱1,400,000 – above

In the Philippines, the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization initiative is a contentious topic; transportation organizations are against its adoption since e-jeepneys are expensive.

However, this might be a potentially lucrative business for innovative Filipinos, as environmentally friendly PUVs are anticipated to take the place of the outdated, conventional jeepneys that will soon be phased out.

Solar Panel Installation Firm

·        Initial budget:  ₱2,000,000 – above

In the past several years, a number of new firms in the solar panel business have emerged. If you’re eager to participate, you can start a company that sells solar panel services.

Homeowners and small businesses are often your target market, as they’re the ones that are always on the lookout for new ways to save on energy costs.

ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit)

ADUs are a different investment that Filipinos might consider, despite the fact that they are a relatively new idea. As more economical options, these supplementary apartments act as second homes or as areas that are shared with the main residence.

These affordable lodging options offer a win-win situation for the company owner and people looking for reasonably priced lodging in the metro area. This is especially true if you have important locations around you, such as schools, colleges, tourist attractions, and more.

Co-Working Spaces

The notion for co-working spaces was sparked by the increase in independent contractors, home-based workers, and “Digital Nomads.” It’s essentially a shared workplace that serves as the “office” for a variety of freelancers and small businesses; frequently, students also use these facilities for studying.

It can be self-sustaining if you have the area and amenities necessary to operate this kind of business.

Office Pods

·        Initial budget:  ₱3,000,000 – above

These are essentially portable, soundproof little offices roughly the size of a regular office cubicle. The goal is to provide consumers with a private environment where they may work even while they are outside of their office.

They’re also known as Telecubes in Japan, and you may see them in hotels, structures, and even convenience stores. Telecubes offer a practical and reasonable area to complete tasks, whether for work or personal matters.

Recording & Band Rehearsal Studio

Services like this provide you with the location and equipment to practice or record music without any hassle. Customers can walk in or book in advance and find everything set up for their needs. This is ideal for musically inclined entrepreneurs, especially those who already have a hoard of musical instruments they can rent out.

Ride-Sharing Fleet

·        Initial budget:  ₱3,000,000 

With the growing popularity of ride-sharing apps such as Grab and Angkas, ride-sharing vehicles are more in demand than ever. You can take advantage of this trend by buying multiple vehicles and renting them out to drivers who will register to the app on your behalf.

To save money on upfront costs, you can buy secondhand vehicle models from the past 3-5 years. 

The Philippines is a great place to start a small business. With its vibrant culture, diverse landscape, and friendly people, there are many opportunities for entrepreneurs. With a little time, effort, and creativity

What are the top 5 small businesses to start?

The top business for you depends a lot on what situation you are in and what services you can offer. However, in general, 5 of the best small businesses are sari-sari stores, online selling, rental services, coaching services, and crafts business. These are easy businesses to start with less capital and high earning potential.

What business can I start with 50K in the Philippines?

There are plenty of businesses that you can start with ₱50,000 in the Philippines. For example, you can open a car wash business, retail supplies, or start a shop or firm of all kinds.

Which business is best to start for beginners?

For beginners, microbusinesses with small capital needs and low risk are the most ideal business to start, especially if they’re just trying things out for themselves. Examples of this could include things like loading businesses, data entry, chocolate making – and more, depending on their interest.

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Now is the best time to start a business. Apart from the  growing Philippine economy , social media and the changing interests of consumers also influence the increasing demand for products and services. Filipinos are now more open to new brands and establishments, allowing the business industry to flourish more quickly.

Be your own boss and grow your finances by starting your own venture. Here are 15 small business ideas you can put up with a low capital of PHP 150 to PHP 350,000.

1. Home-Based Palamig Business

Startup cost:  php 150 to php 3,000, items to invest in:  ingredients (sago, gulaman, sugar, fruits, powdered drinks, etc.), purified water, containers, plastic cups.

Selling ice-cold drinks is one of the low-cost yet profitable small business ideas in a tropical country like the Philippines. Palamig is a hit during summer but can be sold all year round, especially if you live near a school, church, or a commercial/office building. For as low as PHP 150, you can start selling palamig and earn around PHP 300 per container.

2. Costume Rental Shop

Photo by GoToVan via Flickr, Creative Commons

Startup cost:  At least PHP 500

Items to invest in:  costumes, clothes racks, hangers.

Costumes are popular not only during the Halloween season. People look for costumes any time of the year: office workers need them for corporate parties, cosplay enthusiasts wear them in anime and manga events, students need them for their school plays and activities, and even BPO employees hunt for costumes for their weekly contests.

Costume rental is one of the low-capital small business ideas in the Philippines. You may find cheap costumes in ukay-ukays or sew costumes yourself, if you already have sewing skills and machine. You may have old costumes sent by your relatives from abroad—you might want to rent them out and earn around PHP 500 per costume rental.

3. Cellphone Loading Business

Startup cost:  php 2,000 to php 3,000, items to invest in:  basic phone, retailer sim card, starting balance of p500.

Perhaps one of the easiest businesses to put up is a cellphone loading business. For as low as P2,000, you can start loading and earning at home or even at work. However, unlike other small businesses, don’t expect to earn much from this venture. As a load retailer, you get your earnings through a commission, which can be 3% to 13% per transaction. For example, a prepaid load worth P50 may deduct P47 from your load wallet, leaving you with a P3 profit. This, of course, depends on your chosen telecommunication company.

4. Cake and Pastry Business

Instagram photo by @itswenelen

Startup cost:   PHP 3,000 to PHP 5,000 if you already have equipment. PHP 40,000 to PHP 50,000 if you still have to invest in equipment and materials.

Items to invest in:  oven, mixer, cake pans, cupcake liners, decorating tools, cooling rack, measuring spoons, mixing bowls.

Do you like baking during free time? Why not turn your hobby into a business? A cake and pastry business is a great way to earn money even at home. With a low capital of PHP 3,000, you can start baking bread and cupcakes to friends and on social media. Start by determining the audience you wish to cater to (moms, children, companies, etc.) and attract them into your venture. Identify your specialty and let that be the highlight of your products. Don’t forget to find a supplier who can provide ingredients at a low price and build a Facebook or Instagram page to help you advertise your business.

5. Bills Payment Business

Startup cost:  php 5,000 to php 45,000, items to invest in:  point-of-sale (pos) device.

Great small business ideas solve customers’ biggest pain points, like enduring long lines at payment centers to pay bills or send money.

You can run a digital payment business that offers bills payment, remittance, airline ticket booking, and mobile e-loading services to your neighborhood. This low-capital small business can earn you an average monthly income of PHP 10,000 and recoup your investment from one to eight months.

If you already own a sari-sari store, eatery, internet shop, or any small business, this is a great way to boost your income.

6. Outdoor Adventure Equipment Rental

Startup cost:  at least php 10,000, items to invest in:  tents, shoes, and other adventure gears and equipment.

Do you live near an outdoor adventure destination? There are plenty of small business ideas to consider, one of which is renting out gears and equipment for outdoor adventures such as hiking, camping, swimming, or diving. It requires only a minimal investment to start, and can bring huge profits in peak seasons like summer and holidays.

7. Online Buy and Sell Business

Startup cost:  php 10,000 to php 20,000, items to invest in:  products for reselling, camera, computer, internet connection.

One of the easiest ways to make money from home is to buy products in bulk at very low prices and sell them online at higher prices.

Clothes, shoes, bags, accessories, and beauty products are among the most sought-after items by online shoppers. You can buy cheap yet trendy RTW clothes from Taytay Tiangge or Divisoria, for instance, and then sell them via Facebook, Instagram, or online marketplaces like Lazada, Shopee, OLX, or eBay. Or you can set up your own website using an e-commerce platform like Shopify.

Invest in a camera that takes high-quality photos, so the products on your website will attract prospective customers.

8. Piso Wi-Fi Vending Machine

Startup cost:  PHP 17,000 to PHP 30,000

Items to invest in:  internet hotspot device and unlimited broadband plan.

It isn’t an exaggeration to say that Filipinos can’t live without internet—we spend an average of 10 hours online per day, according to the Digital in 2019 report.

Enterprising people can take this as an income-earning opportunity by running a piso Wi-Fi business that provides affordable internet connection. This low-capital business is cheaper to set up than an internet cafe. Simply purchase a coin-operated internet vending machine that serves as a hotspot and charge a fee per minute/s of internet use. For example, your rate could be PHP 1 per 5 minutes, PHP 5 per 30 minutes, or PHP 10 per hour.

Sales of a piso Wi-Fi business can go anywhere from PHP 6,000 to PHP 40,000 a month.

9. Custom Invitation Business

Startup cost:  at least php 20,000, items to invest in:  stationery paper, printer, ink, cutter, scissors, glue.

Here’s a perfect small business idea for people who have talent in arts and design: create personalized invitations mostly for weddings and corporate events. You can start alone, taking small orders from close family and friends. When bulk orders come in, you’ll need to scale up your business by investing in better printing equipment and supplies and hiring an assistant or two.

10. Vlogging

Startup cost:  php 20,000 to php 30,000+, items to invest in:  vlogging camera, microphone, tripod, video editing software.

Do you have a knack for hosting or storytelling? Be a vlogger—earn income using your talent and a few video production equipment with only a small capital.

You can start vlogging with a smartphone that can shoot high-resolution videos, create interesting content, and share your video on YouTube, Instagram, or your personal blog. Your content can be anything you’re passionate about, like travel, humor, or sports. Or you may want to share advice to fellow moms, makeup tutorials, or whatever you think is worth sharing.

To earn income through vlogging, sign up for a Google Adsense account and start earning from ads displayed on your videos.

11. Gift Basket Business

Startup cost:  php 30,000 to php 50,000, items to invest in:  baskets, gift items, cellophane, ribbon, gift tags, scissors.

Are you the creative type? Do you enjoy preparing and wrapping gifts? Then making and selling personalized gift baskets may be one of the best small business ideas for you. Your customers will be mostly well-off people who are too busy to buy holiday gifts and companies that order gift baskets to be given away to their employees and clients.

Gift baskets are very easy to assemble. Expect to spend around PHP 1,000 and 10 to 15 minutes per basket. It’s one of the easiest small business ideas to set up.

12. Photo Booth Rental

Startup cost:  php 70,000 to php 100,000, items to invest in:  dslr camera, computer, monitor, software app, photo printer, props, studio lighting.

Birthday parties, baptismal parties, weddings, corporate events, and many other events aren’t complete without photo booths. Guests love souvenirs from the gatherings they attend, which is why photo booths are a staple in any event in the Philippines.

This is what makes photo booth rentals among the most popular small business ideas today. If you love photography and don’t have enough capital to put up your own studio, the next best thing is a photo booth business.

For every two-hour to four-hour event, your photo booth rental business may earn between PHP 4,000 to PHP 5,000.

13. Food Cart Franchise

Instagram photo by @bogey3000

Startup cost:  PHP 50,000 to PHP 300,000

Items to invest in:  whatever item you think can improve your business. franchisors usually provide equipment and initial supplies to help start your business..

Interested in owning a food cart business? Companies like  Franchise Manila  and  Food Cart Corner  can help you find a food cart franchise that suits your budget, interest, and target market. Food carts offering one or two products typically start at a franchise fee of P50,000, which includes equipment, training, and marketing support. More popular food cart franchises like Potato Corner and Bibingkinitan can cost as much as P300,000.

When investing in a food cart business, choose a location with good foot traffic such as malls, terminals, and cafeterias. Also, don’t forget to  secure an emergency fund  for unforeseen circumstances. Remember that real profit only comes in once you’ve earned the money you’ve invested in your franchise fee.

13. T-Shirt Printing Business

Startup cost:  php 150,000 to php 200,000, items to invest in:  computer, printer for pigment ink, printer for sublimation ink, heat press, silk screen line table, rotary press, flash dryer, frames, squeegees, t-shirts.

It’s easy to earn from a t-shirt printing business, especially if you already have connections within companies and organizations. Apart from customized tees, you can also focus on printing office uniforms, jerseys, hoodies, and canvas bags. However, before putting up this kind of business, it is best to learn different printing methods (digital printing, silkscreen, direct to garment) for a more specialized venture. You can start your business in a spacious garage at home or rent a small commercial space.

15. Water Refilling Station Business

Startup cost:  php 100,000 to php 350,000, items to invest in:  water refilling machine, slim water bottles, round water bottles, heat gun, stickers, delivery vehicle.

If you find a place with no water station or is far from one, take the opportunity and put up a water refilling business. There is a high demand for clean and drinkable water, especially in rural areas. With a budget of PHP 100,000 you can  franchise a water refilling station like Crystal Clear or Bluewaters. Starting your own brand, on the other hand, can cost as much as PHP 350,000. The investment is worth the money, though. Water is highly profitable and does not expire unlike other products in the market.

Final Thoughts

With strategy and creativity, you can be your own boss even with low capital. Determine your market check out small business ideas that do not only suit your interest but is highly profitable as well.

REFERENCE:  https://www.moneymax.ph/personal-finance/articles/small-business-ideas-philippines/

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Affordable Business Ideas Philippines: Low-Cost, High-Reward Secrets

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Dreaming of starting your own business but worried about the cost? You’re not alone. The Philippines, with its vibrant economy and entrepreneurial spirit, offers a plethora of opportunities for budding entrepreneurs like you. And guess what? Many of these opportunities don’t require a hefty investment.

From online ventures to community-based services, there’s a wide range of affordable business ideas waiting for you to explore. Whether you’re passionate about technology, food, or crafts, there’s something for everyone. So, let’s dive in and discover how you can turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality without breaking the bank.

Key Takeaways

  • The Philippines offers numerous affordable business ideas across various sectors, enabling entrepreneurs to start ventures with minimal investment.
  • Online ventures like dropshipping, freelancing, content creation, and affiliate marketing provide substantial opportunities for income with low startup costs, emphasizing the importance of digital skills and marketing.
  • Community-based services, including tutoring, catering, and senior care, meet local needs and can be started on a budget, reflecting the potential for impactful businesses rooted in personal touch and integrity.
  • Technology-driven business ideas like app development, web design, and digital marketing services offer scalable opportunities without requiring heavy upfront investment, highlighting the leverage technology provides in starting cost-effective businesses.
  • The food industry presents viable, low-cost entry points through street food stalls, online food businesses, and meal prep services, catering to the local palate and lifestyle, indicating that passion and creativity are key to success.
  • Crafting and handmade products turn hobbies into profitable ventures, with online platforms and social media playing a crucial role in reaching a global audience, underlining the importance of quality presentation and engagement.

Online Ventures: A Cost-Effective Way to Start Your Business

Stepping into the entrepreneurial world can be daunting, especially with the misconception that you need hefty capital to start. However, online ventures have revolutionized the game, allowing you to embark on your business journey from the comfort of your home with minimal investment.

Dropshipping , for example, is a fantastic way to dip your toes in the e-commerce space without the hassle of inventory and shipping. You simply partner with suppliers, market their products online, and they handle the rest. It’s a low-risk model with the potential for high rewards if you hone your digital marketing skills.

Then there’s freelancing . If you have a skill—be it writing, graphic design, or digital marketing—you’re sitting on a goldmine. Platforms like Upwork and Freelancer connect you with clients around the globe, allowing you to build a portfolio and client base without initial capital.

Don’t overlook content creation . With the rise of platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, passionate individuals are turning their hobbies into lucrative careers. Whether it’s cooking, tech reviews, or DIY crafts, there’s an audience for everything. The key is consistency and authenticity, engaging with your audience to build a loyal following.

Lastly, consider affiliated marketing . If you’ve got a persuasive touch and a decent social media following, you can earn commissions by promoting products or services. It’s about finding products you believe in and sharing them with your audience, turning your influence into income.

Embarking on an online venture in the Philippines isn’t just about making money; it’s about passion, perseverance, and the thrill of turning your dreams into reality. With the right mindset and dedication, the digital world is your oyster.

Community-Based Services: Making an Impact on a Budget

After diving deep into the world of online ventures, it’s time to look around your local neighborhood and see what needs you can fulfill. Community-based services may not sound as flashy as an online startup, but they hold the potential for substantial impact and profit, even on a modest budget. You’re not just starting a business; you’re weaving your dreams into the fabric of your community.

Starting with personalized tutoring services can be a game-changer. With the shift towards online learning, many parents in your community are likely seeking extra help for their kids. This is where you come in. You don’t need a big setup – just your expertise and a quiet room. If education is your passion, this is a golden opportunity to make a difference and earn at the same time.

Another avenue is home-based catering or meal prep services . In a world where everyone is rushing, offering a service that brings families together over a delicious, home-cooked meal can resonate well. It’s not just about cooking; it’s about storytelling through food. And the best part? You can start right from your kitchen.

Lastly, consider senior care services . As populations age, the demand for personalized care solutions is skyrocketing. Offering companionship, basic healthcare, or even errand services can significantly improve the quality of life for seniors in your area. And it’s an excellent way for you to contribute meaningfully to society.

Remember, the essence of community-based services lies in addressing Local Needs with Personal Touch and Integrity . As you consider these options, think about what your neighborhood is missing and how you can fill that gap. Starting small doesn’t mean thinking small. Every big business once started as a dream, and with passion and persistence, you too can make a lasting impact right in your backyard.

Technology-based Business Ideas: Pioneering the Future without High Costs

Embarking on your entrepreneurial journey, especially in the thriving digital landscape of the Philippines, doesn’t have to drain your savings. Affordable technology-based business ideas are paving the way for anyone keen to dive into the future without high upfront costs. It’s not just about having the right idea; it’s about leveraging technology to make it a reality on a budget.

Starting with mobile apps , there’s a goldmine of opportunities. You don’t need to be a tech wizard to bring an app idea to life. Various platforms allow you to create and launch apps without coding skills. Whether it’s a productivity tool, a lifestyle app, or something that taps into the local culture and needs, the key is to identify problems you can solve. The low entry barrier and the potential to reach millions make this a lucrative avenue.

Next, there’s web development and design . Every business is looking to establish an online presence. If you’ve got an eye for design or a knack for coding, small businesses will pay for your expertise. Starting doesn’t need to be expensive. Use free online tools and platforms to hone your skills and showcase your work. Networking can often secure your first few clients, and from there, word of mouth can take your venture to the next level.

Digital marketing services are in high demand too. Small and medium businesses are constantly seeking cost-effective ways to reach their target audience online. If you’ve got a talent for social media, SEO, or content marketing, your services could be invaluable. With the right strategies and knowledge, you can help businesses grow online—a win-win situation.

Remember, low-cost doesn’t mean low-value . Technology has democratized entrepreneurship, making it more accessible than ever. With a bit of creativity, dedication, and the willingness to learn, you can start a business that stands the test of time. Keep your finger on the pulse of emerging trends and technologies to stay ahead. Your next venture could just be a click away.

Food Business Ideas: Satisfying Cravings without Draining Your Wallet

Diving into the food industry can be a flavorful journey without the need to break the bank. From my own experience of exploring various business avenues, I’ve learned that the food sector offers a bounty of low-cost, high-reward opportunities. Here, I’ll share some insights on launching your food business venture in the Philippines, focusing on options that cater to both the local palate and the entrepreneurial spirit looking for affordable entry points.

Street Food Stall: The heart and soul of Filipino community food culture. It requires minimal investment and can yield high returns. Everyone loves a quick, tasty snack, and the beauty of street food is its accessibility and affordability for both the vendor and the customer. Whether it’s grilled isaw, banana cue, or taho, finding the right location—like near schools or busy markets—can turn your small stall into a local hotspot.

Online Food Business: Leverage the power of social media and delivery apps to bring your culinary creations to a wider audience. From baked goods to gourmet meals, there’s a demand for homemade, quality food online. What’s great about starting online is the low overhead—no need for a physical storefront. Just ensure your food not only tastes good but is also Instagram-worthy to capture that virtual crowd.

Meal Prep Services: With the bustling lifestyle of many Filipinos, convenience is king. Offering weekly meal prep services can cater to health-conscious individuals or those too busy to cook. Tailor your menu for specific diets to stand out—think keto, vegan, or high-protein options. Efficient planning and bulk purchasing of ingredients can help keep costs low.

By leveraging these affordable food business ideas, you’re not just filling stomachs—you’re also building a potentially lucrative venture that connects directly with the community’s needs and cravings. Remember, success in the food industry is as much about passion and creativity as it is about culinary skill.

Crafts and Handmade Products: Turning Your Hobby into a Profitable Venture

Let’s dive into a realm where passion meets profit – crafting and handmade products. If you’ve got a knack for creating unique items, this path could be your ticket to a successful business venture. The beauty of this business idea? It starts with your hobby . Whether it’s handmade jewelry, custom clothing, artisanal soaps, or bespoke furniture, your craft skills can carve out a niche in the market.

Setting up an online shop for your crafts is easier than ever. Platforms like Etsy, Instagram, and Facebook Marketplace are excellent starting points. They not only provide a ready-made audience but also offer simple tools to set up your shop. Your creativity is your limit , and with the power of social media, reaching potential customers across the globe is a breeze.

Consider these tips to enhance your venture:

  • Quality Photography : Eye-catching photos of your products are crucial. They’re what will draw customers in and help your items stand out in a crowded market.
  • Engage on Social Media : Create a strong brand presence. Post engaging content, behind-the-scenes peeks, and stories about your crafting process to connect with your audience on a personal level.
  • Participate in Local Markets : While online sales are convenient, participating in local bazaars and craft fairs can give you direct feedback and help build a loyal local customer base.

Remember, success in this business isn’t just about creating stunning products; it’s also about effectively marketing them and making sure they reach the right audience. Start small, stay consistent, and your hobby might just grow into a full-blown profitable venture.

Conclusion: Affordable Opportunities Await in the Philippines!

Venturing into the business world in the Philippines doesn’t have to break the bank. Whether you’re drawn to the bustling food industry or have a knack for crafting unique handmade products, there’s a niche for you. Remember, success in these affordable business ideas hinges on your passion, creativity, and ability to connect with your community. Don’t underestimate the power of social media and online platforms to amplify your reach and attract a loyal customer base. So go ahead, turn your hobbies into profitable ventures, and watch as your business flourishes in this vibrant market. The journey ahead is promising, and the opportunities are endless.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some affordable business ideas in the philippines.

Affordable business ideas in the Philippines include online ventures, community-based services, food businesses like street food stalls and meal prep services, and turning hobbies such as crafts into profitable ventures through online platforms.

How can I start a food business with low investment?

Starting a food business with low investment involves focusing on street food stalls, online food businesses, and meal prep services, utilizing social media and delivery apps to broaden your audience.

Why is the food industry considered a high-reward opportunity?

The food industry is considered high-reward due to its widespread demand, the capacity for creative offerings, and the opportunity to cater to the community’s unique tastes and needs.

How can I leverage social media for my food business?

You can leverage social media for your food business by creating engaging content, utilizing targeted ads, interacting directly with your audience, and using platforms to showcase your menu and facilitate easy ordering.

What are the keys to success in turning hobbies into businesses?

The keys to success in turning hobbies into businesses include setting up an online presence on platforms like Etsy, ensuring product quality, engaging with your audience on social media, utilizing quality photography, and participating in local markets.

How important is marketing for online craft businesses?

Marketing is crucial for online craft businesses as it helps to distinguish your products in a competitive market, reach your target audience effectively, and build a loyal customer base through engagement and quality content.

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About the author.

Ryan Kingsley Seriosity Editor

Ryan Kingsley

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The 115 Best Business Ideas To Start In Philippines [2024]

Interested in starting a business in Philippines in 2024?

We put together 115 of the best businesses you can start in Philippines today.

In this list of ideas, you can find:

  • Home-based businesses to start in Philippines
  • Profitable online business ideas
  • Unique business opportunities for Philippines
  • Low investment business ideas (under $5k to start)
  • Easy businesses you can start in Philippines today

For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, + a step-by-step on how to start your small business in Philippines.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a SEO agency

An SEO agency is a company that provides search engine optimization services to businesses. The function of an SEO agency is to help businesses rank higher in search engines through organic or paid means.

SEO is a rapidly growing industry, with experts across all aspects of the field already making six-figure incomes and expecting to see these earnings grow dramatically over the next few years. Getting into SEO today, before it gets too saturated, will allow you to establish a strong base in a new career, with an excellent chance for success.

It’s easier than ever to start your SEO agency in Philippines. The tools are there, and the competition isn’t as stiff as it used to be. If you’re considering starting an SEO or digital marketing agency, it might be a good idea to learn how other digital agencies succeed.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,800,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

2. Start a coffee cafe business

A coffee shop is a popular spot for customers to enjoy freshly brewed coffee, tea, and light snacks in a comfortable and welcoming environment.

These cafes are typically furnished with comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and a pleasant ambiance that provides a relaxed environment for people to gather, work or unwind.

To succeed in this business, it is essential to offer high-quality coffee, create a pleasant atmosphere, and provide excellent customer service.

With the increasing demand for specialty coffee experiences, starting a coffee cafe can be a lucrative business opportunity that caters to the widespread love for coffee and the need for communal spaces to enjoy it.

How much you can make: $13,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Chicago based Ignite Technology and Innovation-owned Momentum Coffee & Coworking, which focuses on coffee, coworking, community, and event space, rakes in about $17-20k a month in revenue, mostly from online and offline advertising, and just celebrated their first anniversary, with plans to open 2 more locations in Chicago in under-resourced communities.

low budget business ideas philippines

3. Become a chocolate maker

Rarely do you come across someone who does not love chocolate. That’s good reason to start a chocolate making business!

According to statistics, the global chocolate market size is expected to grow at a CAGR rate of 4.6% .

Starting a chocolate business can yield profits in any part of the world. However, to achieve the high profit margins, you ought to make chocolate with quality ingredients. Then, create a niche with a unique selling proposition.

How much you can make: $12,000 — $4,500,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

Rescue Chocolate is an NYC-based vegan, organic and fair-traded chocolate company that donates profits to animal rescue organizations and has partnered with hundreds of fundraising groups in 8 years.

low budget business ideas philippines

4. Start a healthy meal delivery service

Meal prep delivery services offer healthy and nutritional meals to customers via e-commerce sites.

These services provide either DIY meal kits or Ready-to-eat meals, saving time and eliminating food waste.

They are particularly beneficial for busy people and health-conscious millennials who prefer nutritional food at home.

There are two types of meal services: online meal kits and fast food delivery services.

A meal prep delivery business can be profitable, especially when compared to restaurants, as they save costs on a storefront.

To make a good profit, one should invest less in groceries and ensure they have many customers.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $25,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 7 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Healthy Chew is a profitable weekly meal preparation service that grew from 200 to 10,000 weekly bowls in just over 3 years, with an overall sales figure of $1.8 million, achieved through effective branding and personalised customer service.

low budget business ideas philippines

5. Start a music lessons business

How much you can make: $45,000 — $70,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

This case study follows Brooke Schrager's journey of starting a customized in-home music lesson business with only 10 students in January 2016 and growing it to over 200 students with monthly revenue of $20,000 in May 2021.

low budget business ideas philippines

6. Start a payment app

A payment app lets you accept payments from anywhere, using your mobile phone or tablet. It’s best for business owners and professionals to get payments for products or services occasionally or irregularly.

Starting a payment app is an excellent way of making passive income online. It doesn’t require much initially, and the revenue can be significant.

Payment apps are quite popular nowadays, allowing people to pay for goods and services with the tap of a button on their phones. Creating a new payment app can help you capture a share of this growing industry and virtually endless niche for your business.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $2,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 165 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Payment.co, an app built on top of the Stripe payment gateway for creating card-present charges, has grown to process over $70M in volume annually since launching in 2015, with the app collecting a 1% service fee on every single charge.

low budget business ideas philippines

7. Start an online language coaching business

The world has become more globalized. Businesses have become cross-border, and executives have to travel to meet new customers. One thing that is obvious is that there is a need for language translation services.

If you have proficiency in one or more foreign languages then you can consider working as a language coach.

Teaching a language online is intensive as you have to meet and communicate with the audience often, and check their progress. If you are looking for an opportunity to earn working online, consider starting online language lessons.

How much you can make: $240 — $13,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 212 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Marlena Jorn started Marlena Jorn Tutors in teaching German to a group of people privately; she learned through experience what worked best to design her class structure and advertising/marketing materials, and from word of mouth has gained a very successful response so far.

low budget business ideas philippines

8. Start a cooking class

Online cooking classes can be a great side hustle for seasoned chefs or cooking enthusiasts looking for a way to earn some extra cash. You can create content and teach your audience how to prepare meals.

Consider creating members-only content to earn more from your cooking class side hustle. Alternatively, you can sell recipes for a small fee as well. To grow your reach, consider offering some free content on your social media pages as a way to build curiosity among potential audiences. You can charge your audiences a subscription fee so they can have exclusive access to your content.

To start cooking classes in Philippines, choose a niche and follow your passion. Create a website and maintain an active social media presence. Apart from online cooking classes or live sessions you can also offer exclusive offline weekend classes to give your audience a hands-on personal experience.

How much you can make: $7,500 — $100,000/month

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

low budget business ideas philippines

Hipcooks is a 7-location cooking school business that has grown organically to reach $100k/month in revenue, and attracts and retains customers through their communal approach, vibrant online presence, and updated Google and Yelp business pages.

low budget business ideas philippines

9. Become a wedding planner

A wedding planner assists with designing, planning, and managing a wedding, so the bride and groom have the happiest day. Wedding planners enjoy a flexible working schedule and opportunities to travel locally and globally, and it’s a great career with numerous growth opportunities.

To start a wedding planning business in Philippines, identify your target clientele and study their wedding cultures so you can offer the clients excellent service. Remember, excellent wedding planning is all about having the passion and knowing how to harness that passion for designing weddings that bring out the emotions of those in attendance.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $50,000/month

How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

This husband and wife duo started a wedding consultancy agency, 'Getting Married in Denmark', which has gone from doing 5-10 weddings a month to 80-100 weddings a month in just 4 years, massively growing their revenue.

low budget business ideas philippines

10. Start an ecommerce platform

Over the past decade, eCommerce has become an indispensable part of the global retail framework. According to statistics, over 2 billion people prefer shopping online.

While brick-and-mortar stores are still making more sales compared to online sales, the adoption of eCommerce is still rising, mainly because of the increased speed and convenience of online shopping.

Therefore, starting an eCommerce platform could set you on the right path to building a futuristic business.

How much you can make: $100 — $83,333,333/month

How long does it take to build: 110 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

StoreYa co-founders Eyal Reich and Yariv Dror, along with CTO Pasha Zaft, created a suite of marketing and advertising apps that include Traffic Booster, which has generated an average of $700,000 MRR and helped the business win a 2018 Google Acquisition Performance award, as well as becoming a PayPal exclusive advertising partner.

low budget business ideas philippines

11. Start a party supply store

If you love fun activities and helping other people enjoy their parties, starting a party store in your neighborhood can be a rewarding and profitable business.

Party stores sell balloons, decorations, costumes, novelties, confectionaries, theme party wear, and other party supplies.

If you are starting a party store, you may choose to join it as an affiliate or enter a franchise. A party store is a low-to-entry business venture and can be rewarding in the long run.

How much you can make: $25,000 — $400,000/month

How long does it take to build: 1 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

The Party People, Australia's largest party store with a multimillion-dollar turnover, shares insights on how they've grown from a small clown hire business to an online and brick-and-mortar party supply retailer by focusing on customer service and innovating in marketing and technology.

low budget business ideas philippines

12. Start a fundraising consulting business

A fundraising consulting business helps organizations, non-profits, and individuals raise money for various causes or projects.

As a consultant, you would identify funding needs and develop and implement a strategy to meet them, including researching funding sources, writing grant proposals, organizing fundraising events, and managing donor relations.

To start this business, you will need a strong understanding of fundraising, a network of potential funding sources, and possibly licenses or certifications.

To be successful, you will need excellent communication and networking skills, the ability to think creatively and strategically, and an understanding of industry trends and best practices. You will also need to manage your business finances, including setting service prices and tracking income and expenses.

How much you can make: $7,000 — $166,666,666/month

How long does it take to build: 195 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

ConnectionPoint's founder and CEO, Daryl Hatton, shares his experience of launching an enterprise-class crowdfunding-as-a-service platform that has helped almost 200,000 projects in 40+ countries raise over $200 million, and offers valuable insights on taking a focused approach to growth and pivoting the business to solve customer problems.

low budget business ideas philippines

13. Start a photo booth business

A photo booth business involves providing a portable and automated photography setup that allows individuals to take fun and creative pictures at events or venues.

This business is becoming more popular for various occasions like weddings, parties, and corporate events, providing a unique and entertaining experience for guests.

To start a photo booth business, you need to invest in quality equipment, create a user-friendly website to showcase your services and market your business to event planners and individuals hosting celebrations.

How much you can make: $350,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $6,000 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

This case study follows the journey of TapSnap, a photo booth company that grew to over 100 franchised locations in North America, servicing over 10,000 events every year and recognized as one of North America's fastest growing and best new technology franchises.

low budget business ideas philippines

14. Start a blog

In recent years, blogging has become a highly sought-after & lucrative Business. This location-independent business is a creative outlet to reach a broader audience and even work at any time. According to Optinmonster’s list of blogging statistics and facts:

  • Blogs have been rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of gathering online information.
  • 77% of internet users read blogs.
  • Each month, approximately 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages.

Originally blogging started as an online journal, but today it is a highly profitable career option. Many people are choosing blogging as their full-time career and are earning their bread and butter from this profession.

If you want to start blogging as a side hustle or as a full-time profession, choose a niche you will enjoy writing about and have a content strategy ready. Then, create a mailing list, and decide on a good blog posting routine to keep your audience engaged.

How much you can make: $200 — $160,000/month

How long does it take to build: 37 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.

low budget business ideas philippines

15. Start a dropshipping business

Dropshipping is a business model where you sell products to customers without holding inventory.

Instead, when a customer makes a purchase, you buy the product from a third-party supplier, who then ships it directly to the customer.

To start a dropshipping business on a budget, choose a niche or category of products you want to sell.

Next, set up an online store using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. Then, find reliable suppliers from platforms like AliExpress, list their products on your store, and focus on marketing and customer service to grow your business.

Remember to carefully manage your expenses and monitor your profit margins to ensure profitability.

How much you can make: $6,000 — $3,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week

low budget business ideas philippines

Entrepreneur Kamil Sattar has developed multiple six-figure drop shipping businesses, and his company, e-commerce mentoring, specializes in helping others create their own successful companies, with favorite platforms including using Shopify and apps such as Loox reviews and SMSBump.

low budget business ideas philippines

16. Start a HVAC equipment shop

Consider opening an HVAC equipment supply shop catering to contractors and homeowners to establish yourself as the local expert on HVAC products.

As an HVAC distributor, you can leverage your industry knowledge and offer top brands in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units.

By setting up contractor accounts, you can meet wholesale demand, while also keeping residential inventory to fulfill DIY needs.

In addition to providing a comprehensive inventory of HVAC equipment, you can also showcase innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions, and offer reliable recommendations to clients on whether they need installation or replacement services.

By carrying related accessories and parts, your HVAC equipment shop can become a one-stop shop for installations, repairs, and seasonal maintenance. You can also build a niche for yourself as a specialist in climate control solutions.

Supplying high-quality climate control solutions to your customers is essential in helping them create comfortable and healthy indoor environments.

How much you can make: $375,000 — $1,878,618/month

low budget business ideas philippines

TruTech Tools, LTD is one of the largest online stores in the niche market of tools and test instruments for HVAC/R Technicians, with $16 million in sales in 2020 and 20% YoY growth thanks to a focus on providing an exceptional customer experience and staying true to their core values.

low budget business ideas philippines

17. Start a real estate business

Are you a qualified architect with a broad range of knowledge in the real estate field? Starting a real estate business can be a profitable venture.

Real estate involves purchasing, selling, managing, or investing in land and buildings.

To become a successful real estate business owner, you must have finely honed visual awareness and a strong understanding of various building materials and structures.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $1,500,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

This case study is about T. C. Lewis & Co, a real estate investment and management firm that successfully diversified their approach to include sales, development, remodeling, and construction, with property management being the key to investor doors and organic growth.

low budget business ideas philippines

18. Start a construction company

Running a construction company can be very rewarding and require hard work, attention to detail, and a hustle mentality.

Construction companies are responsible for building/designing a variety of apartments, buildings, properties, housing, infrastructure, facilities & developments, motorways, roads, paths, pavement, and more.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $10,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Mountain Fire Woodworks founder Cameron Vilcsak shares how he used YouTube to promote his log cabins, chainsaw carvings, and passion for woodworking, culminating in one of his videos that has gone viral with over 25 million views and counting.

low budget business ideas philippines

19. Start a waste management business

Waste management is a booming industry with a lot of potential for growth. Waste management companies are in charge of collecting and transporting waste from households, business areas, and other sources. They also collect recyclable materials and sell them to recycling centers.

The market for waste management is huge, but it may be difficult to enter due to the high capital requirements. However, if you have the resources and expertise, there's a lot of opportunity to make it big in this industry.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $37,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 345 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

This case study showcases the story of a locally owned and operated residential waste removal business based in Colorado Springs started with a pick-up truck and a $35k loan, which now has 51 dumpsters, two roll-off dumpster delivery trucks, two residential garbage trucks, and is projecting $700-800k in sales for 2020.

low budget business ideas philippines

20. Start a landscaping business

A landscaping business is engaged in maintaining lawns and gardens, trimming trees and shrubs, and providing landscape maintenance and beautification services. Landscaping costs vary depending on the size and location.

For small jobs such as taking care of the lawn and trees, the cost can vary from $50 to $100 per hour. The average wage of a landscape designer is $70,000 to $90,000, and a landscape architect makes around $50,000 to $100,000 per year. For basic maintenance and mowing services, a single person who runs a landscaping business can get started with as little as $5,000 or less. However, a proper landscaping business will require a large investment. The average start-up cost is between $15,000 to $20,000.

Once the type of service is decided, the list of tools and equipment can be purchased. The best way to succeed in a landscaping business is to provide quality service. This will not only retain existing clients but also promote and attract new customers.

How much you can make: $375,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $8,000 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

GreenPal has bootstrapped their business to over $30 million a year in revenue, after securing an unsecured line of credit for $85,000, and have built the operating system and platform for small lawncare companies to run their entire business through, becoming live in all 50 US states and having 1.2 million homeowners using the platform.

low budget business ideas philippines

21. Start a travel agency

Are you a passionate traveler with entrepreneurial skills? Then starting a travel agency can be a great career choice for you.

As a travel agency, you'll be responsible for linking travelers to providers of all the travel and tourism-related services such as accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, tour guides, local adventure, etc.

Starting an online travel agency is a lot easier than you might think. You'll need to perform market research, get a few necessary certifications (such as your IATA number), study competition, build a website, and do proper marketing.

To maximize earnings, negotiate discounts from the industry service providers, and charge travelers within the market rate.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $114,200,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

Marissa Daniels runs a successful travel agency, Spread Your Wings Travel, that hit $100,000 in sales within a year of launch and provides payment plan options for its all-inclusive vacations, and she hopes to help 100 families supplement their income through the business.

low budget business ideas philippines

22. Start a cleaning business

Starting a cleaning business is an excellent opportunity to be your boss and make money doing what you love. This business is relatively easy to create and does not require much equipment or funds.

There are many cleaning services, so deciding what services (or combination of services) you will offer and what hours of the day or week those services will be available is essential.

To start cleaning service in Philippines, you’ll want to consider investing in professional cleaning equipment such as a vacuum cleaner, a quality mop, and a good cleaning bucket. You will also need to buy environment-friendly cleaning products such as detergent, bleach, paper towels, and trash bags.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $708,333/month

low budget business ideas philippines

MaidThis®, launched by Neel Parekh in Los Angeles with just one cleaner in 2013, has achieved over $10 million in total revenue by focusing on cleaning Airbnbs and vacation rentals, thanks to its successful remote business model and new-age marketing tactics, and has now launched MaidThis Franchise to expand the business further.

low budget business ideas philippines

23. Start an electronics repair business

The electronics industry itself is worth more than $2 trillion. And electronics repair is a lucrative business that can be started with little to no money.

One of the most important things an electronics repairman must do is to make sure they have the right tools and equipment for the job. This will include everything from soldering irons, wire cutters, screwdrivers and more. A good way to save money on these tools is by buying them used or refurbished.

It's also important for an electronics repairman to have a solid understanding of how electronics work, including the basics of circuit boards and electricity, so they can troubleshoot problems and fix them as efficiently as possible.

How much you can make: $4,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

Retro Radio Farm founder, Allen Chiang, earns $50k per year as a side business restoring old radios and offering Bluetooth MP3 upgrades, with the business growing 20% every year.

low budget business ideas philippines

24. Become an interior designer

Interior designing involves making indoor spaces safe, functional, and beautiful by determining space requirements and selecting essential & decorative items such as colors, lighting, and materials.

The global luxury interior design market is growing at a CAGR of 9.0%. The growth metrics show there is great potential for entrepreneurs targeting households.

If you are starting a luxury interior design business, focus on style and specialty. Add valuables with creative professions, such as interior design, so you stand out from the rest. Ensure you hire the right people and hone the brand identity.

How much you can make: $100,000 — $415,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Mother and daughter duo turn passion for antiques and design into a boutique design firm with over $1 million in annual revenue and hundreds of trophy projects, showcasing the importance of grit, determination, and passion in building a successful business.

low budget business ideas philippines

25. Start a sewing and alteration business

Do you have sewing skills and looking for an entrepreneurship opportunity? You can start your sewing and alteration business.

A sewing and alteration business offers customers clothing repair, custom tailoring, button replacement, and other alterations. You can start a sewing and alteration business at home or set up a retail location.

To start a sewing and alteration business, you will need a commercial-grade sewing machine and a marketing strategy, so target customers learn about your business.

How much you can make: $1,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

ALTRD is a clothing alteration service launched by two socially oriented entrepreneurs that connects customers with skilled immigrant women tailors in New York who work from home and has already built an impressive team of 25 experts while making an effort to offer convenient and quality tailoring solutions as well as opportunities for women in need of work.

low budget business ideas philippines

26. Start a barber shop

Are you passionate about men’s grooming and looking to start a low-investment business with a high-profit margin? A barbershop can be a great business idea since it will never hit a low a season. Men and boys always look for grooming, no matter how bad the economy is.

Therefore, starting a barbershop can be a profitable business venture.

How much you can make: $125,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

Antonio Camilleri built Antonio's Barber Shop from a small two-chair operation to two locations servicing over 250 daily clients and €1.5M in annual revenue with a product line generating a 30% profit.

low budget business ideas philippines

27. Start a pet store

Pet stores are retail businesses that sell animals and pet supplies. They are a leading industry category with sales of approximately $4.5B U.S dollars and positive sales growth of 2.7% .

You can set up a pet store in many places, like supermarkets, malls, or pet supply stores.

The first thing to do is to find a location for your store. A good place would be an area with many residential buildings, schools, and colleges as this will give you access to many customers. It would help if you also looked for a location near public transport as it will make it easier for people to come and visit your store.

How much you can make: $20,000 — $1,833,333/month

How long does it take to build: 356 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Mechanical engineer and avid bike rider Mike Leon turned his hobby of creating a safe bike-to-leash attachment for his service dog into a 6-figure business, shipping from hundreds to thousands of 1-Running-Dog Bike Tow Leashes per year to dog owners, military and law enforcement, and search and rescue teams.

low budget business ideas philippines

28. Become a social media consultant

Social media has become popular due to its ability to link businesses to their target customers. Social media consultants are professionals who help their clients improve, optimize and grow their social media presence. Becoming a social media consultant comes with work flexibility and higher earning potential, but it also takes time and work commitment to grow the business.

To become a social media consultant in Philippines, you must first become adept at using social media platforms and industry tools. Take online or offline courses like content marketing, public relations, and communication skills. Social media experts can choose a general practice or opt to focus on a niche.

How much you can make: $100 — $990,000/month

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.

low budget business ideas philippines

29. Become a financial advisor

A financial advisor helps people manage their money and reach their financial goals by providing personalized advice on investments and overall financial planning.

To start a business in this field, you should consider a solid financial background, relevant certifications, and good people skills.

Building credibility through education, gaining experience, and networking are key steps to success in the financial advisory business.

How much you can make: $5,600 — $2,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 22 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Michelle Schroeder-Gardner earns $100,000 a month from Making Sense of Cents, a personal finance and lifestyle blog where she writes informative and fun articles about financial freedom and her life on the road, thanks to a diversified traffic approach and monetization strategies, such as affiliate marketing, sponsored partnerships, and course sales.

low budget business ideas philippines

30. Start a career coaching business

A career coaching business involves providing personalized guidance, support, and strategy services to help clients navigate professional transitions and growth opportunities.

As a career coach, you design custom sessions to assist with resume building, interview prep, and workplace advancement goals tailored to each client’s aspirations.

With flexibility for in-person or virtual meetings, building a client base lets you empower breakthroughs through specialized advice and accountability.

Launching a coaching practice can be a great opportunity for those with speaking talents and human resources expertise to monetize their natural motivational abilities while setting their own schedule.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Filipino Virtual Assistance by FVA Business Consultancy, founded by Julmar Grace Locsin, offers online and offline training to empower marketers, enable businesses, and equip freelancers which has trained 25,000 students from their 31 courses, has 16 coaches assigned from different territories, and fifteen in the FVA team for global digital leadership that will impact the world through digitalization, one life at a time.

low budget business ideas philippines

31. Become a fitness nurse

Fitness Nurses offer support, treatment, and back-up to their patients in addition to the care they receive from their GP surgery or specialist. Fitness Nurses are able to provide first-line supervision on exercise programs and ensure these are effective and carried out correctly.

Fitness nursing is a growing and exciting career. As a fast-growing industry, the field of healthcare is predicted to create more than two million new jobs by 2024. One career, in particular, that is expected to skyrocket in growth is the fitness nurse, also known as a clinical exercise specialist.

32. Become a mobile personal trainer

Do you love helping people through their fitness journey? If you want a great side hustle to earn extra income, consider becoming a personal trainer.

The fitness trainer side hustle can be an adamant industry to earn good money. However, once you develop a reputation as a good trainer, you can get more clients through referrals. You need to register for the certification course to start offering personal trainer services in Philippines.

To attract your first clients, consider online advertising, and seek referrals from every customer.

How much you can make: $600 — $8,333,333/month

How long does it take to build: 532 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 4 hours/week

low budget business ideas philippines

Live Fit, a personal training company founded in 2011, grew from earning $80,000 in their first year with two trainers to earning over $760,000 in 2019 with 12 trainers and two locations, thanks to a focus on building trusting relationships and providing a variety of services to clients.

low budget business ideas philippines

33. Start an online t-shirt business

Running a t-shirt business is an opportunity many entrepreneurs are looking into as a side hustle or even a full-time business opportunity. While having your own physical store is possible, online businesses are becoming extremely popular in this field.

Launching your own successful online t-shirt business may feel daunting, but with the guidance & insights from people who are already pioneering this industry, it’s simpler than you may think. You can start with selling customized quotes t-shirts, tie-dye prints/screen printing t-shirts, or solid color t-shirts. The opportunities for this industry are endless.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $83,300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $425 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Texas-born apparel brand Tumbleweed TexStyles has grown to serve over 150 retailers throughout the southern United States, selling an estimated 90,000+ products yearly and making an annual $1.2m in sales, thanks to the founders' unique designs, focus on giving back to the education community and successful “guerilla marketing” tactics.

34. Start a consulting business

Consulting businesses are booming, more so than ever before, and seeing year-over-year growth. With an accumulated value of about $250B , the global consulting industry is one of the biggest markets within the professional services sector.

If you want to start your own consulting business with valuable insights from industry experts, reading about their entrepreneurial journey will help you decide how you should go about it.

How much you can make: $100 — $2,500,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

Cybersecurity consulting firm Eden Data, launched in March 2020, scaled to four team members and generated over $45k MRR without large startup costs through their unique Virtual CISO offering, which outsources cybersecurity and compliance needs for a flat monthly price, rather than charging by the hour or for long-term commitments.

low budget business ideas philippines

35. Start a digital marketing business

Digital marketing businesses serve local and international companies to expand their reach and grow revenue. A top reason digital marketing is so exciting is that the field is constantly evolving and is easy to learn.

If you plan to start a digital marketing business in Philippines, educate yourself and understand how digital marketing agencies work. Then, focus on building your digital skills and advancing your career through online digital marketing courses.

To stand out, find a digital marketing niche and focus on the audience interested in your services.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $6,660,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,260 (?)

How long does it take to build: 58 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

36. Start a personalized gift business

Personalized gifts are great for celebrating important dates, joyous occasions, and memorable moments. The personalized gifts include photo frames, key chains, to group gifts.

A personalized gifts business is a low-capital idea since you do not need a physical storefront or office space to start the business. Besides, you can put as much time into the business as possible, which means you can run the business as a side hustle.

Check out our guide on how to start a personalized gift business

How much you can make: $1,000 — $416,000/month

How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Bestowe Gifting quadrupled their sales during the pandemic by shifting to online sales and offering unique, locally sourced gifts, resulting in a successful eCommerce side hustle that allowed the founder to pay themselves and expand their custom business.

low budget business ideas philippines

37. Start a food delivery business

In today’s busy lifestyles and schedules, cooking is no longer a priority to many. People like to order-in food from their nearest restaurants or food joints and enjoy a meal in the comfort of their homes.

The food delivery business is like a courier service through which restaurants deliver food to their customers.

You can offer retail food delivery services to restaurants within your locality if you have a truck. Customers order through a restaurant or grocer’s website, and the owners contact you to deliver.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $83,333,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,750 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Food Fleet grew over 160% in just one year and managed over 20 million in sales for its clients, securing multiple contracts with the likes of Sodexo, Levy Restaurants and more, due to its understanding of catering client needs and its advanced turnkey and design services.

low budget business ideas philippines

38. Start a catering business

A catering business is responsible for providing food & beverage-related services for vast types of events.

Catering businesses are known to be more flexible than other businesses because they don’t have to worry about location or pricing and can even work 24/7. They can cater anywhere and offer any price point that they want.

However, starting a catering business requires a lot of planning.

To start a successful catering business in Philippines, you'll need to plan and prepare menus, manage budgets, handle clients, and more.

In addition, catering allows you to meet more people and show off your cooking skills.

How much you can make: $3,750 — $48,333/month

low budget business ideas philippines

Elegante Catering founder, Nestor Nidome, details his journey from failed DJ business to a $20k/month catering company, emphasizing the importance of online marketing and customer feedback as key contributors to his success.

low budget business ideas philippines

39. Start a boutique

You may consider opening a boutique if you are passionate about the fashion and textile industry.

A boutique is a shop that sells clothes. Opening a boutique is a dream for entrepreneurs who want to experience the joy and freedom of owning a cash business. Starting a boutique is easy and can be managed by a single individual. In addition, a boutique requires a comparatively smaller capital to start.

To succeed, the boutique owner must coming creativity and passion.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $25,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Boutique Rye is an online-only women's clothing and accessories boutique that has grown to 3,200 Facebook Group members and a successful website through organic customer sharing, live sales, and open communication with customers.

low budget business ideas philippines

40. Start a food truck

Food trucks are a highly profitable business that offers customers a variety of meal options out of a mobile truck. This basically operates inside a large vehicle equipped with kitchen and food products. Starting a food truck is a dream for many people, but it's more challenging than it looks. To make it work, you need the ideal location and menu.

To start a food truck business in a particular city, it is mandatory to check what kind of food trucks are already operating, identify a gap, and bring in some new experiences. Then, with the right plan and the right approach, you can be on your way to starting your own food truck empire.

How much you can make: $29,166 — $61,650,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

41. Start a beverage company

Are you thinking of starting a beverage or drink business?

Starting a beverage company can be a great way to combine your love of food and drink with a passion for entrepreneurship.

Beverage companies can make all sorts of different drinks, from juice to soda to beer. They can also sell other types of food products, like bottled water or snacks.

There are more and more drink options available today than ever before—and that means that beverage companies are constantly trying new things in order to stay competitive in this space! The more innovative they can be with their offerings, the better they'll be able to compete with one another

How much you can make: $500 — $200,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 250 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

BruMate is a successful insulated drinkware brand focused on the adult beverage community, with a flagship product that generated $2.1M in sales in 2017 and is now doing over $1.1M per month in sales, with plans to do $20M this year.

low budget business ideas philippines

42. Start a content writing company

Content writing involves writing, editing, and publishing content in a digital format. Examples of content include a blog post, product description, and podcast script—eBooks, press releases, or landing page content.

Becoming a content writer allows you to work as your boss. Therefore, you choose whatever working schedule suits you and take a manageable workload. Moreover, content writing helps you develop essential skills you may not obtain from regular writing.

Content writing is a highly-on-demand service, as companies compete for the online audience who often begin their shopping journey by searching for relevant and educative content online. Therefore, a content writing company is an excellent source of passive income.

To start a content writing company in Philippines, research the market and choose a suitable niche. Sketch a proper business plan and create a website. Hire a pool of talented writers and leverage modern technology to streamline operations.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Scribly.io, a subscription-based copywriting service providing high quality content that helps businesses scale at roughly 50% of the cost of hiring in-house, created by Dani, a first-time entrepreneur who started with just a few hundred dollars worth of projects and with the help of three other writers; as of last month, Scribly.io topped $14K monthly revenue.

43. Start a transcription business

A transcription service converts live or recorded speech into a written or electronic text document. Transcription service is in demand globally across industries.

Becoming a transcriptionist can be a side hustle or a full-time job, so long as you have the right gear.

Do you plan to become a transcriber in Philippines? Take an online transcriptionist course and work on your listening skills. To succeed, you need a good typing speed and excellent language command.

How much you can make: $100,000 — $200,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

How this founder started a $100K/month guaranteed transcription service for medical, legal, law enforcement, financial, academic and general business industries, winning the NASPO ValuePoint transcription services contract over 26 other companies and learning valuable lessons about getting a coach and getting as much PR as possible.

low budget business ideas philippines

44. Become a virtual assistant

Virtual assistants support businesses, teams, or individuals by performing administrative tasks remotely. As businesses these days tend to outsource their tasks, the demand for virtual assistants is growing rapidly.

Becoming a virtual assistant is flexible, as you can choose a work schedule and location at your convenience. Many virtual assistants in Philippines have a dedicated home office where they work in a quiet and distraction-free environment.

To become a virtual assistant, identify a niche you like and undertake any training. Then, figure out how much to charge your customers and create an online presence where you can apply for jobs. As a virtual assistant, you can define your work schedule depending on your availability.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,000,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

45. Start a graphic design business

Graphic designers create logos, brochures, ads, and other marketing materials for companies and organizations. They also design websites and other digital content, including social media graphics.

Graphic designers may specialize in one type of design (such as print or web design), or they can be generalists who do everything from logo design to social media graphics.

Starting a graphic design business can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. It’s not easy, but if you’re passionate about design and want to make a living, starting your own graphic design business is a great way to go.

Consider a suitable pricing structure when starting a graphic design business in Philippines. You may charge the customers per hour or fixed pricing based on the project’s nature.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $1,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 87 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Learn how Christopher :

  • Start: Left a $95K/year to build his dream business
  • Early traction: Got their first users thanks to an $89 keyword research tool
  • Quick validation: Hit $4K/month in less than 30 days
Start something. It seriously doesn’t matter if your first idea sucks and you completely bomb. You will learn so much in those first 3 - 6 months, and at a certain point, you need to apply what you’re learning from blog posts and podcasts.

low budget business ideas philippines

46. Start a tutoring business

Starting a tutoring side hustle is a great way for teachers and students to earn extra monthly income.

If you are considering becoming a tutor, find an ideal tutoring niche, and craft a tutoring website.

Then, find your tutoring clients and market your side hustle online. You can choose to offer online tutoring as a part-time or full-time engagement.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $375,000/month

How long does it take to build: 15 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

A 22-year-old entrepreneur started an online SAT/ACT tutoring company from his bedroom which has seen a linear increase in student sign-ups each month, currently bringing in an average revenue of $15,000 a month and plans to triple in 2020.

low budget business ideas philippines

47. Start an influencer platform

How much you can make: $2,000 — $350,000/month

How long does it take to build: 422 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Clout Collective is an influencer marketing platform that offers transparency and standardization to content creators, allowing them to anonymously review brand collaborations and report generalized compensation rates per partnership.

48. Start a niche web design business

Niche web design business focuses on a specialized market such as law, home improvement, videography, fashion, etc. typically, when a web designer niches down their services, they are simply choosing to concentrate on one industry and create websites for businesses within the particular niche. To become a niche web designer, consider honing the following skills and personal qualities:

  • Visual design, HTML, CSS, JavaScript
  • Strong communication skills
  • Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Teamwork and research skills
  • Attention to detail

Narrowing your focus to a particular niche gives you a higher chance of becoming a recognized expert and places you in a better position to charge more for your services.

How much you can make: $200 — $200,000/month

How long does it take to build: 40 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

The Locksmith Agency, run by Samuel Wilson, a licensed locksmith with over 10 years of digital marketing experience, is making $30k+ per month by providing digital marketing services such as Website Development, SEO, and Google Listing optimization services specifically for the locksmith industry.

low budget business ideas philippines

49. Start a mobile photography business

Want to start your own photography business? You're not alone. With the rise of social media and photo-sharing, blogging, and online retailing, it's never been easier to start making money behind your camera.

There are photographers shooting weddings, creating images for ad campaigns, freelancing for magazines, touring the world, taking photographs of destinations — the list is endless!

To start mobile photography in Philippines, research the target audience and determine which specialization area is more lucrative. Invest in high-quality, professional cameras, lenses, and a computer with professional software photo-editing software.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Photobooth Supply Co. offers a profitable business opportunity through their sleek and portable photo booths, with up to 97% satisfaction rate and a focus on customer experience, in a fast-growing event industry where photo booths are exploding.

low budget business ideas philippines

50. Start a cryptocurrency business

How much you can make: $3,699 — $900,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

CBlocks is a cryptocurrency startup that generates random wallets of the top 100 cryptocurrencies, funds them, and ships them on a USB drive alongside software to manage them, with $32k made in the first 30 days and almost $3k on their second day from being featured in TheNextWeb, Forbes, The Outline & LifeHacker all within their first 3 weeks.

51. Start a freelancer platform

Freelancer platform is a place where people come with skills and services to offer and people come who need those skills and services. So we can say freelancer platforms are a marketplace for sellers and buyers of services and skills.

The freelancing industry is growing rapidly and it's becoming a popular career option for people who are "non-traditional" employees. The global Freelance Platforms market size is expected to reach $6.7B by the year 2025 . While working on a full-time job, freelancers simultaneously work on a freelance career. The platforms available online help them to increase their business by attracting new clients.

With all of the businesses looking for help on their websites, it would be a good idea to start a freelancer platform. Freelance platforms do well because people have jobs that need to be done and businesses have the resources to pay for the job at hand.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $5,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 80 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

CloudDevs, a tech talent platform that sources and vets freelance tech talent and matches them with companies, has achieved $1 million in GMV in its first year, plans to achieve 100% growth year on year, and focuses on customer loyalty through its Net Promoter Score metric.

low budget business ideas philippines

52. Start a dance apparel brand

The dance apparel industry is a great opportunity if you love to dance or just have a passion for fashion.

Dancewear includes dance costumes that are worn specifically for dance practice or events. Generally, this type of clothing includes skirts, tights, arm warmers, belts, dance shoes, legwarmers, and leotards.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $17,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

Learn how Dance Dress Couture launched The Ballroom Box, a quarterly subscription box targeted to the ballroom competitive industry, and grew it to double the number of subscribers with each box released, while also providing tips on attracting and retaining customers.

53. Start a moving company

Moving companies help people move their belongings from one location to another. The services can involve packing and shipping household items to physically moving them from one place to another. The moving can include anything from local moves to long-distance relocations.

Moving companies typically charge by the hour or job, so you’ll need to price your services accordingly. You’ll also need to invest in moving equipment, such as trucks and dollies.

How much you can make: $60,000 — $2,500,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

A 23-year-old founder started a moving company that now averages $115,000 a month in revenue and has record monthly sales of $158,000 by prioritizing customer service and using simple, common sense practices like friendly movers and a transparent pricing structure.

low budget business ideas philippines

54. Become an IT consultant

Are you an IT graduate still looking for that dream job? Then becoming an IT consultant might be the right choice for you.

An IT consultant is an external analyst in charge of evaluating a company’s IT systems and helping them meets its business objectives. IT consultants analyze and diagnose a company’s IT infrastructure, understand the client’s needs, and design solutions to help companies’ IT problems.

How much you can make: $500 — $2,400,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Data Fetcher is a no-code tool that imports data into Airtable which has reached 190 paying customers in just over a year after launch and is making $6500 in MRR, with a goal of reaching $30k+ in MRR, for aspiring founders looking to bootstrap an app to life-changing revenue as a solo founder.

low budget business ideas philippines

55. Start a digital marketing business

56. start a smart home camera business.

Consumers use smart home cameras to capture video of or around their homes. This can be done remotely via a smartphone. It can also be used for security purposes.

Starting a home camera business will require some investment, such as equipment, software, and other R&D costs.

The smart home camera market is on fire. The worldwide wireless home security cameras systems market size is projected to reach $18B by 2030 . There's a new, exciting, and fast-growing business opportunity.

How much you can make: $1,000,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

Wyze Labs' CEO and founding members, who met while working at Amazon, have successfully launched their first product, a smart home camera, in October 2017, selling over 300k units within the first six months, using a direct-to-consumer low margin, high volume model along with their strong relationships with suppliers in China.

low budget business ideas philippines

57. Start a resume and cover letter business

Resumes and cover letters are crucial tools for job seekers to advertise their skills and experiences to potential employers.

Starting resume and cover letter writing is a profitable idea you can pursue as a full-time career or a side hustle. However, it requires dedication and passion to be successful. A resume and cover letter business can be both lucrative and fulfilling by helping others achieve their career aspirations.

The resume writing business is a multi-million dollar industry . Everyone is worried about making sure that they have a good resume. The resume and cover letter writing business is actually one of the coolest things you can do at first.

You get to help people turn their careers around and serve them in your own way.

How much you can make: $3,500 — $42,857/month

How much does it cost to start: $35 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Founded by a corporate career coach in 2018, ByRecruiters has sold over 6,000 digital resume templates in 50+ countries, generating $1,500 to $4,000 per month and boasting a 116.91% return on ad spend through Etsy.

low budget business ideas philippines

58. Start a 3D Printing Business

3D printing is a process that assembles objects layer by layer and starting a business in this industry can be a very creative venture.

You will need investment in the right equipment and materials, and the acquisition of 3D modeling and design skills. You will also need to regularly calibrate and maintain your 3D printers to deliver consistent results.

Plan how you'll handle shipping and logistics, and leverage technology to find new applications of 3D printing in all industries.

How much you can make: $42,000 — $330,000/month

How long does it take to build: 360 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.

low budget business ideas philippines

59. Start an office furniture business

Furniture is the centerpiece of any corporate establishment. In a broad sense, office furniture adds an attractive appearance and provides a comfortable working environment for employees.

According to statistics, the market for office furniture is anticipated to witness increased demand over the next few years. Therefore, starting an office furniture business can be a lucrative idea.

How much you can make: $166,000 — $500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Branch Office Furniture offers a new approach to the office furniture industry, selling high-quality furniture directly to businesses with space design, delivery, and installation included at one-third to one-half of the price of comparable quality products, resulting in over $1M in sales since launching in Q1 of 2019.

low budget business ideas philippines

60. Start a vending machine business

Starting a vending machine business in a crowded, busy city is an easy way to make money. Whether you want to run your own business, start a side hustle, or generate an income while at the office, this is the best business.

There are many advantages to starting a vending machine business, such as: low startup costs, simplicity, all cash-based transactions, and flexibility.

Here are the steps on how to start a vending machine business.

  • Buy a franchise
  • Find a location
  • Secure all licenses and contracts

How much you can make: $30,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

iKrave Vending founder Lakinya started her vending machine business after observing the lack of consultants who specialize in vending machine operations, and now offers online training courses and mentoring to help others achieve success in the billion-dollar industry.

low budget business ideas philippines

61. Start a legal services business

Cryptocurrency lawyers are professionals who offer sophisticated and knowledgeable legal counsel to clients navigating the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency and blockchain space. They provide clients guidance concerning litigation, money transmission, token offerings, and other crypto-related issues.

To become a cryptocurrency lawyer, you should have in-depth knowledge about token issues. Besides, you should have a certified degree of law from an accredited institution. Lawmakers in Washington D.C. and across the world continue figuring out how to establish laws and guidelines to make crypto safer for investors and less appealing to cybercriminals.

Therefore, this is a great opportunity for crypto lawyers to participate in shaping the future of crypto transactions.

How much you can make: $4,500 — $250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

This case study follows the growth from scratch of a Personal Injury and Criminal Defense law firm that started from direct mail campaigns and has now expanded into a multi-million dollar-a-year business with the goal of becoming an 8 figure firm, while maintaining a customer-centric approach and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

low budget business ideas philippines

62. Start a bicycle repair service

Heightened interest in environmental conservation and the surge in exercise have contributed to increasing cycling. More people prefer cycling to work over using public and private vehicles.

As the use of bikes becomes more popular, the demand for bike repair is getting higher. People will take their bikes to a repair service for a regular tune-up and keep the bicycles safe and steady throughout.

Thus, if you are mechanically inclined and are interested in cycling, you can earn good profits from a bicycle repair service. To start, you can open a workshop in your home or serve people door-to-door.

How much you can make: $300,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

Tower Electric Bikes is a direct-to-consumer eBike brand co-founded by Stephan Aarstol and Mark Cuban, which has done over $36 million in sales since its $150,000 investment in 2012, and produced and sold everything from paddleboards to electric bikes for half the retail price, with the aim of creating the world's first famous eBike brand.

low budget business ideas philippines

63. Start a craft business

If you have artistic passion and the skills to make unique art, consider starting a craft business. Craft businesses make jewelry, clothing design, card making, painting, sculpting, ceramics, among others.

According to research, the global handicraft market size will reach over $1252 billion in the next decade.

The best websites to sell your crafts include:

How much you can make: $1,000 — $80,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 20 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

DIY Lifestyle blog owner, Theresa, turned her passion for crafting and writing into a side income source, attracting hundreds of thousands of global visitors, with her blog generating $400-$500 a month and her online Etsy store bringing in an additional $200-$300 a month, showcasing her unique, all-natural, one-of-a-kind polymer clay earrings, home decor, and huts inspired by Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, reading and home decorating.

64. Start a swimming pool rental business

Starting a swimming pool rental business can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Pool owners are looking to rent their pools out during the off-season to recoup some of their costs.

Landlords or condo owners may want to earn an additional revenue stream from the swimming pool property they own. The swimming Pool Market size was valued at $3B in 2019 and is projected to reach $3.6B by 2027. The presence of developed infrastructure and the thriving wellness tourism industry will facilitate the swimming pool market growth.

How much you can make: $8,333/month

65. Start a shipping company

A shipping company can be a great business to start. You can get the support and training that you need to run a successful small business. You may already have some of the resources at hand. This could include what you need to transport goods and a vehicle or two that you can use to get these materials from point X to point Y.

Shipping is a crowded industry. Starting your own shipping company isn't as hard as it used to be. With the explosion in eCommerce, there's an increasing demand for small package shipping. Becoming a shipping company entrepreneur has its rewards. Shipping is an area where there's a lot of potentials to earn bounties, it serves as a good source of income.

How much you can make: $20,000 — $2,400,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

Nationwide Auto Transportation ships approximately 4,000 vehicles per month and has served more than 50,000 customers, offering custom services such as help for clients who cannot find suitable carriers for their vehicle.

low budget business ideas philippines

66. Become a videographer

A videographer uses his video camera to record footage for different events.

Examples of events where videographers are common include weddings, documentaries, training videos, commercials, TV shows, infomercials, live events, corporate promotions, etc. Videographers are not only responsible for operating the camera. They must have the skills required for the production of a video, which includes the following:

  • Maintenance
  • Equipment repair
  • Video editing

To become a videographer, pursue a videography education, and attend internships to gain experience. Build a portfolio, so your target audience finds you online and starts hiring your services.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $250,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

Results Imagery co-founders Kyle Nelson and Eli Libby launched their digital agency that focused solely on media creation for brands and product companies, helping clients monetize their conversion-centric media, with their current monthly revenue at $45,000.

67. Start an airbnb hosting business

Do you have an extra room or an unoccupied house in your home? You can turn that property into a revenue-generating asset by starting an Airbnb listing. Airbnb is one of the world’s largest accommodation platforms. According to experts, Airbnb’s future is undoubtedly bright.

Therefore, starting an Airbnb business can be rewarding. To start, prepare your Airbnb listing and set it up accordingly. To increase bookings, offer the best services, and encourage the guests to leave a positive review.

How much you can make: $1,333 — $270,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

HostButlers is Ireland's first professional property concierge service for short-term rentals on Airbnb, boasting over 200,000 hosted guests and profitability from month 5.

low budget business ideas philippines

68. Start a writing & editing business

A writing and editing business is a business that provides writing, editing, and sometimes proofreading services. Such businesses market their services to businesses, corporations, and individuals who might require those types of services.

The earning potential of writing and editing is incredible. Freelancing is one of the best ways to earn some extra money. If you like writing and editing, then freelancing can provide you with an opportunity to prove yourself as an expert, increase your network and help steer your career in a new direction.

Writing is one of the easiest businesses you can start. You might dream of becoming a professional writer, selling your stories to famous magazines, or writing books that millions around the planet will read.

How much you can make: $1,200 — $208,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $300 (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. -1 hours/week

low budget business ideas philippines

A freelance writing program that teaches intermediate-level writers how to command $1,000 - $3,000 per article, with creator Arlie Peyton generating $10k a month from writing custom long-form articles that get premium results in the eCommerce and SaaS industries and for personal brands.

low budget business ideas philippines

69. Start a data entry service

Data entry service is expanding and growing with each passing day. Thus, starting a data entry business can be a profitable opportunity. Data entry experts can work from home and choose their preferred work schedule. To become a data entry specialist, you need computing skills. Alternatively, you can outsource the contracts to a third party.

How much you can make: $5,000/month

How long does it take to build: 400 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Flamon cloudtech's co-founder Rahul shares the story of building and launching TeleCRM, a game-changing Tele-Sales CRM product in beta phase, which is already being used by 20 companies with a monthly recurring revenue of $4500/month and is aiming to capture around 40-50% of the CRM market space in the long term.

low budget business ideas philippines

70. Become a private investigator

Private investigators are hired to investigate a person, event or organization. They can be hired by individuals, law enforcement or attorneys.

In the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of private investigator firms. This is because of the growing demand for PI services due to all the recent technological advancements that have helped make it easier for people to get away with criminal activities and unethical behavior.

71. Start an esports team business

eSports describe the world of competitive, organized video gaming, where competitors from different leagues or teams face off in similar games.

According to statistics , there are approximately 200 million eSports enthusiasts globally. The audience size will continue to grow YoY to reach approximately 285 Million Esports enthusiasts in a few years.

The estimates illustrate Asia Pacific region leads in the number of eSports enthusiasts, accounting for over 57%. Therefore, starting an eSports team business can be a profitable venture.

Therefore, the massive growth of the eSports industry is inspiring entrepreneurs to start their own sports businesses or teams. If you are passionate about eSports, consider launching your own eSports team as a business can be a profitable venture. To start, conduct proper market research. Focus on analyzing your customers and their expectations, and speak to potential customers to confirm their interests. Then, compare competitors and prepare a SWOT analysis.

You may consider working with potential supporters or collaborators to increase the odds of success.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $300,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

Esports management software company ggCircuit has doubled its revenue every year since inception and amassed $4 million in revenue in the past year alone, while offering services to over 700 customers globally and projecting double that in revenue over the next 12 months.

72. Start a restaurant

If you love cooking and are passionate about entrepreneurship, starting a restaurant can be a fun and lucrative business.

To get started, choose a great location, and hire an excellent support team. You will need a chef to inspect the food and line cooks, waiters, and waitresses to serve the customers. No matter the restaurant type, you need great culinary and business skills to make your dream come true.

If you plan to open a restaurant in Philippines, gain insight from consumer preferences and focus on serving modern consumers what they need.

How much you can make: $48,333 — $61,650,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

One Life Meals is a Toronto-based healthy meal delivery service that made 14,500 meals per month and generated $130k in monthly sales in 2018 through their one-on-one consultation, lean protein and seasonal veggies-based meals, and their focus on the client experience.

low budget business ideas philippines

73. Start an organic food store

Organic food stores stock fresh or processed food produced through organic farming methods. Healthy food restaurants and health-conscious individuals are some target customers regarding healthy organic food.

If you plan to start an organic food store, focus on providing the customers freshest, organically grown produce. Starting an organic food store is a great way to make money while helping the environment. Organic food stores are becoming increasingly popular, especially with people who want to eat healthily but don't have time to cook. If you're looking for a business idea that will allow you to make money and help people simultaneously, starting an organic food store could be the perfect fit for you!

Organic food stores are so popular because they offer fresh produce that has not been treated with chemicals or pesticides, which means they're much safer than the produce found at your local grocery store.

low budget business ideas philippines

Denver-based founder Andrea Slinde built her own organic food start-up, Golden Root, which sells trendy Turmeric Latte Mix online and now in 50 coffee shops nationwide, with an average monthly revenue of $4K, a long term objective of expanding into traditional grocery sales, and uses Shopify, Recharge, Mailchimp, Shipstation, and QuickBooks to manage e-commerce and finances.

74. Become a candle manufacturer

Candle manufacturing is one of the best small business ideas you can start from home. Making candles comes with a low startup cost and does not require much equipment. If you plan to start a candle manufacturing business, hone your craft and get comfortable with the candle-making process.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,200 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Wax & Wick is a 100% soy candle company with wood wicks, that creates environmentally-friendly products; starting off making $1,000 a month in 2015, they brought in about $20,000 per month during Q3 2017 and plan to add ten new scents and a premium sized jar for 2018's $50,000 per month goal.

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75. Start a security dogs training business

Guard dog businesses are becoming very popular, particularly in areas that have high levels of crime.

First, you must identify the local dog owners in your area, which is easy to do with the help of social media sites, such as Facebook and Nextdoor. You can even offer to hold training classes at the local community center or park.

The first steps in setting up your guard dog business are to:

  • Establish your LLC or business
  • Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Guard Dog Business
  • Get Guard Dog Business Insurance

76. Start a cell phone & computer repair shop software

Are you a person who has a knack for fixing things and is updated about the latest phone and computer updates and tech? For technology lovers with a talent for fixing phones and computers, opening a repair business may seem like the perfect venture.

Listed are the steps to start a cellphone and computer repair shop business.

  • Register your business
  • Secure necessary legal documents to operate a business
  • Find financing
  • Open a bank account for business transactions
  • Obtain insurance
  • Promote your business

How much you can make: $500,000/month

77. Become a proofreader

Proofreading business is a service that helps customers review their written work and ensure it is ready for publication. Typically, a proofreader corrects grammatical errors and provides the written piece meets any relevant style guide.

As a proofreader, you can work online, allowing you to choose what time to work.

If you plan to start a professional proofreading business in Philippines, make sure you possess the following skills:

  • Have an excellent grasp of grammar
  • Ability to correct mistakenly capitalized words
  • Familiarity with the proper use of capitalization
  • Use spell-checkers to flag misspelled words

Proofreading is a great way to enhance content quality. With the increased use of written content marketing to reach a broader market, the demand for professional proofreaders has grown tremendously. Professional proofreaders earn an average of $12/hr. And $30/hr.

Therefore, consider proofreading as a business if you are looking for a great side hustle idea or simply looking for ways to increase your income.

How much you can make: $2,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

A proofreader was able to build a consistent income of ~$2,000 per month from scratch with zero experience in the field, no expenses, and barely any upfront costs by targeting bloggers and content creators who want their content to be copy edited and proofread.

low budget business ideas philippines

78. Start a day care center business

Do you know that daycare centers are lucrative businesses? The industry grossed over a billion dollars in the US last year. The demand is rising, which is why many entrepreneurs have jumped aboard the idea of starting a daycare center business. This is a rewarding experience, especially if you have children or are in the education field.

Listed are the steps to start a daycare center business.

  • Get all required daycare permits and licenses requirements
  • Get certifications
  • Get insurance
  • Prepare your daycare center.
  • Hire needed staff

79. Start a pet sitting business

A pet sitter is a professional who provides daily care for pets while the pet owners are at work or on vacation. The pet sitter's duties include:

  • Cooking special meals for pets as instructed by pet owners.
  • Reporting any behavioral issues to pet owners.
  • Playing with the pets to encourage their mental and physical stimulation.

One of the advantages of working as a pet sitter is that it's not a stressful career. You also get to work with different animals while enjoying a work-life balance.

How much you can make: $15,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

A technician-turned-CEO built an in-home pet care enterprise that generates $8k per month by documenting business operations and empowering employees, inspired by the successes of McDonald's founder Ray Kroc and researcher Brené Brown's work on vulnerability and empathy in the workplace.

low budget business ideas philippines

80. Start an auto repair business

Many people just love to tinker with, fix and repair cars. This is an all-consuming hobby for some people. They like to take things apart and figure out how things work. The process of fixing and repairing cars is almost therapeutic for them.

An auto repair business is a rewarding way to make extra money or build an entire business.

You can do it in the comforts of your own home, working around your schedule and getting paid handsomely for it. The United States automotive service market is expected to reach $75B by 2026 .

How much you can make: $415,000/month

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Finish Line Towing & Auto Repair is Wisconsin's largest roadside assistance provider, bringing in $5 million in annual sales through its dedication to customer service, effective dispatching, and clean service, with a goal of expanding to other markets in Wisconsin and Illinois.

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81. Become a massage therapist

Massage is a growing industry, and as such, many business options exist for those who want to enter this field. The most typical form of massage therapist business is an independent operation. This can be either out of one's home or a massage studio rented on an hourly basis.

Building a successful massage therapy business in Philippines is not as difficult as you might think. Massage therapists offer much-needed services to communities and clientele. If you are looking for a new career or want to increase your income while delivering an important service, then starting a new massage therapist business can be an excellent choice.

Turn your massage therapy practice into a successful business by applying core business skills that lead to success.

How much you can make: $3,500 — $275,000/month

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Professional cuddler, Sam Varnerin, developed her successful one-to-one cuddle service, Snuggle with Sam, as a result of recognising the universal human need for connection and touch, which also led to her opening Sam’s Snuggle School, a course for aspiring professional cuddlers.

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82. Start a dry cleaners business

Dry cleaning is a business that takes clothing, linens, and other fabrics and cleans them with no water. The dry cleaning process uses chemicals to clean the fabric and make it look new again. This process can remove stains, soil, and odors from your clothes.

People will always need their clothes washed so that this business model can succeed. Starting a dry cleaning business is a great way to enter the industry.

To maximize profitability, offer multiple services beyond the typical dry cleaning like wash and fold service.

How much you can make: $26,500/month

low budget business ideas philippines

Dhobilite disrupted the laundry market in India by using smartphone technology and becoming India's first app-based, on-demand cleaning service provider, expanding to more than 15 cities, with 20+ stores and 30+ franchises, offering premium online dry cleaning and laundry services, with revenue equally distributed between dry-cleaning and laundry.

83. Become a yoga instructor

The first step to becoming a yoga instructor is obtaining a certification from an instructor-affiliated institution near you. Your next step should be drawing up a business plan considering various projections. Finally, determine whether to open a brick-and-mortar establishment, offer online yoga classes, or a hybrid model.

The option has far more responsibilities for brick-and-mortar establishments, like paying rent and utility expenses. Also, check business-zoning requirements and acquire the required licenses. Proper marketing strategies will help you build clientele fast and grow your business.

How much you can make: $60,000/month

84. Start a laundry business

Starting a laundry business can be a fulfilling and lucrative venture for entrepreneurs looking to make a difference in their communities. With the right equipment and a commitment to providing excellent customer service, this business idea has the potential to thrive in a variety of locations.

One unique aspect of starting a laundry business is the opportunity to offer specialized services, such as eco-friendly detergent options or same-day turnaround for busy professionals. Additionally, partnering with local dry cleaners or offering pickup and delivery services can set your business apart from competitors and attract a loyal customer base.

In terms of upfront costs, starting a laundry business will require a significant investment in commercial-grade washing machines and dryers, as well as a convenient and well-located storefront. However, with the right marketing strategies and a focus on providing top-notch service, this investment can quickly pay off and result in a thriving business.

Overall, starting a laundry business is a rewarding and potentially profitable venture for entrepreneurs who are passionate about making a positive impact in their communities. With the right approach and a commitment to excellence, this business idea has the potential to succeed in a variety of settings.

How much you can make: $24,000 — $83,333/month

85. Start a tourist guide business

There's no denying the profitability of a tourism business. If you know the state and cities well, starting a tour guide business can be a very lucrative idea. All you need is a license, and you can soon start working as a tour guide.

Listed are the steps on how to start a tour guide business.

  • Register your tour guide name business
  • Obtain necessary licenses
  • Organize your business operations
  • Start to promote and get clients

How much you can make: $200 — $8,110,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

No Code Map App is a no code builder that allows businesses to create custom interactive maps with dynamic filters automatically based on their dataset, generating >$400 in the first full month of monetization.

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86. Start a co-working space rental business

The co-working spaces are becoming essential in the post-pandemic world. Experts estimate five million people will occupy coworking spaces in the next few years. The projections are based not only on the growth the coworking industry has experienced over the past few years but also on the sharp increase in the number of startups coming up each year.

Therefore, creating your coworking space business will become a lucrative opportunity. To create a coworking space, do proper market research to ensure you have the demand for a co-work space in your target area.

Then, focus on finding an ideal location to attract the maximum number of customers.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $300,000/month

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The founder of The Farm Soho, one of the earliest New York City co-working spaces, shares how he built his affordable workspace model for solopreneurs and startups, as well as discussing his tips for attracting and retaining customers while navigating the challenges of running a business.

low budget business ideas philippines

87. Start a delivery service

Delivery service refers to a collection of services that deliver goods and products through the land, air, or waterways across locations. The delivery services serve B2B, B2C, and C2C customers.

The growing e-commerce sect and increased cross-border trade are some factors driving the growth of delivery services. Furthermore, consumer preference for online shopping has greatly contributed to the increased demand for delivery services.

To start a delivery service, make sure you have a cargo van, a fully functional website, and meet all the legalities for operating a business in your state.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $83,333,333/month

low budget business ideas philippines

How a logistics company grew its revenue over 300% in 2 years, starting with just 2 vans and 25k+ square feet of warehouse space, and focused on relationships, efficiency, and building trust with its customers.

88. Start a costume rental business

Costume rental businesses are one of the newest and fastest-growing industries. These businesses can be found in almost every city, town, and state across the United States. Although these costume rental businesses range in size, they all have one thing in common: they are a great businesses to own.

Costumes are not an everyday use but there are a lot of situations where people want to wear their favorite costumes for a given occasion. It's like people want to eat candy, salad, plates of seafood, and meat every once in a while. The same holds true for costumes and party rentals. A costume rental business also means no sewing and less stress.

89. Start a Digital Printing Business

Digital printing is a more flexible and cost-effective option than offset print. It is popular for its quality and ease of use. You don’t need to take the mechanical steps that are essential in offset printing, which makes it much more popular.

Digital printing is a fast-growing industry that allows you to print high-quality images, text, and symbols on your own products. It also allows you to customize printed products with various materials, such as different inks and paper, or you can use pre-made pages and print them using a digital printer.

A Digital printing business is a simple and easy way to start a small business. It requires less investment as compared to other types of printing business ideas.

The average hourly wage for a Digital Print Operator in the United States is $17 , but salaries can range from $16 to $19 per hour.

How much you can make: $1,000,000 — $6,250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 92 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Web-to-print software company Design'N'Buy has acquired clients in over 40 countries and earned a turnover of $1.5 million and 1,000+ clients across 60+ countries within a short span of existence.

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90. Become a handyman

Handyman offers various home repair services based on their skill set and the customer’s needs. Also known as a fixer, the handyman repairs works both on the interior and exterior.

The handyman business is a great part-time opportunity, and you can earn a high-profit margin while the overhead costs are low.

How much you can make: $8,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

Learn how a third generation business owner started a profitable pool service and installation business in Southern Ontario, earning an average of $8000/month net revenue during peak season and growing from servicing 0 to 350+ pools since May 2016 by doing things that don't scale, such as manually talking to customers and focusing on the ideal customer.

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91. Start a solar panel installation business

The solar panel installation business is a growing industry. In the past decade, solar panels have become more affordable and attractive to consumers. This has led to an increase in demand for solar panel installation services.

Solar energy is one of the most sustainable and environmentally-friendly forms of energy available today. It produces no greenhouse gas emissions or other toxic chemicals that can harm the environment or human health.

A solar panel installation business should consider investing in marketing strategies that will help them reach their target audience and sell their services effectively.

How much you can make: $2,000,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

Solar Energy Partners, a solar-focused company founded by Alex K Williams, has achieved more than 400% growth since inception, and is expanding into new markets while offering best customer service and training programs.

92. Start a plumbing business

With hands-on knowledge in plumbing, you can start a business that focuses on diagnosing and repairing plumbing issues, installing fixtures, and maintaining plumbing systems.

As a plumber, your day-to-day activities will involve responding to service calls, troubleshooting plumbing problems, conducting installations or repairs, and providing guidance to clients on plumbing-related matters.

How much you can make: $40,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,000 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

A second-generation family-owned plumbing and leak detection business shares their success in obtaining repeat business through word of mouth referrals, staying true to their core principles, and using cutting-edge technology to provide top-notch service to clients.

93. Start a time tracking app

A time tracking app is a tool used allows its user to clock in/out via an internet-connected device or to use a stopwatch to record the start and end of tasks. The time tracker apps also have analytics and reporting features that consolidate the data so that users can gain insights into time spent on different tasks, projects, and clients.

The growing need among managers and enterprises to improve employee productivity and adopt a remote work culture contribute to the high demand for time-tracking apps.

Therefore, if you are looking for the best App-based business, you may consider developing a time tracker application. Here is a high-level overview of some steps to get you started working on your business idea of the time tracker App

  • Define the project scope
  • Choose a software development methodology
  • Formulate the approach for your development project
  • Create a project team
  • Develop the project plan with timelines
  • Test the prototypes
  • Find suitable API solutions
  • Publish the Apps

How much you can make: $350 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Labor Sync is a mobile application that provides business owners with the ability to track the time and GPS location of their mobile workforce and after just one year of use, they saved $104,000 across 45 employees despite starting off with no funds for advertising or marketing.

94. Start a gardening business

A gardening business makes money by planting trees, growing specific produce, maintaining landscapes, and more.

Gardening companies work with homeowners to install, maintain and repair their landscaping areas. For instance, a typical gardening business provides all-inclusive services to create and maintain a lawn, such as mowing, fertilizing, and edging.

Owning a gardening business can be a very flexible and profitable business venture.

How much you can make: $27,000 — $150,000/month

How long does it take to build: 560 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Founder of RinseKit shares how he designed a portable pressurized shower that generates over $1.5M in sales per year and achieved great success with Kickstarter and appearing on Shark Tank, while providing advice on designing, prototyping, and manufacturing your first product.

low budget business ideas philippines

95. Start an in-home senior care service

In-home senior care services allow senior clients to live their everyday life in the comfort of their own homes.

Experienced caregivers typically customize their services based on their client’s needs - which is why seniors and families prefer this type of service, even if it costs more than a typical nursing home.

There are several different types of home care you can offer, a few being:

  • Personal care services: This type of service helps clients with everyday necessities, such as grooming, bathing, dressing, and overall hygiene
  • Nurse-directed care: This type of care refers to caretakers managing medication, wounds, and the overall health and well-being of the client
  • Meal & Food Prep: This type of care helps prepare nutritious meals and go grocery shopping
  • Transportation: Rides to the library, salon, grocery store, doctor’s office, etc.

The price you can charge depends on where you live and your experience, but this ranges anywhere from $18/hour-$40/hour.

The significant part about starting an in-home senior care business is that you do not need formal education or medical training. You can build a successful home senior care business if you have the necessary skills to do this job.

How much you can make: $250,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

The CareSide scaled to $5 million in revenue over 3 years by utilizing a data-driven approach to sales and marketing, with a focus on Google Adwords and Facebook ads, and implementing extensive automation into back end systems.

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96. Become a property manager

A property manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a property. This can include tasks such as marketing and leasing units, collecting rent, and maintaining the property.

To succeed in this business, you’ll need to have strong people skills and be comfortable working with various clients. You’ll also need to be organized and detail-oriented. If you have these skills, starting your own property management business can be a great way to make money in the real estate industry.

The average property manager's salary in the United States is $54,183/year. The low-end range falls between 36k at 12% below to 79K+, which represents 24%.

With the recent craze of people wanting to invest in real estate, property management has never been more popular than now. Property managers often have the opportunity to work from home, making it an excellent option for those who want the flexibility of being their own boss.

The property management business is a great way to make money if you’re familiar with the real estate market and have strong people skills. You can make a lot of money by managing properties for investors.

How much you can make: $200,000/month

How long does it take to build: 362 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Casa Mia Coliving, a sustainable and modern co-living and property management company in Singapore offering affordable accommodation, has an annualized revenue of $2.5M with 150 bedrooms across popular neighborhoods, attracting young professionals and boasting a 10x LTV/CAC ratio, all while focusing on unit economics and profitable growth.

97. Start a home staging service

With the rise of online home selling, the need for home staging services has been increasing rapidly.

A home staging business can be an affordable and scalable venture, providing ample opportunity for growth and profitability.

Those who have a keen eye for design and enjoy collaborating with clients can find a rewarding career in home staging.

A professional home stager assesses both the interior and exterior spaces of a property and offers expert guidance on how to enhance its overall aesthetic appeal.

From selecting furniture and décor to arranging lighting and artwork, every detail is carefully considered to create an inviting and attractive atmosphere that appeals to potential buyers.

How much you can make: $1,700,000/month

98. Start a legal document processing business

How much you can make: $15,000 — $40,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

Noble Notary & Legal Document Preparers is a small but highly profitable B2B and B2C notary service business in Port Orange, Florida generating approximately $15,000/month in profits by servicing both mobile and remote online notary, executive real estate closings, apostilles, legal document preparation, fingerprinting, credit repair, and tax preparation while keeping advertising and overhead expenditures extremely low.

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99. Start a bookkeeping service

As the nature of business changes, bookkeeping is an essential function that is on-demand across all business sectors.

Bookkeeping services support businesses by handling their accounts receivables, creating and sending invoices to the correct accounts, and processing accounts payable to ensure business owners settle them when due.

To become a bookkeeper in Philippines, pick the niche market, choose a bookkeeping software, and set up the necessary business infrastructure. You need a website, an address, client database software, and file-sharing tools where your clients can access records on demand.

How much does it cost to start: $515 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

A4E, a full-service accounting business, grew five times from when it started about a year ago when it was only offering tax services, and its current MRR is around $8k with a targeted MRR of $13k, providing 100% done-for-you accounting solutions that combine bookkeeping, taxes and CFO services under one roof and for an amazing value for US-based businesses in tech-related industries and services.

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100. Start a disinfectant services

101. start a demolition service business.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $41,000/month

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A 25-year-old founder started a junk removal and demolition business with a pickup truck, a dump trailer, and $300, which has since grown to an average of 90 jobs and $41,000 in revenue each month, with a focus on customer service, clean trucks, and excellent employees while spending heavily on Google Ads and doing SEO to increase online visibility.

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102. Start a party planning business

Party planning involves budgeting, establishing party timelines, selecting and reserving ideal party sites, acquiring permits, theme décor, and coordinating party catering and transportation.

Are you organized, creative, and client-focused? You can put those skills into starting a successful party planning business. To become a party planner, you must desire to help other people enjoy themselves. Besides, you need diplomacy, salesmanship, and multitasking skills.

Time commitment per week: Min. 6 hours/week

low budget business ideas philippines

Akshay Patel's event rental and decor business, Simply Decor, Tents, and Events, saw an average ticket price of $2,000, as their advertising budget decreased from $20k to $5k, leading to 40% of their clients coming through social media advertising, 30% from expos, and 30% online in google, yahoo, and other platforms.

103. Start a flower arrangements business

Flower arrangement refers to a decorative display of cut flowers. Floral designers focus on ensuring balance, proportion, scale, unity, harmony, rhythm, balance, and emphasis in every flower arrangement gig.

Whether it is a romantic weekend getaway, a valentine’s dinner, a family get-together, a wedding, or an anniversary, a unique flower arrangement brightens the atmosphere. The flower arrangement tradition has lived with us for a long time, and there are no signs it will fade away, at least in our lifetime.

Are you a florist looking to expand your flower business? Combine your affinity for flowers with your floral design skills to create inspired floral creations. Before starting your flower arrangement career, you will need some training and experience.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $9,600/month

How much does it cost to start: $250 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Milla Rose, a boutique online flower arrangement business based in Melbourne, Australia, started as a side project in a bedroom and has grown into a nearly $10k a month business, with monthly revenue doubling since last year, selling almost 3000 arrangements to all corners of Australia.

104. Start a soap making business

Are you looking for an easy business you can start from home? Soap making is a relatively easy cottage business you can start today.

Soap is one of the products you will find in every household. Therefore, soap is a product that will remain in demand, making soap making business a lucrative idea.

To start a soap-making business from home, research the competition and choose the niche your business will focus on. You can make scented soaps mixed with essential oils or non-scented soaps for washing utensils.

Choose a business name and create a business plan indicating your entity type, mission statement, and soap marketing strategy.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $600,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,400 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Kiss My Crown Essentials founder Warnisha Foster shares her journey from creating organic soap products in her kitchen to selling over 500 soaps in her first month with a mission to let mothers know that they are seen, beautiful, and a necessity.

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105. Start a fashion design business

How much you can make: $650 — $4,660,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Love Lorn Lingerie started as a side hustle and now generates $1.9k per month in revenue through Etsy and local events, with plans to expand into wholesale and increase marketing efforts to eventually replace the founder's day job.

106. Start a pet supplies business

Over 70% of U.S. households own a pet.

With pet ownership set to increase in the coming years, starting a pet store can be a great business opportunity.

A pet store can be profitable regardless of the economy’s performance. Typically, pet stores have shown revenue growth even during recessions.

To start a pet store, determine the business niche and find a good location.

How much you can make: $80,000/month

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Pet entrepreneur Brock Weatherup shares how he launched The Anxious Pet, a business offering all-natural CBD-based pet products, which quickly grew to over $1M in annual revenue in its first year, thanks in part to an SEO-focused companion site, Great Pet Care.

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107. Start a business startup instruction business

How much you can make: $2,246 — $1,399,996/month

How much does it cost to start: $4,000 (?)

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How a full-time blogger created a 5-figure online business from a hobby, and now helps people start a side hustle and earn passive income with a signature program that teaches how to start and grow a blog, reach 100K page views and $5,000/month, and live life on their own terms.

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108. Start a drink shaker business

A drinks shaker is used to mix beverages by shaking when ice is put into the shaker to allow faster cooling.

As people become more health conscious and participate in sports and recreational activities, the demand for beverage shakers and other drinkware has increased.

Therefore, starting a unique brand of drink shakers can be a profitable business.

How much you can make: $78,000 — $300,000/month

How long does it take to build: 272 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

ShakeSphere, an award-winning shaker bottle manufacturer founded by an elite athlete, has generated $4 million in annual revenue globally, and has won awards from Men's Health and Amazon for its innovative design, including no-mesh grid or mixing ball, making cleaning and efficiency better than ever.

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109. Start a protein bar company

The protein bar market is one of the fastest-growing industries around, and is growing in size every day.

The global protein bar market is projected to reach $7.03 Bn by 2027, with a CAGR of 5.6% .

There are various protein bar companies, and we've detailed the key players in the industry below.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $3,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $400 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

How a 17-year-old founded a successful snacks eCommerce, with over 400% YoY growth for the past four years, reinventing the traditional 'pick and mix' for health-conscious consumers and offering an unrivaled choice of quality brands at the best prices when mixing and matching.

110. Become an advertising campaign developer

How much you can make: $70,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $50 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Founder and CEO Chris Wizner started Vivid Candi, a full-service digital tech agency, at age 16 with only a $300 Taco Bell paycheck as capital, and now the agency has been running for over 22 years with 10+ employees and an impressive clientele, thanks to networking, Google Adwords, SEO, and selective, quality relationships with clients.

111. Start an employee training business

Companies use different methods and programs to train and develop employees, hoping to boost their performance. A training program also helps build an employee’s confidence by providing a better understanding of the industry and the responsibilities of his role.

To attain this goal, companies hire trainers from private practice.

Starting an employee training and development program can be a great business opportunity for experts and professionals in different sectors like safety, security, cyber security training, etc. To start the employee training business, choose a niche, and develop the training curriculum and a training approach. Popular training methods include computer-based training and on-site and off-site lectures.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $40,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,650 (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

Sustain Academy is an online sustainability academy that offers a 10-week LIVE online sustainability course followed by 1:1 mentorship, taught by the world’s best field experts; so far, more than 100 companies from over 10 different countries have trained their employees with them.

112. Start a grocery store

A grocery store sells a wide variety of food products, fresh or packaged, and other household & personal care items. The grocery store industry is the largest retail channel that makes $682 billion in the United States.

To start a basic grocery store, you can expect to spend a minimum of $50,000. Ideally, the bigger expense would be the rent, equipment, labor cost, cash registers/POS systems, and software. Some of these are recurring monthly fees. However, the location, size of the store, competitors, and local customers will significantly impact the business. A new grocer should sell more items for a lower price to make a more significant profit.

A new grocer can also save costs by buying the items from local distributors. The distributor is the middleman between the manufacturer and the grocery store selling it. Once the store cost and location are decided, the next step is to obtain a seller license. In most states, a grocer's license is required to run a grocery store.

Thus an average grocery store has a profit margin of 3% to 5%. The profit rates depend on the store's location, size, and popularity. On average, a small to medium grocery store can make a profit of up to $300,000 annually if all the profit factors are considered.

Another way to make your business more profitable is to diversify your store and add amenities like a coffee shop or stocking up the front of the store with magazines, batteries, etc., as these items can cross a margin of up to 70%. As a rule of thumb, offering lower prices on higher purchases will ultimately win more customers and increase profitability.

113. Start a copywriting business

A copywriter creates clear, compelling copy to sell products and/or educate and engage consumers.

To become a copywriter, focus on covering the basics, plan your copywriting business and choose the services you intend to offer.

To develop your brand, establish a marketing strategy, and offer quality services to your audience. Email marketing, newsletters, and other digital marketing tools can help you create a successful copywriting business.

How much you can make: $700 — $160,000/month

How long does it take to build: 41 days (?)

low budget business ideas philippines

How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.

114. Start a network marketing business

The network marketing model depends on person-to-person sales by an independent representative. The individual distributors market and sell the products to a local network of friends, relatives, and people they know.

Networking marketing can also be online, where the marketer targets and recruits followers to join the network marketing agency.

115. Start a perfume business

A fragrance or perfume business creates and sells products made from various ingredients, such as oils and extracts, which are mixed together to produce a pleasant smell.

And perfumes are no small business: the industry is expected to reach over $40B in the next few years .

There are a few ways to get started with creating your own perfume. You can start by choosing which ingredients you would like to use and then find recipes that will work for those ingredients. Or, you could start with a fragrance that you already love and try to recreate it as closely as possible with natural ingredients.

How much you can make: $19,000/month

low budget business ideas philippines

Founder Rafael Hernandez launched Alfred Lane, a line of handcrafted personal and home fragrances, generating $19k in monthly revenue with 50% attributed to online and wholesale sales, while expanding to 65 stores across 6 countries and expanding to Europe and South America.

low budget business ideas philippines

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21 Low-Cost Food Business Ideas in the Philippines

If there’s one thing the Philippines is known for aside from its famous pristine beaches, it’s that the country is abundant street food scene. In fact, mobile food is so common across the country it’s simply called food. Whether you’re in the capital city or the provinces, the smell of Filipino street food will greet you.

Food carts are a common sight on the sidewalks of urban centers like Manilla, Davao City, and Palayan. Almost all establishment or government buildings will have a restaurant or café too. In short, you don’t need to worry about going hungry in the Philippines. If you’re looking for a way to make a comfortable living, but don’t have much money to invest, try one of these low-cost food business ideas will work anywhere in the country.

Fish Ball Cart

Cotton candy kiosk, siomai kiosk, fried peanuts, hot dog stand, green mangoes, sari-sari stores, fried chicken stand, buko (coconut) juice.

Page Contents

French Fries

Shawarma stand, popcorn stand.

If you’ve visited the Philippines before, you already know food vendors selling fish balls on the side of the road is commonplace. Unlike in Chinese-style hot pots where fish balls are steamed or used in soup, fish balls in the Philippines are fried and skewered in sticks. Fish balls can be homemade or store-bought by the vendors and served in flat or round balls. These meals are then fried in front of you and served hot. You can then dip them into spicy or sweet sauces.

Fish balls are so cheap that they’re sold at Php 0.50 a piece. A stick can sometimes be 15 pesos ($0.30). This is one low-cost food business idea you can do since you’ll only need a cart, gas, your pan, fish balls, and sauces to get started. And of course a curbside another vendor hasn’t already claimed!

low budget business ideas philippines

Cotton candy is popular with kids in the Philippines.

Filipinos love sweet things and naturally cotton candy has become a street food favorite. They’re not the huge ones you’ll find at carnivals, but just a regular-sized cotton candy treat.

The cost of a cotton candy kiosk starts at Php 7,000 or $145 USD. Having this for a business is a crowd favorite and you can even market this for events so you can charge depending on the number of people. If you enjoy working at small events like birthday parties or fundraisers this is a terrific business option.

low budget business ideas philippines

Siomai or shumai is a kind of dim sum in the Philippines.

Siomai is the Filipino version of Shumai or Chinese dumplings. The dumplings are commonly filled with pork, beef, and shrimp. There are many varieties of these through the years such as ones wrapped in nori sheets or those wrapped in bacon. But the siomai culture continues to grow and a siomai kiosk is a popular business investment. You can franchise a siomai kiosk for as low as Php 20,000 or about $415 USD.

One thing to keep in mind is that while the ingredient cost of dumplings is low, making the dumplings by hand will require human capital. You can teach family members how to make dumplings alongside you easily enough, but it’s a consideration you should be aware of before getting into the business. This business is higher effort on the manufacturing side.

low budget business ideas philippines

Ice cream is a favorite street food and business venture in the Philippines.

Ice cream in the Philippines is known commonly as sorbetes or dirty ice cream. Now don’t be alarmed. It’s not dirty. It’s just the way it’s called as a running joke that these are ice creams sold by the streets. But these are quite yummy seeing as it’s made from carabao’s (a type of water buffalo) milk.

This type of ice cream is sold in carts where the tubs are kept frozen with ice and salt. The ice cream is scooped in small sizes and placed in sugar or wafer cones. A single-serve can be affordable and less than Php 50 ($1).

A balut is a Filipino delicacy that is a fertilized duck or chicken egg. It’s very popular and Filipinos eat it by cracking just a small portion of the egg on top and then drink the soup inside. They then eat all the contents (yes, even the duck inside) by adding salt or spiced vinegar.

Admittedly, balut is not for everyone. Some might not find this appetizing to look at. But it remains to be a well-known street food for its taste that having a balut business is profitable and comes at a low cost. This is another popular street food sold by vendors across the country.

Related Reading: 32 (Actually Profitable) Kiosk Business Ideas You Can Start Under $20k

low budget business ideas philippines

Barbecue stalls fill the streets in the Philippines at night.

Filipino barbecue is sweet and savory since the marinade is a mixture of soy sauce, ketchup, lime, sugar, and spices. It also has a lot of varieties from your usual chicken and pork cuts to sausages, chorizo, and even gizzards and liver. These barbecue stalls come out at night and fill the streets with their smoky delicious aroma for the evening crowd. Barbecue stalls are a sought-after dining option after a night at the bar.

All you need for this business aside from the ingredients is a grill and you’re good to go. There’s not much equipment to buy aside from a grill or flat-top that this business is considered low in cost. We also suggest using a high-quality cooler to keep meat safe before it’s grilled.

The milk tea craze has not exclusive to the Philippines. There are milk tea stalls everywhere selling different kinds of flavors. Most of these stalls are franchised starting at Php 56,000 or $1,165. You can get into the game for even less if you choose operate a stall instead of a shop so you don’t have to worry about high monthly lease payments.

low budget business ideas philippines

Flavored French fries are a to comfort food for Filipinos.

French fries are considered a favorite snack by everyone around the globe but Filipinos amp this staple up a notch by adding in different flavors such as sour cream, cheese, barbecue, ranch, wasabi, and even truffle. Vendors make use of pre-packaged powdered seasoning and coat the fries with it. They sell it by the bucket too!

All you need is open a stand for business is a commercial deep fryer, oil, a bag of French fries, and seasoning powder. This is a fantastic business to start on a budget because the main ingredient is extremely affordable and widely available when purchased in bulk. You can differentiate your product by testing creative dip flavors that other local vendors aren’t offering.

low budget business ideas philippines

Filipinos love to eat bread such as pandesal.

Aside from rice, Filipinos love bread. They snack on a pan de sal in the mornings while dipping it in coffee or have it as snacks along with noodles. White bread, cheese bread, and ube cheese pan de sals are also very popular street food snacks in the Philippines.

A bakery starts at Php 150,000 ($3,120) but if you lack any experience, you can start by franchising a bakery at Php 300,000 ($6,240). If you love to bake, you can even start out of your home kitchen and selling to friends and family members as the first customers.

low budget business ideas philippines

Corn stalls can be found just about everywhere in the Philippines.

Corn is one snack that Filipinos will never run out of. You will find corn stalls selling them either steamed or grilled. You can also have these by the cup rather than on the cob and dusted off with powdered cheese as a seasoning. It’s a low-cost business venture wherein the bulk of your expenses will be ordering corn and that’s not very difficult to find since they’re very common in the Philippines.

low budget business ideas philippines

Fried peanuts with garlic is sold along the streets in the Philippines.

Fried peanuts in garlic and salt are a favorite by many Filipinos. They’re quite addicting to snack on, especially since the garlic pieces are sliced big and thin so you can also munch on them aside from the peanuts. This is a simple business to operate with good profit margin.

low budget business ideas philippines

Hotdogs on sticks or buns are a favorite.

Hot dog stands are common in the Philippines and they cost less than Php 20 ($.045) per unit. You can also add choices on whether to have these on the bun or not. Franchising for this business starts at Php 170,000 ($3,535 USD). If you’re thinking about operating a hot dog business, we’ve got you covered with the following in-depth case studies and podcast episodes.

  • Case Study #1:  Ultimate Guide to Starting a Hot Dog Business
  • Case Study #2:   Total Cost Breakdown for Hot Dog Business Startups (Spreadsheet)

low budget business ideas philippines

Green mangoes with bagoong is a sour and salty treat.

You’ve probably heard about ripe Philippine mangoes being very sweet and tasty but have you ever tried the green ones? Green mangoes are crunchy and sour. The taste of it can make you scrunch up your face like you’re eating a lemon. But Filipinos love to snack on them, especially when they’re paired with bagoong, a fermented shrimp paste.

Green mango stands are a great low-cost business venture since the Philippines never runs out of mangoes and you’ll find great deals for such a supply. You’ll only need the mangoes and your bagoong and you’ll have a green mango stand that many will love.

Related Reading:  25-Step Plan to Making Your Food Company a Reality

low budget business ideas philippines

Milkshakes help one cool down.

Shake carts are common in the Philippines since the country is abundant with fruits. Other than that, Filipinos love sweet things so they also like to drink flavored milkshakes such as chocolate, ube, and strawberry. Pearls are also favorite add-ons when buying shakes. A shake cart franchise starts at Php 79,000 or about $1,645 USD and is also available as a stand and shop.

If you would like learn the pros and cons of opening a smoothie shop , listen to our audio lesson below. You’ll learn how to establish your first vending route and how to create a proof of concept for your company.

low budget business ideas philippines

What a sari-sari store may look like in the Philippines.

Filipino convenience stores, also known as sari-sari stores, are small stores usually situated outside of the owner’s house. Items that are being sold are chips, soda, bread, instant noodles, canned goods, and some toiletries. Basically anything pre-packaged is sold at these establishments.

A sari-sari store is a low-cost business since you don’t have to pay for rent seeing as the store is on your premises. You can start a sari-sari store for only Php 50,000 ($1,040). If your home is located in a high-traffic part of the city this can be a viable business option. And you can’t beat the commute to work!

low budget business ideas philippines

Fried chicken stalls are popular in the Philippines.

Everyone likes fried chicken. For Filipinos, fried chicken and rice is already considered a good meal. Most international fast food brands that open up in the Philippines add fried chicken to their menu since they know how much Filipinos like to eat this with a large portion of gravy to dip.

Put up a fried chicken stand with add-ons such as rice or fries on the side. Though we guarantee you that serving rice will surely make this business a hit, offering flavored fries and dips can also win customers over.

low budget business ideas philippines

Shawarma and gyro are sold in malls in the Philippines.

Filipino food isn’t the only popular cuisine in the Philippines. Shawarmas are also becoming a more popular food item across the island. Filipinos love the taste of the tortilla or pita wrap with sliced beef or chicken as filling with either spicy sauce or sweet cheese sauce drizzled in it. Franchising for a shawarma stand starts at Php 10,000 or $208 USD.

low budget business ideas philippines

Coconut juice is refreshing.

Aside from mangoes, the Philippines is abundant in coconuts so there are a lot of coconut juice stands. There are different options for this such as pure coconut juice, sweetened coconut juice, coconut juice with the meat of the fruit, or juice shakes. The challenging aspect of operating this type of business will be cracking open coconuts to extract the meat and juices.

Case Study:  Food booth vendor with 20+ years experience shares concession sales secrets

Taho is a Philippine snack that consists of silken tofu, syrup, and pearls. You will see vendors carrying tubs of these on their shoulders. It’s sweet, warm, and very tasty food item.

Taho has also been modernized wherein it is available as a franchise and comes as a food stall. Franchising for a taho stall is at Php 180,000 ($3,745) but this rate can be lowered if you’d like to try out the traditional way of selling taho on a bike. You can learn some good strategies for marketing and profiting from a taho business, check out this article .

low budget business ideas philippines

Popcorn is an affordable business to start.

Popcorn stands are spotted frequently in town plazas in the Philippines. You can spot them right next to the fish ball vendors and taho vendors.

You can put up a popcorn stand at just Php 6,900 ($145) with different flavored powder to season your popcorn. Learn how to operate a successful popcorn business here.

low budget business ideas philippines

Fried rice is a filling meal.

Rice is a staple for Filipinos which is why a fried rice stand would make a good business investment. Some businesses also provide toppings such as fried spring rolls, chicken nuggets, and siomai. You can franchise a fried rice business at Php 200,000 or $4,160 USD.

In conclusion, putting up a food business in the Philippines is easy with so many options and ideas to choose from. Food is generally cheap in the Philippines so you can open one of these business even if you didn’t come from wealth. What you need to do now is identify a food or beverage you would like to sell, write a business plan, and identify some potential vending locations .

Want to start your own food business?

Hey! 👋I’m Brett Lindenberg, the founder of Food Truck Empire.

We interview successful founders and share the stories behind their food trucks, restaurants, food and beverage brands. By sharing these stories, I want to help others get started.

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30 Innovative Business Ideas to Start in the Philippines in 2024

Do you want to start your own business in the Philippines but want to stand out from the crowd? Our list of 30 unique and profitable niche business ideas for 2024 might be just what you need. Explore emerging opportunities in niche markets ranging from sustainable and environmental products to cutting-edge services. Motivate yourself and take the first step toward realizing your entrepreneurial dreams!

  • Urban Farming Urban farming is an increasingly profitable business opportunity that aligns with the growing interest in sustainable living. With the ability to cultivate organic produce in small spaces, this industry provides an innovative solution for meeting the demand for fresh, locally-grown produce. Get started on your entrepreneurial journey today and reap the benefits of this emerging market!
  • Event Planner In today’s world of social media, people crave unique experiences to share online, and event planning provides the perfect opportunity to create and organize unforgettable occasions. With a knack for creativity and attention to detail, you can tap into this growing market and turn your passion into profit. Start your event planning business today and let your imagination run wild!
  • Mobile Car Wash As the busy lifestyle of most Filipinos continues to leave little time for car maintenance, mobile car washes are becoming increasingly popular. These services offer convenience and time-saving solutions for car owners who want to keep their vehicles clean without the hassle of going to a car wash. Join the rising trend of mobile car wash businesses and cater to the growing demand for efficient and convenient car maintenance services.
  • Pet Grooming and Boarding Filipinos are known for their love for pets, making pet grooming and boarding services a lucrative business in the country. By providing high-quality services for pet owners, you can tap into the growing demand for pet care and establish a profitable business. Take advantage of this opportunity and start your own pet grooming and boarding business today.
  • Laundry Service With the increasing urbanization and busy lifestyle of most Filipinos, laundry services are in high demand, providing a convenient and time-saving solution for people’s laundry needs.
  • Home Cleaning Service With the fast-paced lifestyle of Filipinos, home cleaning services have become increasingly popular. Providing a convenient way for homeowners to keep their homes clean and organized, this business has high demand and profitability.
  • Personal Fitness Trainer As health and wellness continue to be a top priority for many Filipinos, the demand for personal fitness trainers is on the rise. These professionals offer personalized fitness programs and expert guidance to help clients achieve their fitness goals safely and effectively. With a focus on promoting a healthy lifestyle, a career in personal fitness training can be both fulfilling and profitable.
  • Food Delivery Service As more and more Filipinos turn to online shopping, package delivery services have become essential in ensuring that packages are delivered safely and efficiently. Starting a package delivery service can be a profitable business in the Philippines .
  • Mobile Spa Indulge in a luxurious spa experience without leaving your home. Mobile spa services offer a range of treatments, from massages to facials, all delivered by highly qualified professionals. With flexible scheduling and personalized services, it’s the perfect way to relax and rejuvenate.
  • Business Consulting Business consulting services provide expert advice and guidance on various aspects of business operations, such as strategy, marketing, and finance, and are in high demand among businesses looking to improve and optimize their performance.
  • Personalized Gift Shop With the Philippines’ culture of gift-giving, starting a personalized gift shop is a profitable niche business that offers unique and customized gifts for various occasions.
  • Boutique Fitness Studio With the growing awareness and importance of health and fitness, boutique fitness studios have become a sought-after choice, offering tailor-made fitness classes and an individualized experience for clients.
  • Specialty Coffee Shop As people’s taste for coffee becomes more refined, specialty coffee shops are gaining popularity, providing a unique and high-quality coffee experience for customers who value exceptional coffee.
  • Artisanal Bakery With the growing demand for organic and artisanal food products, an artisanal bakery is a profitable business that provides high-quality baked goods made from scratch.
  • Healthy Juice Bar Amid the surge of health-conscious consumers, juice bars are gaining traction for offering an array of freshly squeezed and nutrient-packed blends to nourish and invigorate patrons.
  • Mini Groceries Mini-groceries are becoming increasingly essential, offering a convenient and accessible shopping experience for customers who prefer to shop for groceries in their neighborhood.”
  • Mobile Repair Shop With the rise of mobile phone usage, mobile repair shops are in high demand, providing quick and reliable repair services for various types of mobile devices.
  • Personal Styling Services Personal styling services are gaining popularity as people seek customized fashion advice and styling services to enhance their personal style. These services provide a personalized approach to fashion, considering individual preferences, body types, and lifestyles to create a unique and stylish wardrobe for clients.
  • Party Supply Shop As Filipinos love to celebrate and throw parties, party supply shops have become an essential part of event planning. They provide a wide range of party supplies and decorations for different occasions, making it easy for customers to find everything they need in one place.
  • Shoe Repair Shop As shoes are an essential part of everyone’s wardrobe, shoe repair shops are becoming increasingly popular, providing repair services for various types of footwear, including leather shoes, sports shoes, and other types of shoes. These shops are convenient for customers who want to restore their old or damaged shoes rather than buying a new pair, which can be costly.
  • Vintage Clothing Shop Vintage clothing stores are growing in popularity because they offer customers unique and fashionable clothing items that are not commonly found in traditional retail stores.
  • Home Cleaning Services Home cleaning services are in high demand, providing homeowners with professional and reliable cleaning services for their homes.
  • Toy Store With the rise of parents seeking educational and developmental toys for their children, toy stores are becoming a popular source for various age-appropriate toys. These stores offer a wide selection of toys that cater to different interests and learning styles, making it easy for parents to find the right toy for their child’s development. Additionally, toy stores often provide a unique shopping experience with knowledgeable staff and hands-on displays that allow children to explore and test out toys before purchasing.
  • Plant Nursery As more and more people are becoming interested in gardening and indoor plants, plant nurseries are growing in popularity. These stores offer a variety of plants, gardening tools, and supplies for customers who want to enhance their living spaces with greenery. With the rise of indoor gardening trends, plant nurseries have become a go-to source for plants, from small succulents to large indoor trees. They also provide expert advice on plant care, making it easier for customers to grow and maintain their home gardens.
  • Fitness Equipment Rental The demand for fitness equipment rental services is rising as customers seek a budget-friendly and convenient option to access fitness equipment without the need to buy it outright.
  • Language School As globalization and internationalization continue to rise, language learning has become increasingly important. To meet this demand, language schools are becoming popular, offering language classes and courses for students of all ages to learn a new language or improve their language skills. These schools provide a structured and immersive environment that allows students to learn the language effectively, and they often offer a range of classes and programs tailored to different learning needs and goals.
  • Food Hall Food halls are a modern approach to food courts, and they’re becoming increasingly popular due to their diverse and unique dining experiences. They bring together various food vendors under one roof, offering customers a wide range of food options to choose from, including local and international cuisines. This allows customers to enjoy different types of food in one place, making it an ideal spot for foodies and groups with varying tastes. Additionally, food halls typically offer a stylish and trendy atmosphere, making it a great hangout spot for friends and family.
  • Board Game Cafe Board game cafes are gaining popularity among game enthusiasts and casual players alike, offering a unique social experience where customers can gather with friends and family to play board games while enjoying food and drinks. With a wide selection of board games available for play, from classic games like chess and Monopoly to modern favorites like Settlers of Catan and Ticket to Ride, board game cafes provide a fun and inclusive environment for all levels of players. In addition to board games, some cafes also offer other tabletop games, such as card games and role-playing games, as well as organized events and tournaments for the community to participate in.
  • Plant-based food products Plant-based food products are a great niche business idea in the Philippines in 2024, as more and more people are becoming health-conscious and environmentally aware. Plant-based diets are gaining popularity due to their many health benefits, and there is a growing demand for plant-based alternatives to traditional meat and dairy products.
  • Personal concierge services Personal concierge services can be a lucrative niche business idea in the Philippines . These services can range from running errands, booking travel arrangements, organizing events, managing household tasks, and more. With the busy lifestyle of many people, personal concierge services can be a great solution for those who need assistance in managing their daily tasks.

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Unlock a world of innovative business ideas and strategies on TikTok! Explore a treasure trove of entrepreneurial wisdom, success stories, and industry insights. Follow us for a daily dose of inspiration. 🚀📈 #BusinessIdeas #Entrepreneurship

The Philippines offers a diverse range of niche business opportunities for entrepreneurs who are willing to invest their time and resources. From health and wellness to sustainable fashion, and from eco-tourism to personal concierge services, the possibilities are endless. It’s essential to conduct thorough market research to determine the feasibility and profitability of your chosen niche. But with the right strategies and a solid business plan, any of these 30 unique and profitable business ideas could be the key to your success in the Philippines market.

low budget business ideas philippines

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Business Tips Philippines: Business Owners and Entrepreneurs’ Guide

Business Tips Philippines, an online entrepreneurship, management & marketing guide for Filipinos, business owners, leaders & entrepreneurs around the world.

10 Small Business Ideas in the Philippines

May 4, 2011 Vic

Here is a list of 10 small business ideas with low starting capital you can start in the Philippines. If you’re an unemployed person who strives to earn for living, an employed one who wants to earn extra income, a mom who wishes to work at home, or a college student who needs to find ways to fund his own school expenses, then the following small businesses which require small investment and start-up capital can be the right idea for your small yet admirable business and entrepreneurship move.

1. Loading business

If you want to start a small business with small capital, cellphone loading or eloading can be the one for you. The good thing with this business is that you can do it part-time while you’re not yet ready to depart from your employer. Filipinos (including you) are in a constant need of prepaid cellphone load. You can sell it to your friends or even to your officemates, if you’re still employed. The loading business becomes more revolutionized, with the fast-changing technologies the world offers. You can try to invest a P3,988 capital to start your own loading business with some of the top loading business partners in the Philippines.

2. Website flipping

If you know how to develop a website and know how to market it, then website flipping is for you. It is the development of websites for sale. What you need is skills in website design, content creation, and some search engine optimization (SEO). The cost you will incur consists of your domain name registration fee, webhosting fee, listing fee and cost of outside services if you wish to outsource some works related to website development. A dot.com domain name costs P 500.00 for a one year registration, while webhosting fee for 4 months can costs P2,000, enough to accommodate a developing website for those months. Listing fee of one website in Flippa.com (a leading marketplace for website selling) costs around P 1,000. If you will develop a website and sell it after 3 months you will incur a total costs of P3,500 (assuming you will develop it by yourself). If you can come up with a website that receives good traffic and generates some income, you can successfully sell it at a 100% to 300% profit. Be sure to have a Paypal account to accept payment from your buyers online.

3. Web host reselling

Another online small business idea is web host reselling . This involves buying a web hosting account and reselling it to different customers. For example, you pay for a P 1,300 monthly web hosting reseller account with 15GB space and 300GB bandwidth. You can divide it to 10 (1,500MB space and 30GB bandwidth) and resell it for P300 or more to 10 clients, resulting to a sales of P3,000 and profit of P1,700. If you can multiply this business into more accounts and clients, then your revenues and income will also be multiplied. You can integrate this business with your website design, development and flipping business. But you need to have and maintain a reputable website that will serve as your online store and place to interact with your client. You can check ResellerZoom for a reseller account at your budget.

4. Direct selling business

Direct selling or personal selling will require anyone’s own effort and self-reliance. Most direct selling companies offer low starting investment or initial capital to become part of their successful business. This is just perfect for people (e.g., home-based moms, students and employed persons) who want to have a small business than can be done with a flexible time. Check out Avon, Sundance, Tupperware Philippines and Natasha.

5. Poultry farming

This is an old small business that you can do at your backyard. We already know the idea. We buy chicks or piglets and raise them till we profit. If you love to play Farmville in Facebook, why not try to make it real? However, this business may not be practicable if you live in a highly urbanized place like in the middle of a city.

6. Lunch and snacks

Everybody needs to eat, especially the employees and workers who almost don’t have the time to prepare or even go out from their workplace to buy their food during lunch break. The idea is to sell and deliver lunch packs and snacks during “merienda” or snack time to these workers. To run this small business, you need to have a telephone to contact your customers for delivery, good skills in cooking, and the ability to build good relationship with these prospective customers.

7. Specialty food business

The food industry is a never ending business, whether it’s small or business. People will continue to crave for a new kind of taste. If you love specialty foods, you can turn this into a business. This may include, baking special chocolates, candies, cookies and other special delicacies. You can consign these products in other stores (like department stores) or just sell it directly to your customers.

8. Laundry and dry-cleaning

There may be already lots of laundry shops in your area. However, you can make a more special and unique service by offering free pickup and delivery services. Since this is a small business idea, you can do it without expensive laundry machines, and do the cleaning just like the old times.

9. House cleaning services

A clean house is always nice to live. But many people, especially those who spend more hours in the office than in their home, have no time to do the job of cleaning their own place. Thus, you can be the one to provide that service to them. This can one of the best summer business ideas for teenagers and students who want to earn extra money during the school-break season.

10. Tutorial services

For me, being a teacher is the best profession out there. Remember that Christ our Lord is a great teacher. Now, if you are gifted and blessed with an exceptional knowledge, you can share that knowledge to everyone who needs it. Of course, except for the Word of God which you cannot share for money, other kinds of knowledge which you have invested with time and money, can be the product of your tutorial business. You can teach online or offline, depending on where you will be more effective, efficient and profitable.

There can be other small and low-capital business ideas that are viable to start in the Philippines. If you have other ideas in mind, don’t hesitate to share it by making a comment below.

Update: I have made a 100 list of business ideas for 2013 . You can read it to gain more ideas what business to start in the Philippines. Also check out this list of micro businesses in the Philippines . Enjoy!

Vic

Victorino Q. Abrugar is a marketing strategist and business consultant from Tacloban City, Philippines. Vic has been in the online marketing industry for more than 7 years, practicing problogging, web development, content marketing, SEO, social media marketing, and consulting.

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June 10, 2011 at 6:06 am

These are indeed click small businesses nowadays here in the Philippines which doesn’t require much capital. Kudos for sharing!

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July 8, 2011 at 7:17 am

you can start your own business.. P250 lang. Mura na, patok na patok pa. click link on my name.

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July 9, 2011 at 3:20 am

Hi Carolyn, how will P250 capitalization works when the site referred requires about P4,000 at least? Thanks

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November 26, 2011 at 2:23 am

please help me think to have that business

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November 26, 2011 at 5:03 am

Yes, let’s make it more specific. 🙂

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June 10, 2012 at 11:37 pm

hi carolyn, i am really interested to know more about that small-capital business of yours. but i just wish and pray that this is not a scam for it only needs a much lesser capital. thanks…

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September 24, 2011 at 12:23 pm

Hi anyone wants to have a loading business for as low as 3,988 pesos? Want to have more than 1 million return of investment? By just investing a small amount for about 120,000 pesos only? Let me know! 🙂 I can schedule meet-ups for you business man and business owners.

For inquiries : Call / Text : 09054139619 Look For : Ron Angeles

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October 19, 2011 at 3:32 am

Ron Angeles,

How can we be sure that this is not another one of those pyramiding companies? I’ve read about Vmobile on the internet. And, in those forums I have visited, it seems that those who are raising concerns about the use of a pyramiding scheme by the company have a point. When one becomes a dealer/technopreneur of Vmobile, he/she will have a privilege to earn the referral bonuses set by the company for recruiting new dealers, regardless if there are or no product sales have been made. Well, based on the definition of pyramiding, I believe Vmobile is indeed practicing it, in spite of its DTI and SEC registrations.

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March 24, 2012 at 12:14 pm

Sadly there are alot of “networking” companies out there that remain unregulated and even left alone by DTI. Once again seeing that this country has the worst priorities and will probably continue in its trend of poverty for years to come as long as 99% of the country remain hellbent on traditions and conservatism.

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June 19, 2012 at 8:34 pm

The issue is not networking companies being unregulated but people who aren’t performing the right way of doing it.

Networking or multi-level marketing is not all about recruiting people like most of you know. That is what you people know because most networkers nowadays skip the marketing part. Networking is about selling products AND gaining companions in your work. It only happens so that networkers were blinded by the fact that they income a percentage of their recruit’s income.

Soon in my blog I will post about that in relation to the link I point to.

I’m not like those networkers who just go on and recruit. In fact, I do not have any recruits myself since I am worried that they might not get income in the networking company that I’m involved in and they will think that I fooled them for money.

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December 1, 2015 at 7:32 pm

hi, i’d like to start to have a blog. how much do i need to invest? thanks

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June 29, 2012 at 2:46 am

hi! network marketing business it’s not a bad business but before you join the network marketing business you always look for the credibility of the company and here some more suggestion in choosing a viable company 1. legality, stability 27yrs, D&B Rating 5A1 rating and Transparency Local PSE (Philippine Stock Exchange listed DSAP Approved International NYSE listed and Member of WFDSA (world Federation of Direct Selling Association. 2.longevity at least 10yrs with proven track record. 3. Products: Patended, quality, unique. consumable with money back guarantee. 4. Marketing plan: Patended, proven, audited and sustainable. 5. Proven System for Global Expansion 52 countries. 6. Support/Training System. 7. Sales: At least 500 million dollars annual sale. you should never join a company that is not a member of DSA (direct sales association). sana makatulong ako sayo…thankyou..

if you have some question just call or text me. contact number: +639272064361

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November 16, 2013 at 9:09 am

Chris,do you mean the “networking companies?

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January 10, 2014 at 7:53 am

Hi Chris i just wanna express my thought regarding pyramiding companies.. when you say PYRAMIDING what idea comes to your mind?? in my opinion there are pyramiding company which are scam but there are still alot of pyramiding company which is real… lets make as example the Land Transportation Office in Philippines, when you say LTO they branded as Crocodile in the city, but not all of them is crocs, there are still alot of them which is good hearted, same with the Police, many police officer engage in illegal activity but many of them are good hearted too, when you say politician, they are branded as corrupt but not all of them is politician.. if you try to figure out the government system is also pyramid structure, start from president on top down to the lowest public officials, thats also a form of pyramid.. I’ve been in networking company and i know theres a plenty of scammers around but i am very careful on choosing the legitimate company. Now I enjoying my earnings from my online networking business with out living my home… and alot of ordinary people is now enjoying financial freedom because of this pyramid business.. find me on Facebook and i will share to you legitimate idea on how to earn extra income just what i did.. https://www.facebook.com/reynandgsogelio , 🙂

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October 19, 2011 at 4:14 pm

Pyramiding = No Product or product with less value than the registration fee. Meaning, if you pay for your registration fee, wala kang makukuhang product kapalit nung binayad mo na registration fee or may product nga pero mas mababa ang worth kesa sa registration fee. Sa Vmobile if you pay 3988, you will get products worth 5000, so kahit walang recruit recruit na maganap, eh bawing bawi na po agad yung 3988 na puhunan, iba pa po dun yung override na makukuha mo. Again wag natin isama ang recruit recruit. Now for example sa isang company, you pay 5k registration fee then ang nakuha mong kapalit na product ay worth 1500 lang or basta mas mababa sa registration fee mo, ayun! that’s pyramiding because clearly you don’t have any options para mabawi ang puhunan mo kundi magrecruit recruit ka nalang 🙂

October 20, 2011 at 4:53 pm

I think V mobile will work better if you concentrate on the loading business than with the recruitment. If you go mainly for recruitment, you are up for pyramiding, otherwise, if you concentrate on loading business, then, you really intend to do business.

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December 12, 2011 at 1:46 am

I agree. A friend introduced me to vmobile but i decided not to join. Why? You have to focus on recruitment to earn big while you earn VERY little if you focus on loading even if you become a load dealer.

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August 26, 2013 at 9:27 am

I was once a dealer of this VMobile thing. The moment I joined the business, I studied the scheme/concept. It is indeed a business that is not supposed to be about pyramiding coz as “Joy” said, from the product itself “bawing-bawi” ka na and I agree on that. I simply do the necessary computations of the possible revenue with the least profit being considered, still we will gain something at the end of the day. Well, not as big as the recruitment “reward”. But the point is that, it has the chance to boom depending on how you will deal with the business. The common mistake of most Filipinoes (even the person who recruited me) was that, they wanted the BIG money immediately (thru recruitment and not selling) that makes the business more like “pyramiding”. I stopped for I think one year of operating the business as I need somebody who has the same faith as mine to be my business partner. I do believe that 2 heads are still better than 1. 🙂

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December 5, 2011 at 7:49 pm

You’d a great list here Vic… 😛 And as Christmas is approaching, lots of people espclly Pinoy teenagers want to make money for their ‘gimiks’, but they don’t have any idea on how and where to begin. So I’ll share here some list on how to make money online and as well as offline.

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April 18, 2012 at 3:15 pm

Thank you for sharing this! This is a great help! 🙂

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June 16, 2012 at 1:15 am

I don’t think electronic loading is for me. But I’d like to commend you for the list you posted above. From the list you gave, what I like the most is selling websites but the profit depends highly on the popularity of your websites. We all know that a lot of people are doing this so it’s not an easy job to sell. I know some online work for all the Filipinos who want to earn online without any out-of-pocket costs. I think that is what I highly prefer than investing. One has to have a personal computer and an internet connection. That’s all, no investment needed.

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August 23, 2012 at 8:06 am

Hi Guest, I’m interested in the online works that you mentioned. May I know what are those online works for Filipinos? Thank you so much

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October 15, 2012 at 2:51 pm

May I know the name of the company & how does it work?

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March 11, 2013 at 6:42 am

Hello! Im interested in the on line job. Would it be okay to enlighten me. thanks!

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June 24, 2012 at 6:40 am

These are somehow also can be done even at the comfort of your home. And of course, with no holding tax, thanks for the share!

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July 19, 2012 at 3:14 am

I have been in the tutorial business for more than 12 years now with the main office in Quezon City and a branch in Alabang. Indeed, tutorial services is an ideal business for Filipinos, specially with the implementation of the K-12.

Due to the tutorial inquiries coming in, normally from other areas, YTC Your Tutorial Center opened its doors to franchising. Those who will franchise, will get a 3-in-1 program — 1) tutorial 2) language and 3) review.

For interested parties, you may call (02) 806 2027 or (0932) 8 666 982.

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August 8, 2012 at 12:43 am

I think having a franchise is one of the best way to put up a business. Franchising has trainings to educate the amateur.

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August 15, 2012 at 5:56 am

Hi, Mis Yummie. How much cost for the franchising fee?

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November 26, 2012 at 4:24 am

thanks for the tips. good thing you didn’t mention mlm. im not against it, but its not for long term. i know a lot of people who earn from it but the company didn’t last for long. traditional is still the best.

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February 21, 2013 at 4:41 pm

You might want to try this small business especially those students looking for an extra income:

http://www.facebook.com/UltimateLoadTechnologyDealer/posts/511673888874162

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March 18, 2013 at 4:21 am

i think most of us came to this site because we are thinking of some small capital businesses. I had fun reading some comments about network marketing or multi level marketing businesses. I see there are some people who have the idea on how it works. if you want to go on multi level marketing business be sure to find the FIVE qualities for you to succeed. 1.) the company – it should be stable and credible and has continuous improvement. 2.) Product – since multi level marketing is a direct selling company the product must be great, easy to market and effective. If the product don’t have the quality needed then there is no marketing plan to talk to. 3.) Marketing Plan- since you are working for success you need to find the company that has a good compensation plan. 4.) and most importantly THE TRAINING. it should have training that will help every aspiring businessman/woman, to reach their goals. and last but not the least. 5.) ORGANIZATION – some people even though in a perfect network marketing fails to succeed because of their organization.

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March 23, 2013 at 3:36 pm

Great ideas! Thanks!

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June 2, 2015 at 11:14 pm

it’s a must now that apart from working, you also must do side line business. create multiple income streams so you’ll not only cover your regular expenses, but also to achieve your dreams. you have good 10 suggestions

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Small Business Ideas Philippines 2024

Cebuano

Are you looking to start a small Pinoy business in the Philippines?

Starting a small business is an excellent idea in the Philippines today.

The Philippines is a country full of opportunities .

Especially if you know where to look.

Today will be exploring the most unique and best Filipino small business ideas that you can start today.

But before we dive in…. Here is some very, very, very important information.

Table of Contents

Quick Business Statistics Philippines

A. more than 1.08 million businesses operate in the philippines.

This data is based on 2021 (2022 data is not yet available). 2020 data shows a total of 957,000 registered businesses.

It appears that more Filipinos & foreigners want to start a business in the Philippines.

Businesses need business services, opening up the door for many B2B business ideas in the Philippines.

B. Diabetic Foods Have Seen A 110% Increase In The Philippines In 2022

More and more people are searching for foods for diabetic people in 2022.

There is also a considerable increase in other types of foods (Egg drop has seen a 2100% increase in search volume).

So this may be an opportunity for content creators and food businesses.

C. Over 99% Of Businesses In The Philippines Are Micro, Small, Or Medium-Sized Businesses

Again, this opens the doors to B2B agreements or services that small and medium-sized businesses need.

D. Search Data Shows Celebrity Skincare Products And Routines Have Exploded

This is excellent data to know if you are considering starting a reselling business or a small skincare business in the Philippines.

More people want to know about skincare routines and the best skin care products in the Philippines.

Also, certain types of plastic surgery searches (such as those common in Korea) have increased in 2022 in the Philippines.

E. DTI Is Pushing Innovation Across Industries In The Philippines

From research, it’s clear that DTI is pushing small Filipino businesses to innovate. This is an excellent idea for the economy and business owners in general.

Government departments are focusing their effort on roadmaps for industries such as E-commerce.

In addition, extra support (such as financial lending and mentoring) is available through DTI and other bodies.

F. Philippines E-Commerce Market Continues To Grow

The eCommerce market is projected to reach US$20.18bn in the Philippines by the end of 2022.

According to Statista , the average Filipino consumer will spend just over 24,000 Pesos a year on eCommerce platforms.

The biggest spending on average is in the electronics market.

Section 1: Small Business Ideas Philippines

1.1 small business for students in the philippines.

Start A Small Blogging Business Estimated Monthly Income: ₱20,000 – ₱150,000 Difficulty: Easy Capital Needed: ₱1,000+ Skills Needed: Strong Communication, Networking, and Writing Skills.

We are starting our small business list with a growing online business idea in the Philippines – blogging.

Starting a blog is a perfect small business to start in the Philippines.

In the modern world, it’s very much possible to start a blog without spending a peso. But if you want to make money from a blog, it is recommended to find a premium service. The good news is that these premium services cost very little.

You need to decide on your plan and strategy if you’re looking to turn a blog into a small Pinoy business that makes you money. This includes your niche (experts say the riches are in the niches), your strategy, and how you will make money.

Here are a few beginners steps to get you started.

  • Conduct Research On Your Topic
  • Choose Your Niche And Plan
  • Strategy From Start To Finish (This Is The Most Important Step)
  • Find Your Money-Making Options (Ads, Product Sales, Affiliate Sales, Etc.)
  • Choose A Domain
  • Find A Webhost Service And Sign Up For WordPress
  • Start Building Your Site

Naturally, this is not 100% of the picture. But fear not.

I covered everything you need to know in our beginner’s guide on how to start making money from a blog. I recommend staying away from free hosting services and web builders.

Simply because the options to make money are limited on most occasions. If the service is free, there is often a lot of advertisement on your website/blog, which you are not getting paid for.

example of small pinoy business philippines

Additionally, having a blog from a free server looks unprofessional.

But don’t worry, this can be avoided by choosing a good hosting and website building service, which we explored in our complete guide.  

Open A Product Reselling Business Estimated Monthly Income: ₱10,000 – ₱130,000+ Difficulty: Easy Capital Needed: ₱1,000+ Skills Needed: Marketing, Socia Media Management Skills, Entrepreneurship

Another growing small business idea to start in the Philippines is product reselling.

Product reselling is slightly different from affiliate marketing. Often, with reselling, you buy an item or a big package ready to resell. This can work well depending on the demand and the product in question.

list of small Filipino business ideas philippines

When starting a small business in the Philippines, entrepreneurs are always recommended to focus on research.

This is especially true if you are spending your pesos. Detailed research can help you save money when starting a small Pinoy business in the Philippines.

It’s so important!

Research can also highlight areas of demand so that you know what product to sell and to who.

But what kind of products should you focus on? Some of the easiest products to resell in the Philippines are branded products that are high in demand. This could be whitening soap, for example. Or it could be a famous author’s book.

common small business philippines

To start, it’s best to investigate the brand. For example, do they offer a reselling program?

If the answer is no, perhaps your leadership skills can be shown as you negotiate a business deal with the supplier/brand.

But whatever direction you go in… research is always the first step.

Online English Or Tagalog Tutoring Estimated Monthly Income: ₱15,000 – ₱85,000 Difficulty: Easy Capital Needed: ₱3,500+ Skills Needed: Teaching Skills, Coaching, Speaking Skills

I love this business idea because it has incredible growth with the current demand.

But another reason this is one of the best small businesses to start in the Philippines is because online teaching is a skill many of us possess.

The Philippines is becoming a hotspot for tourism.

It might surprise you, but the Philippines is a paradise for many foreigners.

small business data philippines

It is not uncommon for Koreans, Chinese, and Japanese to come to the Philippines simply to learn English.

On the other side of this comes Tagalog.

Tagalog is a language in demand. From the upward data, I suspect the market will continue to grow as we look into the next 5+ years.

To get started with this small business in the Philippines, it is best to focus on the online options (at least for the moment).

With the online option, you open up the doors to customers across the world.

Join 17,829 Others & Get Secret Tips

The first steps are building a website, promoting your services, and finding a video call tool like Skype or Zoom.

Additionally, you need to maximize the opportunity for visibility in the early days.

Starting a YouTube channel is a fantastic option. Because this is a niche business, it is a significant opportunity to build a loyal audience. A dedicated audience opens several streams of additional income.

Expanding your income streams should always be a priority when you are looking to start a small business in the Philippines.

Start Your Own Youtube Business Estimated Monthly Income: ₱5,000 – ₱200,000+ Difficulty: Easy Capital Needed: ₱2,000+ Skills Needed: Presenting Skills, Authenticity, Editing Skills 

This is hot!

So hot that I’m shocked your phone/laptop hasn’t burst into flames!

I’ve researched Filipino trends over the last few years to help this business grow. I found how Filipinos search and consume information has changed over the years.

And it still continues to change to this day. Blogs are extremely popular, and this business is definitely not dead in the Philippines. But many types of content does well in video form.

business ideas for student philippines pinoy

Therefore, YouTube has many advantages for business owners and creators looking to start a small Pinoy business in the Philippines.

After you read this blog…. maybe you won’t come back to this website ☹.

But with a YouTube video, another video would likely be recommended if you enjoyed the content. Due to the growth of YouTube in the Philippines and worldwide, you have opened doors to a brand new audience.

Additionally, there is a lot less competition on YouTube than on websites. If you want to start a small online business in the Philippines, I strongly recommend publishing your content on several platforms.

The good news is it is possible to recycle your content. This means that your work effort and time are reduced.

Like other types of businesses, deciding on your niche and building a strategy is essential for growth with this business and most online business ideas in the Philippines.

Start An Online Small Designing Business Estimated Monthly Income: ₱3,000 – ₱90,000 Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Capital Needed: ₱4,500+ Skills Needed: Entrepreneurship, Designing, Communication Skills

Designing is a business that can seem very easy from the outside, but it certainly does have its challenges.

Nevertheless, starting a designing business is a great online business idea in the Philippines for many reasons.

There is enormous flexibility, demand, and scalability in this business.

However, due to the popularity of this business, finding long-term customers has not always been the most straightforward process for designers.

But in the designing world, business models and concepts have changed, which opens up the doors of opportunity.

Philippines small business options and examples

For example, many designers on now opening designer schools to teach others how to design.

Other business owners have even created artificial intelligence software that creates ready-made designs and scalable designs.

Nevertheless, if you are looking to go the traditional route, it’s best to focus on the gaps.  

This could be a 20-year-old website that needs a website redesign or a local brand that needs new branding.

Unfortunately, customers will not always come to us when we start a small Filipino business.

In other words, we need to go out and get them.

One option is to contact a local business that you think would benefit from your design work and offer them your services for free.

Free!? Whaaaaaaaaat?

I know, I know.

But, If you are just starting, this is recommended.

It helps to build your portfolio and uses the psychology law of reciprocity.

But this is only needed during the early days of starting a small business in the Philippines.

Once you have built some experience, continue your outreach (promotion).

Many designers focus on hard work but not so much on outreach and promotion.

You can also expand onto online freelancing platforms, social media, and your own website.

Other Small Businesses For Students In The Philippines

  • Load Business
  • Start A Meditation Business
  • Flipping Domains & Websites
  • Start A Video Editing Business
  • Open A Research Business
  • Flip Textbooks & Novels
  • Open A Virtual Assistant Business
  • Start A Reviewing / Audit Business

1.2 Small Business Ideas To Start At Home Philippines

Start An Affiliate Marketing Business Estimated Monthly Income: ₱8,000 – ₱75,000 Difficulty: Easy Capital Needed: ₱1,000+ Skills Needed: Networking, Influencing, Collaboration Skills

Affiliate marketing is a great small business for students in the Philippines.

It is also one of the leading online businesses to start in the Philippines , so it already has two significant advantages.

Recently we explored the process of affiliate marketing and how you can make money from your own affiliate marketing business.

The website iprice.ph is a popular website that has been built on this business model.

But how can you compete with big businesses and corporations?

Authenticity .

People value authentic people. In other words, real people who are honest and open.

A corporation can tell you to buy a product, but it lacks that authenticity and personal feeling.

However, a YouTube video of a single mom in Cebu talking about how she loves her new baby feeding bottle can work wonders.

Authenticity is key.

Never try to fool or lie to your audience.

The Internet is super smart.

One of the key elements to starting this online student business in the Philippines is to have a platform for visibility.

A platform can include a YouTube channel, a social media channel, a website, or a podcast.

There are plenty of affiliate programs available across the Philippines.

In addition, you can check out our CHEAT SHEET for extra online affiliate platforms.

But one option is to approach businesses directly and ask for a collaboration .

Remember, entrepreneurs who earn money in the Philippines do not sit and wait for opportunities….

… Instead, they build a strategy and do what they need to do.

It’s time to awaken that leader inside of you.

Become An Online Streamer Estimated Monthly Income: ₱5,000 – ₱60,000 Difficulty: Easy Capital Needed: ₱1,000+ Skills Needed: Authenticity, Loyalty, Communication Skills

If I was writing a post on the best small Pinoy business ideas in the Philippines in 2010 or 2015…

Well, let’s just say I wouldn’t have written about online streaming.

But in 2022/2023, times have changed.

Online streaming is a legitimate business in the Philippines for content creators.

Below is a list of powerful platforms for online streamers.

  • Facebook Live
  • Vimeo Livestream
  • YouTube Live

But one question you may have is about the money?

How do online streamers in the Philippines make money?

Online streaming is just another form of content creation; thus, similar rules apply.

In other words, streamers in the Philippines can earn money from selling products, accepting donations, affiliate marketing, selling subscriptions, brand deals, and sponsorship.

There are many elements to being a successful online streamer in the Philippines.

But one of the main elements is the differentiation/uniqueness of the live streamer.

Are they providing information differently? Are they unique characters? Are they providing data that is new? Do they go against what is considered normal?

To be a successful streamer and to turn streaming into a small business in the Philippines, you need to tap into your uniqueness.

So many content creators say the same things in the same way, which gets very boring for viewers.

So don’t be afraid to be who you truly are and provide something unique to the market.

Start A Social Media Management Business Estimated Monthly Income: ₱25,000 – ₱80,000 Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Capital Needed: ₱3,500+ Skills Needed: Networking, Team Working Skills, Influencing Skills

Social media is incredibly important, and corporations know the importance of social media.

However, for many businesses, managing their social media pages can be difficult and time-consuming.

Thus, many business owners outsource this to social media management businesses.

From speaking to social media managers, it is clear that the key to succeeding in the social media business is to ensure your efforts are far more valuable to the business than your cost.

So this means that your efforts must generate more income than your cost or/and the long-term growth of your effort must provide more value to the business than your current costs.

small pinoy online business idea Philippines

So how do you get started with this small Pinoy business?

Offering your services on freelancing platforms is an excellent place to start.

Creating a website and your own social media channels that are professional is key.

But as we mentioned earlier, expanding your income is essential when we look into content creation.

So creating a YouTube channel or podcast is also an excellent idea and opens the doors for additional income.

Providing different packages and plans is also an excellent way to find customers, especially in the early days.

For example, offering a 30day social media transformation package can seem very tempting to customers whose social media pages are failing.

Open A Small Personalized Business Estimated Monthly Income: ₱7,500 – ₱25,000 + Difficulty: Easy Capital Needed: ₱3,500+ Skills Needed: Leadership, Innovation Skills, Entrepreneurship

Another great small business idea for students in the Philippines is to start your own personalized business.

What is a personalized business ?

A personalized business is a business that sells products or services that are personalized to the customer.

This can be a personalized sneaker business, a customized cake business, or a personalized diet plan!

Businesses in this niche are very common during festive times.

For example, Valentine’s Day, Christmas Day, and birthdays are common times of the year when personal gifts and items become more popular.

One of the reasons that this is a great business idea for students in the Philippines is because it is reasonably flexible.

One challenge students face when they start a small business is time management.

Therefore some students prefer to start a part-time business in the Philippines rather than a full-time business, so personalized business ideas tick many boxes.

As we know, research is key to ensuring that there is a demand in the market.

Nevertheless, don’t always let statistics control your business decisions.

Innovation is needed in the markets, so what personalized product or service do you think would be a good idea?

Launch A Coaching Business In The Philippines Estimated Monthly Income: ₱15,000 – ₱65,000 + Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Capital Needed: ₱2,500+ Skills Needed: Leadership, Problem Solving, Longterm Thinking Skills

Coaching is a fantastic option if you want to start a small business in the Philippines, as it has many different directions.

What kind of coaching business could you start?

Here are some examples

  • Business Coach
  • Fitness Coach
  • Language Coach
  • Nutritional Coach
  • Relationship Coach
  • Spirituality Coach
  • Sports Coach

One consideration in business, such as coaching, is your audience.

Even though you wish to start a small Pinoy business in the Philippines, that does not mean you are limited in your customer reach.

In other words – An online business idea in the Philippines could open up overseas customers.

Many business ideas can be moved online.

Therefore, you will find many small online business opportunities in the Philippines across several industries.

If you have a passion for spirituality but find there is not a lot of demand in your location, please do not worry, as you have options.

Spirituality is a massive industry that is popular globally, so all you need is to find your audience online, which can be achieved through content platforms.

There are many advantages when opening a small Filipino business, so utilizing these advantages is essential.

Other Small Business Ideas To Start At Home Philippines

  • Airbnb Business
  • Become A Referral Agent
  • Bookkeeping & Accounting
  • Homemade Food Business
  • Open Small Digital Marketing Business
  • Selling Pre-Loved Items
  • Start A Home Made Soap Business
  • T-Shirt Printing Business

1.3 Small Online Business Ideas For The Philippines

Start A Small Writing Business In The Philippines Estimated Monthly Income: ₱12,500 – ₱35,000+ Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Capital Needed: ₱4,000+ Skills Needed: Rhetoric, Online Communication, Critical Thinking Skills

Writing is a skill and passion for many entrepreneurs.

Can you make money from a writing business?

Absolutely .

A few options are available for those looking to make money from a writing business in the Philippines.

pinoy business idea philippines

The first option is to work for businesses as a freelancer.

This includes writing books, writing articles, or writing product descriptions.

The second option is to create original content.

This can include writing a blog or writing your own book.

The third option is combining writing with other skills.

For example, combining research with writing and designing can lead to an infographic design business.

One thing to consider if you are looking to make money from a blog or publishing books in the Philippines is that it can sometimes take time.

Many writers work with companies to continuously improve their writing skills but simultaneously start a small writing business on the side.

Open An Online Dropshipping Business Estimated Monthly Income: ₱5,000 – ₱85,000 Difficulty: Moderate Capital Needed: ₱3,000+ Skills Needed: Analytical Skills, Problem Solving, Online Sales Skills

Oh yes, the wonderful world of dropshipping!

Dropshipping has many advantages, and it’s no surprise that this type of business has become very popular in the Philippines over recent years.

The first step is to find the right product for your audience and the most appropriate suppliers.

If you are trying to dropship the wrong type of product or you are working with unprofessional suppliers, this can damage your reputation and your business.

Some business owners focus on dropshipping products while others focus on dropshipping services.

Additionally, some business owners dropship big and expensive products while others focus on small and cheaper products.

And finally, there are business owners who have a mixture of products and those who focus on a niche.

We recently explored the highest-demand products that are being sold in the Philippines.

The article is an excellent place to start if you consider starting a small business in the Philippines.

Nevertheless, we explored the complete guide on dropshipping and what you need to know as a beginner.

Create A Private Labeling Business Estimated Monthly Income: ₱40,000 – ₱150,000+ Difficulty: Moderate/Hard Capital Needed: ₱10,000+ Skills Needed: Adaptability, Innovation Skills, Marketing

Private labeling has become a popular and in-demand business over the years in the Philippines.

This business model is relatively straightforward.

The manufacturer creates a product and places your logo on the product so that it can be resold as a branded item.

Naturally, this has advantages for those looking to set up a small business, such as the power of branding.

The power of the brand is vital; psychologically, customers place more value on branded items.

Psychological data suggests that we perceive the item as higher quality if the branded item is also high in price.

So, there is undoubtedly an opportunity with this business model in the Philippines.

Innovation also plays a big part in the success of a brand.

Happily, you can move in many different directions here.

Moving in different directions can include selling a traditional product…

BUT, innovating a product gives you a competitive advantage.

My advice here is to look at the type of product you are considering selling and ask yourself some additional questions…

… How can I make this product more convenient? How can I make this product more appealing to customers? How can I make this product more valuable? What will this product look like in 25 years? If I could change anything about this product, what would I change?

Asking these questions opens up your mind to a new way of thinking.

We explored different thinking methods in an exclusive guide on how to make money in the Philippines.

If you are looking to innovate or start a small business in the Philippines, it’s highly recommended to take a look at that article for some special tips and tricks.

Open A SaaS Business Estimated Monthly Income: ₱50,000 – ₱200,000 + Difficulty: Hard Capital Needed: ₱15,000+ Skills Needed: Computer Science Skills, Leadership, Organization Skills

SaaS stands for software as a service.

In other words, this is a business model that provides a service on the Internet.

There are many SaaS small businesses in the Philippines presently.

This business model has become so popular with Filipino entrepreneurs because of its functionality.

SaaS is a business model that can be grown rapidly compared to other traditional business models.

And therefore, it offers unique advantages for those looking to grow a small business.

Here are some examples of popular SaaS businesses.

These are businesses that serve customers globally.

Utilizing the power of the Internet is wise if you are looking to start a small business in the Philippines with low capital.

Digitalization is a growing word used, of course, in many industries.

Online is the direction for many small businesses in the Philippines, so a great option is to serve these businesses by providing services.

Start A Small Cyber Security Business Estimated Monthly Income: ₱65,000 – ₱175,000 Difficulty: Hard Capital Needed: ₱10,000+ Skills Needed: Coding, Online Security, Attention To Detail

Another fantastic small business idea in the Philippines is on the subject of security.

After researching the cyber industry across the country, it is clear that cyber security has enormous potential.

Any type of business or service that is online requires security.

Here at Filipino Wealth, we spend 3-5% of our profit on security services!

List of small businesses philippines

So, how do you start a small online business in the Philippines, such as cyber security?

I’m going to assume that you already have the experience and qualifications in this space…

…If not, gaining experience and qualifications is the foundational step.

But when it comes to starting the business, you must first decide who you will serve and how you will serve them.

Even though this industry is growing, there is still competition from overseas and other businesses in the Philippines.

Specializing in one type of business or one type of customer is often recommended in the early days.

Once you have your plan and strategy, you can start to roll out your service.

Other Small Online Business Ideas For The Philippines

  • Start A Dating Website
  • Start An NFT/Crypto Business
  • Start A Skinwhiting Product Business
  • Open An Online Art School
  • Open A Lazada Or Shopee Store
  • Selling Premium Content (Music, Videos, Pictures)
  • Voice Acting Business
  • Transcribing Business

1.4 Small Food Business To Start Philippines

Open A Sari Sari Store Estimated Monthly Income: ₱3,000 – ₱30,000 Difficulty: Moderate Capital Needed: ₱12,000+ Skills Needed: Decision Making, Planning, Social Skills

If you want to start a traditional business in the Philippines, then a Sari Sari store ticks many boxes.

It is also one of the cheapest small businesses to start in the Philippines that is not online.

The products and the location is essential.

But one area you may wish to consider if you are considering starting this small business is the profitability and income streams.

There are many ways to make money from a business in the Philippines, but can you make more money from a Sari-Sari store?

The Sari Sai store business remains very popular in the Philippines and is a fantastic small business idea.

Start A Baskery Business In The Philippines Estimated Monthly Income: ₱7,500 – ₱45,000+ Difficulty: Moderate Capital Needed: ₱20,000+ Skills Needed: Leadership, Teamwork Skills, Attention To Detail

Do you love the taste of Donuts?

Good , me too!

Starting a bakery business in the Philippines is a fantastic idea.

We recently explored the process of starting a bakery business for beginners in the Philippines.

We discussed the price, the equipment and more importantly the expected profits.

It’s clear to see that Filipinos possess a high demand for bakery goods.

But as a business owner, how can you succeed with a small business like this in the Philippines?

Your business needs to be highly accessible to the public.

Bakeries also need to provide the best products and the best services.

Even traditional businesses in the Philippines need innovation.

Start A Vegan Based Food Business Estimated Monthly Income: ₱12,000 – ₱45,000 + Difficulty: Moderate Capital Needed: ₱20,000+ Skills Needed: Social Skills, Business Management, Charisma

Veganism is not as popular in the Philippines as in other countries such as India.

However, it is a niche slowly growing across many countries, including the Philippines.

From speaking to vegan and vegetarian restaurant owners, it is clear that there is a great deal of profit with vegan foods, especially if you are in the tourism areas.

One of the advantages is that the Philippines is not full of vegan restaurants (at least not yet).

small online pinoy business idea philippines

So competition is slightly lower compared to other different types of food businesses.

Additionally, restaurant owners informed me that they found that they built a loyal customer base with a vegan business.

As there are few vegan restaurants and vegan businesses in the Philippines, the feedback indicated that customer loyalty is much higher than in traditional food businesses.

Open A Small Egg Drop Business Estimated Monthly Income: ₱5,000 – ₱95,000+ Difficulty: Moderate Capital Needed: ₱27,000+ Skills Needed: Leadership, Planning, Persuasion

We recently explored how to start an egg drop business in the Philippines.

The egg drop business is a popular food concept from Korea.

It has taken certain parts of the Philippines by storm.

Earlier this year, we found data that the term “egg drop business ideas” was being searched mainly in the Manila area.

However, this term has recently been searched for across many regions of the Philippines.

Additional search queries such as “egg drop near me” increased.

Currently, some franchising businesses focus on the concept of egg drop.

Whether you want to start this small Filipino business as a franchisee or on your own, conducting complete market research is always recommended.

Start A Food Cart Business Estimated Monthly Income: ₱20,000 – ₱215,000+ Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Capital Needed: ₱45,000+ Skills Needed: Charisma, Time Management, Leadership

The food industry in the Philippines is massive.

And I mean really, really, really massive.

I’ve studied business in many countries across Asia and found that the Philippines has one of the strongest food cart demands (for customers and owners).

A common question I get asked is, what is the easiest business to start in the Philippines?

Unfortunately, the answer is not a food cart business…

However, food cart businesses are much simpler than other types of businesses.

But unfortunately, there is competition, but this doesn’t mean that starting a food cart business is bad.

An old business quote says – You either need to be the best or the first.

This means you can offer a unique product to your customers and be the first of its kind.

Or be the best in your industry.

Location and accessibility also play a big part in the success of the food cart business.

An average business in a good location will succeed more than a good business in a bad location.

Small Food Businesses To Start Philippines

  • Vending Machine Business
  • Street Food Vendor
  • Protein Meal Business
  • Buffet Food Business
  • Japanese / Korean Food Business
  • Open A Pancake & Waffle Business
  • Open An Cooking School
  • Smoothie/Juice Business

1.5 Small Franshing Business To Start In The Philippines

Another popular option for small Pinoy business ideas in the Philippines is franchising a business.

From the research…

Small franchising business opportunities have a franchising fee of 10K – 25K Pesos.

Medium sized franchising business opportunities have a franchising fee 50K – 250K Pesos in the Philippines.

Large franchising business opportunities have a franchising fee of 500K Pesos or more.

Franchising Business To Start In The Philippines

  • Aquabest Franchise
  • Bangbangbangus
  • Farron Cafe Franchise
  • Master Siomai Franchise
  • Mister Donut
  • Mr. Liempo Franchise
  • Noodle House Franchise
  • Potatocorner
  • Siomai King Franchise
  • Subway Franchise
  • Turks Franchise

Section 2: Small Business Ideas Philippines With Capital

The capital can be challenging when starting a small business in the Philippines.

Many businesses are cheap to start in the Philippines, but unfortunately, most businesses require a good-sized amount of capital.

The total business capital you will need to start a small business in the Philippines will fluctuate.

This is because the location, size of the business, equipment, and much more are various cost that impacts the total capital.

Nevertheless, let’s dive into the best small business ideas to start in the Philippines with small capital.

2.1 Small Business Ideas Philippines With 1K Capital

Suppose you want to start a small business in the Philippines with 1K capital…

In that case, the main focus will be on offering services and using free platforms.

Starting a freelancing business on Fiverr, creating a YouTube channel, and selling cheap products (such as facemasks and coffee sachets) are the best businesses to start with 1K capital in the Philippines.

Unfortunately, 1K is not a lot of capital to start a small business in the Philippines so let’s look at 4K next.

2.2 Small Business Ideas Philippines With 4K Capital

Starting a small business is very much possible with 4K.

With this amount of start-up capital, online businesses are often recommended so that business owners can minimize costs.

Starting a blogging business, creating a small e-commerce store, and dropshipping are great businesses to start in the Philippines with 4K capital.

But what about if we had an extra 1K?

2.3 Small Business Ideas Philippines With 5K Capital

Starting a small Pinoy business in the Philippines with 5K is similar to 4K.

Still, there are some additional ideas that you may be interested in.

5K capital business ideas in the Philippines include opening a reselling business or becoming an affiliate marketer.

But if we doubled our capital to 10K, what business options would we have?

2.4 Small Business Ideas Philippines With 10K Capital

10K business ideas allow us to go further into the business world, including purchasing more stock or setting up different types of businesses.

10K business ideas in the Philippines include starting a research business, opening a small online book store, or creating a meditation music business.

In terms of business, 10K does not go very far, so the effort is still focused on online businesses at this stage.

2.5 Small Business Ideas Philippines With 20K Capital

20K capital starts opening up more possibilities.

Business ideas for 20K in the Philippines include opening a micro coffee kiosk, starting a buying and selling business, and starting a sizeable Lazada store.

As mentioned before, the total capital you will need to start any type of business will fluctuate heavily depending on the size of your business and location.

2.6 Small Business Ideas Philippines With 30K Capital

30K Is a sizeable amount to start a small business in the Philippines.

A small private labeling business, a Tagalog teaching business, or a small franchising business is a common business option for 30K pesos in the Philippines.

2.7 Small Business Ideas Philippines With 50K Capital

50K is a good capital amount to start a small physical business.

 However, this is also a good amount to start a larger online business.

Common business options for 50K pesos in the Philippines include – Starting a freelancing website, starting a medium-sized Sari-Sari store, and starting a micro food kiosk business.

At this stage, we start to say goodbye to Pinoy small business ideas and look at larger business ideas.

However, remember that even the biggest businesses in the Philippines once started small.

2.8 Small Business Ideas Philippines With 100K Capital

100K Pesos is an amazing amount of capital to start a Pinoy small business in the Philippines.

100K business options include starting a small bicycle shop business, launching an online coaching business, or introducing your own product into the market.

We previously looked at the best Pinoy business ideas for 100K capital in the Philippines, which I’ve included in the hyperlink above for your reference.

2.9 Small Business Ideas Philippines With Over 100K Capital

If you have the business capital, you are limitless in what business you can start in the Philippines.

With a capital of over 100,000 Pesos in the Philippines, entrepreneurs can start a small restaurant business, a massage business, a large e-commerce store, a large franchising business, an online marketplace, or a physical coffee shop.

Naturally, the more capital you have, the more opportunities are available.

But the good news is that there are plenty of small businesses to start in the Philippines that can be started for a low amount of capital.

Section 3: Different Business Models In The Philippines

One of the most popular questions we get asked is – What are the different types of business models in the Philippines?

  • Advertisement
  • Affiliate Marketing
  • Agency-Based
  • Auction-Based
  • Brick-And-Mortar
  • Bricks-And-Clicks
  • Crowdsourcing
  • Data Licencing / Data Selling
  • Distributor
  • Dropshipping
  • Freemium Or Subscription
  • Manufacturer
  • Network Marketing
  • Nickel-And-Dime
  • Online Marketplace
  • Peer 2 Peer Catalyst/Platform
  • Razor And Blades
  • Reverse Razor And Blades
  • Reverse-Auction-Based
  • User Community

These are some of the most popular and common business models in the Philippines.

In the online world, affiliate marketing, advertisement, and dropshipping are very popular business models in the Philippines.

Regarding more traditional and physical businesses, retail is one of the biggest industries in the Philippines and one of the most popular business models for small business owners.

pinoy small business ideas philippines

Section 4: Starting A Small Business In The Philippines FAQs

4.1 how can i raise business capital for a small business start-up in the philippines.

Previously I explored how you can raise capital to start a Pinoy small business in the Philippines.

In that article, we explored several options.

Financial options include borrowing money from friends and family, private institutions, or your local bank.

Several other forms of leverage can also be used when you are looking to start your Pinoy small business ideas in the Philippines.

4.2 What Are The Cheapest Businesses To Start?

The cheapest business to start in the Philippines is an online service business.

Online service businesses can be started for free by utilizing the power of freelancing platforms such as Fiverr.

Most services are skill-based, meaning they will not cost the business owner anything to start.

Other cheap business ideas to start in the Philippines include online content creation such as blogging, YouTubing, podcasting, and live streaming.

4.3 What Are The Best Small Business To Start In The Philippines?

Online businesses are the best small Pinoy business ideas to Start in the Philippines.

This is because when looking at small online business ideas in the Philippines, you will find the costs are low, and the opportunities are high.

This is not to say that traditional businesses are bad or expensive; however, there are disadvantages for traditional enterprises compared to online businesses.

Content creation is one of the best small Pinoy businesses to start in the Philippines, as there are many opportunities across several platforms.

4.4 How Do I Find Ideas To Start A Small Filipino Business?

The best way to find ideas to start a small Filipino business is to look at the public’s problems and challenges.

Can you produce a product or service that makes life easier and more convenient for the public? What would the public really value in your industry?

Recently we explored the process of making money in the Philippines. In that article, we explored several thinking experiments and techniques.

Thinking differently is one of the best ways to find business ideas in the Philippines.

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low budget business ideas philippines

  • Small Business Ideas

13 Business Ideas in the Philippines to try in 2023

business courses

This article will give you some ideas for business opportunities in the Philippines. If you’re looking for a way to make a significant change in your life this 2021, I hope this article will give you a head start. As Albert Einstein famously said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

I thought and researched some small business ideas that is feasible and will not require a lot of capital. I also provided some examples of existing businesses using the same concept to give you a background and something to pattern with. You can also read some concerns and challenges that may arise from the start of each business. If you can manage to overcome those challenges, welcome to the big league! So much for the introduction, let’s get the ball rolling!

1. RTW Clothes Online

rtw-business

This kind of small and good business in the Philippines with low capital has been here for a long time and it still clicks. Why? It is simply because we (especially the ladies) love to shop clothes every now and then and refill our closets with new styles. Using social media sites like Facebook or Instagram makes marketing much easier and cheaper ! You don’t need a million pesos to start with this business. All you need to have is your fashion sense running through your veins and some 1000 peso bills.

If you have the eye for picking fancy dresses from Ukay-Ukay shops, your God-given talent can turn into a profitable small scale business! Also, a lot of patience is also required in finding those dresses that will be trendy and popular nowadays. For locations of these famous Ukay spots near your place, Google knows a lot! This is one of the excellent small business ideas for women.

Other sources would be if you know some suppliers or even manufacturers of RTW’s that are being sold at department stores. You can buy chunks of good dresses at wholesale prices. There are also some suppliers of ‘overruns’ of well-known brands that are sold a lot cheaper compared to boutiques.

The challenge that I can think of in this business in the Philippines is the availability of sizes for your particular clients. They may love the design but if their preferred size is not available, it can delay or worse, cancel a potential purchase. It is also essential to post a size chart if you are catering to a certain kind of shirt or dress. A constant update from your supplier about the available sizes is very important so your clients will be immediately informed of the availability.

2. Healthy / Low-Calorie Meal Plan with Delivery

healthy-meal

In setting-up the recipes, you will need to consult every meal to a Nutritionist so that the meals get the daily nutritional need or the target calorie intake per meal. If you enjoy cooking, you will enjoy this small business idea because it will enhance the best in you in meal preparation.

A handful of people most especially the busy ones would prefer this kind of setup due to the overwhelming things they need to attend. Choosing an organic and low-calorie meal over a fast food meal between is easier to decide nowadays since a lot of Filipinos are becoming aware of their health. This can be the best business to start in the Philippines because not only you are making your clients’ daily lives easier, but also providing them better health coming from food.

For delivery services, you will need to invest in a transport vehicle or if not, a taxi ride is always possible in Metro Manila and other cities. What the client wants is the food to be freshly delivered and prompt just like ordering a take-out from a restaurant. You can start having delivery services within your community first so the travel time will be the shortest possible.

To give you a background on this kind of business, you can visit the  Lunch Box Diet ’s Facebook page.

You can see there how they present their meal plan including the prices. People can also put reviews on their experience which boosts the image of the business if it generates a lot of positive reviews.

The challenge in this business in the Philippines is the storage system. Your goal is to provide them with healthy food coming from fresh ingredients every day. You should have a storage that can assure the freshness and quality of your ingredients like meat and veggies. Rice particularly brown rice should always be freshly cooked. If you can address these concerns, you can have a lot of loyal customers for sure.

3. Discounted Authentic Perfumes

perfume-business

People like to smell good in front of their associates, clients, friends, crushes, and the like. It adds to your confidence if you are wearing your signature scent. To achieve this, you need to shed around P4000-7000 for an authentic perfume at the malls. If you have a credit card, you can stretch it to 3 to 6 months. But if you’re a person who won’t spend that much just to smell good, there are other alternatives.

There is a handful of online sellers catering authentic perfumes at a lot cheaper price than those sold in malls. I happen to interview a friend of mine who sells authentic perfumes on Facebook and according to her, she gets them from a supplier who has connections to malls abroad. If you’re a perfume enthusiast, you know that the shelf life of perfume lasts for around 3 to 5 years. If those perfumes are not sold in a span of 3 years, they are removed from malls. Testers are also included. If you are familiar with Cash and Carry Mall at Makati, a lot of stores sell these kinds of perfumes and testers for a lot lower prices.

Quality has not depreciated that much because it is stored at a closed place (malls). Fragrance lasts from 6-8hrs compared to 10-12hrs from malls. People don’t care about the small difference as long as they save P2000 to P4000 for an authentic one.

If you happen to have a connection with one supplier, that would be a great start! Depending on your supplier, you can accumulate orders first then buy in bulk for a lot more discounted price. You will not risk having extra stocks because you have acquired orders in the first place.

The only concern about this small business in the Philippines is repeat orders. My 100ml perfume lasted for me about a year so it depends on how often your clients use their perfumes. You will need new clients in your first 6 months perhaps. But if you establish a large customer base, this business in the Philippines will have the lasting scent of success!

4. Patisserie

baking-business

Baking tools will never be a problem since you have them since day one. You probably know where to get the best and cheap ingredients for your chocolate chiffon cake. If you have perfected your creation, isn’t it time to let the world savor your heavenly creation? The good thing about this is you won’t feel tired doing this because you love it in the first place! You can also practice making other cake flavors as well.

You can start posting your finished products on your social media page. You can drop some calls to your friends to inform them that you would like to be their dessert supplier in case they host their own parties. Or if you have your own party, you can exhibit your tasty desserts there so they can have a free taste. Of course, they will love your brownies and they would want to have those when they also have their own parties. The key to gaining more clients is how you expose your products and events can really do that for you for free! You may want to watch the movie “ The Boss ”, on how a mother’s hobby of baking desserts for her children expanded and became a big-time business. It’s an inspiring and very funny movie as well.

One challenge of this small business in the Philippines is the consistency of the quality of your product. I would rather supply five to ten friends and clients with my signature cake rather than having a lot of clients which can result to diminished quality. If you think you want to bring your small business to a higher level, you can also join some booth expos for events like weddings, and the like.

5. Handicrafts

handicraft-business

If you have a special skill of creating awesome things from scratch, it is time to turn everything you touch into gold! Many skilled people are sharing what there are passionate about to do like making crochets. I have a friend who doesn’t make ordinary crochet crafts but has made exceptionally interesting and amazing designs as well. Please feel free to check her story here . If you also have the creativity to turn nothing into something, why not make something out of junk! When I say junk, it is things that you do not need and perhaps you can recycle them into more useful things. Some made custom bracelets, origamis, or anything that is catchy and useful as well, just like thebracelets.com.au .

The good thing about this kind of small business idea is that you know where you can get the materials you need, and you can start right away! You can have a lot of potential first clients in your family and circle of friends. You just need to do the thing you love to do and everything will be fine.

Those successful people started on just posting it on their social media accounts for fun. The capital in this kind of business is not the money to buy the raw materials since you can start from what you have in the house. Your time and effort is the true capital here.  If you think your craft can do wonders and make people’s lives easier, you can bring it to the next level by joining trade fairs, house parties, boutiques, and other events that will give an opportunity for you to get exposure. To inspire you, here a story of a teenage girl who made millions buy making jewelry ( click here ).

The challenge I can see in this small capital business in the Philippines is the effort and time you will need to devote at the start. Since you don’t have workers for you, you will be the one making by yourself. That will not be a problem if you are passionate about what you are doing. Just like any other business, your commitment and your desire to succeed are the keys in making your small business work.

6. Gardening

gardening-business

Do you love designing your own garden with your green thumb? If yes, then let’s convert your green thumb into greener pastures! Landscaping doesn’t have to be learned from a class or seminar. You can definitely start with your current ideas and experience. And every home needs to have a beautiful garden around and most of them will need your services.

You can start with your current gardening tools and perhaps you can make a portfolio of your past designs. Capital here is mostly your time, effort, and your gardening skills. You may also know some of the excellent suppliers for your landscape. You must also know the latest trends in landscaping because as fast as the world revolves, you don’t want to be left behind.

You can use your social media as an advertising tool for your small business. You can start by talking with your neighbors and informing them that you now provide garden design services. You can also post an advertisement in front of your house about your landscaping business.

The challenge in this business in the Philippines is also the time and effort at the start. This will not be a cakewalk and it will bring the best in you. The good thing about this is you enjoy what you are doing and you also have the expertise and the experience to back you up. Here is a story of a man who loves gardening which gains him 7 figures in dollars’ worth of revenue in the past years ( click here ).

7. Computer Services

computer-service-business

Are you born with a mouse in your right hand? Do you enjoy solving computer problems? Maybe you have experience in the past of people asking for your expertise to troubleshoot their computers. This is the time you make yourself valuable to the world! In these times where almost every household has gadgets or computers, your knowledge and expertise on these things have also become in-demand.

You can advertise your services to your friends and to people who have asked of your services in the past. Social media can also be a great tool to inform people about your services. Some also post on websites like Carousell  and TipidPC to advertise their computer services. You must be always up-to-date about the latest trends, which I know you do because you just love computers!

The challenge in this business in the Philippines is meeting deadlines especially when you have an increasing number of clients. Just always put in mind that deadlines should be always met because your clients may be using them for important stuff like a business, or meeting a school paper deadline. Time is very valuable to them and it should be to you because if you value their time, they will value your relationship. Remember that you are not the only one doing this business and they can easily switch to your competitors without batting an eye.

8. Network Marketing

network-marketing

Since this is already cleared out, what product would you like to endorse? What company should you choose? Let us start with the product first. One question is, do you like the product? Will you be willing to tell your friends about this amazing product that you are using? Will this product help people make their lives easier? Is this product continuously improving through their R&D (Research and Development)? If your answer is YES to all of the questions, you have found the right product!

Next is the company. Is it a stable company? Being listed in a stock market is a very good thing because when a company is publicly traded, it means it is audited by 3 rd party institutions. To make it simple, the company is not a fraud! Next question is, is the company expanding to other markets? It shows that the company is growing to reach more people. It is not enough that the company has an office or a website because many fly-by-night companies have an office and a website. Just think this way, if you’re doing this business for the long-term, then you should be marrying a company that will last. Lastly, is their compensation plan also changing for the better? If yes, it means the company is adapting to the changes happening around the world. You know, companies acquired by bigger firms, banks merge. So, if that company is your eyeing is stagnant, expect it to get eaten alive soon.

The challenge in doing Network Marketing as a business in the Philippines is people think it is easy money but it is not. Just like other businesses in the Philippines, your time and effort are your real investment here and not the small capital you used in buying your initial inventory. Your goal here is to educate people that there is a business in which they can start part-time but can reward them bigtime 5 to 10 years from now. Training is really required in learning this business. Think of it as studying another course in college only it is shorter and much more rewarding in the long-term.

I am proud to say that I am working with an MLM company for 6 years and counting. That is why I am very confident in putting Network Marketing on this list. Aside from the advantages I mentioned above. You don’t need to do this business for life. If you have established enough client base that patronizes your product, which means they regularly buy the product for their daily lives. Then you will be compensated for the rest of your life. This is not a one-time-big-time business. It is a relationship and leadership business. Just like other businesses, it will also make you a better person. It is very rewarding to see your clients improving their lives and your teammates also making a difference in their lives by working with you.

9. Food Catering

food-catering

Do you cook awesome recipes that your friends always consult you about cooking a certain dish? Or maybe have they suggested they hire you as their personal chef or told you to start an eatery business? Have you acquired cooking expertise from the past years, and you don’t know what to do with it? Well, I think now is the time for making people love food even more with this small business idea at home!

When you hear the word ‘catering’, the one thing that automatically comes to your mind are weddings and other social gatherings. You are imagining those hundreds of plates, utensils, glasses, and of course, different dishes that can feed 250 people or even more. It can be possible if you have the money to invest in that but as I previously said, we can make your imagination your ultimate goal.

Are you familiar with Tamayo’s Catering? It is one of the most successful catering services in the Philippines. Did you know that he started in just making packed lunches for companies? In his first catering service, he used the catering tools of his friend. But look at his business now. It started from his love of cooking, and determination to succeed. That is his success story. Let us now make yours!

Think of your signature dishes and start perfecting them. I know this is a piece of cake because you have been cooking all your life. Now is time to make your cooking prowess be known to the world. You can start by talking with your friends that you will start making pack lunches for them as a trial. By this, you can start right away. You will need some disposable utensils and food containers. It is cheaper than buying trays or glass plates. Then you can expand by getting referrals from your friends, mostly their officemates. Next time, you will be supplying the whole company with packed lunches.

The challenge of this kind of business in the Philippines is as your client increases, it is possible the quality of your dish decreases. That is where quality control takes place. You must have a goal of a number of clients per day. Then if you think you can increase them without sacrificing the quality of food and service, increase them little by little. Little that you know, you are now able to play in the major league, the catering business! Starting small is a lot better than not starting at all.

10. Pet Grooming Services

pet-grooming-business

Do you love pets like dogs and cats? Have you acquired the skill or the expertise of grooming these loyal creatures? Do you also get well with dogs other than your dogs? If you are affirmative to these questions, you are capable of starting a small business in the Philippines about pet grooming services! To give you the confidence, did you know that the Philippines is the 6 th most number of dogs in the whole world? Almost every household have pet dogs or cats and grooming services is really important to keep them in top shape.

Your experience and love for dogs are your main investment in this business. My pet dog groomer has even acquired advanced grooming skills from other countries. Dogs need grooming every 2 or 3 months depending on the breed. The Philippines is a tropical country, so dogs with long hairs should be groomed regularly to avoid cases like heat stroke. Yes, dogs can have it during summer and hot weather conditions. I am assuming you know this because you are fond of dogs like me.

The challenge of this kind of business in the Philippines is in getting clients at the start. If you are trying to set up a part of your home as a dog breeding facility, you can cover houses within your community because owners will not have a hard time bringing your dogs to you. Cleanliness and sanitation are also very important and must be maintained always. Dogs are man’s best friends and if you treat their best friends like Kings and Queens, they will treat you like King or Queen as well.

11. Food Carts

food-cart-franchise

Every train station, school, shopping mall, and other public places are surrounded by food carts. Filipino people love street food just like Romeo loves Juliet. Setting up food carts is the best business in the Philippines. You can cater from fish balls and isaws (chicken intestines) to hotdog sandwiches and siomais. Refreshments are also welcome like bottled waters, soft drinks in cans, or bottled iced teas. People love an afternoon snack after tiring work.

If you enjoy cooking your own version of these street foods, you probably know where to get them. Identifying a good supplier is very important. Sauce containers and the food containers will not be a problem since you can use your existing stock. Your food cart can be custom-made or you can improvise it by using your old table. You can start having a dry run in front of your house. Practicing how to make excellent sauces is also essential because people patronize the street food cart with the most delicious sauce. How do I know? This is how Mang Larry’s in UP become a legend of his ‘isaw manok and isaw baboy’.

Probably you have also thought of buying a franchise of food cart business in the Philippines. Yes, it is also possible since some Philippine franchise businesses have lower franchise fees. The advantage is that it has a brand name, the supplies, the cart itself and other necessary tools. The only concern about this one is that you can’t control what you want to sell. Just like the Jollibee’s and the Mc Donald’s, the menus of all their branches are identical. Having a brand name also makes it more expensive. If you can’t afford the franchise fees, you are very much welcome to build your own brand.

The challenge of this kind of business in the Philippines is establishing the location. Location is the make and break of starting food carts. The accessibility and also the density of the population in the area should be also taken into consideration. If you have established your brand and your customer base, you may think of expanding it to other places. The power of word of mouth is as powerful as a signal #4 storm. It can reach any place, any point of the country especially with the presence of social media.

12. Events Design

events-design-business

Every day, there are more or less 5000 people who celebrate their birthdays in the Philippines. It means a lot of families will celebrate their 1 st , 7 th , 18 th , 21 st birthdays every year. Around 1400 couples get married yesterday, are married today, and will tie their knots tomorrow. Not to mention, baptismal, corporate events or national events like fiestas, we cannot hide the fact the Filipinos love to party and celebrate! Events need design because it sets the ambiance and mood among the attendees and of course the hosts and celebrants themselves.

If you have an active right side of the brain, which controls art and creativity, this business in the Philippines may be your perfect match! I have a dear friend of mine who loves drawing and art since she was young. At their wedding, she was the one who designed their souvenirs, flowers, their reception, and even their invitations. She also designed the baptismal of their son as well as his first birthday. Because of that some of her friends and relatives requested her services for their birthday celebrations and other events. Even if it is tiring, I know she loves doing them because that is her passion.

You can start by designing your own momentous events like birthday parties or parties in your office. Since most of the attendees will likely take pictures of the event. Your design will more likely to be advertised on social media like Facebook and Instagram. That will be your portfolio. You may have also known some or most of the suppliers in Divisoria. Your capital here is your effort and creativity. The ability to communicate with your clients is also important because you are going to interpret what they want to have on their special event. Sooner or later, you can tie-up with event organizers if you want to bring your small business to the next level!

The challenge is this business in the Philippines is the time management. People will not doubt your creative abilities in designing events. What the most important thing for them is if you can deliver on time. Having a planner or a calendar of activities is very essential in prioritizing your activities in order to finish it on time. Last-minute changes are cannot be avoided so you must be very flexible and patient. Always remember that it is always a pleasure of being a part of their special event that they will remember and cherish for the rest of their lives.

13. Blogging

blogging-business

Were you the past writer or editor of your school paper during your high school and college years? Are you also the adventurous individual that loves going to new places and trying different things? If your answer is ROGER THAT, you might want to consider doing business in the Philippines through online blogs!

We are curious in nature. Whenever we have a question in mind, we search for Google. Upon the results shown, we normally click the first five results. I did not know that these pages have the capacity to earn money while the number of visitors increases. If you like to help people with what you know, this is the perfect avenue for you to express them. The Internet is becoming more and more accessible to every Juan in the country.

You can start by creating informative stories like ‘How To Do This’. Some document their DIY (Do It Yourself) travels in order to give an idea to people on how much will it cost them to visit a certain place in the Philippines. Writing is a skill but being creative is another skill. If you generate a lot of visitors, you can perhaps put ad banners on your page. This will give potential to your webpage of earning money. There are other ways to get revenues which are better explained here .

The challenge in this business in the Philippines is that this will require you a lot of time and effort at the beginning. Your goal is to create a lot of traffic or visitors on your webpage. It is not an easy task so it will require some strategies and your unique and awesome stories. If you hit the target, your webpage can generate income that will be worth the effort in the first place!

Extra Bonus Idea,14: Teach Cryptocurrency

You surely heard of Bitcoin, the first and most famous cryptocurrency . It’s all over the news, daily, all over the world. Although it might still be a bit unstable, it’s the future.

You can get early on this power train, study the Cryptocurrency sector from bottom to top, and then start teaching it. You can do it online, give classes in workshops, until you gain a respectful name in the business, and then even open your own Cryptocurrency School.

Extra Bonus Idea, 15: Sell Your Music

If you love music and create your own songs, soundtracks or beats – you can easily make money these days. Original music is in demand all around the net, and there are plenty of sites to sell your music. The amazing thing is, even if you can’t or don’t want to create your own music – you can still buy and sell music beats. There are sites that offer beats for sale , which give you 100% ownership of the piece, and you can sell it however you like.

Making Your Business in the Philippines Successful

If you search Google on how to make your small business successful, you will find 100 ways to do it. I will just highlight some of them based on the training I have attended and based on my experience as a businessman.

But remember, while weather forecasts inform us of the current weather conditions and their progression, business plans work in a similar way, and are crucial for your success. Business plans give the managers, employees, and investors an idea of how the company will operate in order to achieve its goal.

Your Passion

I learned from a successful businessman, author, and motivational speaker Brian Tracy , that passion is something you will do if money is not a problem. My question for you is what thing that you like doing if money is not a problem or if it’s free? If you are on the business for money in the first place, I am telling you that you will get burned out if the going gets tough. Bill Gates loves computers that is why he was able to build Microsoft. Looking at his success today, we never notice the countless hours he spent creating and perfecting the operating system. His passion allowed him to withstand the hardships and obstacles of the business. If you share that passion like him, no obstacle will bring you down because you love doing your business in the Philippines.

Relationships over Profits

Building relationships with your partners and clients is very important in making your small business in the Philippines a success. According to John Maxwell , a best-selling author, and successful motivational speaker, ‘People don’t care what you know until they know how much you care’. Your business is not your products nor your services, but your people and your clients. Business is about making an impact on people’s lives through a product or a service. When I was starting my business, I see dollar signs on the foreheads of my clients. I was focused on making money rather than building relationships. Good thing that I learned about this sooner, I was able to focus more on helping people improve their lives. I remember what the late Zig Ziglar had said, ‘You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want’.

After Sales Matters

Businessmen are paid based on the product or services they have offered or done. I remembered the story of a famous carwash and repair company that calls their clients a day after to ask if their cars are doing fine. They also ask for feedback in order to further improve their services. Because of that simple gesture, they got a lot of referrals from their customers. For you, it may be a small thing but for customers, it may be a big thing. It shows that you actually care for them. Think of an extra effort that you can give your clients like sending them birthday cards or greeting them on their birthdays.

Start Small, Dream Big

We all want to earn big so the formula will be to start big, right? Some don’t start at all because they think starting big is the key. That may be true but not always. Result or profit equals to action regardless of the amount of capital. Some people are afraid to start small because they think it will become a waste of time. To tell you honestly, starting right away gives you the experience and develops the skills you need in your small business in the Philippines. There no wrong with starting small. It should be accompanied by dreaming BIG. Every big and successful story came from a small and humble beginning.

Opportunities Knock Only Once

A funny definition of opportunities as mentioned by Francis Kong is that they are proud. Why? Opportunities want to grab right away or else it will be gone. We may have been presented on different opportunities in the past. We grabbed some but we let some pass. Next time if an opportunity arises in the name of a trending business idea or an in-demand business in the Philippines, make sure to grab it right away and think of a plan on how to make it successful later. It is better than having regrets that will haunt you for the rest of your life.

Consistency is the Key

Have you tried cooking rice using the stove? If yes, have you tried cooking it by occasionally putting out the fire from then resuming it after some minutes? Probably not, why? Simple answer, it won’t cook! Starting a small business in the Philippines needs consistency before it is established in the long run. What I mean by consistency is your everyday effort, activities, and time. The first months are the most crucial parts of your business. It creates the momentum of your business. Once momentum is established, that is where you can rest for a while because once it starts rolling, it will be difficult to stop. Remember that starting a small business in the Philippines is the easy part, maintaining it is the hard part.

Glory to God

I am not a religious person but I believe that there is a Supreme Being that governs all of us that is all-knowing and all-powerful which is God. I remembered in the book Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, he said that we have different talents that are given to us. God wants us to use them to glorify him because he created us. This business in the Philippines is a great avenue where we can make use of our God-given talents and abilities. If you have a son or a daughter, what is your reaction every time he or she does something awesome? You smile, right? Same for God, since we are all his children if we use our gifts to become successful and make an impact on people around us, He smiles too.

TJ Figueroa

TJ is an alumnus of the University of the Philippines Diliman. He is currently running an online business from home. He writes business articles for passion. On his free time he plays Dota 2. He simply wants to be a good son, brother, boyfriend, and Filipino citizen.

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COMMENTS

  1. 32 Best Small Business Ideas in the Philippines for 2023

    Selling ice-cold drinks is one of the best small capital business ideas in the Philippines. Filipinos love ice-cold milk teas, coffees, and fruit drinks during summer, but you can sell them all year round. For as low as ₱500, you can start selling drinks. 👉 Home-Cooked Meals Start-up cost: ₱1,000 to ₱8,000

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    Retail Businesses Convenience store: Open a convenience store that offers essential items and services to the local community. Franchising options like 7-Eleven and Mini Stop are popular choices. Fashion boutique: Start a clothing store that caters to the latest fashion trends and offers a mix of local and international brands.

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    Those who will franchise, will get a 3-in-1 program — 1) tutorial 2) language and 3) review. For interested parties, you may call (02) 806 2027 or (0932) 8 666 982. I think having a franchise is one of the best way to put up a business. Franchising has trainings to educate the amateur.

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