You are sitting there, scrolling, wondering how to make extra cash in the Philippines.
Maybe you are tired of the 9-to-5 grind.
Or you are just hungry to build something of your own.
Starting a business sounds daunting—capital, time, skills, oh my!
But here is the truth: you don’t need a fat wallet or a PhD to start a negosyo.
You just need grit, a plan, and ideas that actually work.
This post lays out 14 easy, low-cost business ideas you can launch in the Philippines.
No fluff. Just real, actionable stuff you can start today.
Why Truehost.ph is Your Negosyo’s Secret Weapon
Every business needs an online home.
A website makes you legit, reachable, and ready to scale.
Truehost.ph offers the cheapest domain names in the Philippines—starting at just ₱54/year.
Grab a .ph or .com.ph domain to scream “local and proud.”
It is like planting a flag online that says, “This is my business!”
Head to Truehost.ph to lock in your domain.
A killer domain ties your negosyo to the digital world, boosting trust and reach.
Now, let’s dive into the ideas.
1. Online Reselling (Sari-Sari Store, Digital Style)
Reselling is the hustle you can start with a smartphone.
Think clothes, gadgets, or beauty products.
Buy low, sell high—simple.
Tita Marissa in Quezon City started reselling Korean skincare on Shopee.
She made ₱20,000 in her first month, no store needed.
How to Start:
- Find trending products on Lazada or Shopee.
- Source from Divisoria or Taobao for bulk deals.
- Post on IG, TikTok, or FB Marketplace.
- Use free Canva templates for eye-catching ads.
Why It Works: Low startup cost, high demand.
Pro Tip: Get a .ph domain for your brand to stand out. Truehost.ph has you covered.
2. Food Cart Business
Filipinos love food. Period.
A food cart selling siomai, fishballs, or milk tea is a cash machine.
Kuya Jay in Manila started a takoyaki cart with ₱10,000.
Now he’s got three carts and a loyal following.
How to Start:
- Pick a high-traffic spot (near schools or offices).
- Buy a second-hand cart to save cash.
- Keep the menu simple—3 to 5 items max.
- Test recipes with friends first.
Why It Works: Food is a daily need. Pinoy street food never fails.
Pro Tip: Post your menu online with a Truehost.ph domain to attract orders.
Read also: How To Start a Profitable Food Cart Business in the Philippines
3. Dropshipping
No inventory, no problem.
Dropshipping lets you sell products without holding stock.
You market, someone else ships.
Sarah from Davao started a dropshipping store for fitness gear.
She is earning ₱15,000/month working part-time.
How to Start:
- Sign up on Oberlo or CJ Dropshipping.
- Pick a niche (e.g., eco-friendly products).
- Set up a Shopee store or website.
- Promote on social media.
Why It Works: Zero inventory risk, scalable.
Pro Tip: A custom domain from Truehost.ph makes your store look pro.
4. Home Baking
Got an oven? You are in business.
Pandesal, ube cake, or brownies sell like hotcakes. Lola Nene in Cebu turned her ensaymada recipe into a ₱50,000/month gig.
How to Start:
- Start with one signature product.
- Use Grab or Lalamove for deliveries.
- Share mouthwatering photos on IG.
- Package neatly—first impressions matter.
Why It Works: Everyone loves homemade treats.
Pro Tip: Build a website with Truehost.ph to showcase your goodies.
5. Virtual Assistant Services
Got admin skills? Companies are begging for virtual assistants. From email management to social media, you can work from home. Mark from Baguio earns ₱30,000/month as a VA for a US client.
How to Start:
- List skills (e.g., data entry, scheduling).
- Join Upwork or Onlinejobs.ph.
- Create a LinkedIn profile.
- Charge ₱200-₱500/hour to start.
Why It Works: High demand, low startup cost.
Pro Tip: A .ph domain for your VA portfolio screams “I’m legit.”
This is arguably the best work-from-home negosyo in the Philippines.
6. T-Shirt Printing
Custom tees are a vibe.
Events, schools, and barkadas love personalized shirts.
Anna in Iloilo started with ₱5,000 for a heat press.
Now she’s printing for local businesses.
How to Start:
- Buy a basic heat press (₱3,000-₱10,000).
- Source plain tees from Divisoria.
- Use Canva for designs.
- Market to local orgs and events.
Why It Works: High margins, creative outlet.
Pro Tip: A website from Truehost.ph can take orders 24/7.
7. Laundry Shop
Dirty clothes are a goldmine, making laundry shop the best service-based negosyo.
Busy Pinoys need laundry services.
Mang Tony in Pasig started with one washing machine.
Now he’s got a shop pulling in ₱40,000/month.
How to Start:
- Buy a second-hand washer (₱5,000-₱15,000).
- Find a small space near apartments or dorms.
- Offer pick-up and delivery.
- Charge ₱50-₱100/kilo.
Why It Works: Recurring demand, simple ops.
Pro Tip: A Truehost.ph domain helps customers find you online.
8. Sari-Sari Store
The classic Pinoy negosyo.
Every barangay needs one.
Ate Lisa in Cavite started with ₱3,000. She is now the go-to store in her street.
How to Start:
- Stock basics: soap, snacks, prepaid load.
- Set up in your front yard.
- Keep prices competitive.
- Build rapport with neighbors.
And yes, it is an easy negosyo to start!
Why It Works: Low risk, steady income.
Pro Tip: Sell load online with a Truehost.ph domain for extra cash.
9. Online Tutoring
Got knowledge? Share it.
Math, English, or coding—students need help. Teacher Grace in Laguna earns ₱25,000/month tutoring online.
How to Start:
- Pick a subject you are good at.
- Join platforms like 51Talk or TutorMe.
- Use Zoom or Google Meet.
- Charge ₱150-₱500/hour.
Why It Works: Flexible hours, growing demand.
Pro Tip: A professional website via Truehost.ph builds credibility.
10. Car Wash
Are you looking for the best service negosyo in the Philippines?
Cars get dirty.
People pay to fix that. Kuya Ben in Makati started with a pressure washer. Now he is washing 20 cars a day.
How to Start:
- Buy a pressure washer (₱5,000-₱15,000).
- Set up near a busy road.
- Offer waxing or interior cleaning for extra.
- Charge ₱100-₱300 per car.
Why It Works: High demand, repeat customers.
Pro Tip: Take bookings online with a Truehost.ph domain.
11. Plant Selling
How about a gardening negosyo?
Plantitas and plantitos are everywhere. Sell succulents, monstera, or herbs.
Joy from Taguig turned her garden into a ₱15,000/month side hustle.
How to Start:
- Grow easy plants like pothos or aloe.
- Sell on FB Marketplace or IG.
- Offer pots or plant care kits.
- Price plants at ₱50-₱500.
Why It Works: Plant craze is still hot.
Pro Tip: A Truehost.ph domain showcases your green babies online.
12. Social Media Management
Brands need someone to run their IG and TikTok.
If you are glued to your phone, this is for you. Carlo in Bacolod manages five clients, earning ₱20,000/month.
How to Start:
- Learn Canva and basic video editing.
- Pitch to local businesses.
- Post your own content to show skills.
- Charge ₱5,000-₱15,000/client.
Why It Works: Social media is king.
Pro Tip: A .ph domain from Truehost.ph makes you look pro.
I’d take this freelance negosyo in a heart beat!
13. Rice Retailing
Rice is life in the Philippines.
Selling sacks of rice is steady money.
Mang Jun in Bulacan started with ₱10,000.
Now he supplies local eateries.
This makes it one of the best negosyo ideas 2025!
How to Start:
- Source rice from local farmers or markets.
- Sell in 5kg or 25kg sacks.
- Offer delivery for convenience.
- Price competitively (₱40-₱50/kilo).
Why It Works: Staple product, constant demand.
Pro Tip: A website via Truehost.ph can take bulk orders.
14. Event Planning
To close our list of small negosyo ideas, is event planning!
Weddings, birthdays, baptisms—Pinoys love a party.
Plan events and make bank. Mika in Pampanga started with small debuts. Now she is booking corporate gigs.
How to Start:
- Network with suppliers (caterers, decorators).
- Offer packages (e.g., ₱10,000 for small events).
- Use IG to show your work.
- Be organized—clients hate chaos.
Why It Works: Events are a big deal in PH.
Pro Tip: A Truehost.ph domain makes booking easy and professional.
How To Start a Small Negosyo: Skills, Steps, and Capital Estimates
At this point, I know you are itching to start a business in the Philippines.
But where do you even begin?
What skills do you need? How much cash?
Starting a small negosyo isn’t rocket science.
It’s about knowing the basics, taking action, and keeping costs low.
Here’s a guide to launching your hustle.
We’ll cover skills, step-by-step actions, and rough capital estimates.
Let’s get you moving.
Skills You Need to Run a Small Negosyo
You don’t need an MBA to start. Most skills are learnable, and you probably have some already. Here’s what matters:
- Basic Money Management: Know how to track income and expenses.
- Example: Kuya Ben in Makati used a notebook to log his car wash earnings. Now he’s got an app.
- Tip: Use free tools like Google Sheets to start.
- Customer Service: Be friendly, solve problems fast.
- Example: Ate Lisa’s sari-sari store thrives because she knows every neighbor’s name.
- Tip: Smile, listen, and don’t argue with customers.
- Marketing Basics: Get the word out.
- Example: Sarah in Davao grew her dropshipping biz with TikTok videos.
- Tip: Learn Canva for quick ads or post daily on IG.
- Time Management: Juggle tasks without dropping the ball.
- Example: Carlo in Bacolod handles five social media clients by scheduling posts.
- Tip: Use a calendar app to stay organized.
- Adaptability: Things will go wrong. Roll with it.
- Example: Tita Marissa switched to selling face masks online when skincare slowed down.
- Tip: Stay open to new trends or customer feedback.
Don’t have these skills yet? No problem.
Watch YouTube tutorials, ask a friend, or practice on the job. Skills grow as you go.
Step-by-Step Guide to Start Your Negosyo
Follow these steps, and you’ll be in business fast.
- Pick a Business Idea
- Choose something you’re interested in or good at.
- Example: If you love baking, start with pandesal or brownies.
- Tip: Check the 14 negosyo ideas in this blog for inspiration.
- Do Quick Market Research
- Ask around: Will people buy this?
- Example: Kuya Jay tested his takoyaki cart idea by asking students near his spot.
- Tip: Scope out competitors on Shopee, Lazada, or local streets.
- Start Small to Test
- Don’t blow all your cash upfront.
- Example: Anna in Iloilo bought one heat press for T-shirt printing before scaling.
- Tip: Use what you have (e.g., your kitchen for baking).
- Set Up Your Brand
- Pick a catchy name and create a logo.
- Example: Lola Nene’s ensaymada biz got traction with a simple FB page.
- Tip: Get a .ph domain from Truehost.ph to look legit online.
- Get the Word Out
- Use free platforms like IG, TikTok, or FB Marketplace.
- Example: Joy in Taguig sold plants by posting daily on plantita groups.
- Tip: Ask happy customers to share your posts.
- Track Your Cash
- Know what’s coming in and going out.
- Example: Mang Jun in Bulacan logs every rice sale to avoid losses.
- Tip: Save 10% of profits for emergencies or growth.
- Scale When Ready
- Reinvest profits to grow (e.g., more stock, better equipment).
- Example: Mang Tony’s laundry shop added a second washer after six months.
- Tip: Only scale when you’re consistently hitting sales goals.
- Read also: How to Start a Business with Small Capital in the Philippines
Capital Estimates for Small Negosyos
How much money do you really need?
It depends on the business, but here’s a rough guide for low-cost ideas. These are ballpark figures—haggle and shop smart to save more.
- Online Reselling:
- Capital: ₱1,000-₱5,000 (for initial stock).
- Example: Buy clothes from Divisoria, sell on Shopee.
- Tip: Start with 10-20 items to test demand.
- Food Cart:
- Capital: ₱10,000-₱30,000 (cart, ingredients, permits).
- Example: Second-hand siomai cart plus supplies.
- Tip: Skip fancy carts at first—function over flash.
- Home Baking:
- Capital: ₱2,000-₱10,000 (ingredients, packaging).
- Example: Use your oven, buy flour and sugar in bulk.
- Tip: Sell to neighbors to save on delivery costs.
- Virtual Assistant:
- Capital: ₱0-₱2,000 (internet, laptop).
- Example: Work from a rented PC if you don’t own one.
- Tip: Free platforms like Upwork cost nothing to join.
- T-Shirt Printing:
- Capital: ₱5,000-₱15,000 (heat press, tees).
- Example: Start with 50 plain shirts and one design.
- Tip: Source tees from Divisoria for cheaper rates.
- Sari-Sari Store:
- Capital: ₱3,000-₱10,000 (stock, shelves).
- Example: Start with soap, snacks, and load.
- Tip: Set up in your front yard to avoid rent.
- Plant Selling:
- Capital: ₱1,000-₱5,000 (plants, pots).
- Example: Grow cuttings from your own garden.
- Tip: Sell small succulents—they’re cheap and trendy.
Pro Tip: Whatever your budget, grab a domain from Truehost.ph for ₱54/year. It is a cheap way to build an online presence and look professional.
Why This Works
Starting small keeps risks low.
You don’t need a huge loan or fancy gear.
Focus on what customers want, deliver it well, and grow from there.
Example: Mika in Pampanga started event planning with just her phone and contacts.
Now she’s booking big gigs because she started simple and hustled.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a big budget to start a negosyo.
Pick one idea, start small, and hustle hard.
Every business here can grow with an online presence.
A domain from Truehost.ph is your first step to looking legit and reaching more customers.
Stop overthinking. Start doing.
Which idea are you trying first?