How to start a small business with small capital — what it costs, how many customers you need, and the permits

Small business plan

What it costs, how many customers you need — and when it pays back

Pick a business and the fields fill in with example costs and prices — put in your own. You get the start-up capital, the break-even in customers a day and the payback month, with a business plan and the registration checklist.

Business Sari-sari store (at home)Food stallOnline selling (from home)Laundry shop Planned opening day Customers (or orders) a day you expect Average sale per customer, ₱ Example Cost of the goods in that sale, ₱ Example — what you paid for what you sold Days open a month Rent a month, ₱ Example — 0 at home Deposit and advance, months of rent Example — as in your lease Set-up, shelves and signage, ₱ Example Equipment and tools, ₱ Example — fridge, stove, washers… First stock / inventory, ₱ Example Registration and permits, ₱ Example — LGU fees differ, ask your BPLO Electricity, water, internet a month, ₱ Example Staff pay a month, ₱ Example — 0 if you work alone Other fixed costs a month, ₱ Example Cash reserve, months of fixed costs Months until you reach the full customers Customers grow step by step; 0 — from the first month

1. If the break-even is close to the customers you can really expect, start smaller or lower the costs.
2. Fill in the business plan below with your numbers and sign it.
3. Register before you open: DTI name, barangay clearance and Mayor’s permit, a sanitary permit if you sell food or drinks, then BIR.

All costs and prices are examples, not averages — put in your own. Arithmetic only, before tax and before your own pay: break-even = fixed costs ÷ ((average sale − cost of the goods) × days open). Registration: DTI business name (bnrs.dti.gov.ph); Mayor’s permit from your city or municipality; for food or drinks a sanitary permit before you operate and health certificates (P.D. 856, Secs. 14–15); BIR Form 1901 on or before the start of business (BIR RMC No. 91-2024).