Almost half of the population of Brazil has the income linked to Micro and Small Enterprises. According to the second edition of Atlas of Small Business, recently released by, about 97 million Brazilians have the subsistence linked to entrepreneurial activity either as business owners, family or employees.
The survey shows that 43.7 million people are directly dependent on the income of individual microentrepreneurs (MEI) and micro and small businesses (MPES), considering the entrepreneurs themselves and their families. When added to employees of these businesses and their families, the number reaches 45% of the national population.
This contingent surpasses the total of inhabitants of Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador together, highlighting the weight of small businesses for the Brazilian economy. According to Sebrae, 60% of the Brazilian population dreams of undertaking, a reflection of the search for financial autonomy and the ability to transform personal skills into a source of income.
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Atlas Small Business Atlas is considered the most complete economic study on MEIs, microenterprises and small businesses in the country.
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Examples that inspire
Atlas numbers gain face in millions of entrepreneurial stories across the country. This is the case of Eduarda Berkowitz, founder of Palm Nail Bar, a nail polish created in Rio de Janeiro five years ago. Inspired by American and European models, Eduarda brought an innovative concept that turns nails into fashion accessories, betting on nail arts Exclusive themes and designs.
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The businesswoman started without experience in the sector and took almost a year planning before opening her first unit at the age of 25. Today, at 28, with two stores, she accumulates management functions and shares her career in consulting for new entrepreneurs.
“Micro and small businesses are the basis of our economy. It is in these businesses that the most bold ideas, the most innovative formats and the most personalized services are born. When we undertake with purpose, even starting small, we can transform realities,” says Eduarda.
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Another example comes from Arnaldo Di Blasi, founder of Di Blasi Pizzas. The insight to the business came on a baby shower when he realized that people discarded the edges of the pizza. From the observation was born a buffet of fine mass pizzas, which started as extra income and soon became successful: “We made more than 30 events per month and became a reference in the model,” he recalls.
In 2017, the brand participated in Rock in Rio and was the operation that sold the most in the gourmet area of the event. Two years later, Arnaldo left his career in IT to dedicate himself entirely to the business. Betting on Delivery, he created a product adapted to delivery, a differential that accelerated expansion. In 2021 came the first franchise. Today, there are 37 stores in operation, expected to reach 50 until the end of 2025, and an estimated revenue of $ 70 million.
