You don't need thousands of dollars to get started on the ASX. Sometimes, owning a small slice of a high-quality business is the smartest first step.
These are three ASX shares I'd genuinely be happy to buy today, even with a modest amount of money.
Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)
Breville is often talked about as a kitchen appliance company, but I think that undersells what it has become.
What stands out to me right now is how well Breville has navigated a tough consumer environment. While many discretionary retailers have struggled, Breville has continued its growth while investing in product innovation, premium branding, and global expansion, particularly in North America. That long-term mindset matters.
Another reason I like this ASX share is pricing power. Breville doesn't compete at the cheap end of the market. Its customers are willing to pay up for quality, which gives the company more resilience if costs rise or consumer spending softens.
Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)
Wesfarmers might not sound exciting at first glance, but I think that's exactly why it works so well as an investment.
What I like right now is the combination of stability and optionality. Bunnings continues to throw off strong cash flows, and Kmart has proven it can adapt in difficult retail conditions. This gives Wesfarmers the balance sheet strength to invest when opportunities arise.
I'm also a big fan of its capital discipline. Wesfarmers has shown it's willing to exit businesses that don't meet its return hurdles and redeploy capital into higher-quality opportunities. That's not something every conglomerate does well.
If you're starting with $100, owning an ASX share like this can help anchor a portfolio while still offering upside over time.
SiteMinder Ltd (ASX: SDR)
SiteMinder is probably the higher-risk option on this list, but it's also the one with the most upside if things go right.
What caught my attention recently is how the hotel technology business is shifting from pure growth to operating leverage. SiteMinder continues to grow its global customer base, but it's also becoming more efficient as scale kicks in. That's an important transition for SaaS companies.
I also like how embedded SiteMinder has become in hotel operations. Once a hotel relies on its platform to manage bookings, pricing, and distribution, switching away is not trivial. That creates stickier revenues over time.
For a small investor, this is the kind of stock that can compound quietly if management executes, even if the share price remains volatile along the way.
Foolish Takeaway
Having just $100 isn't a disadvantage. It's a chance to focus on quality, think long term, and start building good habits early. These are three businesses I'd be comfortable owning today and letting time do the rest.
