Do I need marketing, even as a small business?

Yes - arguably more than a large company, because people already know the big brand and don't know you. A small business doesn't need a big budget though: a few percent of revenue, spent consistently on one or two channels where your customers actually are, is usually enough.

The classic small-business mistake is stop-start spending: three quiet months, then one big push. Small and regular beats big and occasional almost every time, because people connect you with your category before they need to buy. And if there's no budget for ads at all, start with what only costs time: reviews, photos, a clear description of what you do, answers to the questions customers keep asking.