25k minimum balance only applies if you are Day Trading due to margin.
Don't think you do that though so that shouldn't apply.
One thing to consider when making the investment is the taxes you are going to have to pay. If you hold the investment for under one year and have a positive return, standard income tax rules apply (as if it were a job) depending on your tax bracket. Investments over one year have a much lower tax.
Honestly, as a few others have said here, in order to make consistent positive returns you need to be well versed in the markets or end up just just taking shots in the dark.
Figure out first what kind of time frame you are looking at holding it.
If it is a smaller amount and very very long term, I would recommend placing the money into a Roth IRA and having an investment company manage it for you. Roth IRA's are tax free. However, there is a maximum of $5 or $6k per year as long as you make that amount at your regular job.
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