Driven by organization and logic—and fueled by their core values and work ethic—ISFJs have a world of possibilities available to them if they wish to start their own business. You’ll often find ISFJs behind the scenes, avoiding the spotlight while keeping everything running smoothly and efficiently.
Exploring your options? Check out additional small business ideas.
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- Use our Business Name Generator for help brainstorming your new venture’s name
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- After finding your perfect idea learn how to start a business
Many types of businesses can suit ISFJ personalities well, as outlined in this list of 20 business ideas. Grouped into five categories, each of these business ideas includes an assessment of the associated startup costs, required skill level, and earning potential.
- Business-Focused Businesses
- Construction Businesses
- Healthcare Businesses
- Mechanical & Technical Businesses
- Social Service Businesses
BUSINESS-FOCUSED BUSINESSES
1. EVENT PLANNING BUSINESS
Event planning businesses can be ideal for highly organized ISFJs who enjoy taking good care of their clients. The best event planners have excellent communication, marketing, and organizational skills as well as the ability to work with a variety of vendors, clients, and venues. You can easily start your business for less than $5,000, and you should earn an average salary of $75,000 to $80,000 per year.
Learn how to start an event planning business.
2. FINANCIAL CONSULTING FIRM
ISFJs thinking about starting a financial consulting firm should have a thorough understanding of finance and possess the people skills necessary to convey financial-related information to their clients. You also should have some experience working for a financial consulting firm and a Certified Financial PlannerTM certification. If you already possess the necessary education and certification, you can start your business for less than $5,000. In addition, you have the potential to earn a six-figure salary in this line of work.
Learn how to start a financial consulting firm.
3. FINANCIAL PLANNING FIRM
Financial planners focus on the long-term financial goals of their clients, and this is another area in which the organizational skills and analytical nature of ISFJs can prove beneficial. Successful financial planners have a solid track record in financial planning and consulting. You can start your business for less than $20,000, and you have the potential to earn a six-figure income.
Learn how to start a financial planning firm.
4. HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTING FIRM
Human resources is another area in which ISFJs might consider starting their own business. Your ability to stay organized and focused on facts and details will serve you well in this line of work. Formal education isn’t essential, but an HR or business degree certainly helps. You can start your business for less than $10,000, and you have the potential to earn a six-figure income.
Learn how to start a human resources consulting firm.
CONSTRUCTION BUSINESSES
5. CARPENTRY BUSINESS
Carpentry businesses can suit introverted ISFJs who like to work with their hands and build things. You’ll need strong math and accounting skills as well as a solid understanding of how to use various tools and machinery. Startup costs can vary greatly, depending on the cost of getting licensed and bonded in your state. While you may face relatively high startup costs in your state, you have the potential to earn a six-figure income in this line of work.
Learn how to start a carpentry business.
6. ELECTRICIAN BUSINESS
Electrician businesses are another idea for ISFJs who enjoy working with their hands — out of the limelight. You’ll need excellent problem-solving and communication skills as well as formal education or training from a college or through an apprenticeship. You can start some electrician businesses for as little as $5,000, and typical profit margins range from 1.5 percent to 2 percent.
Learn how to start an electrician business.
7. HOME INSPECTION BUSINESS
ISFJs thinking about starting a home inspection business should enjoy educating others about home safety and have extensive technical knowledge about home systems and insulation. Your startup costs can range from $10,000 to $30,000, and the average salary for an inspector is $45,000 per year.
Learn how to start a home inspection business.
8. HOUSE PAINTING BUSINESS
ISFJs with an interest in home improvement and working outdoors might consider starting a house painting business. These business owners should have great math and communication skills as well as some experience painting houses. If you start off small, you can start your business for as little as $500. Self-employed house painters typically earn around $40,000 per year.
Learn how to start a house painting business.
9. PLUMBING BUSINESS
Plumbing businesses can be ideal for ISFJ entrepreneurs who enjoy working with their hands and don’t mind getting them dirty. You’ll need to obtain a plumbing certification, and successful business owners typically have several years of experience. You can start your plumbing business for less than $50,000, and, depending on your business model, you can earn $80,000 per year.
Learn how to start a plumbing business.
Find a Web Domain For Your ISFJ Business
Securing a web domain and creating a quality website is important for the overall success of an ISFJ business. You can search for an available domain below:
HEALTHCARE BUSINESSES
10. DENTAL OFFICE
ISFJs who enjoy working in health care and already have a license to practice dentistry in their state might think about opening a dental office. Startup costs in this business are very high ($250,000 to $500,000), but dentists have the potential to earn more than $1 million per year.
Learn how to start a dental office.
11. HOME HEALTHCARE BUSINESS
Home healthcare businesses are another area in which introverted, organized ISFJs can find fulfilling work. These business owners must have the ability to cook simple meals, run errands, help clients attend appointments, and more. You can start this type of business for less than $1,000, and you can charge between $18 and $40 per hour for your services.
Learn how to start a home healthcare business.
12. PHARMACY
Highly organized ISFJ entrepreneurs with a deep understanding of how pharmacies and pharmacy benefits work might consider opening their own pharmacy. You’ll need a doctorate in pharmacy as well as a thorough understanding of Food and Drug Administration rules and regulations. Pharmacy startup costs usually involve a multimillion-dollar investment. Once you start to see steady business, you can earn around $300,000 per year.
Learn how to start a pharmacy.
MECHANICAL & TECHNICAL BUSINESSES
13. AIR DUCT CLEANING BUSINESS
ISFJ entrepreneurs who currently work as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians possess the right qualifications to open an air duct cleaning business. If you don’t already have an HVAC certification, you can complete online or in-person classes to obtain the knowledge needed to succeed in this field. Startup costs typically range from $5,600 to $10,000, and these businesses can generate $3,000 to $5,000 per week if they schedule two bookings per day.
Learn how to start an air duct cleaning business.
14. CAR REPAIR SHOP
Mechanically inclined ISFJs with an affinity for cars and trucks might consider opening a car repair shop. Other than a passion for the field, you’ll need specialized training and education in order to successfully repair vehicles from a wide variety of manufacturers. You’ll also need a minimum of $50,000 to open your car repair shop, and, depending on your location and business model, you have the potential to earn a six-figure income.
Learn how to start a car repair shop.
15. ELEVATOR INSTALLATION & REPAIR SERVICE
Introverted ISFJs also might consider starting their own elevator installation and repair service. This line of work is best for ISFJs with a talent for elevator installation and repair as well as the ability to network with local businesses and property owners. While starting this type of business usually involves a multimillion-dollar investment, you’ll have the potential to earn more than $1 million per year.
Learn how to start an elevator installation and repair service.
16. SMALL ENGINE REPAIR BUSINESS
Small engine repair businesses can be great for ISFJ entrepreneurs who like working with their hands, know how to use a wide variety of tools, and have strong problem-solving skills. You can start this type of business for less than $1,000, and you can earn up to $90,000 per year once you have a steady stream of clients.
Learn how to start a small engine repair business.
Start a Business in Your State
SOCIAL SERVICE BUSINESSES
17. COLLEGE PLANNING BUSINESS
ISFJ entrepreneurs’ organizational skills and desire to help people make them ideal candidates to start a college planning business. While many college planning consultants have previous work experience as a guidance counselor, there are no formal requirements to start this type of business. Startup costs typically total close to $3,000, and you can expect to earn $40,000 to $80,000 per year once you establish your business.
Learn how to start a college planning business.
18. COUNSELING CENTER
ISFJ entrepreneurs’ organizational and people skills also make them ideal candidates to start a counseling center. If you plan to provide counseling yourself, you’ll need at least a master’s degree or doctorate in psychology. You can start a counseling center from your home for less than $3,000, and you have the potential to earn $300 per day in profits.
Learn how to start a counseling center.
19. FAMILY COUNSELING PRACTICE
Given their ability to connect with people and overall desire to help them, ISFJs typically make excellent counselors. In order to start a family counseling practice, you need both a master’s degree and a license to practice in your state. You can start a family counseling practice from home for about $1,000, and you can earn a six-figure income once you establish your business.
Learn how to start a family counseling practice.
20. LIFE COACHING BUSINESS
Similar to other social service businesses, life coaching enables ISFJs to use their caring, yet rational nature to help others improve their lives. While you don’t need a specific degree, a life coaching certification can lend credibility to your business. You can start this type of business from home for less than $1,000. The average annual income is $60,000, but some life coaches can earn more than $1,000 per hour.
Learn how to start a life coaching business.