Best Business Ideas for ENFPs

There are a number of businesses that would suit ENFP personalities well, which is outlined in this list of 20 business ideas. We’ve broken these business ideas down into 5 categories and have assessed them based on their startup costs, the skill level required, and their earning potential.

• Social Service Businesses
• Business-Related Businesses
• Service Businesses
• Arts Businesses
• Healthcare Businesses

SOCIAL SERVICE BUSINESSES

1. COLLEGE PLANNING BUSINESS

College planning consultants guide families through the process of choosing schools, completing application forms and essays, and preparing for standardized tests. Planning for college is a very personal journey, and ENFPs are particularly well suited to connect with their clients and guide them in the right direction. Many college planning consultants have previous experience as guidance counselors, but there are no formal requirements for starting this business.

You can start your company for right around $3,000 since many college planning consultants begin working from their homes. You can generally bring in anywhere from $40,000 to $80,000 depending on the number of clients you can handle and what specific services you provide. Many college planning businesses remain small, but there is the potential to bring on additional consultants and build a larger firm.

Learn how to start a college planning business.

2. COUNSELING CENTER

A counseling center offers mental health services and support to members of the community. ENFPs’ empathy, intuition, and extroverted nature make them ideal candidates for this type of work. You’ll need at least a master’s degree in psychology to become a licensed counselor, and a doctorate to become a licensed psychologist.

Aside from the cost of your education, you can start your business from a few thousand dollars if you work out of a home office. This will increase significantly if you choose to rent out an office space. Counselors can typically charge a minimum of $60 per hour, making this a very lucrative venture if you’re able to maintain a steady stream of repeat clients. You may decide to remain a small, one-person practice, or bring on additional counselors or psychologists to expand your business.

Learn how to start a counseling center.

3. FAMILY COUNSELING PRACTICE

Family counseling practices tailor their work to the unique challenges facing families. They may help children work through divorce, bullying, or other struggles, or counsel couples trying to save or strengthen their marriages. ENFPs’ ability to connect with people and their overall intuitive nature typically makes them excellent counselors. Like a general counseling practice, you will need at least a master’s degree to become licensed in this field.

You will typically need at least $1000 to get your family counseling business off the ground if you operate out of your home, and more if you rent office space. Once established, there is the potential to bring in six-figure profits.

Learn how to start a family counseling practice.

4. LIFE COACHING BUSINESS

Life coaching businesses help people make positive changes in their careers, health, relationships, or any number of other important aspects of their lives. Similar to other positions in this category, life coaching allows ENFPs to use their skills in communication, intuition, and leadership to help others improve the quality of their lives. The ability to understand people and see their potential make ENFPs excellent life coaches. Although it isn’t essential that you have a specific degree, a life coaching certification is beneficial.

You can start a life coaching business from your home for under $1,000. While your profits will rely heavily on the number of clients you bring on and how much you’re able to charge them, life coaches average around $60,000 per year. Those catering to high profile clients can charge well over $1000 per hour.

Learn how to start a life coaching business.

BUSINESS-RELATED BUSINESSES

5. EVENT PLANNING BUSINESS

Event planners help their clients plan, organize, and execute all types of events. ENFPs’ creativity, enthusiasm, and people skills make them extremely well-suited for this career. The best event planners have top-notch communication, marketing, and organizational skills and are able to effectively coordinate an event with vendors, clients, and venues.

You can start your event planning business for under $5,000 and you have the potential to earn $75,000 to $80,000 per year. This industry offers excellent growth opportunities and can be easily expanded by bringing on additional event planners with a variety of specialties.

Learn how to start an event planning business.

6. FUNDRAISING CONSULTING BUSINESS

Fundraising consulting businesses help nonprofits develop and implement strategies to raise funds and support. ENFPs’ communication skills, interpersonal skills, and a knack for creativity will serve them well as fundraising consultants. Their ability to quickly read people makes them particularly adept at eliciting donations. You don’t need a formal education to be successful in this field, but you should have several years of experience in the fundraising world before you set out on your own.

You can start your consulting business for around $1,000. Depending on the industry you cater to and the number of clients you can handle, your business can bring in anywhere from $75,000 to well into six-figures each year.

Learn how to start a fundraising consultant service.

7. HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTING FIRM

Human resources consulting firms provide HR services to business that do no maintain an in-house HR department. HR is another great business idea for ENFPs whose energetic, people-focused, and compassionate nature will make them an asset to their clients. You don’t need a formal education to be an HR consultant, though a degree in human resources or business never hurts. Several years of experience in human resources is also important.

You can keep your startup costs low, between $2,000 to $10,000. HR consultants usually charge between $100 and $200 per billable hour, but their earning potential will vary based on industry and workload. Those with a full schedule can bring in anywhere from $800 to $1500 a day, making this a potentially lucrative pursuit.

Learn how to start a human resources consulting firm.

Find a Web Domain for Your ENFP Business

SERVICE BUSINESSES

8. BARBER SHOP

Barbershops provide men and boys with grooming services, such as haircuts and shaves. More than hairstyling, though, barber shops often become hubs of social activity in their communities. This can make them an extremely attractive business prospect to the people-centric ENFP. Barbers will need to be licensed or certified in their field.

Startup costs are quite high, around $150,000 to $200,000 when accounting for a suitable space, furnishings, and equipment. Most barber shops also have a few barbers on staff, adding their salaries to the cost. Earnings are moderate, with the average barber bringing in around $35,000 per year.

Learn how to start a barber shop.

9. BEAUTY SALON

Beauty salons offer a wide variety of aesthetic treatments to their clients. Like barber shops, beauty salons also feature a large social component, with many clients coming for both the services and the chance to relax and socialize. ENFPs excel at making people feel comfortable and thrive on building interpersonal relationships. To be successful, you’ll need to have business and marketing skills and a strong understanding of the beauty industry.

Startup costs for a beauty salon are around $60,000 when accounting for the cost of your space, furnishings, equipment, and licensing. Your profit margin will typically be around 15% once your business is up-and-running. Many beauty salons maintain a single location, but there is always the potential to expand to two or more.

Learn how to start a beauty salon.

10. HAIR SALON

Just like other businesses in this category, hair salons offer both hair care services and the opportunity for clients to escape from everyday life and pamper themselves. Because they love and understand people at such an essential level, ENFPs can create a wonderful and welcoming environment for every personality.

Including the cost of training and licensing, your startup costs will be anywhere from $95,000 to $200,000. Your personal earning potential will depend on your location, but you can expect to bring in at least $50,000 annually once you’ve established a regular client base. Growth potential is there for those looking to expand their services or branch out into additional locations.

Learn how to start a hair salon.

11. MAKEUP ARTIST BUSINESS

Makeup artists use a combination of cosmetic tools and artistic talent to transform their clients. This business offers ENFPs a creative outlet where they can interact with people and share their enthusiasm. Makeup artists, who generally work alone and make their own hours, also enjoy a greater level of flexibility in their work than others in this category. This can be extremely attractive to ENFPs resisting the structure of a 9 to 5 job.

You’ll need around $8,000 to start a makeup artist business from your home. This accounts for supplies, marketing, and a high-quality website. Earning potential will vary significantly depending on your skill level, client base, and geographic area. Successful makeup artists with a solid reputation can easily earn six-figure salaries after a few years in business.

Learn how to start a makeup artist business.

ARTS BUSINESSES

12. FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY

A film production company creates, produces and markets long- or short-form film or video content. Producing films requires communication and people skills, a strong work ethic, and the ability to work independently to perfect your final product. These are areas in which ENFPs excel. You may benefit from a formal education in film or digital production, but it isn’t essential to be successful.

Your startup costs can be as much as $100,000 when accounting for high-level equipment and production space. However, some production companies have started much smaller. Earnings in this field can vary widely, but the median salary for film production companies is $71,000 per year.

Learn how to start a film production company.

13. FLOWER SHOP

Flower shops create unique flower arrangements and other decorative products for sale to their customers. They may specialize in small bouquets for gifts and home display or cater to larger events like weddings and funerals. ENFPs can find great satisfaction in this field collaborating with customers to design arrangements that fit a range of needs, then taking time to work alone and create each piece.

You can get started with the location, equipment, and supplies you need for around $10,00 to $50,000. While earnings will vary depending on your location and the client base you cater to, the average flower shop owner can bring in around $40,000 annually. This can increase once your business is well-established in your community.

Learn how to start a flower shop.

14. GRAPHIC DESIGN BUSINESS

Graphic design professionals create or maintain visual looks to be featured in any number of print and digital mediums, from signage and letterhead to websites and advertisements. This field requires designers to use their creativity and communication skills to realize their client’s vision, making ENFPs excellent candidates for this line of work. You’ll most likely need a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and strong marketing and networking skills to launch this business.

Since most graphic designers can begin their business out of their homes, you can get started for less than $2,000. Earning potential can vary significantly depending on your clients, but most graphic designers see profit margins of 15 to 50 percent. While most keep their business small, this booming industry has no real limit when it comes to growth potential.

Learn how to start a graphic design business.

15. INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS

Interior design businesses work to create interior spaces to fit the needs of their clients. They may specialize in residential homes, commercial buildings, office spaces, or work across platforms. Being able to craft interior spaces that address the needs of a diverse set of clients requires excellent communication skills and strong insight, both skills that ENFPs bring to the table in spades. A license and previous experience in interior design are necessary to get started in this field. A degree in interior design is very helpful, but not required.

Beyond your education costs, you can generally start this business on a modest budget of a few thousand dollars. There is great growth and earning potential in this field, with successful interior designers bringing in six-figures once they have established a solid client base.

Learn how to start an interior design business.

HEALTHCARE BUSINESSES

16. CHIROPRACTOR CLINIC

Chiropractors provide alternative or supplemental healthcare focused on improving spinal and overall mobility. ENFPs are typically very caring and compassionate people and this line of work provides them with the opportunity to deliver personalized care for their patients. You must complete a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and be officially licensed to practice in your state.

Beyond the cost of education, your startup costs will be right around $100,000 in your first year. This will cover your office space, necessary supplies and equipment, and a marketing budget to start attracting clients. Once up and running, chiropractors generally yield 30 to 35 percent profit margins, making this a potentially lucrative pursuit.

Learn how to start a chiropractor clinic.

17. MASSAGE THERAPY BUSINESS

Massage therapy businesses provide a variety of massage services to their clients. They may focus more on overall wellness or specialize in sports or other injuries and needs. Massage therapy businesses afford caring ENFPs the opportunity to connect with their clients and use their skills to provide a healing service. To start your business, you’ll need to obtain a national certificate in massage therapy. Most business owners also have a few years of experience working as massage therapists.

The costs involved in starting this business can vary considerably depending on your location, what type of space you’re looking for, and what specific services you provide. After accounting for rent in your area, you should budget a few thousand dollars to furnish your space and obtain the necessary supplies. Once established, massage therapists generally see an annual income of around $40,000.

Learn how to start a massage therapy business.

18. MIDWIFERY BUSINESS

Midwives support women through their pregnancies and help them actualize a more natural and personalized birth plan. Compassionate, enthusiastic, people-centric ENFPs make excellent candidates for this career. Their ability to hear and understand the diverse needs of others makes them particularly well-suited to help women through this very personal experience. You will either need to be a Certified Nurse Midwife or complete a midwifery apprenticeship to get started.

Beyond the cost of your space, which will vary by location, you will generally need about $25,000 to fully furnish and stock your business. The median salary for midwives is over $100,000, so once established this can be both a personally rewarding and lucrative business.

Learn how to start a midwifery business.

19. NUTRITIONIST BUSINESS

Nutritionists work directly with clients to help them establish a personalized nutrition plan to maximize their health and wellbeing. They may focus on general health or specialize in helping clients with specific conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. ENFPs ability to work closely with people and understand their needs make them great candidates for this career path. Their passion and enthusiasm can also go a long way in helping their clients get on board with improving their health.

Since nutritionists can often start out working from a home office, the startup costs for this business are very low. Generally, you can get up and running for less than $2000, but have the potential to bring in a six-figure salary over time. Most nutritionists keep their businesses small, but there is always the potential to expand into a larger practice.

Learn how to start a nutritionist business.

20. PERSONAL TRAINING BUSINESS

Personal trainers work one-on-one with their clients to help them develop and implement a fitness routine that improves their overall health and wellbeing. ENFPs are made for this field. They can work with a variety of people, share their passions, and help others improve themselves. No formal education is required, but most personal trainers will need to become certified to get their business off the ground.

This is a low-cost business to start since personal trainers do not require office space and have very few overhead costs. You can start this business for around $2,000 and bring in around $50,000 per year. You have the potential to earn much more depending on your location and the popularity of your services.

Learn how to start a personal training business.