BEST BUSINESS IDEAS FOR ISTJS

Grouped into five categories, each of these business ideas for ISTJ entrepreneurs includes an assessment of the associated startup costs, required skill level, and earning potential.

• Finance Businesses
• Construction Businesses
• Health & Wellness Businesses
• Installation & Repair Businesses
• Technology Businesses

FINANCE BUSINESSES

1. ACCOUNTING FIRM

Accounting is an ideal fit for detail-oriented ISTJs with a passion for order. You’ll need to become a certified public accountant (CPA) and fully embrace the idea of frequently working alone — with numbers. You can minimize your startup costs if you work from home, and you have the potential to earn between $125 and $350 per hour.

Learn how to start an accounting firm.

2. FINANCIAL CONSULTING FIRM

ISTJs thinking about starting a financial consulting firm should already have a thorough understanding of finance and the ability to effectively convey complex financial information to their clients. You also should have some experience working for a financial consulting firm and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification.

If you already possess the necessary education and certification, you can start your business for less than $5,000. This line of work offers the potential to earn a six-figure income.

Learn how to start a financial consulting firm.

3. FINANCIAL PLANNING FIRM

Financial planners are one specific type of financial consultants, focusing on the long-term financial goals of their clients. This is another area in which the analytical nature of ISTJs proves extremely beneficial. These business owners should have a proven track record in financial planning and consulting. They also need to feel comfortable working with businesses and individuals to help plan their financial future. You can expect startup costs of less than $20,000, and you have the potential to earn a six-figure salary.

Learn how to start a financial consulting firm.

Find a Web Domain for Your ISTJ Business

CONSTRUCTION BUSINESSES

4. CARPENTRY BUSINESS

Carpentry businesses can suit introverted ISTJs who enjoy working with their hands and building a wide variety of things. You’ll need strong math and accounting skills, experience using a variety of tools and machines, and the ability to effectively market your services.

Your startup costs will vary greatly, depending on how much it costs to become licensed and bonded in your state. Even if you face high startup costs in your state, you’ll have the potential to earn a six-figure income in this line of work.

Learn how to start a carpentry business.

5. CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR BUSINESS

ISTJ entrepreneurs with a deep understanding of the construction industry, good business and financial sense, and a desire to work outdoors may be well-suited to starting a construction contractor business. You’ll need a minimum of $10,000 to $15,000 to start this type of business, which has the potential to generate a six- to seven-figure income once established.

Learn how to start a construction contractor business.

6. FLOOR INSTALLATION BUSINESS

ISTJ individuals with a background in installing floors that enjoy the work may consider starting a floor installation business. An understanding of how to install a wide variety of flooring as well as good business and marketing skills is highly recommended. You can start this type of business with a $10,000 to $35,000 investment, and small business owners can earn $75,000 per year within the first few years.

Learn how to start a floor installation business.

7. HOUSE PAINTING BUSINESS

Energetic ISTJ entrepreneurs who enjoy painting and home improvement might consider starting a house painting business. You’ll need good math and communication skills as well as a knack for painting houses. You can start a small house painting business for as little as $500, and house painters typically earn around $40,000 per year.

Learn how to start a house painting business.

8. PLUMBING BUSINESS

Plumbing businesses can be a great option for ISTJ entrepreneurs who enjoy working with their hands and don’t mind getting dirty or working alone. You’ll need to earn a plumbing certification and have several years of experience. You can start this type of 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.

9. WOODWORKING BUSINESS

Talented, driven ISTJ entrepreneurs may enjoy starting a woodworking business — especially if they have a knack for using their hands and a wide variety of woodworking tools. You’ll also need good math, business, and marketing skills to succeed in this field. You can start a woodworking business for around $6,500, and your earning potential will vary greatly.

Learn how to start a woodworking business.

HEALTH & WELLNESS BUSINESSES

10. DENTAL OFFICE

ISTJs who want to open their own dental office must graduate from dental school and obtain a professional license in their state. Startup costs for this type of business can range from $250,000 to $500,000, but dentists have the potential to earn seven-figure salaries. Successful dentists also have the potential to expand and open another office, if desired.

Learn how to start a dental office.

11. PHARMACY

ISTJ entrepreneurs with a thorough understanding of how pharmacies and pharmacy benefits work might consider opening a pharmacy. This line of work requires a highly skilled business owner, preferably with a doctorate in pharmacy as well as a solid 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.

INSTALLATION & REPAIR BUSINESSES

12. AIR DUCT CLEANING BUSINESS

ISTJ entrepreneurs who currently work as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians possess the right qualifications to open an air duct cleaning business. These business owners must have a thorough knowledge of HVAC systems or have hands-on training in air duct cleaning. 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.

13. CAR REPAIR SHOP

Mechanically inclined ISTJs with an affinity for cars might consider opening a car repair shop. Many states require mechanics to earn a professional license, and you’ll also need good business and marketing skills as well as some previous experience. You can open your own repair shop for around $50,000, and you have the potential to earn about $50,000 per year if you operate as a one-person shop.

Learn how to start a car repair shop.

14. ELECTRICIAN BUSINESS

ISTJs thinking about starting an electrician business need formal training in the field, excellent problem-solving skills, and a talent for using their hands. You can start your electrician business for as little as $5,000, and you can expect profit margins of between 1.5% and 2%.

Learn how to start an electrician business.

15. ELECTRONICS REPAIR BUSINESS

ISTJ entrepreneurs who like working alone and with their hands can excel in an electronics repair business. You’ll need good math, problem-solving, and IT skills. You can expect low to moderate startup costs, although your initial costs can vary greatly. You also have the potential to earn a six-figure salary in this line of work, depending on your business model and the popularity of your services.

Learn how to start an electronics repair business.

16. GARAGE DOOR INSTALLATION & REPAIR BUSINESS

ISTJs with a background in construction or garage door sales may consider starting a garage door installation and repair business. Successful business owners should have extensive knowledge about installing and repairing garage doors, a good understanding of construction principles, and strong sales and marketing skills.

Startup costs typically total less than $9,000, and this type of business can generate between $150,000 and $200,000 in annual profits. Given this market’s current underperformance, business owners have an opportunity to grow their business without facing stiff competition.

Learn how to start a garage door installation & repair business.

17. HANDYMAN BUSINESS

ISTJs in great physical shape with a passion for fixing a wide variety of things might consider starting a handyman business. Successful business owners in this field have a strong work ethic, exceptional maintenance and repair skills, and the ability to effectively communicate with homeowners. You can start your handyman business for less than $1,000, and your income can range from $40,000 annually to up to $3,000 per week.

Learn how to start a handyman business.

TECHNOLOGY BUSINESSES

18. INTERNET SECURITY COMPANY

ISTJ entrepreneurs with a solid background in cybersecurity, computer programming, and systems administration are ideal candidates to start an internet security company. While you’ll face very high startup costs (around $500,000), large firms can earn more than $1 million in annual profits.

Learn how to start an internet security company.

19. SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS

ISTJs with both technical and creative skills may consider starting a software development business. These business owners should be able to code in at least one programming language and possess strong business and management skills.

You can limit startup costs to a minimum (around $1,000). While your earning potential will depend on how you structure your business, successful companies can earn several million dollars per year.

Learn how to start a software development business.

20. WEB DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

ISTJ entrepreneurs with a good understanding of coding and a talent for problem-solving may be well-equipped to start their own web development company. Business owners in this field should have solid experience in both web development and design. Startup costs average less than $10,000. Similar to other technology business ideas, web development businesses face an almost unlimited earning potential.

Learn how to start a web development company.