BEST BUSINESS IDEAS FOR ISTPS

A range of businesses can suit ISTP personalities well, as outlined in this list of 22 business ideas. Grouped into six categories, each of these business ideas includes an assessment of the associated startup costs, required skill level, and earning potential.

• Construction Businesses
• Design Businesses
• Farming Businesses
• Finance Businesses
• Mechanic & Repair Businesses
• Personal Service Businesses

CONSTRUCTION BUSINESSES

1. CARPENTRY BUSINESS

Carpentry businesses can suit introverted ISTPs 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.

2. ELECTRICIAN BUSINESS

Electrician businesses are another area in which ISTPs might find success and fulfillment. Your problem-solving skills will come in handy in this line of work, and you’ll need to complement your skills with formal education or an apprenticeship. You can start your business for as little as $5,000, and you can expect profit margins of between 1.5 percent and 2 percent.

Learn how to start an electrician business.

3. HOME INSPECTION BUSINESS

ISTPs thinking about starting a home inspection business should enjoy educating others about home safety and have extensive knowledge about home systems, insulation, and governmental guidelines. 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.

4. LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUSINESS

ISTPs who like working with plants and flowers, have a designer’s mind, and enjoy getting their hands dirty might consider starting a landscape design business. These business owners divide their time between creating designs at a desk and working directly with contractors at client sites. You can start a landscape design business for less than $10,000, and you can typically charge $50 to $150 per hour for your services.

Learn how to start a landscape design business.

5. LAND SURVEYING BUSINESS

ISTP entrepreneurs with a talent for understanding maps, using math, and leveraging computer-aided design (CAD) software might consider starting a land surveying business. With moderate startup costs typically in the tens of thousands of dollars, this business can generate an annual salary of about $60,000 — depending on how many surveys you complete per year.

Learn how to start a land surveying business.

DESIGN BUSINESSES

6. GRAPHIC DESIGN BUSINESS

ISTP entrepreneurs with an artistic flair, a good eye for design, and a basic understanding of marketing principles make ideal candidates to start a graphic design business. Graphic designers typically have a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, and you can easily start your business for less than $2,000. This line of work offers a solid earning potential with typical profit margins of 15 percent to 50 percent.

Learn how to start a graphic design business.

7. PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS

Photography business owners often need to combine their creative flair with strong problem-solving skills, making this field a great fit for ISTPs. If you already own a camera (and any other supplies you need for your photography niche), you can limit your startup costs to around $2,000. Your earning potential is quite high and will depend heavily on your skills and niche. Some of the nation’s top photographers earn six-figure salaries.

Learn how to start a photography business.

8. SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS

ISTP entrepreneurs who enjoy combining their creative and technical skills might consider starting a software development business. You should be proficient in at least one programming language and possess strong business and management skills. You can limit startup costs to around $1,000, and, depending on your business model and success, you have the potential to earn a six-figure income.

Learn how to start a software development business.

Find a Web Domain For Your ISTP Business

Securing a web domain and creating a quality website is important for the overall success of an ISTP business. You can search for an available domain below:

FARMING BUSINESSES

9. BERRY PICKING FARM

ISTPs with an interest in farming might consider starting a berry picking farm — especially if they have farming experience and enough suitable land to start their own farm. You can choose to simply sell the berries yourself or open a pick-your-own farm, which will require more face-to-face interaction with customers. Typical startup costs total more than $100,000, depending on how much equipment you need to buy, and you have the potential to earn seven-figure profits each year.

Learn how to start a berry picking farm.

10. CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

Christmas tree farms can be excellent business ventures for hard-working ISTPs who enjoy working with different species of pine trees and don’t mind long hours — especially during the holiday season. Startup costs vary tremendously and tend toward the moderate level if you don’t already have suitable land on which to plant your trees. While some farms generate close to $10,000 annually for each acre of farmland they work, many Christmas tree farm owners yield a total of $15,000 to $20,000 annually.

Learn how to start a Christmas tree farm.

11. FISH FARM

ISTP entrepreneurs with a basic understanding of fish biology and a background in farming may consider starting a fish farm. Startup costs vary greatly in this line of work and depend heavily on if you plan to start an aquarium-based farm or a commercial fish farm. Either way, you’ll need a minimum of $5,000 to start a business in this field. Depending on the success of your business and the type of fish you farm, you have the potential to earn between $35,000 to $150,000 per year.

Learn how to start a fish farm.

12. HERB FARM

ISTPs with an interest in farming and herbs might consider starting an herb farm business. Beyond simply enjoying this line of work, you’ll need some basic farming, business, and marketing skills to succeed. You can easily start a small herb farm for less than $500, although larger herb farms require a higher upfront investment. Depending on your farm size and the popularity of the herbs you grow, you have the potential to yield $30,000 in profits per acre of land each year.

Learn how to start an herb farm.

13. HYDROPONIC FARM

Hydroponic farms can be a great fit for ISTPs with a passion for farming and gardening as well as a desire to help improve the health and well-being of their communities. Startup costs vary greatly, ranging from $10,000 to several hundred thousand dollars. However, you can generate an extremely high profit with some farms earning millions of dollars in revenue each year.

Learn how to start a hydroponic farm.

14. MUSHROOM FARM

ISTP entrepreneurs with a passion for both farming and mushrooms might consider starting a mushroom farm. You can start this type of business in your spare time and then increase your hours as your company grows more successful. You can expect minimal startup costs (less than $5,000) and the potential to earn a six-figure annual income, depending on the size of your farm.

Learn how to start a mushroom farm.

15. PUMPKIN FARM

Pumpkin farms can be great business ventures for ISTP entrepreneurs seeking to earn some extra money in the autumn. You’ll need an appreciation for Halloween and the ability to look past your introverted nature as you interact with customers. Startup costs usually total $3,000 per acre, and small pumpkin farms typically earn an average of $30,000 per year.

Learn how to start a pumpkin farm.

FINANCE BUSINESSES

16. FINANCIAL CONSULTING FIRM

ISTPs 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 PlannerTM 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.

17. 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 ISTPs’ analytical skills can prove extremely useful. 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 planning firm.

MECHANIC & REPAIR BUSINESSES

18. CAR REPAIR SHOP

Mechanically inclined ISTPs with a passion for fixing cars should 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.

19. CNC MACHINING BUSINESS

ISTPs who enjoy working with their hands, have strong experience using computer numerical control (CNC) machines, and an interest in the manufacturing industry may consider starting a CNC machining business. Because startup costs for this type of business run very high, many entrepreneurs start from home to minimize initial costs. Once you secure a steady stream of work, your business can earn an additional $50,000 to $75,000 per year above and beyond your salary.

Learn how to start a CNC machining business.

20. SMALL ENGINE REPAIR BUSINESS

Small engine repair businesses can be great ventures for ISTP 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 shop.

PERSONAL SERVICE BUSINESSES

21. PERSONAL CHEF BUSINESS

ISTPs with a passion for food and cooking and the ability to prepare a wide variety of dishes might consider starting a personal chef business. While formal training isn’t required in this line of work, any cooking or business experience you have can help you succeed. You can start your own personal chef business for less than $5,000, and you can expect to earn an average of $40,000 per year — although some chefs earn much more.

Learn how to start a personal chef business.

22. PERSONAL TRAINING BUSINESS

ISTPs in excellent physical shape with a passion for improving the fitness of others may consider starting a personal training business. While you don’t need formal education in this line of work, earning a personal trainer certification can definitely benefit your business. Startup costs typically total about $2,000, and personal trainers generally earn about $50,000 per year — with the potential to earn much more once they have a steady stream of clients.

Learn how to start a personal training business.