Introverts are often misunderstood. They get a bad rap for being “shy” or “reserved.” However, introverts can also be some of the most creative and successful people in business. Why? Because they have qualities that many others lack—qualities like creativity, focus, and determination.
If you’re an introvert considering starting your own business, this article is for you. We will cover everything from how to know if you’re an introvert to top business ideas for introverted people. So read on—and start planning your entrepreneurial business venture!
Top Business Ideas for Introverted People
Now that we’ve covered some reasons why introverts make great business owners, let’s take a look at some of our favorite business ideas for introverts.
Manage Social Media Accounts
Today, many businesses are turning to social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to market products and services. And when they do, they often hire specialists to manage this task. As a social media consultant, you get to work independently and remotely while still being creative and interacting with others. Even better, there are opportunities to collaborate with clients long-term, which translates to a steady income stream.
Photo Editing Business
If you possess a keen eye for detail, a love for photography, and proficiency in photo editing tools, starting a photo editing business could lead to a fulfilling full-time career. With initial expenses under $5,000, a photo editing company aligns perfectly with the introvert’s preference for independent work. Similarly, you might expand your services to include photo restoration, which entails creating a client base of individuals seeking to revive and restore old photographs.
Online Courses Business
Instructors and people with extensive knowledge in their niche and who can teach others are good candidates for an online course business. For this option, you will need to invest money to create the platform, which is known as a Learning Management System. You’ll need to plan on investing significantly to develop courses and advertising strategies. Still, once your company starts moving along, there is the potential to scale your business and bring in a six-figure profit from the comfort of your couch.
Woodworking Business
If you’re handy with power tools and enjoy working with wood, starting a woodworking business is a great way to make use of your skills. You can operate your business from home, setting up a workshop in your garage or basement and work solo. And you can sell your products online or at local craft fairs and farmer’s markets.
Bitcoin Mining Business
Introverts knowledgeable about everything Bitcoin will appreciate this option since they can operate a Bitcoin mining setup on their property. Often, you can simply allow the process to run in the background, making this a fantastic way to generate semi-passive income. One crucial point to note is that even though you can begin with $200, most professional miners typically invest in hardware with costs that can go up to $20,000.
Life Coach Training
If you’re a good listener and enjoy helping others, becoming a life coach is a great business idea. You can train to become a certified life coach online or through community college courses. And you can operate your business from home, meeting with clients in person, over the phone, or on Skype.
Landscaping Business
If you love being outdoors and working with your hands, starting a landscaping business is a wonderful day job to have. You can help clients with everything from design to maintenance. If this sounds like a brilliant business idea to you, startup costs are relatively low for landscaping companies.
Graphic Design Business
If you’re a socially awkward person who is creative and has an eye for design, starting a graphic design business is a great way to use your skills. If you choose to own a graphic design studio, you’ll design collateral like advertising banners, corporate logos, and illustrations. Highly skilled entrepreneurs in the business can see profit margins that range anywhere from 15%-50%. In addition, you can count small businesses and large corporations as your clients.
Business Coaching
If you have experience running a business and enjoy helping others, then becoming a business coach is a great option for you. And you can help them with everything from startups to marketing strategy to time management. You can operate your new business from home and meet with clients in person or talk to them over the phone. Also, if you want a more professional place to meet, there are also flexible office leasing programs you can use that save money over traditional office leases.
Blogging Business
Plenty of successful entrepreneurs who are introverts have founded their own lucrative blogging businesses. It’s a great way to be creative and work mainly on your own. However, introverts who plan on having their own blog should thoroughly know their subject and be prepared to convey their ideas and opinions to others successfully.
Pet Photographer
If you love animals and have a good eye for photography, starting a pet photography business is the perfect way to combine your two passions. The location to shoot your pet models can be your residence if zoning laws permit it in your area. Keep in mind, though, that you will need good photography equipment for this specialty photography business, which can be expensive.
Junk Removal Business
Number 12 is a good niche industry for the introverted small business owner, as it allows you to work primarily alone. But, of course, when you first arrive at their home or business, you’ll need to contend with customers to give them a quote for your junk removal services. But other than that, you can complete most of the work yourself.
Online Tutor
If you’re a great teacher, have good business sense, and want to share your knowledge with others, becoming an online tutor will likely be a great fit. Also, if you need to find clients, you can start by tutoring students in your local area before expanding your reach online. You can tutor students in anything from math to languages to test prep. You can set your own rates and hours, which makes this a good, flexible business idea for introverts.
Personal Organizer Business
If you are a reserved person who hates clutter in all its forms, a personal organizer business is a great niche business for you. With this line of work, contact is minimal, and you can help people with everything from decluttering their homes to organizing their closets.
Dog Walking Business
If you find yourself preferring the company of dogs over people, starting a dog-walking business might be a perfect fit for you. However, the success of this venture will heavily depend on your marketing strategies, so it’s important to allocate both time and money for promotion. Additionally, other essentials you’ll require include liability insurance and a pet management software system for online scheduling, invoicing, and other tasks.
Ghostwriting Business
If you have a talent for writing and prefer to operate behind the scenes, ghostwriting could be the ideal business for you. You can collaborate with clients to produce a variety of materials, including articles, blog posts, eBooks, and speeches. A significant advantage of ghostwriting is that the initial investment typically remains under $1,000. Additionally, you can manage this business from the comfort of your home, allowing you to keep most of your earnings as pure profit.
Transcription Business
If you are an introvert with stellar listening capabilities and can quickly and accurately type out what you hear, why not start a transcription business? You will transcribe audio files into written documents as part of your transcription services. You can offer your services to companies in various industries, from law to medicine to insurance. Startup costs typically range under $1,000. The growth potential will depend on your business plan, goals, and marketing skills.
Greenhouse Business
Starting a greenhouse business may sound like a little slice of heaven if you have a green thumb and enjoy being around plants. Profits will be a little tricky in the initial years. But if you have the liquidity and the initiative to stick it out for the long run, you can be looking at making $50,000-$100,000 per year growing and selling anything from flowers to produce to herbs.
Online Sales
If you are an introvert who enjoys staying at home, you can still build a profitable business by selling products online. You can either sell handcrafted items, such as arts and crafts or resell products purchased at wholesale prices. Platforms like Etsy simplify the process of online selling, and with dedication, the possibilities are endless. Additionally, you can create your own website to showcase items like flavored-infused olive oil or gourmet cookies and candies.
App Developer
Mobile apps are getting more popular all the time, along with the need to create ones with new and unique features. Self-employed app developers work from home or the office, where they develop apps that help people with their everyday lives or solve specific problems they have. Additionally, being an app developer is good if you’re not too tech-savvy since you can develop many apps without coding.
House Cleaning Services
If you have a passion for cleanliness, launching a home cleaning business can be a lucrative opportunity that requires minimal startup capital. You can manage your business from home, interacting with clients either face-to-face or via phone. Additionally, you can assist them with various tasks, ranging from decluttering their spaces to performing deep cleans in their kitchens.
Data Entry Business
Data entry is another excellent business idea for introverts, and you start doing it as a full-time business with very little startup capital. This type of work can be done remotely, and it doesn’t require you to interact a lot with others. All you need is a computer and reliable internet, and then you can start offering your services to businesses and individuals who need help organizing their data.
Niche Freelance Coder
There is a high demand for niche freelance coders, and the detailed and meticulous nature of coding fits in perfectly with the introverted personality type. What’s more, you don’t need much money to start coding. All you need is a computer and an internet connection, which will cost you about $1,000. It gets better, too, as courses are abundant online, where you can learn how to code at a low cost.
Freelance Writing
If you have strong writing skills, this business is perfect for you. There is a variety of writing projects you can take on, such as copywriting, white paper writing, and SEO writing. You don’t need a formal education to offer writing services. The startup costs for becoming a freelance writer range from $65 to $1,000, depending on whether you already own a decent computer or laptop. In addition to having the right equipment, you’ll also need a reliable internet connection and the determination to succeed in your writing business.
- READ MORE: Small Business Ideas for Beginners
How to Know If You’re an Introvert
Characteristics that differentiate introverts from the rest of us include a strong drive and self-motivation. They also are dedicated, and laser-focused on the tasks at hand—all traits that make great business owners, which we will get into shortly.
Consider this: Are you shy? Do you enjoy spending your free time alone or with just a few close friends? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be an introvert. However, there’s no need to worry—being an introvert is not negative. In fact, many of the most exceptional business leaders are introverts.
- READ MORE: Best 5 Tips for Introverted Entrepreneurs
Why Do Introverted Entrepreneurs Make Great Small Business Owners?
There are many reasons why introverts excel as small business owners. For example, they tend to be:
- Very focused and persistent: Introverted entrepreneurs have much to offer the business world because they have the focus and drive needed to see a project from start to finish. These traits can also help keep a company going when things get tough.
- Able to work independently: This trait allows them to get more done in less time, as they don’t need constant supervision or direction from others.
- Creative: Introverts often have very active imaginations, which can be a great asset in developing new products or services for your own company.
- Detail-oriented: This attention to detail can be helpful in ensuring that all the details of a project are taken care of, thereby preventing mistakes and errors.
- Good at communicating: Although introverts may not always be the life of the party, they’re typically very good at communicating with others.
| Traits of Introverted Entrepreneurs | Description |
|---|---|
| Focused and Persistent | Introverted entrepreneurs exhibit exceptional focus and persistence, enabling them to see projects through from start to finish. These qualities become crucial during challenging times, providing the drive needed to keep the company on track. |
| Independent Work Ethic | The ability to work independently is a hallmark of introverts. Their self-reliance empowers them to accomplish tasks efficiently without constant supervision or direction, resulting in higher productivity and streamlined operations. |
| Creative Thinkers | Introverts often possess vivid imaginations, which translates into their ability to generate innovative ideas for products and services. This creativity adds a unique and imaginative dimension to the offerings of their own company. |
| Detail-Oriented Approach | An introverted entrepreneur's meticulous attention to detail is a valuable asset. This quality ensures that every facet of a project is meticulously taken care of, reducing the likelihood of mistakes and errors, and upholding the company's quality standards. |
| Effective Communication Skills | Despite not being the center of attention, introverts excel in communication. Their thoughtful and articulate approach allows them to convey ideas clearly and effectively, fostering strong relationships with clients, customers, and team members. |
Can Introverts Be Successful Business Owners?
Have you ever heard of Mark Zuckerberg, Marissa Mayer, Elon Musk or Bill Gates? Chances are you have, and these famous people all have something in common. Yep, you guessed it: they are all uber-successful introverts. Plus, all of them prove that it is possible to create successful businesses, even when you are a bit self-contained. Isn’t that something?
- READ MORE: 20 Tips on Networking for Introverts
Image: Envato Elements
This article, "Introvert-Friendly Businesses: Low-Interaction Success" was first published on Small Business Trends
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