Building a Business with Boundaries, Strategy & Heart: A Conversation with Business Coach Jennifer Ferguson Burr
Hi, friend! Welcome back to the Passports, Profits and Pixie Dust space! I’m Lindsay Dollinger—high school Spanish teacher, dog mom, world traveler, and business mentor for women who want to build direct sales businesses the right way so they can make more money, live more life, and sprinkle more magic everywhere they go.
Today’s blog comes from a live podcast interview I did with my friend and powerhouse business strategist Jennifer Ferguson Burr—a woman whose story is filled with lessons on resilience, reinvention, boundaries, and smart business strategy.
Grab your coffee and settle in… this one is full of gold. ✨
Meet Jennifer: Small Business Strategist, Boutique Owner & Straight-Shooter
Jennifer and I met a few years ago through a mentorship program and have been in overlapping circles ever since. She’s one of those “instant connection” women with a heart of gold and a brain full of actionable strategy.
Here’s her story in a nutshell:
- She’s been in sales for 16 years
- She started her first direct sales company at 18
- She went to cosmetology school because she fell in love with helping women feel beautiful
- She has worked across multiple companies—learning what worked and what didn’t
- She now runs:
👉 Royal Road Coaching, where she strategizes with women to fast-track their business growth
👉 A children’s boutique, which she co-owns with her best friend
Her path wasn’t linear, and that’s exactly what makes her so good at what she does.
“Every mistake I made taught me something. Every experience helped me coach other women better.” —Jennifer
Amen to that.
The Power of Boundaries in Business
This was one of my FAVORITE parts of our conversation because… hello, boundaries are HARD (especially for women and especially in direct sales).
Here’s what Jennifer shared:
Why Boundaries Matter
- She’s a mom of four, and her family comes first
- She used to fear missing every sale, every message, every announcement
- She eventually realized her people will always understand and wait
- Setting boundaries was how she found the right clients
“Your people will wait for you. And you’ll serve them better when you’re not glued to your phone 24/7.” —Jennifer
What Boundaries Look Like
- Putting the phone down at dinner
- Not responding instantly to every message
- Having set “work times”
- Not rearranging your entire life for sales
This part hit home for both of us because intentional time ALWAYS beats scattered hustle.
Jennifer’s Top Productivity Strategy: The Ivy Lee Method
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed with your to-do list, listen carefully.
Jennifer swears by the Ivy Lee Method, and it’s a game changer.
Here’s how it works:
- Write down 6 tasks you want to complete today
- Put them in order of importance
- Start with #1 and do not move to #2 until #1 is finished
- At the end of the day, move unfinished tasks to tomorrow
This forces you to:
- Focus
- Prioritize
- Be intentional
- Stop “busy work”
I LOVE this because most direct sellers and small business owners don’t have a time problem—they have a focus problem.
When You Feel Stuck: Think Outside the Box
I asked Jennifer what she tells clients who feel like “nothing is working.”
Here’s her advice:
✔️ Look at what your customers are actually buying
Keep notes on:
- Their favorite colors
- Styles
- Products
- Repeat purchases
- Life events
- Trips
- Family details
This helps you make personal recommendations, not pushy pitches.
✔️ Build REAL relationships
Not “hey girl” messages.
Not “I’m two orders away from my goal!” pleas.
Not cold pitches.
“If you start a message with a real conversation instead of a pitch, you’ll always get a better response.” —Jennifer
✔️ Don’t chase people who don’t want to be chased
Your energy is precious.
Give it to the women who SHOW you they want to grow.
Up-Selling: Serving vs. Selling
Jennifer’s philosophy on upselling is simple:
👉 It’s not about squeezing more money out of someone—it’s about improving their experience.
Examples:
- “These socks match the dress you picked!”
- “This hair bow completes the outfit.”
- “This nail strip pairs beautifully with what you grabbed last time.”
People don’t know what they don’t know.
YOU are the guide.
Hot Take: Attraction Marketing Shouldn’t Be Secretive
Some coaches teach you to never reveal the name of your company.
Jennifer? Nope.
“I’d rather be upfront. They’re going to find out anyway.” —Jennifer
Hiding it can feel shady.
Being real builds trust.
This is why I love her—she’s direct, honest, and doesn’t sugarcoat.
How Jennifer Coaches Women
Her coaching style is a beautiful mix of compassion + tough love.
She told me:
“My clients don’t always like me at first. I tear things apart. But they’re not paying me to be their friend—they’re paying me to help them grow.”
And yes, she absolutely WILL:
- Help you rewrite your systems
- Tighten your strategy
- Improve your sales process
- Fix your boundaries
- Build a real business
Where to Connect With Jennifer
You can find her (and get free coaching) inside her Facebook community:
👉 Royal Road Coaching Community
This is her heart-centered space for:
- Accountability
- Support
- Strategy
- Growth
- Goal setting
She built it because when she was a struggling single mom trying to build a business, she couldn’t afford a coach—and she vowed to create a space women could learn for free.
It’s an incredible group. Hop in!
Rapid-Fire Fun: Jennifer’s Favorite Travel Spot
If you know me, you know I HAD to ask.
Her answer?
⭐ Disney World
Every. Single. Time.
It’s her happy place, her go-to, and her family’s non-negotiable vacation spot.
Final Thoughts
This conversation reminded me of so many important truths:
✨ You can build a business without burning out
✨ You can be present with your family AND successful
✨ You can learn from every mistake
✨ You can create boundaries and still grow
✨ You can build success by focusing on people, not pressure
This episode is packed with wisdom you’ll want to bookmark, screenshot, and come back to whenever you need a boost.
And Jennifer? She’s the real deal.
If you enjoyed this, go give her community a follow and send her a hello!
Want more interviews, business strategies, and behind-the-scenes tips?
Be sure to subscribe to the Passports, Profits and Pixie Dust Podcast and follow along for more goodness.
Until next time, friend—
Go do the thing. 💛