Women to Watch: Jessica Burns, Personal Stylist to Moms
If you’ve been around here for a hot minute, you’ve likely heard me talk about Jessica Burns and our time together redesigning her site for her personal stylist website.
After learning so much about her and binging her entire IG and TikTok accounts, I joined her membership program and—holy cow—it’s amazing.
Jessica’s up to some really cool things, and I knew I wanted to invite her to be a part of this series.
So without further adieu… meet Jessica Burns, personal stylist to moms…
When did you start your business and why?
January 2022… I had been trying for a long time to figure out what I wanted to do “when I grew up.” I had so many limiting beliefs about what was even an option for me because I didn’t have a degree in anything other than education. A business coach had asked me to post a poll on my Instagram stories asking my friends and family what I had ever helped them with or what was something that they thought I was good at. An overwhelming majority of the answers that came in had to do with fashion (“I just want you to take me shopping with you.” or “You always look so fashionable.”), but I was not totally sure how to interpret that until my sister-in-law suggested that I become a stylist, and so I decided to give it a shot. I knew from talking to friends that between the pandemic, having babies, and turning 30 a lot of them felt like they were losing their sense of self, and it was very much related to living in their leggings and feeling lost in their wardrobes. I felt like this was absolutely something I could be an expert at – teaching women where to shop, what to shop for, and how to find themselves again through their personal style.
What do you feel makes your audience special?
They are moms. It doesn’t get much more special than that. They put everyone else first day in and day out, and they do it with all the love in the world.
Has anything surprised you about starting a website?
It is not something I can just do by myself and still make it look nice. The SEO part was tough too.
If you could go back in time and do something differently, what would you do and why?
I would invest more in coaching and learning about business as a whole. It still feels like something foreign to me, and I am just trying to learn as much as possible through experience, but I don’t think that is the smartest route.
How long did it take you to launch your business once you decided to do it?
About two months. I just decided I would learn as I go. I didn’t want to give myself time to reconsider. There was really nothing to lose.
How did you promote your website when you first started? Has anything changed between now and then?
Instagram (and TikTok) link in bio. Now I have SEO that Shannon helped me to optimize and an email list.
Did you start your email list when you launched your website? What's the most effective way you've grown your email list?
I was hesitant to start an email list, so I didn’t pull the trigger until about a year and a half into my business. I link my lead magnet in my Instagram stories every time my newsletter goes out.
What would be your entrance song? You know—the one playing as you walk on stage?
This is too hard to answer! I feel like it would have to be something country… maybe Long Live Cowgirls by Morgan Wallen or Hold My Halo by Lainey Wilson.
What does a typical day in the life look like?
Wake up, work out, get ready, get the kids ready for school, client work/zoom calls/content for social media, get the kids off the bus, snacks, homework, sports, get the kids ready for bed, read, bed
How do you recharge or take a break from work?
Run an errand or take a walk with our dog, Luna
Who are your favorite bloggers, podcasters, and/or coaches?
Ellen Yin @cubicletoceo I was in her membership and listen to her podcast every week–she is brilliant, and I have learned so much from her
