Beyond Borders: From middle school teacher to fence builder

What do middle school teachers, life coaches and fence builders have in common? If you had asked me last month, I would have said, pretty much nothing. Brian Remsburg proved me wrong.

Remsburg started Beyond Borders Fences & Decks in 2023 with the intent to build something far larger than just great fences. “We’re more than a fence company,” Remsburg said. “My goal is to build people. It’s about helping neighbors to have conversations.”

Anyone who has put in a fence knows it can be a dicey endeavor. “It really should be a shared cost,” Remsburg said. “It should be each paying for half. But that’s not always the case.” 

Remsburg sees this as a welcome opportunity to facilitate relational development. “My mission is pushing people beyond ordinary living. I’ve always done that,” Remsburg said.

Part of that mission manifests itself in the way he mentors his crew. Remsburg said his success has come from maintaining high standards, showing up on time, communicating clearly with clients and following through. He hopes to instill these values into his employees, preparing them for life beyond building fences.

Remsburg began his career with 20 years in the education world, first in Saudi Arabia, then in Seoul, South Korea. His mission was the same back then as it is today: pushing people forward. 

Remsburg said he didn’t specifically plan to start a fence and deck business, but just kept taking steps forward. “What I’ve really enjoyed about being an entrepreneur is that there are no walls,” Remsburg said. “It’s whatever you can figure out and create.” He described this freedom as a welcome transition from the rhythmic stability of the education world.

Remsburg’s wife and business partner, Maryann, said his soft skills from education and coaching serve him well in his blue-collar role. “Brian has always been a visionary and very optimistic. He sets high goals and is amazing with people,” Maryann said. “People can tell him any vision, and he will figure it out.”

Though building seems like an unusual pivot from education and coaching, Maryann said Remsburg has always been handy. Maryann described that in their previous home, “I envisioned this light structure, and then I envisioned a mantle, and then I envisioned a bench to go next to the mantle, and then he builds them all.” His desire to serve his clients fuels him to find a way to turn their dream into a reality.

Remsburg put in an 800-feet-long cedar fence around the property of his friend and client Troy DeVries. DeVries said Remsburg spent time leveling each section, ensuring the fence met his standards. “He really wanted to make sure I was very happy with the job, and was willing to make any corrections at no additional charge,” DeVries said.

Remsburg said he loves working with clients and crafting a final product they’re proud of. This drive for excellence flows from his passion for pushing forward, always seeking to better himself and the people around him.