Jess Ekstrom

Biography

Jess lives by three words: inspiration from frustration.

Whenever she’s frustrated, she usually finds inspiration in a business idea to solve the problem. Hence, she’s a 2x successful social entrepreneur.

In 2012, she took a $300 grant and launched Headbands of Hope, a company that provides headbands to kids with illnesses.

Since then, her company has donated millions of headbands all over the world and has become the official headband provider for the NBA, WNBA, and are now sold in all Kohl’s locations.

Jess is a Forbes Top Rated speaker with past clients like Zappos, Priceline, Netflix, Canva, Edward Jones, Magnolia, Under Armour, Newell Brands, Leadercast Live, SAS, Harvard, TEDx, and more.

But her career goals are not just about getting herself on stage, she wants to help more women get on stages as public speakers. And in 2018, she founded Mic Drop Workshop®️, a company with the mission of empowering more women to share their message as a public speaker and author.

Jess is a 2x bestselling author of Chasing the Bright Side and Create Your Bright Ideas. She’s been featured on the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, Vanity Fair, Forbes, and People Magazine ran an exclusive piece about her when her book was released. You’ve most likely seen Jess on your TV whether it was an interview on your favorite morning show, shopping on QVC, or watching her run her business from her Airstream in a global Canva commercial.

Some of her recent badges of honor…

Chip Gaines said, “Jess Ekstrom is leaving her mark on this world and it’s amazing to watch her do it.”
Jess was dubbed The Ultimate Game Changer by Women’s Health Magazine
The co-founder of Netflix said, “Jess is a very poised and polished speaker- confident, funny, great connection with the audience and left them inspired.”
Jess was tapped to interview the First Lady of Iceland on women’s equality issues
Linkedin Learning and TED Education have asked Jess to host courses on the art of public speaking
Forbes named her a Top Motivational Speaker
Arianna Huffington put her on her 99 Female Disruptors List
Becoming a new mom to a little girl and advocating for moms in the workplace
And Business Insider said Jess is a “Woman to Watch”

Jess brings humor, inspiration, and entertainment to every group she addresses. Her motivational, edge-of-your-seat storytelling and infectious energy is a refreshing experience for audiences looking to improve their culture, purpose-building, and fulfillment.

Videos

Request Availability

Testimonials

JESS EKSTROM IS LEAVING HER MARK ON THIS WORLD AND IT'S AMAZING TO WATCH HER DO IT.

– CHIP GAINES, Co-Founder of Magnolia Network

JESS EMBODIES EVERYTHING YOU COULD EVER ASK FOR IN A KEYNOTE SPEAKER – INSPIRATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, RELATABLE, AND ENTERTAINING. SHE'S AMAZING TO WORK WITH AND OUR AUDIENCE ABSOLUTELY LOVED HER. I CAN'T RECOMMEND HER ENOUGH!

– Katie Gaudu, VP Industry Engagement / Inman

JESS IS PHENOMENAL. WE BOOKED HER TO SPEAK FOR NEWELL BRANDS MARKETING CONFERENCE. I SEE MANY SPEAKERS, AND SHE IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE BEST.

– Chris Pote, Newell Brands/Devote Consultancy UK

JESS IS A VERY POISED AND POLISHED SPEAKER – CONFIDENT, FUNNY, GREAT CONNECTION WITH THE AUDIENCE AND LEFT THEM INSPIRED.

– Marc Randolph, Co-Founder of Netflix

THE FIRST TIME I HEARD JESS SPEAK AT FAILFEST I WAS BLOWN AWAY. BLOWN AWAY BY HER COMPANY, HER SPEAKING, HER MESSAGE, BUT MOST OF ALL, BLOWN AWAY BY HER.

– Jeff Hoffman, Co-Founder of Priceline.com

IT WAS A PURE PLEASURE HAVING JESS EKSTROM COME AND SPEAK AT ZAPPOS. NOT ONLY DID SHE INSPIRE OUR EMPLOYEES AND LEAVE THEM FEELING EMPOWERED TO TAKE ON ANY CHALLENGE, BUT SHE WAS 100% REAL AND CANDID ABOUT HER OWN JOURNEY. JESS WENT THE EXTRA MILE TO TAILOR THE MESSAGE TO OUR GROUP AND STAYED LONGER TO ANSWER AUDIENCE QUESTIONS AND SIGN BOOKS. WE WOULD HIGHLY SUGGEST WORKING WITH JESS AND HER TEAM FOR CORPORATE OR COMMUNITY EVENTS.

– Ashley Kasevich, Business Analyst, Zappos Family of Companies

JESS FEELS LIKE YOUR BFF! SHE CONNECTS WITH HER AUDIENCE IN A REAL WAY AND MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE HAVING COFFEE AND CATCHING UP ON LIFE. SO MANY OF OUR ATTENDEES FELT INSPIRED AND FELT LIKE SHE FITS RIGHT INTO OUR EDWARD JONES CULTURE!

– Jamie Hickenbottom, HR-Shared Services, Edward Jones

WHEN JESS IS ON STAGE, SHE IS A CONFIDENT AND NATURAL STORYTELLER. SHE KNOWS HOW TO FRAME THE STORY OF HER JOURNEY IN A MEANINGFUL AND IMPACTFUL WAY FOR AN AUDIENCE TO FEEL ENGAGED WITH HER STORY AND HER BUSINESS, HEADBANDS OF HOPE.

– Kelly B., Under Armour Innovative Partnerships

IF BRENE BROWN AND AMY SCHUMER HAD A BABY, IT WOULD BE JESS EKSTROM.

– Myrna P. Daramy, Audience Attendee

JESS IS A CAPTIVATING SPEAKER. HER PRESENTATION WAS THOUGHTFUL, POIGNANT, AND INSPIRING. I WOULD RECOMMEND HER AS A SPEAKER FOR ANY BUSINESS-RELATED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OR NETWORKING EVENT.

– Spencer High, Manager National Association of Realtors

Booksby Jess Ekstrom

Chasing the Bright Side

For Meeting Planners

Photos

Speaker Documents

Request Availability

Blog Posts

Innovative Event Strategies to Inspire Your Attendees with Courtney Mesmer

https://youtu.be/1erTgGFdyW8 Watch this week’s podcast episode here: YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon...

Valuable Life Lessons from Parenting & Overcoming Failures

Learn valuable life lessons from overcoming failure and parenting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJTIi-nhq60&list=PLXTlGHk63lLgbS8LN-PENXDzwMdqWAnOm "Life’s greatest lessons come from...

Pink October: Breast Cancer Awareness and the Power of Healing Our Emotional Histories

Pink October: Understanding the Connection Between Emotional Health and Breast Cancer This newsletter is brought...

Why Consistency Is More Important Than Motivation for Success

🔑 Why Consistency is the Key to Lasting Success https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3ehBD3ThYY&list=PLXTlGHk63lLgbS8LN-PENXDzwMdqWAnOm What I’ve learned from experience...

How You Can Build a Happy Relationship

💞 Understand how couples score points in a relationship so you can make your partner...

Gain Confidence by Being Yourself with Michelle Anne Johnson

💫 Learn how confidence begins with being your authentic self with keynote speaker Michelle Anne...

Related Speakers

Tucker Bryant Poet and Innovation Expert, Helping Leaders Unlock Innovation Using The Poet’s Keys™

Dewitt Jones World Class National Geographic Photojournalist, Academy Award Nominated Documentary Filmmaker, Renowned Lecturer, and Inspirational Speaker

Tom Flick International Leadership Speaker and Change Expert, Former NFL Quarterback

Eliz Greene Job Stress and Wellness Expert, Stress Researcher and Consultant

Steve Ford Son of President Gerald Ford and Betty Ford, Accomplished Hollywood Actor, and Inspirational Speaker

Reviews & Ratings

     Excellent  
     Based on 74 reviews 
    
 
 
   
 
 
        
   Tim Mooney 
 August 20, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seth was on point and tremendous help before and after the event! Two thumbs up!
  
 
       
   Anthony Veneziale 
 August 14, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seth is the real deal -- he knows the best speakers to make sure your event is successful. I've had the pleasure of working with Seth and The Keynote Curators and he's top notch. Also, his podcast is chock full of great insights and important topics. Thanks Seth!!
  
 
       
   M.D Milloy 
 August 8, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seth is a great host, very inspirational and professional. Highly recommend!
  
 
       
   Aaron Farzam 
 August 3, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Keynote speaker searches have been overwhelmingl for me and my team.  Seth made the process easy.  Our expectations were exceeded. Great company. Highly recommended.
  
 
       
   Dante Fabro 
 July 29, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Keynote Speaker knowledge is unrivaled by Seth Dechtman and his team at The Keynote Curators.  If your event or conference requires a keynote speaker, call The Keynote Curators.  They are thorough and deliver the goods.  Seth makes sure that you get what you are looking for...in spades. Not to mention, Seth is very down to earth and speaks to people as equals. I really appreciate that. I'd recommend The Keynote Curators any day!
  
 
       
   Jamie Wright 
 July 25, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Found out about these folks through The Keynote Curators podcast - really great stuff!!
  
 
       
   Alison Levine 
 July 10, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great podcast with a wide variety of speakers, topics, and themes. You can learn something unexpected from every episode!
  
 
       
   Victoria Matey 
 June 27, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had the pleasure of joining the Keynote Curators podcast as a guest. My experience collaborating with Seth and his team was great - fast, efficient, and most importantly, they are all wonderful human beings!
  
 
       
   Justin Chaffee 
 June 20, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The Keybnote Curators and Seth Dechtman are a class act.

Timely, professional, and most of all hit the mark. Cannot recommend them with more emphasis.

If you need a speaker for your event conference or any program, do not hesitate to contact Seth and his team.
  
 
       
   Brandon Grimm 
 June 12, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seth Deckman is the only Keynote Curator you’re ever going to need for your events and conferences that require the best Keynote speakers. His attention to detail and true concern about meeting your event’s needs to go above and beyond. I cannot recommend him highly enough call him as soon as you have your speaker need for your next conference or meeting.