Jess Ekstrom

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.

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

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