THE NEW RULES FOR INNOVATION— AND MOTIVATION— THAT LASTS
Let’s face it, there’s always a “what’s next?” Your ability to individually and collectively reach that next big milestone — without burning out– has to do with the answer to the following question:
How do we create motivation that lasts when we’re never done?
It turns out — While traditional leadership approaches focus on external rewards, the latest science shows us that the most flourishing contributors have a personal, internal connection to their work. That’s right; people with high intrinsic motivation experience lower rates of disengagement, higher levels of innovation and more fulfillment than those focused primarily on external factors.
Forbes Top Rated keynote speaker, Jess Ekstrom, uses modern research and her experiences starting two multi-million-dollar businesses to guide audiences to deeper engagement, fulfillment and lasting motivation in their role.
If you’re looking to infuse individuals at any level of your organization with unshakeable motivation through gripping storytelling and entertainment, it’s here.
AUDIENCE TAKEAWAYS:
PURPOSE-DRIVEN THINKING LEADS TO UNSTOPPABLE GROWTH
This keynote is perfect for: workplace engagement, overcoming burnout, adapting a more positive mindset at work, employee retention, increasing fulfillment, navigating change and hardships, startup struggles and culture building.
Nowadays, it’s so easy to get warped into negative thoughts and constantly feeling like you’re moving from problem to problem.
A recent study at the American Academy of Neurology found that prolonged negative thinking diminishes your brain’s ability to think or reason clearly and it quickly drains your energy.
You’d think the solution to negativity would be to tell yourself to “just be positive!” but we all know that doesn’t trick your brain, it only frustrates it.
In Jess’ bestselling book, Chasing the Bright Side, she talks about how optimism isn’t about eliminating the negativity, it’s about using it to create something better. Even the spark of her business, Headbands of Hope, was started because of a problem she saw: kids with cancer wanted to wear headbands after hair-loss. Now, her company has donated over one million headbands to kids with illnesses and has reached every children’s hospital in the United States and 22 countries.
But it all began because there was a problem. Problems are where a lot of great ideas begin if we let them.
If you’re looking to find a keynote speaker who can deliver inspiration infused with humor and entertainment, then Jess is your choice. In this keynote, she aims to inspire audiences to not just envision a better future for their life, work, and community, but go create it.
TAKEAWAYS:
HOW TO BE FULFILLED…RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE
This keynote is perfect for: purpose building, audiences seeking fulfillment, hitting goals + targets, improve retention rates, improving connections to customers/clients, recentering your career to remember why you started.
Most of the time we believe that in order to do something meaningful, we have to do something else: live somewhere else, work somewhere else, do something else, be someone else.
But what if we didn’t have to change our circumstance to do something meaningful, but changed our mindset around it?
So according to the Chapman University Survey, why do most people fear public speaking more than they fear sharks?
Nowadays, people don’t want to just clock in and clock out. People want to feel like what they’re doing matters- it’s human nature. We want to know that all of the tasks are building blocks to something greater than themselves. We want to zoom out and say, “Yes! I’m a part of something that matters.”
When employees, leaders, entrepreneurs can create meaning in their work:
When we build meaning in our work: A single sale becomes a fist pump of forward progress. A customer service call becomes a deeper connection to a future customer. An end of quarter review becomes an impact report….
In other words, our jobs are no longer jobs…they’re a service to humanity.
Jess’ keynote is certainly not a namaste, save the world, love-what-you-do-and-you-never-have-to-work-a-day-in-your-life manifesto. She uses her experiences, market research, and improv comedy classes to make an inspiring yet entertaining experience.
TAKEAWAYS:
Jess Ekstrom is a motivational keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of Headbands of Hope, a purpose-driven company that has donated over one million headbands to children battling cancer. Her journey from a college student with a simple idea to a nationally recognized business leader exemplifies the power of combining passion with purpose.
Ekstrom is widely known for her ability to translate personal experiences into actionable insights on resilience, optimism, and impact-driven leadership. Through her entrepreneurial journey, she has demonstrated how businesses can serve as vehicles for meaningful change while achieving sustainable growth.
As a speaker, Ekstrom captivates audiences with authentic storytelling and practical strategies. She focuses on helping individuals and organizations turn adversity into opportunity, build purpose into their work, and create cultures rooted in giving and innovation.
Jess Ekstrom is a dynamic and inspiring speaker who has captured the hearts and minds of audiences around the world with her powerful message of resilience, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership.
As the founder of Headbands of Hope, a social enterprise that has donated over one million headbands to children battling cancer, Jess exemplifies the power of using business as a force for good. Her journey from a college student with a simple idea to a nationally recognized entrepreneur and keynote speaker is a testament to her belief that anyone can turn their passion into a movement that makes a difference.
Through her keynote speeches, Jess shares her insights on turning adversity into opportunity, the importance of giving back, and how to cultivate a mindset of resilience and optimism in the face of challenges. Her engaging storytelling, combined with actionable takeaways, leaves audiences not only inspired but also equipped to make positive changes in their personal and professional lives.
Whether she’s speaking to corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, or students, Jess’s message resonates with anyone looking to find purpose in their work and life.
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Overview:
Jess Ekstrom has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from clients for her exceptional professionalism and engaging presentation style. Reviewers highlight her ability to connect with audiences effectively, making events memorable and impactful. Her TEDx talk, in particular, has been noted for its inspiring storytelling and motivational messages of optimism and resilience.
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Overall, Jess Ekstrom is highly recommended for events and speaking engagements, with clients eager to collaborate with her again.
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Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
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She helps organizations turn creativity into measurable business results.
He inspires resilience and achievement by redefining limits and possibility.
He pioneers AI breakthroughs that accelerate science and global innovation.
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