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 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.
Jess’s influence extends beyond the stage. She is also the author of the best-selling book “Chasing the Bright Side,” which has been praised for its honest and relatable exploration of the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and life. In her book, as in her speeches, Jess encourages readers to embrace optimism as a strategy and to see the potential for good in every situation. Her ability to connect with audiences on a deep, personal level has made her a sought-after speaker for events of all sizes.
Jess Ekstrom’s journey into the world of entrepreneurship began while she was still a college student at North Carolina State University. Inspired by her internship at a wish-granting organization where she met children battling cancer, Jess was struck by the small but meaningful way a headband could brighten a child’s day. This simple observation led her to start Headbands of Hope in 2012, with the mission of donating one headband to a child with cancer for every headband sold. What started as a small initiative quickly grew into a nationwide movement, capturing the attention of major media outlets and celebrities alike.
Under Jess’s leadership, Headbands of Hope expanded rapidly, gaining partnerships with major retailers and achieving significant milestones in both sales and donations. The success of the company is a direct reflection of Jess’s ability to combine entrepreneurial innovation with a deep commitment to social impact. She has shown that businesses can thrive while also making a difference in the world, and this message has resonated with audiences across industries.
In addition to her work with Headbands of Hope, Jess Ekstrom is a vocal advocate for female entrepreneurship and leadership. She launched Mic Drop Workshop, an online course and community designed to help women share their stories and become paid keynote speakers. Through this platform, Jess has empowered thousands of women to step into their own power and use their voices to inspire change. Her dedication to supporting and uplifting other women is a core aspect of her work and a theme that runs throughout her speaking engagements.
Jess Ekstrom’s influence as a speaker is evident in the impact she has on her audiences. Jess Ekstrom has spoken at a wide range of events, from corporate conferences and leadership summits to universities and non-profit organizations. Her ability to connect with diverse audiences stems from her authentic, down-to-earth style and her willingness to share both the highs and lows of her journey. Jess’s speeches are filled with humor, heart, and practical advice, making her a favorite among event planners and attendees alike.
Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Jess is also a dedicated philanthropist and mentor. She has worked with numerous organizations to support causes related to pediatric cancer, women’s leadership, and social entrepreneurship. Her commitment to giving back is not just a part of her business model; it’s a central component of who she is as a leader and a speaker. This dedication to making a positive impact on the world is what sets Jess Ekstrom apart and makes her such an influential figure in the speaking industry.
Jess Ekstrom is a visionary speaker whose journey from college entrepreneur to nationally recognized social innovator and author has inspired audiences around the world. Her ability to turn adversity into opportunity and her commitment to using business as a force for good make her a sought-after keynote speaker for a wide range of events. With her engaging storytelling and actionable insights, Jess leaves audiences feeling not only inspired but also empowered to create positive change in their own lives and organizations.
Booking Jess Ekstrom for your event is a decision that will undoubtedly elevate the experience for all attendees. Her message of resilience, optimism, and purpose-driven leadership is not only timely but also timeless, making her an ideal speaker for any audience.
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