In this episode Recover + Advance paymentwe are going to hear Jess Ekstrom. Jess is the founding father of Headbands of Hope and Mic drop workshops. She also invests in women-owned businesses, is a two-time best-selling creator, a top-rated speaker, and a latest mother. Jess and her corporations have been featured Today, Good morning America, 17 warehouse, Vanity fair, Forbes, Peopleand more importantly, they have helped thousands and thousands of girls and girls around the world.
For years, Jess Ekstrom avoided mentioning the defining event in her family life – the defrauding of her family out of cash by her uncle Bernie Madoff. But on the show, she explains what led her to start talking about formative challenges and that true optimism is not naive.
In this episode you’ll hear:
- How Jess turned a family scandal into fuel for her entrepreneurial journey.
- The shocking pay gap revelation that inspired Jess to promote women speakers.
- Why simplifying complex ideas is key to connecting with your audience.
- How embracing vulnerability can strengthen your influence as a speaker and leader.
Below are some of my favorite quotes from my conversation with Jess:
With real expertise:
“So much [the] sometimes what you teach others doesn’t come naturally to you. It’s something you had to want to learn and practice yourself.”
The power of simplicity:
“I like to simplify complicated things for people. We make things too complicated, whether it’s entrepreneurship, speaking, or writing. I like making someone feel reachable.”
Embracing combat in storytelling:
“No one wants to learn from someone who is just naturally good at something. Sometimes the best lessons you need to share with others come from the worst moments.”
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