Making It with Jess Ekstrom

I was hesitant to restart this podcast because my mind was saying, "Is the world too noisy right now? Are we in information overload? Will I be yet another podcast that people will roll their eyes at?"

But we were in Week 3 of Mic Drop Academy, which is our 10-week elite speaker program for women. And I was giving advice to someone who is hesitant to start their career as a speaker or in thought leadership - If what you have to say can help someone else, then you'd be doing them a disservice by not saying it.

So this podcast - with a new name, Amplify with Jess Ekstrom - is another way I can help lift women up. And I have some pretty amazing guests lined up who will help as well!

Follow along on any podcast channel or on YouTube, and we'll see you January 8th with episode 1!

Amplify with Jess Ekstrom is produced by Earfluence and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Season 2 is coming on September 5th! We're taking a quick break for the summer, so will you do these two things for me?

1. Hit subscribe so you're alerted on September 5th when we return. Then leave us a review!
2. Text HYPE to 706-228-9495 to receive my Monday morning Hype Text

Transcript:

Hey, Hey. Business on the Bright Side is taking a quick break and we will be back September 5th. Before I get into why we're taking a break, there are a few things you should do in the meantime. Number one, hit subscribe if you're not subscribed already. That way, you'll be alerted when we come back September 5th for season two. And while you're at it, would you mind leaving me a little review?

When you're searching for your next book that you want to read, or the next podcast that you want to listen to, or even the next pair of yoga pants that you want to buy on Amazon, and the first thing you do is you look at the reviews. I know I do. That's why it's super helpful for me to have reviews on my podcast. So if you could take two minutes and review it, I would really, really appreciate it. And step two, if you still want that Monday quick hit of inspiration even while we're on hiatus, I'm still sending out my Monday hype text, so text me the word hype, H-Y-P-E to (704) 228-9495. That's the word hype to (704) 228-9495

Now, why am I taking a break? My first sassy response is because I damn want to. Don't wait until you feel like you deserve a break to take one. If you're in a position where you can take a break, take it. And really, I'm saying this advice to myself as much as I'm saying it to you because I'm not going to lie, I feel like I've shifted into this high gear since the end of 2019 with Chasing the Bright Side coming out. And then, of course, there was this little global pandemic and then all the work we did at Headbands of Hope. And then there was the election, which made me sprout probably 20 gray hairs, and so much more. I'm sure you can rattle off a list of craziness over the past two years as well.

But if I'm being honest, one thing I've noticed recently is that my gear shift has been sticky. I've been stuck in this high gear for about two years and I feel like I've forgotten how to downshift. We cannot forget how to downshift because why work so hard to create a life for ourselves that we can't even enjoy? I've put a lot of time into my business getting it to a place where I can take time off if I want to. So, it's time to freaking downshift. We're exploring the Northeast in the Airstream this summer and I fully intend to stuff my face with a lot of lobster rolls and find beautiful greenways to bike along. Even if you can't take two months off, what can you do to downshift this summer? Can you move a little slower on the weekends? Can you read instead of watch TV? Can you use a French press instead of a Keurig? What are some ways that you can just maybe move a little bit slower?

Remember to hit subscribe to get the first episode when we're back on September 5th and then don't forget to join my Monday hype text, texting the word hype to (704) 228-9495. That's the way the cookie crumbles, folks. Thanks for being such an awesome community. Whether this is the first episode you've listened to or you've binged every single one of them, I appreciate you. See you all September 5th.

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Do you find it hard to separate your personal worth from your business, allowing every little failure to eat you up? I'm going to let you in on a little secret and daily mantra I use: it's just business.

Over the last few years, I've dealt with the pain that comes from someone not loving a product, because I was taking it personally. When I started using this mantra, I found more space to focus on growth. 

About the Phrase: It's just business. (1:21)

Using "It's just business." as a Mindset Hack (2:02)

How Moods Affect Your Day (3:01)

Putting Space Between the Person You are and the Product You're Creating (6:29)

Removing Ego From Your Work (7:16)

Text HYPE to 7042289495

As a speaker, you're always looking for ways to gain experience and land speaking gigs, right? Suz Chadwick is sharing 3 ways to qualify yourself as a speaker and get booked for speaking engagements.

Listen in as she walks us through what it looks like to call yourself a speaker, how to show your value, and where you need to start today!

Get to Know Suz (2:41)

Three Ways to Land Speaking Engagements:

1. Practice with low hanging fruit: Podcast, FB/IG Live, Webinar, Events (3:14)

2. Create assets that qualify you as a speaker and make you credible. (7:42)

3. Start calling yourself a speaker. (16:38)

Title it on social media. Sample

Add a speaking page to your website. Sample

Add yourself as a Speaker title on your LinkedIn position. Sample

One Liner: Being a successful speaker is about using your story to help people in their story.

Links

suzchadwick.com

Suz's Webinar

Review the Transcript at businessonthebrightside.com

Are you dreaming of standing on a stage next to those three big, red letters? Let's get you ready to land a TED Talk!

In this episode of Business on the Bright Side, I'm sharing the four P's to getting booked for a TED Talk!

Jess' First TedX Talk (1:06)

Ted X Talk vs. Ted Talk (1:47)

Ted X Talk: Localize Events

Ted Talk: Main Events

The Benefit of the Ted X Talk: (2:10)

- You can feature the logo on your site.

- You can prove your speaking ability for a Ted Talk.

- It will propel your speaking career.

- Provides credibility as a speaker.

- Lists you on their speaking directory.

The Four P's to Land a Ted Talk: (2:54)

Passion

Prepare

Practice

Pitch

Passion: What's a unique subject or concept that you're passionate about? (3:09)

Bright Pages Speaker Pathway

Prepare (4:31)

The Importance of Your Ted Talk Title (4:33)

The Transformation Promise (5:25)

Jess' Transformation Promise: I help audiences become more optimistic by believing that the future is good and they can be the ones to create it.

Practice (7:43)

Pitch (8:57)

1. Apply to all Ted X Talks, not just your local ones.

2. Review the theme of the event to tweak your pitch to fit that theme.

Get my Pitch Templates from Mic Drop Workshop

Set Up Google Alerts & Get Notified (9:47)

Links

Find a Ted X Event

Mic Drop Workshop

Free Keynote Planner

Monday Morning Hype Text: To sign up, text HYPE to 7042289495

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

We live in a society where it's hard to be direct and say what you want—but I want to change that, starting with myself.

Erica Reitman joins us today for a straightforward conversation on three ways to be more direct in both your life and your career. Listen in as she walks us through her journey and how being direct has moved the needle forward!

Erica’s Past as an Interior Designer (1:44)

Inner Shift to Coaching (3:31)

Three Ways to Be More Direct (7:07)

1. Setting the tone for being direct (7:07)

2. Being straightforward in your pricing (14:40)

3. Be clear about who you want to work with (17:18)

Parting Advice (20:47)

Links:

instagram.com/ericareitman

ericareitman.com

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com

Are you ready to make your website accessible for everyone? Let's test your website's accessibility!

Myrna Daramy is an advocate for Digital Media Optimization, encouraging others to create an inclusive and accessible space in their brands. Listen in as she walks us through opportunities for improvement and how we can start optimizing our websites today!

DMO: Digital Media Optimization (1:50)

Digital Inclusivity: Your digital platforms are accessible to any and everyone. (3:41)

ADA Compliance (5:53)

Disabilities to consider: Mobility, Hearing Impaired, Hard of Hearing, Vision Loss, Deaf, ADHD, Epilepsy, Cognitive (7:42)

Three Ways to Make Your Website Accessible:

1. Run an automated test to be ADA compliant (9:03)

Wave, ace, Site Improve (only 25% accurate)

Levels of ADA Compliance

A - Lowest Level of Compliance

AA - Industry Standard of 38 Checkmarks

AAA - 100% ADA Compliant

2. Working with your designer or developer to ensure you’re compliant.

Myrna’s checklist

3. Add Active ADA Widget

One Liner: In order to accomplish Digital Media Optimization, you not only have to consider how diverse you are, how inclusive you are, but also how accessible you are. (20:23)

Links:

myrnadaramy.com

Myrna’s checklist

instagram.com/myrnapdaramy

Active ADA Widget

Do you have a great business idea or name? You may be asking yourself, "Do I need a trademark?"

Michelle Murphy of Wilson Murphy Law and The CEO Legal Loft join us to discuss when and why you need a trademark for your big idea, and how to go about the trademark process. Listen in as she walks through a trademark search, a few legal steps to take when you're getting started, and how an attorney can help you get legal!

Something that Made Michelle Want to Quit What She Does: She felt like she was talking to no one. (2:48)

What Kept Michelle Going: Staycations (6:02)

Michelle's Mission Statement: Make legal accessible and easy to understand. (7:47)

Tips to Getting Legal When Starting a Business (12:36)

1. Research your name and make sure it isn’t taken as a trademark, then trademark it.

2. Make sure you have terms & conditions and privacy policy up on your website (include CCPA).

3. Separate your bank accounts from business and personal.

Holding a Trademark Name (18:06)

Costs and Time Investment of a Trademark (18:42)

Links

Wilsonmurphylaw.com

theceolegalloft.com

instagram.com/thetrademarkattorney_

Review the Transcript:

What does creativity mean to you? Have you found a way to incorporate it into your life?

In this episode of Business on the Bright Side, I'm joined by Brit Morin of Self Made and Brit & Co to discuss how you can activate your creativity, dive into what your passionate about, and use that to launch the business you've been dreaming about!

Get to Know Brit (1:14) 

The Journey of Brit & Co (3:03)

Developing Self Made (6:48)

What Being Self Made Means (9:54)

In December of 2020, 140k jobs were lost by women, 16k were gained by men.

What Gives You the Most Energy? (12:49)

a) Eating well

b) Sleeping well

c) Drinking more water

Answer: Working on the thing you’re passionate about.

You make time for the things you care about, you make excuses for the things that you don’t.

How to Test a Business IdeaWithout Going All-In (15:24)

Self Sabatoge (17:58)

Giving Yourself a Timeline (20:30)

Pivoting in Business (21:41)

Vision Casting & Creativity (23:08)

Links

brit.co

tryselfmade.com

facebook.com/groups/tryselfmade

Podcast: Teach Me Something New

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

Do you typically stick to the same marketing tactics you've always worked with in your business? Sometimes that can leave you stagnant. 

Audria Richmond is making big moves in new marketing strategies and techniques, which is why I thought it was so important to bring her on the show. Audria joins us to share three ways you can try new marketing in your business this year to set yourself apart!

Get to Know Audria (:59)

Three Ways to Try New Marketing (1:57)

1. Micro-Marketing: Simplify Your Content + Solutions to Get to the Point (1:57)

2. Take Advantage of Audio Based Platforms (7:44)

3. Having a Book as a Business Card (11:50)

• Legacy Books
• Manifesto Books 

One Liners: (19:00)

You can copy the front end, but you can never copy the backend.

The worst thing you can do to a great idea is not give it a marketing plan.

Links

audriarichmond.com

instagram.com/audriarichmond

UnCloned Marketing