Making It with Jess Ekstrom

As my team celebrates Headbands of Hope's 9th birthday, we're also celebrating the honor of being ranked in the top 1% of all Shopify stores!

As I reflect on these last 9 years, there are so many experiences that led to this success in business! Listen in as I share 5 things that I believe contributed to our top 1% ranking of all Shopify stores!

Plus, make sure you use the code FIRSTTIMER for 20% off at headbandsofhope.com and help us reach one million headbands donated!

How our store got in the top 1% of all Shopify stores:

1. I hired people before I was ready. (2:42)

2. We’re quick to pivot. (5:20)

How can we always be a speedboat and not a cruise ship.

3. We kept showing up and continue to gather data. (6:47)

4. We diversified our revenue streams. (8:32)

5. We had fun. (9:40)

Recap (11:18)

Use code FIRSTTIMER for 20% OFF at headbandsofhope.com

One Liner: Don’t let, “I don’t know where to begin,” keep you from beginning. (11:55)

Links:

headbandsofhope.com

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com!

Have you been hesitant to put yourself on video in your business? Today, Natasha Samuel of Shine with Natasha joins us to help you set aside any fears by sharing the impact video can have on connect with your audience.

Listen in as she shares 3 ways you can use video on Instagram to connect, plus she's providing a few ideas to help get you started!

Becoming an Instagram Strategist (3:11)

Why Video is Important (5:07)

Three Types of Video to Build a Connection with Your Audience: (7:19)

1. Instagram Stories (7:19)

Your audience is likely watching through stories more than they’re scrolling.

It allows you to be less curated and people like that.

It’s more accessible for creators and end users.

2. Instagram Live (11:39)

Instagram Lives Show Up First on Instagram

Ways to Show Up on Live:

• You can Host a Q+A and engage your audience.
• Webinar Style with Powerpoint Slide Functionality
• Have a Guest Join You Live to Swap Followers
• Pop Up Coaching

3. Instagram Reels (16:55)

Instagram Reels have taken over the primary form of video on Instagram.

• You can show your personality.
• You can reach new audiences and grow your following.

Links

shinewithnatasha.com

Instagram.com/shinewithnatasha

Sunshine Shop

Overthinking can cause so much more stress than any of us need—let's crush those tendencies and stop overthinking.

Jon Acuff joins us in this episode to share three ways you can stop overthinking in every aspect of your life. Listen in as he walks us through these steps and how he's used them in his own life.

Three Ways to Stop Overthinking (1:03)

1. Retire Your Broken Soundtrack (1:19)

Bright Pages (6:06).   +1:30

2. Replace those thoughts with new, positive ones. (9:40)

Find a broken soundtrack by writing down something you want to do, then listen to what you want to hear.

3. Repeat what you want. (13:01)

Parting Advice (20:16)

Links

acuff.me

instagram.com/jonacuff

Soundtracksbook.com

All It Takes Is A Goal Podcast - acuff.me/podcast

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Has Women's History Month motivated you to surround yourself with and collaborate with other women entrepreneurs? I'm here for it!

In this episode of Business on the Bright Side, I'm sharing 5 ways you can collaborate with other women! From simple ideas to more complex opportunities, let's dive into how you can grow together!

5 Ways to Collaborate with Other Women

1. Swap or Trade Services (2:12)

2. Host a Giveaway Together (3:24)

3. Newsletter Swap (4:25)

4. Joint Instagram Live (5:56)

5. Create a Pop Up Course Together (6:53)

One Liner: If there is room for everyone at the top, then we might as well support each other and make it fun along the way. (8:08)

There is so much power in connecting with and building up other women. That's why I was honored to bring Natalie Franke, co-founder of The Rising Tide Society and community leader of Honeybook, on the podcast to discuss how you can genuinely root for other women.

Listen in as we discuss why she decided to open up about her journey to motherhood and connect with others who are living through the same experience.

Meet Natalie (2:30)

Cheering for Other while Feeling Comparative (6:10)

Opening Up (11:22)

The T-Shirt Shop (21:45)

Links

nataliefranke.com

shopnataliefranke.com

instagram.com/nataliefranke

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I don't know about you, but I've found myself surrounded by strong and powerful women in my life. So, in honor of Women's History Month, on today's episode of Business on the Bright Side, I'm highlighting 10 women who have impacted my life and career.

From family members, professors, and business colleagues to women I've never met and even one who's name I never got, listen in to see how knowing them has made my life and business all the better.

10 Women Who Impacted My Life & Career

1. Dr. Maria DeMoya (1:23)

She believed in what I was building.

2. Sara Blakely (2:45)

She inspired my to fulfill a need.

3. My Mom (3:54)

She taught me that experience is more important than lectures.

4. My Grandma Joan (5:28)

She taught me to silence stereotypes and live the life I want.

5. Kristine Sickles (7:39)

She saw the potential in my personal brand.

6. RBG (9:03)

She paved the way for women to have independence.

7. Natalie Franke of The Rising Tide Society (9:46)

She helped me to embrace community over competition.

8. Martha Bitar of Flodesk (10:50)

She mentored me through the process of building Bright Pages.

9. Myrna Daramy (12:12)

She taught me to embrace digital inclusivity in technology and helped me make my website accessible to all.

10. A Random Woman at Starbucks (13:21)

She paid it forward to my business when I was just starting out.

One Liner: As a woman, every time you advance towards your dreams, you’re showing young girls watching what’s possible for their dreams.

If you're a minority business owner looking for support in your business, please submit your pitches to [email protected]!

Review the Transcript at businessonthebrightside.com!

Why do we feel burdened to always be connected to our phones and checking social media? We shouldn't have to.

In this episode of Business on the Bright Side, Minaa B joins us to share how and why you should set digital boundaries in your life and business. Listen in as she describes the importance of understanding responsibilities in online relationships and communication when you're setting those boundaries!

Setting Digital Boundaries (1:35)

Determine Your Why: Why are you going on social media at this time? (5:10)

Social Media Audit (7:55)

1. Check Your Screen Time

2. Look at Who You Follow

Understanding Responsibilities & Boundaries (9:00)

Vocalizing Boundaries (13:17)

One Liner: Normalize saying no in your life. (21:16)

Links

Book Pop Workshop

Your Body, Your Story Podcast

instagram.com/minaa_b

Minaab.com

Have you ever finished a book and thought, "That would have been better as an article or blog post?" I think we've all experienced that.

In this episode of Business on the Bright Side, I'm sharing four ways to help you decided if your idea should be a book or a blog post. Grab yourself a pen and paper, and let's dive into this exercise!

How to Know if Your Idea Should Be a Book or a Blog Post:

1. How long have you been thinking about it? (1:56)
2. Does the writing flow? (3:48)
3. Try it on for the week.
4. Do the tree exercise. (6:28)

The Tree Exercise: (6:28)

• Draw a tree trunk
• In the trunk, write one central theme or transformation your book will provide.
• Think about what people need to know in order to achieve that transformation.
• Create a branch for each of those things you think of until you have 10-15
• Blog Post: Less than 7 branches
• Book: 10-15 branches

Register for the Book Pop Workshop Webinar

One Liner: The most important step in being a thought leader is believing that you have something valuable to say. The second most important step is actually saying it. (11:25)

Last week’s episode: How to Get Your Book on Shelves

Register for the Book Pop Workshop Webinar

Review the Transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

So, you have a book idea, but you have no idea where to start in order to get your book on shelves—thankfully I've already been through the process and can tell you!

In this episode of Business on the Bright Side, I'm sharing four important steps to get your book on the shelves of retailers you love. Listen in as I dive into building a book proposal, getting a literary agent, securing a book publisher, and doing the work to see your book out in the real world.

Four Steps to Get Your Book On Shelves

1. Answer this Question: Why do you want to write a book?

• Why you? (2:03)
• Why this topic, transformation, or category? (2:28
• Why now? (2:42)

brightpages.com

Publishing Deals (3:41)

2. Write Your Book Proposal (4:41)

What goes into your book proposal:

• Overview of the Book
• Answering the whys
• Who’s your target market
• Comparative titles
• Chapter outlines
• Who are you
• Marketing ideas
• Sample chapters

Working with a Literary Agent (6:19)

Working with a Publisher(8:10)

Working with a Sales Team to Get on Shelves (9:26)

3. Getting in Local Bookstores (10:31)

4. Getting in Local Libraries (12:09)

One Liner: Only write a book if you want to leave your readers better after having read it. (15:15)

Get Podcast Updates Every Monday: Text Podcast to 704-228-9495

Register for the Book Pop Workshop Webinar

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

Are you using clubhouse to grow as a professional speaker? With the platform becoming more and more popular, there is so much potential to gain awareness for your brand and network with others.

In this episode of Business on the Brightside, Mothyna James-Brightful joins us to discuss how you can use clubhouse for your brand! Additionally, we talk about steps we can all take to create more diversity and inclusion in the speaking and event industry!

First Paid & Non-Paid Speaking Gig (1:25)

Pitching Yourself in Your Clubhouse Bio (8:05)

How to Overcome the Fear of Speaking (9:17)

Diversifying Speaking Engagements (11:50)

Diversifying Your Experience (15:22)

Advice to Speakers to Stay Active (18:38)

Links:

instagram.com/mothyna

sistermothyna.com

stagereadyspeaker.com

Grab the free email templates.

Review the Transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.