How do I get through hard days?

The most expensive mistake I ever made cost me $43,000. That is one 5-figure number that I will never forget. The amount is permanently etched into my mind with the label "Do not. I repeat do not. Make. That. Mistake. Again."

However, to me there is a fate (and feeling) much worse. And that is losing someone else's money. The personal responsibility and pit-in-your-stomach feeling of, "How on earth am I going to face this person and let them know I lost their hard earned cash?!"

This is exactly what Jess Ekstrom faced. The worst part? The 5-figure sum she lost...was her father's.

You see, Jess Ekstrom is a go-getter. Fresh-faced and ready to tackle the world she dreamt up a company that could serve customers and her community at the same time. This purpose-driven business would sell stylish headbands and for every headband the company sold it would donate one to a child going through cancer treatment. At just 19 years old Jess started Headbands of Hope.

When she found a vendor willing to turn her "crazy" new idea into a reality she was ecstatic. Jess hesitantly borrowed $10,000 from her father, pressed "transfer" on the wire payment to her new manufacturer, and dove into the design process. From sparkly and fluffy to glittery and patterned these headband designs would have something for everyone.

A day went by. She figured the manufacturer was busy. But a day turned into a week and a week turned into two. She waited. She called. But her too-good-to-be-true manufacturer was exactly that. She never heard from the manufacturer again. She had been duped. The $10,000 was gone. She was left with nothing. Most people would wallow. Take this as a bad omen. A sign to turn around. To not continue.

Jess Ekstrom is not most people. She persisted and pushed forward building Headbands of Hope into a worldwide phenomenon donating headbands to every children's hospital in American and in 15 countries around the world. Jess has gone on to build an optimistic-fueled empire.

From her podcast (Business on the Brightside) and best-selling book (Chasing The Brightside) to her newest company (Bright Pages), Jess is letting us in on what works, the big secret to her success: cultivating optimism.

I spent a full hour soaking in her problem solving strategies, tips for overcoming imposter syndrome, and learning how she continues to jump headfirst into new experiences. Below are some of my favorite takeaways. If these peak your interest, check out our full talk here (as always, I took notes for you!).

• "What would it look like if I went all in?" Think of a challenge you've been tossing around. It could be a new workout routine, writing your first LinkedIn article, finding a mentor or beginning a home improvement project. Give yourself an afternoon and pretend to go all in on this idea. Create a list of what needs to be done to accomplish it. What outside resources would you need to accomplish the items on the list? What order would the list items need to be done in? Would you need anyone else's help? After trying this exercise you might figure out that your big scary plan is more doable than you thought!
• "What can this bad situation teach you?" Jess experienced high anxiety during COVID as a small business owner who was trying to be all things to all people. To help battle her anxiety she started journaling. It helped. As she shared this learning with those closest to her she realized others might also benefit from this simple strategy. Thus the birth of her newest venture - a journaling platform called Bright Pages. Without a bad situation (COVID) a good situation (Bright Pages) may never have formed. What can you learn during hard times?

• What have you started using lately that you love? The 28-day meditation challenge on Sam Harris’s Waking Up app which helps me to be more present. I’m on day 18!
• What’s the best gift you’ve given yourself this year? Mountain biking lessons. I am sharpening my beginner’s muscle, learning to be ok with not being good at everything.
• Best Learning You've Done This Year? Pinterest Lab (A course that teaches you how to set up & optimize a Pinterest page) and World Class Assistant (which helps you become a better manager and get more out an assistant)
• What entrepreneurs or business leaders are lighting you up right now (we want to follow them too)? Mary Marantz, Natalie Franke, and Britney Jeanine.

CHALLENGE FROM JESS:

"Listen to Business on the Bright Side on Apple podcasts, take my public speaking course on LinkedIn, and go live on the platform you’d like to grow on for two to three minutes. Flex that beginner’s muscle and share a piece of you with all of us!"

For more from Jess check out our full talk or follow her on: LinkedIn & Instagram.

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