Amplify with Jess Ekstrom

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 wellb) Sleeping wellc) Drinking more waterAnswer: 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)Linksbrit.cotryselfmade.comfacebook.com/groups/tryselfmadePodcast: Teach Me Something NewReview 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 BooksManifesto 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.Linksaudriarichmond.cominstagram.com/audriarichmondUnCloned Marketing

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.comOne Liner: Don’t let, “I don’t know where to begin,” keep you from beginning. (11:55)Links:headbandsofhope.comReview 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 InstagramWays to Show Up on Live:You can Host a Q+A and engage your audience.Webinar Style with Powerpoint Slide FunctionalityHave a Guest Join You Live to Swap FollowersPop Up Coaching3. 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.Linksshinewithnatasha.comInstagram.com/shinewithnatashaSunshine 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).   +1:302. 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)Linksacuff.meinstagram.com/jonacuffSoundtracksbook.comAll It Takes Is A Goal Podcast - acuff.me/podcastReview the Transcript at businessonthebrightside.com

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 Women1. 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)Linksnataliefranke.comshopnataliefranke.cominstagram.com/nataliefrankeReview the Transcript at businessonthebrightside.com

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 & Career1. 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 hey@jessekstrom.com!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 Time2. Look at Who You FollowUnderstanding Responsibilities & Boundaries (9:00)Vocalizing Boundaries (13:17)One Liner: Normalize saying no in your life. (21:16)LinksBook Pop WorkshopYour Body, Your Story Podcastinstagram.com/minaa_bMinaab.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:How long have you been thinking about it? (1:56)Does the writing flow? (3:48)Try it on for the week.Do the tree exercise. (6:28)The Tree Exercise: (6:28)Draw a tree trunkIn 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 10-15Blog Post: Less than 7 branchesBook: 10-15 branchesRegister for the Book Pop Workshop WebinarOne 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 ShelvesRegister for the Book Pop Workshop WebinarReview the Transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.