Making It with Jess Ekstrom

Happy New Year! Is 2021 the year you're looking to grow personally and professionally, without feeling overwhelmed with the goals you have in mind? In this episode of Business on the Bright Side, I'm sharing 3 ways to build momentum this year! New Year’s Resolutions are a Load of Crap (1:45)Set goals and build momentum in 2021: (2:41)Crafting a Mission Statement (2:45)Update your bio. (6:49)Setting up your Calendar for Big Picture Goals (7:58)One Liner: In 2021, I’m in competition with no one, I’m rooting for everyone, there’s room for me at the top, and I am right on time. (9:34) Visit walkwest.com to see more!

As we bring 2020 to a close, I’m sharing the details on all of the things that worked and didn’t work in my business and life amidst the pandemic.All of my businesses experienced very different moves in 2020. One business flatlined, one business quadrupled in sales, and another business started at zero. On a personal level, I was able to appreciate slowing down, creating new routines, and avoid things I didn’t enjoy.Ready to get the inside scoop on the success and failures of 2020, let’s dive in!Sitting in Our New Home (2:27)What Worked in 2020 (4:00)What Worked in 2020: Professional Brand (4:15)Community Virtual Events: Chasing the Bright Side Conference, Write the Dang Book Conference, and Book Pop WorkshopTexting via Community Application: 704-228-9495Pay What You Can Model for Chasing the Bright Side Virtual ConferenceIntroducing Masks at Headbands of HopeWhat Worked in 2020: Personally (10:50)Not Traveling on PlanesHalf-Caf CoffeeFacetime & Zooming PeopleWhat Didn’t Work in 2020 (14:49)What Didn’t Worked in 2020: Professional Brand (15:30)High Ticket Offerings Were Harder to SellIn-Person Speaking EngagementsPressWhat Didn’t Worked in 2020: Personally (18:40)Hand LetteringTikTokReading Big BooksOne Liner: Your value doesn’t come from one thing you do. You are the sum of all the things you do. (20:50)LinksMicro Course: How to Host Your Own Online EventsHeadbands of HopeReview the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com. Visit walkwest.com to see more!

Are you facing a big decision in your life right now? It’s hard to make decisions that will impact your life!In this episode of Business on the Bright Side, I’m sharing how I approach big decision making! I’m also highlighting how we used this approach for our decision to uproot our lives and live in an airstream!Considering RV Living (1:29)List Making (4:16)How I Face Big Decision Making (3:56)1. Pretend to Go All-In (3:56)2. Ask yourself what all you need to do to make this happen. (4:05)3. Find your first domino (the first thing you need to do on your list). (4:46)4. Is there friction or is there flow? (6:47)One Liner: When a decision becomes too big and scary, pretend to go all in and see how it feels. After that first step, you’ll find that fear slowly fades away. (9:29)I've created a shop for people who do, because I think that the best selling product that you're looking to create is the story that you already have. The Bright Side Shop is filled with digital and physical products to help you do just that.Linksjessekstrom.comAirstreamReview the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com. Visit walkwest.com to see more!

Do you find yourself stuck when it comes to creating shareable content? In this episode, I'm highlighting four things that you need to consider in order to strategize your content creation. Listen in as I highlight the importance of relatable and valuable content for your audience.4 Things You Need to Think About (2:06)1. Decide What You Want to be Known For2. What’s the value you want to provide people?3. Does my content fall into one of these two buckets: relatable or valuable?- Relatable Content (5:07)- Valuable Content (5:24)4. Make it short. (5:47)"As Don Draper said, make it simple, yet significant.” (6:41)How to Create One Liners (8:00)One Liner: Don’t get caught up in the external of likes and followers—aim for the connection metrics of shares and engagement. (10:02)LinksOne Line Wonder WorkshopReview the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com. Visit walkwest.com to see more!

Do you ever find yourself lacking inspiration or struggling to get started on a new project? In this episode I'm sharing 3 questions to ask yourself when you're stuck!Three Questions to Ask When You’re Feeling Stuck: (4:18)1. Is this even what I really want? (4:18)2. Could the outcome look different from what I originally imagined? (5:15)3. Can I change the route on how I want to get there? (5:51)One Liner: Hold your purpose tightly, hold your plans loosely, and you’ll find your way. (6:51)LinksChasing the Bright SideReview the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com. Visit walkwest.com to see more!

Is your e-commerce brand ready for the fast-approaching holidays? In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 things you need to do to ensure your site is ready for the three big e-commerce holidays right around the corner!Holiday Habits for E-Commerce (1:36)Get your eCommerce Shop Ready for the Holidays (2:25)1. Make sure that your website is ready to collect emails.(2:25)2. Test your checkout process to make sure there aren’t any glitches.3. Make sure your best selling products are on your homepage. (5:18)4. Establish your shipping and refund policies. (6:14)5. Build a Marketing Strategy for the Big Three (8:04)The Big Three Holidays:Black FridayCyber MondayGiving TuesdayRecap (9:54)One Liner: Don’t make it hard for people to give you money, believe in what you’re selling and then ask for the sale. (10:27)Links:thebrightsideshop.comReview the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com. Visit walkwest.com to see more!

It's Chasing the Bright Side's first birthday! One year ago, I was on a press tour, sharing about how I'd poured so much into this book, and thinking about all of the potential lives this book could impact.What a year it has been! In today's episode, I'm sharing a quick teaser of chapter one! Listen in!Linksjessekstrom.com/buy-the-bookthebrightsideshop.comReview the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com. Visit walkwest.com to see more!

Do you feel like 2020 is kicking your a** when it comes to your work or business? I'm here to remind you that these obstacles are all part of the process. In this episode, I'm sharing four ways to deal with tough work situations. Shit Happens (3:45)Tough Work Situations that are Bound to Happen (3:45)1. Remove Your Ego (3:45)2. Understand that sometimes Plan B can be better than Plan A (6:33)3. Give yourself some grace (8:45)4. What would your idol do? (10:54)The Recap (12:55)One Liner: Failure is not opposite of success, it’s just a part of it. (13:39)Links:Chasing the Bight SideErin Foly life coach Visit walkwest.com to see more!

Do you know your money story? While you may realize it, you've got one! In this episode, I'm diving into my money story, how it developed stress around money for me, and how that impacted my business. So sit back, and let's dive into your money story!Love/Hate Relationships with Money (1:32)My Money Story (1:58)Look at the numbers. What are they telling you? (4:18)Understanding at KPIs and Patterns (4:39)Separating Yourself from the Money (6:44)Don't ask: 'What's wrong with me?"Do ask: "What's wrong with the products?"This Episode's One Liner: What are you making your money mean about your self worth? (8:00)LinksChasing the Bright SideLooking for the transcript? Head to businessonthebrightside.com to review transcripts from each episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Visit walkwest.com to see more!

Are you heading into an interview for a potential job or opportunity? Want to stand out from the other candidates, while also growing from the interview itself? I’m sharing the one question you NEED to ask during your next interview! Listen in!Interview Question: Is there any reason why I wouldn’t get this job? (2:40)Follow Up Question: Because if there are any flags or concerns, I would like to talk about it now.My Experience with Asking This Question (5:11)What This Question Tells an Interviewer (6:45)What Are Your Favorite Interview Questions? (7:19)This Episode’s One Liner: Sometimes the answers we’re looking for, lie within the questions themselves. (7:35)Looking for the transcript? Head to businessonthebrightside.com to review transcripts from each episode! Visit walkwest.com to see more!