Jess Ekstrom - Chasing the Bright Side: Embrace Optimism, Activate Your Purpose, and Write Your Own Story

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PRAISE FOR CHASING THE BRIGHT SIDE

Chasing the Bright Side is essential reading for anyone facing a challenge, in work or in life. With emotion, humility, and humor (and some amazing stories), Jess Ekstrom not only demonstrates how anyone with a dream can eventually persevere, but also shows by example how we all can tap into the passion to do so. Its the book I wish I had read before starting my own entrepreneurial journey, but luckily its not too late for everyone else. Ill be recommending this book to my own children, to the aspiring entrepreneurs I work with, and to everyone I meet who aspires to find more purpose in their life. Its a page-turner that you wont be able to put down until youve finished but holds lessons that will reveal themselves to you for a lifetime.

Marc Randolph, Netflix cofounder and first CEO

Three things you can control in life are your attitude, your effort, and your actions. If youre ready to see challenges as opportunities for growth, Chasing the Bright Side is the guide you need.

Marie Forleo, author of Everything Is Figureoutable

Optimism is never accidental. Jess Ekstrom knows this better than anyone. I love that shes given practical, encouraging, empowering steps to discovering what it takes to lead with optimism. Read this today if you want to change your tomorrow.

Jon Acuff, New York Times bestselling author of Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done

Immerse yourself in Jess Ekstroms entrepreneurial optimism and allow her remarkable journey to convince you page by page that you can achieve great things in business and life. Jess is one of my favorite girlsher big heart and self-taught tenacity touch thousands of people, making her a genuine hero to those she serves and a leader for the business community to emulate. Ive jumped at every chance to feature Jess and her Headbands of Hope mission on national TV because it inspires everyone, regardless of circumstance, to chase the bright side.

Tory Johnson, Good Morning America contributor, New York Times bestselling author, and speaker

Theres no better way to transform your life than by transforming your mind-set. In Chasing the Bright Side, Jess Ekstrom will motivate you to believe that something better is possible and empower you to create lasting positive change. Optimism is a choice, and when you choose to embrace it, theres no limit to the good you can create in your life and in the world.

Jack Canfield, coauthor of the New York Times bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series and author of The Success Principles

Optimism is a daily choice. Its not naive or Pollyanna; its a foundation for success in life. In Chasing the Bright Side, Jess Ekstrom will motivate you see your challenges as opportunities to learn and grow and believe the best is yet to come. Every day you can focus on being positive, working hard, and making others around you better, and Jesss inspiring message will help you get there.

Jon Gordon, bestselling author of The Energy Bus and The Power of Positive Leadership

Jess Ekstrom gives you a window into the soul of entrepreneurial optimism and tenacity in a way no other book does. Her transparency and humor will delight you and embolden you to believe that anything is possible.

Nancy Duarte, CEO and bestselling author

The key to your success is waiting for you inside the pages of Jess Ekstroms new book, Chasing the Bright Side. She had me highlighting and nodding my head in agreement throughout the entire book. Jesss experience and writing style will have you doing the same. Your success needs an experienced cheerleader, and shes waiting for you in the pages of this book.

Lindsay Teague Moreno, entrepreneur, speaker, and author of Boss Up!

Jess Ekstrom exudes what it means to be a Catalyst leader. Shes a true hope dealer and is inspiring a new generation of change-makers. Chasing the Bright Side is not just a great book; its a lifestyle manifesto! If youre looking to be inspired, filled up with hope, and raise your overall optimism quotient, read this book!

Brad Lomenick, former president of Catalyst and author of The Catalyst Leader and H3 Leadership

Jess Ekstroms Chasing the Bright Side will empower you to step up, take risks, and learn by doing. With humor and admirable transparency about her missteps, Jess will inspire you to live with purpose and do important work that has a profound impact on those around you.

Kristen Hadeed, author of Permission to Screw Up and founder of Student Maid

We often believe we need grit or perseverance to overcome our struggles and our failure, but optimism is the secret ingredient to true success. Jesss inspiring story of resilience and positivity shows us that true optimism is possible, even in our darkest hours. Chasing the Bright Side is a realistic look at how we can shift our mind-set to see the positive and live a life that feels happier.

Tonya Dalton, author of The Joy of Missing Out and CEO of inkWELL Press Productivity Co.

Full disclosure: I am a huge Jess Ekstrom fan! I have seen firsthand her passion, impact, and joy for changing the lives of all she serves. Chasing the Bright Side is more than a blueprint for creating a social and business impact for new and existing leaders; it is a map to changing the world.

Ron Kitchens, CEO of Southwest Michigan First and author of Uniquely You and Community Capitalism

2019 Jess Ekstrom

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ISBN 978-0-7852-2931-5 (eBook)

Epub Edition September 2019 9780785229315

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019901085

ISBN 978-0-7852-2932-2

Printed in the United States of America

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For my mom, Laurie, the unsinkable optimist

CONTENTS

Hi, Im Jess. Im a rowdy sports fan disguised as a polite Southern girl. Im obsessed with my dog (and my husband is pretty great too). Im an entrepreneur with no business plan. I laugh at my own jokes. I cant touch my toes. I dont own an iron. I think Im the only person who cant keep a succulent alive, and Im always on the hunt for my next burrito bowl.

But before we dive in, I think its important you know some of my core beliefs: