The beautiful city of New York is where dreams and passions come true. For Jess Ekstrom Kahut, her dream began in her tiny little college dorm room. Jess conceptualized a headband business where proceeds would go to children with illnesses. Fast forward to ten years later, the idea would soon materialize into a fully-fledged mission-based company donating 1 million trademarked headbands to children in need.
Jess Ekstrom Kahut is at the heart of the success of Headbands of Hope. The company is fully women-owned and women-operated, making its inspiring mission much more empowering for female entrepreneurs who aspire to take a bite out of the Big Apple. The brand’s success has been attributed to its genuine cause, drawing in the most fashionable New Yorkers to purchase the company’s esteemed “All That Glitters” collection.
The idea for the wildly successful brand came to Jess when she was in college, interning at a wish-granting organization. “I saw a lot of kids experiencing hair loss due to chemotherapy, and they’d be offered wigs or hats. A lot of them wanted something they could wear that didn’t completely cover their head but allowed them to accessorize and show their personalities. I realized that because of this, they loved to wear headbands,” explained Jess.
It turns out practically no one had been providing headbands to children with illnesses. So Jess took it upon herself to establish her own organization that would do just that. Thus, Headbands of Hope was born inspiring confidence among children with illnesses and helping them express themselves at their most vulnerable times.
Interning at the TODAY Show in New York City, Jess had barely made any sales with Headbands of Hope, but as her genuine intentions eventually seeped into the New York City scene, she quickly got magazine placements, interviews, store orders, and so much more. “New York has so much liveliness and action that you’re able to make so much happen in such a short amount of time. Every time I go back there, I get so energized by all of the possibilities!” exclaimed Jess.
Jess Ekstrom Kahut is a visionary who has led the creation of the Headbands of Hope. The inspiring story of her organization has motivated women and children from all over New York to find it within themselves to pursue their dreams and regain their self-confidence. Jess tells the story of her organization through her book, Chasing the Bright Side, recounting the many remarkable achievements of her organizations and showing the people that a great idea can cause positive ripples to the world around us.
The massive success of Headbands of Hope has even attracted the likes of the NBA. The brand sells New York Knicks Tube Turban Headbands and is looking to expand to other New York sports teams in the near future. With the brand’s emerging sports line, Jess and her team are aiming to provide fashionable accessories for sports teams instead of just printing a simple logo on a headband.Headbands of Hope is constantly dropping new collections. With a brand that is so heavily focused on doing things for a good cause, it is only natural for well-meaning people to gravitate towards it and offer their full support. New York has been abuzz with Headbands of Hope, and Jess and her team have been extremely grateful for the warm and welcoming kindness that the City That Never Sleeps has given them.
