The Princess Who Showed Up

Last week Joy and I attended the spring conference of the Association Executives of North Carolina in Durham. These gatherings are always energizing—filled with opportunities to reconnect with colleagues, hear inspiring ideas, and occasionally discover someone whose story truly stops you in your tracks.

That moment came when Jess Ekstrom stepped onto the stage. I’ll admit, I wasn’t familiar with her work before that morning. But a friend and speaking colleague, Sharon Delaney, leaned over beforehand and said, “You’re going to love this.”  She was right!

 Jess began by sharing an experience from early in her career working with children facing life-threatening illnesses through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. One young girl had a simple dream—to meet Snow White and be treated like a princess for a day at Walt Disney World Resort.

Jess carefully arranged every detail. But just days before the visit, the heartbreaking call came: the little girl had become too ill to travel.

Most people would have quietly canceled the plans and moved on. Jess did something different. She found a princess costume, stepped into the role herself, and brought the magic directly to the child. That moment of compassion stayed with her. Around the same time, she noticed many young girls undergoing cancer treatment had lost their hair but loved wearing headbands. It was a small observation—but one that helped them feel beautiful and normal again.

That insight eventually became the inspiration for Headbands of Hope, the company Jess launched while still in college. Built on a simple idea—for every headband sold, one is donated to a child battling illness—the organization has now delivered millions of headbands to children’s hospitals and raised support for families facing childhood cancer.

As I listened to her story, I couldn’t help but think that Jess Ekstrom is a wonderful example of something I often talk about in my own programs:

There’s an ART to Making a Difference.

First, it begins with Awareness. Jess noticed something others might have missed. A small accessory that helped children feel confident again became the seed of a powerful idea. Many meaningful contributions begin not with grand plans but with simply paying attention.

Second is Resourcefulness. When the little girl could not travel, Jess didn’t allow the dream to disappear. She found a way to bring the experience to the child. That same creative thinking later shaped the business model behind Headbands of Hope—turning compassion into a sustainable mission.

Third is Timing. Ideas come to many people, but few act on them. Jess launched her company from a college dorm room and watched it grow into a national movement. Often the difference between a thought and real impact is the courage to act when the opportunity appears.

Today Jess continues to inspire others through her speaking and her Mic Drop Workshop, encouraging women to share their voices and ideas with the world. Listening to her that morning reminded me that making a difference rarely begins with a grand strategy. More often it starts with a moment of compassion and someone willing to step forward and do something about it.

And sometimes, that simply means showing up dressed as Snow White when a little girl needs a princess.