Headbands of Hope

Last updated
Headbands of Hope
FoundedApril 2012;12 years ago (2012-04)
FounderJessica Ekstrom, CEO
Location
Area served
United States
Website www.headbandsofhope.org

Headbands of Hope, LLC is an organization founded by Jessica Ekstrom. For every item sold, a headband is donated to a child battling cancer. Since its launch in 2012, Headbands of Hope has donated over 1 million headbands to hospitals across the United States and in twenty-two countries. [1] Headbands of Hope products are available in thousands of stores across the world. They have been featured on TV, in magazines, and endorsed by celebrities such as Lea Michele. [2] Headbands of Hope operates as a for-profit organization. [3] [4]

Contents

History

Headbands of Hope was created by Ekstrom after an internship at the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2011. [2] Noticing the popularity of headbands over wigs with girls battling cancer, Ekstrom created a product specifically for these children. The organization launched in April 2012, and by January 31, 2013, the organization had donated more than 3,000 headbands. [5] TOMS Shoes, a supporter of the organization, provided the business model of sending the headbands to hospitals, rather than individual patients. [5] The company has expanded to sell other hair accessories as well, such as claw clips and hats in more recent years. [5] In 2019 the program was expanded to include children with illnesses other than cancer, as they had more headbands to donate than recipients. [6]

Production

The headbands are tagged and branded in their warehouse in Cornelius, North Carolina. [7] This location was chosen by Ekstrom with help from the Colleges of Design and Textiles at North Carolina State University, her alma mater. [5]

Marketing

The headbands are marketed by representatives on college campuses. [8] The "Hope Club," allows cancer patients who have received headbands to post photos and biographies. [9]

Recently, the organization has started marketing more general headwear through Headwear of Hope, donating headwear to young boys undergoing cancer treatment. [3] In addition to the headwear, the organization donates $1 for each item purchased to the St. Baldrick's Foundation . [3]

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References

  1. "Thought Leader, Keynote Speaker, Author, and Entrepreneur | Jess Ekstrom". Jess Ekstrom | Helping women turn passion into profit by telling your story through book writing and public speaking. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  2. 1 2 Phil Hall (27 January 2014). "Jessica Ekstrom, founder and CEO, Headbands of Hope, Raleigh, N.C." Business Superstar.
  3. 1 2 3 Henao, Juan (23 January 2014). "Headbands of Hope founder to speak, hold fundraiser for THON". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  4. Fallon, Nicole (21 November 2013). "15 Great Examples of Socially Responsible Businesses". Business News Daily. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Hatcher, Jessica (1 January 2013). "The Technician: Headbands for Hope Turns Heads at a National Level". Headbands for Hope Turns Heads at a National Level. The Technician. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  6. Hope, Headbands of. "Our Story". Headbands of Hope. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
  7. Kirby, Jennifer (1 July 2013). "FEATURE - Headbands of Hope". Endurance Magazine. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  8. Maguire, Marti (15 February 2014). "Entrepreneur soothes cancer in the young, one headband at a time" . Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  9. "Chic Vendor Spotlight". Chic Vendor Spotlight: "Headbands of Hope" Offers More Than Just Adorable Flower Girl Accessories. Merci New York. 26 July 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2014.