Headbands of Hope

Last updated
Headbands of Hope
FoundedApril 2012;13 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]

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.
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