We often hear the saying, "jack of all trades, master of none," but rarely do we hear the follow-up: "but oftentimes better than a master of one."

Raleighite Jess Ekstrom has embodied the latter, building a multi-hyphenate career. She's a motivational speaker, author, entrepreneur, podcast host, and, as of recent, a teacher through Mic Drop Club. Believe it or not, much of her journey began inside of her dorm room at NC State.

Ekstrom founded her first company Headbands of Hope while in college after an internship with Walt Disney World where she met children who lost their hair battling life-threatening illnesses. Now, Headbands of Hope is the official headband provider for the NBA + WNBA and donates a headband to children in need for every one purchased.

"I grew up with the belief to create what you wish existed," Ekstrom told RALtoday. "I call it inspiration from frustration."

Ekstrom has dedicated her career to supporting women and girls, whether it's through speaking at the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce's recent Women’s Leadership Conference or creating programs tailored to support their growth.

One of her latest ventures is Mic Drop Club, an in-person and virtual event series aimed at helping women become more confident and skilled public speakers.

If you can't join Jess' Mic Drop Club, she drops lots of gems for free on Instagram. | Photo via Jess Ekstrom

"I want it to be a fun and low-stakes place for women to come and learn the skill of public speaking," Ekstrom says. "It's about offering a space to grow while also fostering a supportive community."

The next Mic Drop Club will be hosted at Junction West, from 9 to 11 a.m. with quarterly in-person events and other gatherings taking place monthly + virtually. Ekstrom encourages attendees to come with an open mind, ready to let their guard down.

"My hope is that women leave with a new skill they didn’t think about before, new friendships, and connections where support is ever-present," Ekstrom said.