Jessie Alexander: Co-Founder, CEO, Brand Director in Costa Mesa, CA

In 2008 I co-founded 31 Bits, a socially-minded business using fashion to empower artisans in Uganda and Indonesia. As CEO, I oversee our team and operations, the company’s brand direction, and develop our overall omni-channel sales and marketing strategy. CAREER HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: • Starting a company that generates over $1M annually. • Developing a wholesale program including seven territory representatives that works with over 1000 accounts nationwide. This includes, hiring, trainings, sales forecasting, and overall marketing strategy. • Designing trade show booth build outs and in-store merchandising POP. • Working with major retail accounts such as Nordstrom, Macy’s, QVC, Anthropologie, Von Maur, StitchFix, Madewell, Kohl’s, Quiksilver, Reef, FabFitFun and more. • Being an on-air guest on QVC multiple times. • Producing and art-directing over 50 seasonal campaigns. • Being part of developing a 5-year holistic development program for artisans in Uganda, educating them in finance, business, and health.

I’ve had opportunities to give keynote and motivational speeches and teach workshops on a variety of topics such as marketing, branding, storytelling, international development work, leadership, justice, and more. I also do hourly consulting with female-owned startups. SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS INCLUDE: • Mentor at Yellow Co.’s female entrepreneurship retreat, Bali, Indonesia • Caterpillar Women in Leadership Conference, Peoria, IL • Guest Teacher at Thrive Justice School, Pattaya, Thailand • Hedayah CVE Forum on Violence Extremism, Abu Dhabi, UAE • The Global Empowerment Conference, Vanguard University • William Morris Entertainment panelist, Los Angeles, CA • Southern California schools and universities including Chapman University, Pacifica High School, Cal Baptist University, Mariners Christian School, Vanguard University, CA State University Long Beach, Orange Coast College & Soka University • Identity Conference, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA