As business leaders, there are few things more inspiring or impactful than stories of those we can see ourselves in, who have weathered both triumphs and challenges and guided their companies with poise and grace through the ups and downs, and also inspire us with their courage and tenacity.
Recently on The Wisdom Of… Show, I had the privilege of sitting down with Kristina Karlsson, founder of kikki.K and a true retail visionary who, at 22, found herself half a world away from her family and friends with a little bit of money and a dream. She sold everything she owned and went all in, building what would go on to become a thriving Swedish stationary store with 120 award-winning locations across 5 countries, a passionate team of 1,500, and an online store with a turnover value approaching $650,000,000.
Together, she and I are going to unpack her journey and the insights she’s gained along the way. Her story is not just one of business success, but of resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to purpose.
For those of us who’ve been in the game for a while, Kristina’s experiences offer a fresh perspective on what it means to be a steward of our businesses and the impact we can have while we grow it.
Ready to inspire yourself to dream and do more? Watch the full interview with Kristina Karlsson now and unlock the secrets of taking your organization to unprecented heights.
Dream Big and Start with a Clear Vision
Kristina’s journey began with a simple dream that evolved into a global brand. It suiting then that she began her conversation with me by emphasizing the power of dreaming big, saying, “…dream big and ask yourself, what would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? Because most of us are scared of failure. So if you put that away, what would you do with your business and your life?”
Her story is a living testament to the power of faith in action and serves as an indelible reminder to not only dream big but hold onto a dream so profoundly meaningful to you that it transcends the fear that will try to hold you back.
Systematize for Scalability
As she began to grow, one of the most striking aspects of Kristina’s strategy was her focus on systemization from the very beginning.
She notes that “to be able to grow globally, we systemized every single thing. And when we made a mistake, we learned from it. So we didn’t just be like, alright, that was a mistake. Let’s move on. It’s like, how can we make sure that we never do that again?”
While seemingly simple, this systematic approach to business growth is not easy. Many business leaders, new and seasoned alike, come to understand just how crucial aligning your organization for growth is in removing the bias from the pivotal, data-driven decisions that enable exponential growth.
In my work with the Models Method, we too believe in the power of systemization, capturing and codifying your company’s genius to make it replicable. It’s not just about having one great idea—it’s about building a complete ecosystem of powerful thought models that allow you to not only guide your genius but also carry it on for future generations.
Embrace the "Don't Say No, Say How" Mentality
Kristina then shared a powerful mantra that turned that lofty dream into an actionable plan to drive her business forward, which struck me very deeply.
She recounted, “Don’t say no, say how, because the reason why I believe a lot of small businesses fail… is because you get so many nos… But if you don’t take no as an answer and work around that. You always find a way.”
This mindset is transformative.
In our work with clients as legacy business owners, we often encounter barriers between departments. By shifting from “no” to “how,” we open up possibilities and foster collaboration and innovation. It’s a powerful model for problem-solving that can become part of your company’s DNA, just as it did for Kristina.
Cultivate a Network of Mentors and Supporters
Throughout her journey, Kristina emphasized the importance of leveraging the people around you rather than searching for answers in the dark, noting that “I have always been a who versus what. So, when I come up with a new idea, even opening a new country, I would never just do it. I would always think who has done this before, who knows about this?”
This allowed her to collapse time around her goals and use the knowledge and wisdom of others to “cut the line” and scale far more quickly.
She then went on to discuss the role of powerful mentors in her life, including Craig Kimberly and Graham Wise, who were local to her, and Janine Ellis, the founder of Boost Juice, who assisted her with international retail deals.
She continued by reflecting on her experience with her mentors noting that “I feel like there’s been so many people around me, the whole journey, the good times and the bad times.”
Kristina’s network provided much-needed support to her during both the highs and lows of her journey. As you grow in your own endeavors, capturing and codifying the wisdom within your organization, it’s essential to model the collective knowledge not only of yourself, but the visionaries who help fuel your genius.
Focus on Contribution Over Consumption
Another theme that emerged in our conversation as we dug into her deeper vision and “why” was the idea of being a net contributor rather than a net consumer. Kristina’s approach to business wasn’t just about profit, but about making a meaningful and measurable impact:
“I started my business not to start a massive global business”, she notes. “ For me, it was never about money or about any of that. I just wanted to do what I love doing.”
It seems simple and almost saccharine to just “do what you love.” But truly embodying that and focusing first on passion rather than profit is one of the greatest superpowers in business. This aligns closely with our concept of stewardship-driven leadership—about creating value that extends beyond immediate gains and contributes to a larger visionary purpose.
This is especially imperative to those of us close to retirement, who are thinking about their succession plan and how you can codify your passion and genius into a breathing blueprint that allows others you trust to carry it on without you.
Continual Learning and Adaptation
As we closed our conversation, Kristina emphasized the importance of continual learning and adaptation:
“I read, I don’t know how many books a week. I just read and read and I learn, I feel like anything is possible.”
Her commitment to growth and continual learning is essential, and a trait she shares with many of the most esteemed entrepreneurs and global thought leaders past and present.
For any leader who feels like they are at a turning point or have lost sight of the foundational principles that brought them extraordinary success, this conversation is a clarion call to go deep on your dreams, your systems, and yourself and a definitive must-watch.
I challenge you to Watch this episode.
As you do, dream big and ask yourself:
How would I lead my organization if anything were truly possible?
The future of brave and extraordinary work is being shaped by leaders like Kristina and thinkers like you who have the courage to act beyond fear and make their dreams real.
Don’t just keep dreaming. Let’s act together.
Watch the full interview with Kristina Karlsson on The Wisdom Of… Show
And don’t miss Simon Bowen’s transformative masterclass on unlocking your organization’s hidden genius. Your future self will thank you.
