As we wrap up 2025 and step into a brand-new year, this special Festivus episode is your permission slip to exhale, reset, and remember that you are exactly where you’re supposed to be in your business journey. After 21 years in retail and 15 of them as a Costco and Amazon buyer making make-or-break decisions for hundreds of brands—Kristin is pulling back the curtain to remind you that success never happens in a straight line.

In this uplifting end-of-year conversation, Kristin shares why setbacks are not signs you’re failing, why your timeline doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s, and the real truth about what separates the brands who make it from the ones who stall out. (Hint: it’s not luck, virality, or a unicorn moment that can’t be recreated.)

Whether you’re heading into 2026 feeling energized, exhausted, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you ground yourself, redefine what success looks like for you, and move forward with clarity, confidence, and strategy.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why you’re not behind—no matter what Instagram is telling you
• The real stories behind “overnight” retail success
• Why your unique path, timeline, and circumstances matter
• The mindset shift every founder needs before pitching retail
• What buyers actually value (and it’s not luck or viral moments)
• How challenging seasons can shape you into a stronger leader
• Why 2026 is full of possibility—no matter how 2025 went

This is your reminder that retail success isn’t magic. It’s momentum. It’s consistency. It’s competence. And it’s yours for the taking.

Grab your holiday drink (spiked or not), settle in, and let Kristin send you into the new year with the clarity and confidence your brand deserves.

Resources & Links
🎓 Ready to grow your retail business? Check out Kristin’s freebie → Get Retail Ready Course

If this episode made you think "finally, someone who gets it"—you def need my Retailish newsletter in your life.

📲 Hang out with Kristin on Instagram → @kristinaengen

SMS marketing isn’t just “nice to have” anymore. It’s one of the fastest ways to boost engagement, drive conversions, and keep your brand top of mind… especially during the chaos of December. In today’s punchy, power-packed episode, Kristin breaks down exactly how to send texts your customers will actually respond to—not roll their eyes at.

From staying consistent (instead of popping in only during big promos) to injecting personality into every message, you’ll learn how to turn SMS into a true revenue driver. Plus, Kristin shares a hilarious story that perfectly illustrates what all great texting strategy has in common: connection, excitement, and real human vibes.

Whether you're already using SMS or haven’t hit “send” once, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to text like a brand your customers love to hear from.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why brands should stop “sleeping on SMS”
• How to make your texts feel personal, not salesy
• The two types of SMS every brand should be using
• How to pre-plan texts so you're always top of mind
• Creative ways to build hype, educate customers, and boost retention
• Why consistency matters even more than promotions
• How SMS strengthens community and buyer relationships

Ready to build loyalty straight from your customers’ lock screens? This episode shows you how.

And if you’re texting your audience but not yet positioning your brand correctly for retail buyers, don’t miss Kristen’s FREE Get Retail Ready Mini Training—your next step toward landing retail deals with confidence.

Resources & Links
🎓 Ready to grow your retail business? Check out Kristin’s freebie → Get Retail Ready Course

If this episode made you think "finally, someone who gets it"—you def need my Retailish newsletter in your life.

📲 Hang out with Kristin on Instagram → @kristinaengen

If you’ve been dragging your feet on email marketing because it feels overwhelming, complicated, or “just one more thing” on your plate… this episode is your permission slip to finally simplify it and make email your brand’s most powerful community-building tool.

Inspired by the unexpected art of pantomimes (yes, really!), Kristin breaks down the tightrope every brand must walk: being entertaining enough that people want to read your emails, while being sales-driven enough that your business grows because of them. You’ll learn why your storytelling matters, why your voice is your superpower, and why your emails don’t need to be perfect—they just need to sound like YOU.

If you’ve ever worried about being too salesy, felt stuck staring at a blinking cursor, or wondered why your email list isn’t converting the way it should… this episode is your new go-to guide.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How pantomimes perfectly illustrate the balance of entertainment + sales
• Why your brand’s “thing” (your version of a “who’s on first” moment) matters
• The #1 mistake brands make when writing emails
• How to sound more like you and less like a robot
• The surprising truth about plain-text emails
• Why your email list is your hottest buyer list
• How to stop overthinking your emails and actually send them
• What buyers care about and why your brand story alone isn’t enough

If you’re ready to show up consistently, write emails people actually want to open, and build a community that clicks, buys, and replies—this episode will change how you think about email forever.

Resources & Links
🎓 Ready to grow your retail business? Check out Kristin’s freebie → Get Retail Ready Course

If this episode made you think "finally, someone who gets it"—you def need my Retailish newsletter in your life.

📲 Hang out with Kristin on Instagram → @kristinaengen