kikki.K’s Kristina Karlsson on turning a 3am
idea into a global stationary experience
Learn how Kristina Karlsson used her passion to overcome both personal and financial hurdles and develop a business empire based on encouraging and inspiring people to live their best life every day.
“You want investors that can add value to your business…you want investors that are interested in helping you realise that dream.”
At just 22 years old, Kristina Karlsson left behind a small farm in Sweden and started a new life in Australia. Here, she turned her passion for inspiring others into a global stationary business that encourages people to write down their dreams and then chase them.
20 years on, kikki.K has grown to encompass 100 brick-and-mortar stores, up to 1,000 employees, and sells to over 140 countries online.
Kristina’s key takeaways
In this chat, Kristina shares her lessons on:
- Getting an idea off the ground
- Following through on big ideas
- Taking calculated risks
- The importance of systemising
- Creating a unified company culture
Kristina’s key takeaways
In this chat, Kristina shares her lessons on:
- Getting an idea off the ground
- Following through on big ideas
- Taking calculated risks
- The importance of systemising
- Creating a unified company culture
More about Kristina
At just 22 years old, Kristina Karlsson left behind a small farm in Sweden and started a new life in Australia. Here, she turned her passion for inspiring others into a global stationary business that encourages people to write down their dreams and then chase them.
20 years on, kikki.K has grown to encompass 100 brick-and-mortar stores, up to 1,000 employees, and sells to over 140 countries online.
Next podcast
Carman’s Carolyn Creswell on building a multimillion-dollar muesli empire
Hear how an ambitious 18-year-old Carolyn turned a $1,000 investment in muesli into an international business, while never sacrificing authenticity.
Listen now
Related article
Business and Money Management
Business strategy: Part 3
Get important tips from Andrew on how to keep your revenue streams flowing and manage your cash flow from the driver's seat.
Read more
Become a Card Member
See how your business could make the most of American Express Card Membership.
Share the Idea Exchange experience
Have a business contact who could benefit from the Card Member experience? Refer them, and if they’re approved, you’ll both earn Bonus Points.1
1. Member Referral: Don't Spam! American Express discourages spamming. You should only send referral messages to friends and family who genuinely want to receive them. By participating in 'Refer a Friend', you agree to these 'Refer a Friend' Terms and Conditions:
a) Only Friends & Family: You must only send referral messages to close friends and family.
b) Ask Their Permission First: You must ask the person for their permission to send them an email about your Card product. Sending emails to people without permission is considered spam.
c) Cap Referrals: You may only send referral messages to a maximum of 20 friends and the amount of Membership Rewards points you may receive under the ‘Refer a Friend’ program is capped at 200,000 points per year.
d) Your friend must apply from the referral link we have given you. If your friend applies from a separate link or applies independently (i.e. if they visit www.americanexpress.com.au directly) you will not receive your points.
e) You must not market or promote this offer through paid advertising channels or to the public at large (i.e. on public blog sites, search engines or in sponsored ads).
f) You will only receive points if your friend's Card application is approved (in accordance with our usual Card application processes and assessments). Note: We will not tell you if your friend's Card application is approved or declined for privacy and confidentiality reasons.
g) You cannot refer a friend who already has one of our Cards or has held one in the last 18 months.
h) You must be enrolled in the Membership Rewards program to receive Bonus Points.
i) It may take 8 to 10 weeks to be credited Bonus Points if you are successful.
The Apple logo is trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
American Express Australian Limited (ABN 92108952085) 12 Shelley Street, Sydney NSW 2000. ® Registered trademark of American Express Company. © American Express Company. All rights reserved.