SheerLuxe Success Stories: Kristina Karlsson Founder Of kikki.K
It was 3am, ten years ago, when Kristina Karlsson woke with the epiphany it was time to run her own business. Spotting a gap in the market for design-led stationery, she persuaded her boyfriend to sell his house for funding and set about creating the brand we know and love as kikki.K…
With over 100 of their own stores globally, stocked in another 250 and sold online to stationery and design lovers in over 147 countries worldwide, Karlsson’s brand is one of the biggest names in stationary. And for good reason – created to empower and inspire, her planners, diaries and notebooks are like nothing else out there.
So just how did she go from her humble beginnings on a small farm in Sweden to a global success? SL found out.
Here, in her Success Story podcast, the international business owner, entrepreneur and now author shares her fascinating rise to the top – from what led her to launch kikki.K and the inspiration behind its ingenious marketing, to how she transformed a simple business plan into a global empire.
We also learn all about her first book, Your Dream Life Starts Here – a simple-yet-powerful guide to making your wishes come true, inspired by Karlsson’s own journey and filled with her unique insights. Whether you want to get the most out of your personal life, career or business, her words of wisdom may be some of the most important you’ll hear this year.
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More Episodes From This Series
Mint Velvet CEO & Co-Founder: Challenges Of The Industry, Brand Identity & Her Son’s Legacy
This week, Charlotte Collins is joined by Liz Houghton, a pillar of the British fashion industry. Having worked at the Arcadia Group for the best part of 20 years, when 2008’s financial crash hit our high streets, she struck out and co-founded clothing brand Mint Velvet. Against a difficult commercial landscape, she filled a much-needed gap in the market and Mint Velvet has since gone from strength to strength. Tragically, she lost her eldest son, Will, in 2016 but used her grief to champion the ‘Don’t Forget The Donor’ campaign. With her family, she also created the Will Houghton Foundation, which works with UK charities to help 14-24-year-olds to reach their potential. For her services to business and charity, Liz was awarded an OBE back in 2017. Today, she talks to us about her incredible life and career, and what it is that drives her forward.
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Sam McKnight Success Story & Working With Princess Diana & Kate Moss
Success Story…Sam McKnight
Charlotte Collins is joined by author and brand owner Sam McKnight to talk more about his incredible life and career. Sam’s hair styling career has spanned four decades, encompassing everything from catwalk to editorial and advertising campaigns for fashion houses like Chanel, Fendi, Burberry, and Tom Ford. As well as collaborating with some of the world’s most prominent photographers – think Patrick Demarchelier, Mario Testino and Nick Knight – he was also a long-time stylist for the late Princess Diana, not to mention the creative mastermind behind her iconic look on the now-famous 1990 British Vogue cover…
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A Career & Charity Success Story: Tessy Ojo CBE, Chief Executive Of The Diana Award
Success Stories…Tessy Ojo CBE
Charlotte Collins is joined by Tessy Ojo CBE, chief executive of The Diana Award. The two delve into the inspiring world of philanthropy as Tessy shares her incredible journey leading a charity established in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales. Tessy shares her personal journey, the highs and lows of working in the charity sector and her advice for success - plus she opens the lid on how The Diana Award empowers young individuals to ignite change in their communities.
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The Story Behind The UK’s Fastest Growing Soft Drinks Brand, TRIP
Success Stories...Olivia Ferdi
Georgie Coleridge Cole is joined by Olivia Ferdi, co-founder of TRIP, the innovative CBD lifestyle brand on a mission to transform mental wellbeing. The two discuss Olivia’s journey – from her career in law to launching and scaling a business in the drinks space after her husband suffered from an injury and discovered the power of CBD oils. Olivia and Georgie also discuss destigmatising the CBD conversation, future products and the most rewarding part of being a female entrepreneur.
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The Story Behind Jimmy Fairly & How To Be A Disrupter
Success Stories...Founder Jimmy Fairly
Georgie Coleridge Cole is joined by Antonin Chartier – founder & CEO of eyewear brand Jimmy Fairly to chat future business goals, career highlights and entrepreneurial advice. Jimmy Fairly offers fashionable glasses at fair prices with a positive social impact thanks to its buy-one-give-one charity initiative. With 100 boutiques worldwide and counting, plus a head office in Paris, Georgie discovers the story behind the brand, Antonin’s business journey and the lessons he’s learnt along the way…
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The Story Behind The Global Beauty Brand: Chantecaille
Success Stories... Founder Sylvie Chantecaille
Georgie Coleridge Cole is joined by Sylvie Chantecaille, founder of Chantecaille and a pioneer in the world of modern, botanical skincare and cosmetics. Entering the beauty business more than 45 years ago, the two discuss how Sylvie initially launched Chantecaille as a French fragrance house before evolving it into the global company it is today – including how her father influenced her business skills, working with Diane Von Furstenberg and everything she's learned along the way...
In partnership with Chantecaille: https://chantecaille.co.uk/
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The SheerLuxe Podcast Series...
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Join the SheerLuxe team as they chat about all things fashion and beauty, as well as what they are watching, reading and listening to.
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From influential figures to industry professionals, SL sits down to delve deeper into the topics that have us all talking.
SheerLuxe Middle East
We sit down with some of the region’s most influential names to talk about everything from fashion to beauty, business to food and more.
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Every six weeks, join Heather and Georgina as they discuss the book of the moment. They dissect the characters, themes and some of the comments left by Book Club members on the SL Community. Plus, hear from authors and journalists who are on hand to share their expert opinions, and help you delve even further into the book.
Women In Business
In our two-part ‘Women In Business’ podcast series, SL founder & CEO Georgie Coleridge Cole interviews successful women across various sectors and industries. From how they navigate their careers – particularly in male-dominated fields – to the hurdles they’ve overcome and lessons they’ve learnt along the way, she hears from some of the most exciting and entrepreneurial minds of the moment.
My Life in Beauty
Join Lisa Potter-Dixon in our four-part 'My Life in Beauty' series, in partnership with Space NK. From discussions with the founder of Anastasia Beverly Hills – Anastasia Soare – to make-up influencer and Vieve brand founder Jamie Genevieve.
SheerLuxe Success Stories
SheerLuxe Success Stories sees us interview some of the UK’s most inspiring entrepreneurs and business people.
Black Beauty
Don't miss our miniseries dedicated to Black beauty, where we call on industry experts to share their insights on everything from make-up to hair.
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