Retail Edit | Actionable Advice to Grow and Scale Your DTC Retail Business

Epizodes

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  24. The Launch Mirage: The Seduction, The Carnage, and What Nobody Posts About 12.03.2026 10min

  You've seen it. The Ulta launch party. The Target end cap. The Costco pallet photo. And something inside you lit up. That's the seduction working exactly as intended. But here's what nobody in your founder community is going to say: The launch moment is not the win. It's the starting gun. Jim Sinegal—founder of Costco—once called retail "war without the blood." He's not wrong. I spent 15 years as a Fortune 50 buyer managing a $4B portfolio. And I'm breaking down exactly what happens after the...
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  23. Retail Isn’t Romance: The Costco vs Walmart Decision 05.03.2026 11min

  There are founders who chase retail. And there are founders who architect it. If you’re saying “prestige” — but your first big anchor is a convenience play—yeah, we need to talk. In this episode, I break down the real difference between Costco and Walmart — and why this decision affects: • your price ceiling • your brand narrative • which retailers say yes next • and how buyers categorize you Retail isn’t validation. It’s leverage. If you’re evaluating retail options and you want to think l...
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  22. The Silent Mistake Costing You Your Next Retail Launch 17.02.2026 14min

  You landed the retail deal. Your product made it to shelves—or the site. You celebrated, exhaled, and then... nothing. Here's the truth most brands miss, babe: Placement gets you a seat at the table. Performance determines whether you're still there when they serve dessert—or whether you've been politely escorted to the, ahem, parking lot (aka: markdown isle.) In this episode, Kristin reveals the quiet mistake she sees founders make after securing retail—and why it's silently dismantling futu...
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  21. The 3 Authority Signals That Help You Land Retail Deals Faster 11.02.2026 19min

  If you’re walking into buyer meetings armed with a beautiful brand story and still not getting the “yes,” this episode is your wake-up call. Because retail buyers aren’t looking for the best product — they’re looking for the safest bet. In today’s episode, we’re breaking down what buyers actually care about and why your founder story alone won’t land you shelf space. I’m sharing the three authority signals that instantly separate you from white label noise and position your brand as a revenue...
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  20. Why Being Obsessed With Your Product Is Costing You Retail Deals 03.02.2026 13min

  If you’ve been pouring your heart into your product but keep hitting a wall with retail buyers, this episode is a must-listen. In this conversation, we’re breaking down a hard truth most founders don’t want to hear: being obsessed with your product might be the very thing holding you back from landing retail deals. Drawing from years of experience as a Fortune 50 retail buyer, this episode explains what buyers actually care about, why brand stories and hero ingredients aren’t enough on their ...
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  19. The 5 Shifts That Changed How I Lead, Build, and Win in Business 27.01.2026 21min

  What if the thing holding you back in business isn’t your strategy but how you’re operating as a human? In this episode, I’m breaking down the five foundational shifts that completely changed how I lead, think, and build — both in business and in life. These aren’t surface-level mindset hacks or motivational fluff. They’re deep, practical shifts that sharpen your decision-making, strengthen your leadership, and make you better at building something that actually lasts. We talk about ide...
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  18. The Negotiation Skill That Gives You an Unfair Advantage in Business 20.01.2026 11min

  There’s one skill that quietly separates the people who win negotiations, land deals, and earn respect and most people never actually learn it. In this episode of The Retail Edit, I’m breaking down the most underutilized skill in business and leadership: true perspective. This isn’t about empathy. It’s not about “being nice.” And it’s definitely not about feelings. It’s about strategic positioning — the ability to step into the other person’s world, understand what they are measured on, and u...
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  17. Why Most Brands Fail at Retail Partnerships (And How to Get It Right) 06.01.2026 10min

  Welcome to a new year and a new level of strategic focus. In this episode of The Retail Edit, former Fortune 50 buyer Kristin Engen pulls back the curtain on what actually matters to retail buyers and why dilution is the fastest way to stall your growth. After 15 years managing a $4B retail portfolio and now advising brands at the highest level, Kristin is making one thing clear: not every brand (or founder) is meant to play the same game. You’ll hear why brand story alone won’t get you a yes...
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  16. The Power of Mentorship: How Successful Founders Fast-Track Retail Growth 30.12.2025 12min

  As we stand on the edge of 2026, it’s time to talk about the decisions that actually determine whether your brand stays stuck… or steps confidently into retail readiness. This week, Kristin pulls back the curtain on where founders should really be investing their time, energy, and money especially if retail is part of the plan. From foundational programs to high-level mentorship, she breaks down the difference between learning the basics and getting into the rooms where real strategy and mome...
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  15. Retail Readiness for 2026: How to Position Your Brand for Long-Term Growth 23.12.2025 11min

  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 set...
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  14. The Ultimate SMS Strategy for eCommerce Brands Wanting More Sales 16.12.2025 11min

  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 tr...
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  13. How to Use Email Marketing to Grow Your DTC Brand (Without Being Salesy) 09.12.2025 14min

  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 ...
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  12. The DTC Strategy I’d Use to Launch a Brand Today 02.12.2025 13min

  If you were launching a brand today, what would you actually do first? In this episode, Kristin breaks down the exact roadmap she’d walk any new founder through—no fluff, no outdated advice, no money-wasting steps. She shares why so many DTC founders burn cash too early, how to validate your product before spending a dime, and the simple, strategic sequence that sets you up for retail success later on. You’ll learn how to build community while you build your product, how to leverage pre-sells...
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  11. Turning Setbacks Into Strategy: A Mindset Episode for DTC Brands 25.11.2025 13min

  This week’s episode hits a little different — no frameworks, no formulas, no retail deep-dives. Instead, we’re pulling up a booth at Los Margaritas for a real, honest conversation about what it actually feels like to be in the messy middle of building something big. Kristin shares a tender, funny, and surprisingly profound story about dinner with her niece before she left for college — a night filled with guacamole, big life decisions, heartbreak, and all the messy emotions that come with gro...
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  10. 5 Things You Should Never DIY When Scaling into Retail 18.11.2025 12min

  If you’ve ever found yourself cozied up with your laptop, ChatGPT, and a mug of hot cocoa trying to “figure it out” yourself when it comes to breaking into retail — this episode is your reality check. In today’s episode, Kristin is breaking down the five critical areas DTC brands should never DIY if they want to protect their margins, avoid costly mistakes, and actually stay profitable once they hit retail shelves. From legal contracts to compliance to supply chain logistics, these are the th...
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  09. The Five “Love Languages” of Retail: How to Speak So Buyers Actually Listen 11.11.2025 20min

  Ever wonder why some brands fly through retail approvals while others get the polite “we’ll circle back”? 👀 Spoiler: it’s not just your product — it’s your language. In this episode, Kristin pulls back the curtain on what really got her brand, Filter Baby, onto Target shelves (in record time!) and breaks down the five communication shifts that can instantly position your brand as a retail insider — not an outsider. You’ll learn: ✨ Why mastering your retailer’s unique “love language” is ...
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  08. The 5 Branding Realities Every DTC Founder Needs to Know Before Going Retail 04.11.2025 16min

  Think your brand identity is bulletproof? Think again. In this episode of Retail & Shiz, I share a behind-the-scenes look at what really happens when your DTC brand hits retail shelves and why your stunning branding might not survive the buyer review process. From last-minute endcap changes to compliance curveballs, I break down the five branding realities every founder needs to understand before launching in retail. You’ll learn: Why flexibility is your biggest competitive advantag...
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  07. When to Walk Away from a Retail Deal (Without Burning Bridges) 28.10.2025 20min

  Saying “no” might just be THE most powerful move you can make in retail. In this episode, Kristin dives deep into the art of knowing when and how to walk away from a retail deal that doesn’t serve your brand. Drawing from 21+ years of experience with giants like Costco & Amazon, she shares why strategic compromise is necessary, but blind agreement can destroy your margins, team morale, & reputation. You’ll learn: How to identify your non-negotiable margins before saying yesThe differe...
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  06. The Real Key to Retail Success: Why Grit Beats Glamour Every Time 21.10.2025 15min

  Retail might look glamorous on Instagram — those Target shelfies and Costco launches make it seem effortless but the truth? It’s 5% glam, 95% grit. In this episode, Kristin pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to make it in retail. From late-night calls with overseas teams to air-freighting product at the cost of your margins, she’s breaking down the five elements of grit that separate retail dreamers from retail winners. You’ll learn: Why “build your breakout brand in six simple st...
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  05. Measure What Actually Matters: The Retail Data Every Buyer Cares About 14.10.2025 9min

  Your product might be incredible but if you’re tracking the wrong metrics, it won’t stand a chance in retail. In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the exact data that separates retail dreamers from retail winners. After 15 years as a Fortune 50 retail buyer managing a $4B portfolio, I’ve seen too many DTC brands crash and burn—not because their products weren’t great, but because they were focused on the wrong numbers. You’ll learn: The real metrics retail buyers care about (hint: it’s...