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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Everyone loves to whisper sweet nothings about “building your brand,” but let’s cut the crap. Retail buyers? They don’t give two hoots about your carefully curated brand vibe or how your logo makes people feel. They want to know if your product’s going to sell. Full stop. Because retail buyers aren’t betting on your mood board. They’re betting on your numbers. In this episode, I’m spilling the kind of truth that gets me uninvited from brunch with brand coaches: → Why “community” & “cultu...

You’ve got the perfect pitch deck, a compelling founder story, and a mission to change the world but retail buyers aren’t biting. Why? Because you’re missing the one thing that matters most. In this episode of Retail & Shiz, Kristin pulls back the curtain on what really drives buyer decisions: consumer intelligence. Forget the fluff—buyers want proof that your customers already exist, are loyal, and are shopping where you want your product to land. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode...

So you’ve built a successful DTC brand and now retail feels like the next logical step but every buyer pitch feels like a dead end. In this episode of Retail & Shiz, Kristin Engin (former Fortune 50 retail buyer turned DTC scaling strategist) breaks down what it really takes to move from direct-to-consumer to store shelves without the sugarcoated advice. Kristin shares: Who this show is really for (and who it’s not)Why your founder story alone won’t land you a purchase orderThe buyer’s lo...

Welcome to the very first episode of Retail & Shiz—the no-BS podcast that reveals what really happens when DTC brands step into the retail arena. I’m your host, Kristin Engen, a former Fortune 50 retail buyer who spent 15+ years managing a $4B portfolio at Costco and Amazon. I’ve said yes (and no) to hundreds of brands across every category, and now I’m pulling back the curtain so you don’t get crushed by the retail game. In this episode, I’m sharing the story behind this show - why I lau...

Welcome to Retail & Shiz—the podcast for DTC founders who are ready to cut through the sugarcoated BS and learn what it really takes to scale into retail. After 15 years as a Fortune 50 retail buyer, Kristen is pulling back the curtain on the brutal truths, the metrics that actually matter, and the insider strategies big brands pay millions to access. If you’ve built a DTC brand that’s crushing it and you’re ready to take the leap into retail, this is your wake-up call: retail will eat yo...