Global Entrepreneur Brings Lessons In Business Resilience To Orange

One of the world’s most recognised retail entrepreneurs is coming to Orange this month – and local businesses and commu­nity members are being urged not to miss the opportunity to hear her story.

Kristina Karlsson, founder of globally loved stationery brand kikki.K, will headline the 2026 Business Orange Keynote Lunch on Thursday 18 June at the Orange Ex-Ser­vices Club.

Kristina built kikki.K from nothing, selling everything she owned at age 22 to launch what would become a $650 million empire spanning 120 retail stores across five coun­tries, 1,500 team members, and an online store serving customers in over 150 coun­tries.

Then COVID hit. Her stores were forced to close and Kristina lost control of the busi­ness she had spent more than two decades building.

Kristina started again and today she has rebuilt a successful retail business (Dream Life), authored a best-selling book, and amassed millions of podcast downloads.

She is widely regarded as one of Aus­tralia’s most resilient and practical entrepre­neurial voices.

With many Orange and Central West businesses navigating their own economic pressures, from the ongoing Great Western Highway disruption to broader cost of liv­ing and retail challenges, Business Orange President Amy van de Ven says the timing of Kristina’s visit could not be more relevant.

Kristina’s session will be equal parts per­sonal and practical – covering the real les­sons behind failure, how to turn setbacks into comebacks, and the everyday actions to move forward and rise stronger.

The event is presented in partnership with Orange City Council and Sale Street Real Estate. It includes lunch, sweet treats, lucky door prize valued at $599 and opportunities to meet and have photos with Kristina. Tick­ets are available on the Business Orange website: www.businessorange.com.au/kristina-karlsson-luncheon-2026