This week’s episode is a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what happens when a high-growth business hits friction—from delayed launches and supply chain strain to team transitions and leadership pressure.

Krista opens up about a particularly tough week that forced her to confront the weight of self-imposed expectations. With multiple licensed launches (including Tootsie, Eloise, and Eric Carle) pushed back due to approvals, factory capacity, and Chinese New Year shutdowns, she shares how quickly momentum can turn into burnout when timelines don’t go as planned—and why learning to move the dates (instead of blaming yourself) is sometimes the real win.

The episode dives deep into the operational reality of scaling Penny Linn: transitioning to a third-party warehouse, navigating massive order backlogs, managing overwhelmed painting services, and rethinking how launches are scheduled moving forward. Krista explains the shift away from rigid launch calendars toward a more flexible “produce first, launch when ready” mindset designed to protect both the team and the brand long-term.

She also addresses broader industry challenges—why inventory shortages are happening everywhere, how restocks are being handled during the warehouse transition, and what collective designers can expect in the coming months. Along the way, Krista reflects on her deeply solution-oriented leadership style and how she’s learning to balance fixing problems with acknowledging how hard things can feel in the moment.

Other major updates include:

• A transition of wholesale canvas ordering to Stitchtent
• Early exploration into printed canvases for specific use cases (and why she’s softened her stance)
• Hiring updates, including a new Product Development Manager opening
• The decision to stop publicly sharing detailed financial numbers—and why
• Signing with a PR firm to support press, events, and the New York store launch

The episode closes with an honest reflection on emotional regulation, resilience, and what it means to stay steady through both highs and lows as a founder—plus a reminder that not every week is a win, and that’s okay.

This is a raw, unfiltered founder update that feels more like a personal debrief than a polished highlight reel—and one that will resonate deeply with anyone building something big behind the scenes.