Well Hello There

Since you made it to my website, I’m guessing you probably love art, classic and sustainable fashion, natural beauty, local businesses, dogs, heck, all animals, coffee, wine… basically you are here because we made a connection.
But I’m going to let you in on something… I love to create and I love to work. Sometimes I work, just to work. And while I’m working, I LOVE to teach all I know, share ideas and inspire. So if you are going to spend time with me, there is no room for gossip or comparison. It’s about you. It’s about me. It’s about what we create. End of story.

​I have been working, I mean really working, since I was 13 years old. I don’t count lemonade stands and babysitting when I make this statement. It all started with a hostess position in a diner and now here we are 22 years later, I've never stopped working. Even throughout University I was the girl running back and forth from one job to another, and somehow managing to still take on design contracts.  For 17 of those working years, I’ve been growing as an entrepreneur, leader and brick & mortar shop owner.

​I’ve gone from sewing and painting within a home-based studio my mom made possible for me, to owning my own studio boutique location within Ottawa, Canada. 
After working my buns off on a unique business plan and killer cash-flow statement, my first brick and mortar location became a reality as the necessary additional funding was awarded. 
"This is our favourite business plan to-date." - Mark. C., CYBF, 2012

Cris & Raffaella the Boxer. Best Gal Pals!

My 3rd business was "The Capelli Club". 
It was the first business that required a professional commercial location. 

That was a lot to take on as a 26 year old. So it makes a lot of sense that my first big project would be based within the Beauty/Salon world. My experience within the industry and the unique aspects I was bringing to the industry, is what secured the funding for the start-up!

But...that is when the commercial property and City of Ottawa education began! Had it not been for my industry experience, resilience and quickly developed lady-balls of steel - - my doors would have been close by the 6th month into my lease! No Joke!

​For yeeears I volunteered my time AND ASSETS to help and facilitate others, guiding them, so they too could realize their dreams; many times sacrificing my own art, happiness and livelihood in the process.  It was through this journey I discovered this was an area of business I was naturally drawn to, but had to correct my selfless approach. 
Since 2016 I have invested more time into mentoring and my mentorship goals, perfecting my approach...and all while running my studio and turning my event based sustainable fashion business into a full-time gig.
Today I consult with small business start-ups, mentoring them in areas around business financials & budgeting, staff training, and creative marketing strategies; Specializing in Boutiques and Salons.

​"Selflove" is still a foreign concept to me, but I'm working on it.

What I've Been Up To

In 2010 the concept of a couture boutique, that sourced local designs that offer personalized cuts and styles for its clientele, with a built-in a fashion photography studio where you would find hair stylists and makeup artists on hand - - was just an idea! In 2012 the idea was realized as it was awarded funding, then built and soon the doors opened.
​The journey officially began! 

A lot has changed since 2010! Not only do we still have the products and the services you love . . . we now have the business experiences to share with all of you through videos and podcasts with Go Gal Group & Confessions of a Shop Owner.
Through Go Gal Group, Cris Mac found a way to round up everything and put all the of small business owner hats under one umbrella (wow there's an outfit). Go Gal Group believes all women can make a business and life they are proud of.
​Go Gal Group has many new projects, but it also continues to support and facilitate females entrepreneurs through both Coco Armadio & The Capelli Club. And we get to be an active part of the community through beauty & wellness! So Cool.

​Every event I attended as a young girl, I put in great effort in to ensure I was wearing an original Cristella Gina piece. Yes, even if I only had the night before​ to design and sew it!  It wasn't always my best work, but I was the only person that knew it. See Blog post.