Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christina Maresca. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Christina, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Thank you for having me! The idea for my business came to me after I moved from New York to California in 2022. It was my first time living away from home so I was trying to meet new friends and tap back into my creative side which I hadn’t explored since I was a little girl. My idea was to start a local Meetup group where we could try beginner friendly DIY crafting kits together since I myself was a beginner to crafting.

After about 2 years, the group grew from nothing to just over 1,000 members! I made sure my events were always fun, welcoming, and started focusing on making my events more about exploration and less about the pressure to be “artistic.” I would try out the crafts ahead of time so I could guide people with confidence and ease, and it really blossomed from there into a whole community of people discovering their own version of creativity. Since then, it’s grown into hosting women’s retreats and collaborating with local small businesses to connect my local crafting community with their offerings.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Absolutely! I’m the oldest first generation woman in my family to graduate college, and my grandmothers immigrated to New York from El Salvador and Italy. As a New Yorker, I grew up deeply rooted in the hustle culture, doing my best to find a secure career. I earned my business degree from Fordham University and went into finance during the 2008 recession. I landed amazing jobs working for top companies like Foot Locker, Inc. and NBC Studios – I even had my own office at Rockefeller Center!

But, even with all that success, I knew something was missing. Finance wasn’t what I was meant to do forever, but I hadn’t quite figured out what was next. During the pandemic, I stumbled across a TikTok video of someone journaling and making art on an iPad. That small spark I felt watching that video changed everything for me. It sent me down a path of self-discovery, where I started meditating and doing creative work again. I eventually transitioned from finance into UX Design, which was massive for me because it showed me I was capable of doing something creative. This transition wasn’t just a career change—it was proof that we’re all creative, we just need to find the right medium to express it.

That’s what led me to start hosting crafting events and retreats. After the tremendous growth of my meetup group I realized I was on to something. I continuously listened to my members, opened myself up to feedback and wasn’t afraid to try something new.

I recently started hosting retreats for women where we spend a weekend crafting, learning about how to incorporate spirituality into our lives (anything from manifestation to morning meditation routines), and enjoying meals cooked up by a private chef!

I love reminding women that we are all creative and that we deserve time to reconnect with ourselves, which is why I love what I do.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

For me, it all comes down to trust and authenticity. As a business serving mostly women, I understand how important trust is when people choose where to spend their time and money. I’ve always approached my business with integrity, and I treat everyone with respect. When people feel welcomed, supported, and safe, they tell their friends about it. Word-of-mouth has been huge in helping my business grow, especially because it’s coming from a place of genuine connection and shared experiences.

Another thing that’s helped is staying true to myself. I never offer a craft or event unless it truly excites me, and I think that energy is contagious. I don’t limit myself to traditional definitions of “art” or “creativity” because I don’t want people to feel boxed in. I’ve made it a point to create spaces where people can explore what creativity means to them, and that’s been a huge part of what sets me apart. I believe creativity is something we all have, but sometimes we just need to find the right outlet to tap into it. Once people do, it opens up new possibilities not just in crafting, but in how they manifest their own dreams and goals.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Absolutely. Resilience has been a huge part of my journey. The story that stands out most is when my mom ended up in the hospital for four months with COVID. At one point, the doctors told me her chance of survival was less than 10%, and I was completely devastated. I was in such a dark place, crying every day, unsure of what the future held. At the same time, I was enrolled in a UX Design course, which was supposed to help me transition into a more creative career—a massive deal for me because it was a step into something I hadn’t allowed myself to explore before.

I was ready to quit the course. I didn’t think I could finish it with everything going on, but my teacher encouraged me to keep going since I was so close to the end of the class. Somehow, I pushed through and completed the course, and that resilience changed everything for me. Not only did my mom thankfully survive, but my teacher ended up referring me to a full-time design position which was life-changing. That opportunity proved to me that I was capable of doing something creative, and it ultimately led me to start my business.

This experience taught me that even in the darkest times, resilience can lead you to places you never imagined. It’s also a reminder that we all have the ability to create something new in our lives—it just takes trust, patience, and the right outlet to express ourselves. That’s where the magic happens.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mysticmakerretreats.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysticmakerretreats/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554670404916
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmaresca/
• Other: https://www.meetup.com/socalcrafts

Image Credits

Victor Maldonado