JP Women Who Inspire: Cristina Lynch

I love connecting with fellow female founders. Recently, I attended a trunk show at Molly Feinning’s home featuring Mi Golondrina founder Cristina Lynch. I had long admired the brand’s intricate embroidery and bold color palette, but I knew little about its founder or the story behind it.

I rarely make it to daytime events, but I’m so glad I carved out a few minutes to stop by, meet Cristina, and learn more about Mi Golondrina. She was absolutely lovely. Hearing her talk about her work empowering skilled women artisans in Mexico was deeply moving — especially as someone with a mother of Mexican descent. Her mission to celebrate makers through the beauty of embroidery feels like such a meaningful expression of her heritage.

I saw Cristina again recently when she visited Charleston to promote her collaboration with Liz Adams (another wonderful woman). It was such a joy to reconnect and talk through the ups and downs of running a business. Cristina is so open and genuine in those conversations — a true kindred spirit.

Cristina is a gem: hardworking, creative, and thoughtful. She’s a problem solver, a supporter of women, a mother, a wife, and an all-around lovely human being. I so appreciate her openness and the thoughtfulness she brings to everything she does.

xx Jane

We asked Cristina a few questions so that you can get to know her, and we are so excited to share a little bit about a woman who inspires us:

Tell me a little about what you do

My days are always different. I spend time across all parts of the business, but what I love most is the creative side. I’m the founder and CEO of Mi Golondrina, and though I sometimes get called a designer, I think of myself more as a creative director. The real artistry comes from the artisans we collaborate with in Mexico, and I especially love being part of our marketing and product development.

Product development begins with Eve, our merchandise director, who plans collections and works closely with me and our team in Mexico. She does a million things, and I’m so thankful for her. We also have an amazing marketing team with Isabel and Alexis. I started working on Mi Golondrina in 2012 and officially launched in 2013. It began as a space to share the beauty of Mexico. Since then, we have worked with hundreds of artisans across the country to create intricate pieces that reflect their heritage and artistry, a craft that has been passed down for more than 200 years.

A regular day in the office usually means working with Eve and trying on samples with our in-house seamstress and quality control manager. We spend a lot of time perfecting the fit and colors for each collection, and I’m so proud of the thought that goes into every detail. I also love creating content that connects us with our wonderful community. Over the years, we have built such a loyal and kind group of friends and supporters, and it truly means the world to us.

Now that our store is connected to our office, I love it when customers stop by. We’re open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and I always enjoy helping Catherine with sales.

What inspires you?

So much inspires me, but most importantly, my mother. She’s such a creative force and truly the visionary behind the brand. She’s been collecting art from Mexico since she was 18, and you should check out her Instagram, @estrellasmiasart. She shares beautiful stories about the artists behind each piece. She has more energy than anyone I know, and I’m always trying to keep up with her. I love her style and the way she carries herself. I’m her number one fan.

The women we work with in Mexico also inspire me daily. They are such talented artisans and incredibly strong mothers. I recently started a Substack series, Mi Todo, where I talk about motherhood and work, and the artisans are at the heart of that inspiration. They move through life with so much strength and grace, and I’m constantly learning from them.

What is one great piece of advice you received?

I’m lucky to have many mentors I can lean on for advice, so it's hard to pick just one! I talk to my brother Peter often. He’s my best friend and a bit of a nerd. He’s the Chief Strategy Officer of a packaging business and runs a financial modeling company called ASimpleModel.com. He always reminds me about the power of compounding and how progress in business comes from consistency. In the beginning, many days feel like zeros or tens, but every day you keep going, you’re compounding and growing. Staying in business and showing up consistently is how you build strength and community over time.

My aunt, who has her own incredible brand, Jan Barboglio, once told me never to quit, and that advice has stuck with me.

I don’t know if this counts as advice, but something that’s helped me the most is believing in the power of positivity. That comes from my mother. She always sees the bright side of things and the best in people. I try to live that way, and I’m so thankful for it.

Who are your greatest influences?

When I graduated, I was really influenced by Tory Burch. I’ve always admired how she built a lifestyle brand and how she supports women through her foundation. She’s so strong and incredibly chic. I recently saw photos of her home in Paris, and I love how her brand has evolved with her.

I also worked in sales at Oscar de la Renta, and I learned so much in a short time. It was a smaller team then, but the brand carried such an extraordinary presence. That experience taught me about elegance, craftsmanship, and the power of creating something that truly moves people.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

There have been so many ups and downs, but I’m most proud that we’re still in business and continue to work with such incredible women. I’m proud of the daily work and the collaboration with artisans whose artistry and strength inspire me every day. We’ve had amazing press and opportunities along the way, but what means the most to me is knowing that my father was proud of me before he took his place among the stars. I’ll always carry that with me.

What is one challenge you've experienced that has led to growth?

There have been many challenges, but the hardest time for me was during COVID. It’s hard to believe that was five years ago now. We had to completely rethink the business and transition to being fully online. We had long-term pop-ups, so many short-term pop-ups scheduled, and our store was open, so it was such a difficult shift. We had never had a sale before, and thank goodness we were able to have our first one after seven years in business. It truly saved us. I remember selling masks to keep our seamstresses working. We did a buy-one-give-one program and were able to donate masks to Children’s Medical Center. My dear friend Jacquelin Sewell Atkinson ordered thousands of masks for Sewell Automotive. Her kindness stood out during such a hard time for everyone.

Is there anything you'd like to share about your journey to where you are now?

I think it’s important to mention that putting yourself out there is really hard. Whether it’s launching a new collection or hosting an event, it always feels vulnerable. I still get nervous before every launch. But I’ve learned that vulnerability is worth it. It’s what allows you to connect with people. If you can focus on that connection and let go of fear, it makes the whole journey meaningful.

How do you make time to recharge?

Sometimes you’re just tired, and that’s okay. I don’t really believe in perfect balance, but a few things keep me grounded. I love waking up early, around 5 or 5:30 AM, to have quiet time to myself. If I can, I’ll do a workout, read, sip coffee slowly, or go for a walk. When I skip that time, I feel it throughout the day. I also love a casual date night with my husband and playing outside with my kids. Those moments always recharge me.

How do you hope to inspire and uplift others?

I hope to inspire others through our clothing. Each piece is made by women whose artistry and strength tell a story. I want our customers to feel connected to those stories and to the beauty of Mexican craftsmanship.

Where is your happy place?

My happy place is anywhere with my husband and three kids. I’m so thankful for them. We love being in nature, and trips to Mexico with my mom and brother are especially meaningful.

I think my happiest moments are during our annual family trip with my three brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, and all the kids. We always go somewhere different. My dad started this tradition, and I’m so thankful for it.

Do you have anything fun on the horizon?

Yes, so much to look forward to. I’ve been especially excited about our collaboration with Liz Adams, which will most likely launch before this is published. It’s been such an amazing experience working with her. We are also known for our collections around Valentine’s Day and Cinco de Mayo, which I look forward to every year. Both have so much personality and are perfect for spring/summer. We have an upcoming collaboration with an incredible artist for Spring 2027, and I’m very excited about that. Good things take time, especially when handmade.