Our Team
We recognize our substance.
We celebrate our differences and acknowledge our unique gifts. Our substance results from the integration of the diverse backgrounds, talents and passion of each individual on our team.
Christina Getachew, Founder and CEO
A class of ’90 graduate of the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, Christina Getachew’s love for fashion overshadowed her diplomatic aspirations. Immediately upon graduation, she moved to NYC and worked successfully for over a decade in the corporate fashion industry learning retail management, buying, design, sourcing and merchandising for large companies including Federated Department Stores, Newport News, Inc and Delia’s.
“Where there is style, there should also be substance.”
Those years in corporate nurtured in Getachew a love for the art and creative expression of fashion and a discontent with the vapid, wasteful nature of the industry. She left New York in May of 2001, to get married and at the same time started on plans for her own business. In July of 2002, Getachew started FASHION CONSCIOUS PEOPLE, LLC, a business founded on her belief that “Where there is style, there should also be substance.”
Today, with the help of a highly skilled creative team, Christina Getachew operates the business out of Substance, the company’s first store front in Columbus, Ohio.
Michele, Visual Branding Manager
Michele produces the visually stimulating experience for our store front visitors. A professional painter and fine art graduate of the Columbus College of Art and Design, Michele’s gift and creative enthusiasm are always on exhibit in the store front. In her free time she can be found in her own painting studio working on her art or training for her next marathon.
Ayisha, Design and Merchandising Manager
A professional artist and fine art major from The Ohio State University, Ayisha, uses her skill to produce our Design Lab Collection™2006, manage our private label product development process and the flow of lines from the outside labels we carry. Her passion for art and its convergence with the everyday not only enriches our assortment but fills her spare time in her ongoing quest for beautiful things.
Betsy, Design Merchandising Assistant
A new mom, Betsy splits her work hours producing our Design Lab Collection™2006 pieces and managing her own dress design business. Betsy’s signature skill is her consistent achievement of polished finished product. She is also a recent graduate of the Ohio State University where she majored in textile and clothing design. Her coursework included training in patternmaking and millinery at the American Intercontinental University in London, England.
Jill, Merchandising Intern
