Former real estate agent Christine Fowler opened two retail outlets - Braddon's Real Maple and Co, and Phylls & Me - in July in the midst of COVID uncertainty.
Packing 400 Christmas hampers for a corporate customer on Thursday, Christine can now say it was a risk worth talking.
"It's been really busy," she said. "We thought if we could survive COVID, we could survive anything."
She opened the businesses in the Ori building on Lonsdale Street in July, two weeks apart.
Real Maple and Co sells gourmet treats and homewares while Phylls and Me is all about fashion.
Christine always wanted to open a shop and support Australian and Canberra makers.
Her daughters Jasmine, 14, helps in the shop while her other daughter Deanna, who is in Canada, handles the social media.
Christine initially gave up real estate to help Jasmine navigate her dance studies after COVID temporarily shut her daughter's dancing school. She started making candles from home in March, later saw an empty shop in the Ori building and went for it.
"I've always loved Lonsdale Street," she said. "And I sold a few places in this building, so I know this building. It's a really nice vibe."
This Christmas has turned out to be extra busy.
"The number of businesses doing hampers. I think because they're not having Christmas parties, they're giving their staff really nice hampers. It's just gone crazy."
Real Maple and Co, and Phylls & Me will be open on Friday night from 4pm to 7pm for special Christmas shopping.
There will be Santa on a scooter and cute doggy helpers dressed up for the occasion (Braddon's United Retailers & Traders representative Louise Yabsley has donated the services of her very festive pups, named Lady Franceska Snugglebottom and Professor Padrick Bartholomew Dappleberry.)
Gift wrapping will be done for a gold coin donation in aid of Rise Above - Capital Region Cancer Relief.
Five per cent of sales will also go to the Vinnies Night Patrol to buy extra food over Christmas.
