Buena Goods is a local store downtown that has been open for almost 2 years. It handmakes and sells its own bags in town and on its website. The owners of Buena Goods are Susie Moutray and Katie Meadows. Moutray said she first learned to make bags from Meadows who worked at Oveja Negra for many years and learned sewing and production there. Buena Goods provides a variety of bag styles including The Mother, which is a bag inspired by the mesh totes found in Mexico but more durable. The durability comes from straps that wrap all the way around the bag, reinforcing its structure. The company also uses river mesh, which is extremely strong and long-lasting. 

Moutray said, “When developing new colorways, we spend about a week creating multiple variations. We lay them all out together and choose our favorites. As we decide which colorways to produce in larger quantities, we make sure to always offer at least one cool-toned, warm-toned, and neutral option.” Moutray remarked, “There are two main processes when creating our bags, which are prototyping new designs and developing new colorways for existing styles.” 

When asked what drew her to the craft, Moutray responded, “In college, I studied interactive design and have always been drawn to art and design in all forms.” After graduating, she worked in New York City for a book publisher, where she was surrounded by, “incredibly talented artists and designers.” 

When making the bags, material plays an essential role, and the material they work with is a plastic mesh, made from polyester threads coated in colored PVC. The threads are woven together and then heat-fused to create a strong, durable material. 

Buena Goods has grown to the point where it now produces its own custom mesh, which allows it to choose the thread pattern, spacing, and colors. Moutray said, “It’s an exciting step because it gives us more creative control over the final product.” 

Each of its bags takes a different amount of time to produce, and Moutray said, “It’s much more efficient to make larger quantities at once rather than a single bag. We conduct time studies—tracking how long it takes to produce a batch, such as a 10-pack—and use that data to inform our pricing.” 

To complete one bag, the team prioritizes durability and function since they want their bags to last and perform reliably over time. Moutray said, “The bags need to work well for everyday use. Once those foundations are solid, we pair them with beautiful design to create something that is both practical and visually compelling.” Inspiration for patterns, shapes and colors comes from fashion, art, architecture, and nature. 

Moutray said, “Inspiration is everywhere—you just have to look for it.” Buena Goods officially opened in May 2024 and Moutray said it has since been wonderful for her and the brand. When asked about the biggest challenge in turning a craft into a brand, Moutray responded, “Learning the business side was the most challenging part. The creative side is why we started, but running a business requires understanding licensing, sales tax, accounting, insurance, and other operational responsibilities.” 

Employees at the store spend their time helping customers and perfecting bags before they are available for purchase. The store also sells its bags in select retail shops, but the majority of its business comes from direct-to-consumer sales—either in person at its shop or through its website. 

For Moutray, a typical work day doesn’t really exist. She stated, “As small business owners, we wear many hats—customer service, accounting, order fulfillment, production sewing, sourcing materials, shop management, restocking, and more.” 

Moutray didn’t always see herself owning a business but now working for herself is her favorite part of the job. Looking ahead, Moutray is hoping to build custom cabinetry to increase storage and install a large peg wall to better display more of its products. 

Moutray said her biggest piece of advice for someone hoping to turn a creative skill into a business is, “Running a business takes a lot of hard work, so stick with it and be willing to pivot when needed. If something isn’t working, try approaching it in a different way.” Most importantly, Moutray said, “Remember what you love about your craft. Don’t lose sight of the reason you started, and continue returning to the parts of the work that bring you joy.” 

Buena Goods offers handmade, high-quality bags to locals and tourists in many different colors and types.