Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Dimouro

Hi Mary, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

Growing up, I have fond memories of my mom always sewing. She was a true mompreneur long before the term even existed, running her studio right from our home. We lived on a busy street, which turned out to be perfect for promoting her business. As a result, she became the go-to seamstress in town. My sisters and I would often help her out, using her fabric scraps to create our own projects. At the time, I didn’t envision a future in sewing, but now, being part of the maker’s movement feels like a dream come true. The resurgence of locally handmade goods is like a full-circle moment for me, and I know my mom would have been thrilled to see me sewing again. She’s my greatest inspiration.

By day, I work in sales, always representing other people’s products. But I’ve always had a vision of creating and designing my own items to sell. Last April, I teamed up with a local truck tarp maker in Clinton, MA, to repurpose his remnant materials. When I saw the mesh, I immediately knew it was perfect for beach bags—the vibrant colors and weather-resistant properties were ideal. I went home after our meeting and sketched out the design for the beach tote at my kitchen table. After testing the bag for over a year and showcasing it at my first trade show last August, the positive response confirmed that I needed to pursue my dream of becoming a maker and building my own business.

The support and inspiration I’ve received from the makers community and social media have been incredible. I’m fortunate to be part of a supportive network of fellow makers, from small shop owners to other bag designers and creators. It’s amazing to know I’m not alone on this journey, and I’m grateful for the encouragement and resources provided by @lovelissylou and @mermaidsandmadeleines and several others in the community.

My handmade products are designed for durability, incorporating elements from truck tarps such as D-rings, grommets, and seat belt webbing handles. We use remnant mesh, fabrics, and marine-grade vinyl sourced from the USA.

Committed to environmental sustainability, I aim to reduce landfill waste by partnering with other makers to utilize their remnant materials. Additionally, I’m working on a new line of handmade goods that will feature upcycled fabrics and materials salvaged from thrift stores.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Starting a business is not easy, and the journey is full of struggles and challenges. One of the first things I discovered was that the mesh I use is made from recycled materials, which means the colors can vary each time it’s woven. This posed a problem for my original Fall Collection tote bags, which featured a tan-colored mesh that I can no longer match. However, I’m turning this challenge into a unique selling point by offering limited quantities in distinct color patterns. Currently I’m using a black multicolored mesh with several different woven colorways which makes the Raymond Tote Bag one of my best selling bags with 9 different bottom color options. yellow & orange have been the best sellers, then pink & purple the second most popular.

I have worked with a partner in New Hampshire who manufactures the woven mesh at a facility in Georgia, where most of these products are produced. Currently, my lead time is 1-2 weeks, and looking for ways to reduce the lead time.

While my background in sales and retail has been beneficial, I’ve had to dive into many new areas, including website design, social media management, shipping logistics, taxes, trademarks, and patents. There’s a lot to learn to protect yourself and your brand, and the internet has been an invaluable resource for this education. It’s also crucial to have experts and support in areas outside of your own skill set to navigate these complexities effectively.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about On the Road Again?

On the Road Again minimizes waste going into our landfills by upcycling durable materials into handcrafted goods. Our durable tote bags and home goods are fashionably upcycled in New England. Handmade Goods Re/Designed for Adventure™. On the Road Again®️ is a Registered Trademark. Every purchase plants a tree with One Tree Planted.

Upcycled Deadstock Materials
We partner with other makers to turn their deadstock and remnant materials into handcrafted tote bags and home goods. Fashionably Upcycled!

What Is Deadstock? Materials that are left over from other companies who overestimated their needs or have blemishes. Traditionally, companies would hold on to their excess materials for a few seasons and then send them to the landfills. We rescue the deadstock materials before they are thrown away or burned in incinerators, and we turn them into Fashionably Upcycled goods.

Minimize Waste
Do you know textiles is one of the largest wastes? In Massachusetts alone there is 250,000 tons of textile waste each year. Image the impact this is having on our environment. One of the main reasons we use deadstock & remnant materials is because it’s already been produced, then we reuse it to make our products.

Vintage & Remnant Materials
We shop our local vintage and fabric stores to find remnant pieces of material to use instead of purchasing new fabric. We partner with other makers of durable materials and utilize their deadstock or remnants to incorporate in our products.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?

We look to work/collaborate with other makers of durable materials to upcycle their goods and vintage finds to make our products. You can reach out directly by email [email protected] or fill out the form on our website www.ontheroadagainbags.com

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ontheroadagainbags.com
• Instagram: @ontheroadagain_official
• Facebook: @ontheroadagainbags
• Youtube: @ontheroadagainbags
• Other: FB @ontheroadagainbags

Image Credits

Trout & Coffee