We recently had the chance to connect with Graziela Ferrarese Montes and have shared our conversation below.
Graziela, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first part of my day is all about slowing down and setting the right tone. I start by taking care of my sweet yellow Lab, Buddy. While my tea is steeping—or a pot of coffee is brewing, depending on how much sleep I managed the night before—we head out for a walk around the ranch. It’s the calmest, most grounding part of my morning.
When we get back, I settle into what I call my “porch, coffee, pray” time. I open my Bible app, sit quietly, and set my intentions for the day. On my best mornings, I’ll add a short yoga session—it feels incredible to move and breathe outside, especially in the crisp Hill Country air. Once I’ve centered myself, I ease into work mode by catching up on the news, replying to emails, and planning my schedule. That quiet morning rhythm really energizes me and sets a positive tone for everything that follows.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I was born in southern Brazil, in a region where we proudly call ourselves Gaúchos, and that heritage is a huge part of who I am. I’ve now spent more than half my life in the U.S., happily calling the beautiful Texas Hill Country home.
I founded Creations by Grazi in 2014 with one simple but passionate goal: to design bags and accessories that are both beautiful and functional. Every piece is made with care and intention, blending vibrant colors, thoughtful details, and materials that tell a story. I love mixing textures—like rugged beeswax canvas, denim, leather, and high-quality fabrics—with playful florals and bold prints. The result is a collection that feels timeless yet full of personality: practical enough for everyday use, but expressive and one-of-a-kind.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
Both of my parents taught me the true meaning of responsibility and work ethic. My dad was a first-generation Italian born in Brazil—an Army Lieutenant General and a veterinarian—raised by hardworking Italian immigrants. In southern Brazil, there’s an old saying: “Move rocks around when you rest.” It came from those early settlers who never stopped working the land, even in their downtime. That mindset—the idea of finding purpose in everything you do—was deeply ingrained in me. My dad lived by it; even after retirement, he was always working on something.
My mom, on the other hand, is a born entrepreneur and an incredibly talented businesswoman. During my teenage years, she used to say, “If you have time to be bored or think about boys, you have time to learn a new craft.” And she meant it! She kept me busy, but in the best way—encouraging me to be curious, creative, and self-reliant. She’s the one who taught me to sew and, over time, to recognize true craftsmanship and quality.
I feel so fortunate to have grown up with parents who modeled discipline, organization, and integrity. Those lessons guide me every day in running my business. That said, I’ve also learned to balance their “work while you rest” philosophy with something they didn’t know much about back then—self-care and rest. I’m still learning that slowing down can be productive too.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. One of the hardest times for me, like for so many small business owners, was during 2020. At that point, I had been running Creations by Grazi for about five years and had invested so much into refining my materials, sourcing from local and U.S.-based suppliers, and maintaining just a few trusted relationships overseas. Then, during the supply chain crisis, one of my major suppliers shut down completely.
That meant starting from scratch—searching for new suppliers and wondering when (or if) materials would even arrive. Shipping delays were endless, and as expected, my sales dropped to almost nothing. I remember asking myself if people would still care about high-quality, handmade goods once things settled.
At the same time, social media was changing fast. TikTok was exploding, and I felt completely out of place—just a middle-aged woman with a small but loyal Instagram following, trying to keep her business afloat. I’ve always believed in growing my social media organically, but it felt like the world was sprinting ahead while I was still catching my breath.
There’s one moment I’ll never forget: standing at my cutting table, tears in my eyes, asking my husband, “Why am I even making more bags? Will anyone ever buy them again?” And he looked at me and said, “Yes, baby. Be ready for that.”
So, I did exactly that. I put my head down, focused on what I could control, and stayed true to my company’s values. I used every bit of material I had left and poured myself into my work. That year reminded me why I started in the first place—to create something meaningful with my own two hands. Looking back, 2020 taught me resilience and faith in a way no success ever could.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the bag industry is that a high price automatically means quality and ethical production. While a few luxury brands do stay true to their values—using exceptional materials and craftsmanship—many others sell an illusion. You’ll see terms like “ethically sourced” on their websites, but if you dig deeper, that often doesn’t hold up.
The truth is, those steep price tags usually cover marketing campaigns, retail overhead, and corporate costs—not necessarily better materials or fair labor. Many high-end handbags are mass-produced in overseas factories where workers are underpaid and poorly protected. These bags may be made skillfully, but they’re often produced for a fraction of the cost and sold for many times their value.
The supply chain is broken. Layers of contractors and subcontractors allow big brands to distance themselves from unethical practices while still benefiting from them. And yet, consumers continue to buy into the myth for the sake of a “Made in Italy” label.
That’s why I always encourage people to buy from small, independent makers when possible. Know who made your bag. Ask questions. Support brands that are transparent and accountable. Every purchase is a choice—are you investing in a name, or in a community and a set of values?
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
I’ve always been someone who can’t sit still—I love doing all the things, all the time. So I think I’d regret the things I didn’t try more than anything I did. Some of those are just dreams, others are long-term goals, and a few are completely within reach.
One project that’s been in my heart for a long time—and that I know I’d regret not doing—is opening an art and sewing workshop at our ranch. I picture it as a creative space where people can come to learn, make, and let their imagination flow freely. I’d love to start by offering classes to local orphanages or foster youth who are about to age out of the system. I believe everyone has a talent, but not everyone gets the chance to discover it—sometimes all it takes is the right environment and a bit of encouragement.
Now that we’ve finally settled into our ranch in the Texas Hill Country, I feel one step closer to making that dream a reality. It’s something I think about often, and I hope one day it becomes a space filled with creativity, laughter, and new beginnings.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://creationsbygrazi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creationsbygrazi
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creationsbygrazi
Image Credits
Creations By Grazi
