Meet Susie Feirich | Good Neighbor Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Susie Feirich and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susie, what matters most to you?
I keep empathy at the heart of everything I do. By taking the time to understand and care for others and appreciating the unique value each person brings, we can help create a stronger, more connected, and kinder community. Community comes in different forms, it’s our families, our friends, our co-workers, and our neighborhoods. If we can nurture those communities, small & large we can build an environment of trust, connection and support. It’s about seeing the unique worth in everyone and understanding that we all have something to give.

I try to approach every situation with as much compassion and empathy as possible. Whether I’m talking to a senior at a local assisted living facility through one of the community events hosted by Good Neighbor or, being mindful & respectful of the more introverted participants at one of our crafting or crochet events, I try to see the whole person—understanding their joys & accomplishments, struggles & hopes, and everything in between. For me, empathy goes hand in hand with generosity and mutual support. When we come together—whether it’s by sharing resources, offering a listening ear, or simply being there for each other—we create an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive.

These beliefs are what helped inspire me to found Good Neighbor in October of 2024. It’s a community nonprofit with the goal of strengthening our local area by creating meaningful experiences, encouraging mutual aid, and supporting our neighbors in North County. Through Good Neighbor, I want to make sure people have access to the support they need, whether it’s through affordable goods or by simply fostering human connection. At its core, Good Neighbor is about bringing empathy, generosity, and community together to help everyone succeed. These values shape how I live my life, and I truly believe they’re key to building a more connected and kinder community.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In my 20s, I worked in the corporate arena, spending many years as an HR professional. I’m grateful for my time in the corporate world because I had the chance to meet some amazing people, and learned a lot about myself and the world. While the stability of having an HR career was great, I knew that the corporate world wasn’t where I felt most fulfilled. As an INFP, money, power & acclaim have never been a driving force for me. I need my work and contributions to be meaningful, and to help others.

In my 30’s I had my 2 daughters Patti & Sunny Jane. In 2018, I decided to step away from my career in HR to help my sister-in-law, Morgan, run her restaurant, Milk Organics, a vegan café in Downtown Vista. I jumped in to help manage the day-to-day operations, allowing me to be more present with my children while contributing to a business that held personal meaning for me. I’m surrounded by hardworking women while creating delicious food in a warm and welcoming space for our local community.

During the pandemic, I went through a period of uncertainty and reflection. I began to question whether I should return to a more traditional job for better stability or even move to another state. The idea of making a big change felt like I was creating a sense of control in my life during a time that felt so out of control. Eventually and thankfully, I was able to reached a place of acceptance and appreciation. Ultimately I realized there is so much in life that will be outside of my control, so why not create something meaningful and fulfilling that brings joy, compassion, and connection for others?

In January of 2024, the idea for Good Neighbor truly began to take shape and by October 2024, we had our official 501(c)(3) standing as a nonprofit. I knew I wanted to create something rooted in community and collective care, steering away from the individualistic, capitalistic mindset—a space where people could come together, support each other, share what they can and access the resources they need. Good Neighbor is about more than just providing affordable goods; it’s about building connections and fostering community.

What excites me most now is our goal for 2025 of opening our community space and storefront. With this space, we’ll not only be able to offer accessible and affordable goods, we will be able to create even more enriching experiences for our community, like our monthly crochet and knitting nights. We provide free yarn and tools, along with skill coaches—volunteers from the community—who support those learning a new skill or hobby. These events are designed to bring enrichment and connection to our neighbors’ lives. We currently operate as a “pop-up”. Having a dedicated space will allow us to expand our impact, offer more support, and create greater opportunities for people to connect and grow.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’ve lived in Vista and North County for over 20 years now. My husband grew up here, and now we’re raising our kids in this amazing community. Whenever friends or family come to visit, I love showing them what makes Vista so special.

Since I live within walking distance of Downtown Vista, we’d start the day with an iced cashew milk latte at Milk Organics, my second home. The café, owned by my sister-in-law Morgan, is the perfect spot to meet up with friends and grab a coffee, smoothie or toast. From there, we’d stroll over to Danny’s Donuts for some of the best apple fritters and maple bars—a family favorite.

Next, we’d head to Alta Vista Gardens at Brengle Terrace, a nonprofit, volunteer-run garden. It’s beautifully maintained, with unique areas like the children’s garden and zen garden. It’s my favorite place for a peaceful walk with friends, and I love spending time there to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine.

Then, we’d swing back to Downtown Vista for some shopping at Standards Records, a must-visit for vinyl enthusiasts with an amazing selection. Afterward, we’d stop by American Tattoo, owned by my brother-in-law Sam Phillips. My husband, Hunter, is also one of the talented artists there.

To wrap up the day, we’d head to Pepper Tree for some ice cream—my favorite is the strawberry soft serve. It’s one of Vista’s oldest businesses and a local landmark.

Supporting small businesses is so important to me—not just because my family owns a few here, but because these businesses are run by people with deep ties to the community. They pour their hearts into creating spaces that benefit the neighborhood, which in turn strengthens the entire community.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people who have played an important role in my journey to founding Good Neighbor, and I’m incredibly grateful for each one of them.

My husband, Hunter. He’s my steady support—always reminding me to stay grounded when I start getting worried or lost in my head. He helps me focus on what truly matters and has taught me that it’s okay to live simply and stay grateful, as long as we have what we need. My sister-in-law, Morgan, who owns Milk Organics in Downtown Vista. She’s been such an huge support not only for me personally, but also for Good Neighbor. She generously lets us use her space after hours for events, and that’s been so helpful.

My amazing board of directors—Lara Heck, Justine Armen, and Caitlin Mercado. These women have generously given their time, creativity and love to Good Neighbor and our community. They have shown such kindness and support while jumping right into the chaos and fun of starting a nonprofit. They’ve each brought something unique to the table—Caitlin brings her vibrant energy along with her steady foresight to the team, helping me find clarity in stressful situations. Justine brings us her invaluable expertise that helps keep us grounded. She shows us the big picture, while helping show us the steps along the way. The reason Good Neighbor took its first steps in the world is thanks to the unwavering support and vision of Lara. She is kind, passionate, and brings both excitement and big ideas to everything she does. When I felt uncertain about moving forward, I shared my dreams of Good Neighbor with her, and without hesitation, Lara embraced them with an open mind, creativity & generosity. I can’t forget Marco and Brian for generously sharing their expertise and talents to our team and the community.

I am forever grateful for everyone who has had a hand in the continued evolution of Good Neighbor. It’s truly motivating and inspiring to know that others care as much about Good Neighbor as I do. Amazing things will happen when friends and neighbors come together in support of one another, each bringing whatever they can to the table.

Website: https://www.goodneighborvista.org

Instagram: @goodneighborvista