Questions/Answers with Daedra Surowiec, the Artist and President of Strawesome

 1. What is your preferred method of communication?

I love texting on my smart phone because I want to get to the point. With a child on my lap or talking away in my other ear, it isn't convenient to sit down at the computer and type or talk on the phone. Call me sometime and you’ll hear for yourself!

 2. If you could choose your last meal on earth, what would it be?

Definitely Middle Eastern cuisine: Fatoosh salad, fresh celery/pineapple juice and hummus!

 3. What type of advice would you give other entrepreneurs?

Never give up, never be afraid to ask for help, and always be willing to accept constructive criticism.

 4. What is your favorite pastime?

I LOVE reading. I’d rather curl up to a good book than watch television.

 5. Are there any current events that really irk you right now?

Health-washing, green-washing, and pink-washing. An organization that tries to make something seem better than it is drives me insane!

 6. What level of satisfaction do you get out of your work?

It is one of the best feelings in the world and highly satisfying knowing that what I love to do helps someone else.

 7. What is your daily motivation?

Being a role model for my sons and demonstrating that it is possible for a stay-at-home mom to have it all.

 8. If you weren’t running Strawesome, what would you like to do instead?

I'd love to be a photographer!

 9. Where do you buy your groceries?

We get most of our produce from a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm, our grass-fed meat, eggs and dairy from farmers near us, and we shop for anything else we can't get regularly at Whole Foods Market and Trader Joes. All of it is as close to "as nature intended" as possible!

10. What’s the longest period of time you’ve gone without taking a shower?

4 days while we were camping in California. When I did get a shower it felt glorious!

11. If you could be any superhero, who would it be?

Wonderwoman

12. What made you decide to do what you’re doing?

Making glass drinking straws simultaneously fulfilled many of my desires and interests including expressing my creativity, being a stay-at-home mom, making a difference, and healthy living.

13. What is your favorite quote?

"Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe." — Saint Augustine

14. If you had enough money to retire right now, what would you do?

Honestly, I don’t see myself retiring. I love my business too much! See ya when I’m 95!

15. What is your greatest asset?

I do not procrastinate at all. I want to get things done as soon as possible.