It's Not Going To Be Easy, But It Will Be Worth It: Daedra Surowiec, Strawesome

Twist Out Cancer (TOC) was built on the belief that when you share, the world opens up. At the age of 29, Jenna Benn Shersher was diagnosed with grey zone lymphoma—a rare form of cancer which affects less than 300 people in the United States.

Midway through treatment, Jenna, a dancer at heart, was isolated due to her compromised immune system. Alone and longing for the days when she could dance freely, she created an online video of herself doing the twist. She asked her friends to join her on her virtual dance floor, and within days, Jenna’s challenge was met by hundreds of videos of thousands of people dancing around the world. She no longer felt alone but instead connected to and supported by a community of twisters. When Jenna completed treatment she knew that she wanted to give back in a meaningful way. She recognized the power of sharing and the importance of creating a support community that caters to the psychosocial needs of those affected by cancer. Thus: Twist Out Cancer was born.

You can learn more about this awesome organization at twistoutcancer.org, and you can see the famous "Twist" that started it all right here. 

A universal fact is that we have only a finite amount of time on earth. It's something we can't change. What do get to choose is how we live that time out. 

Grant Hensel believes we must use that time we are given to do meaningful work. 

Listen about his multiple social impact ventures, including his current business, Nonprofit Megaphone. 

Nonprofit Megaphone helps nonprofits acquire and maximize the Google Ad Grant, helping them spread their mission and make more impact. 

For all nonprofits that are 501(c)3 and NOT using this free Google Ad Grant, we encourage you to reach out to Grant and the team at https://nonprofitmegaphone.com/

Find out more at strawesome.com

Here is the Strawesome story in their words...

"Our Story

In the beginning, there were plastic straws everywhere and people thought this was good because straws helped suck things up faster and easier without messes. You could find plastic straws almost anywhere a drink was served.

But soon plastic straws were found in places that were not so good. They were found used and thrown away along streets, on the beach, and even in the waterways. Used plastic straws were everywhere. But it got worse.

Plastic straws were found in the bodies of animals that lived out at sea (like in turtles’ noses). That was terrible to discover, but then something unimaginable and worse was found….the Pacific garbage patch! It was a huge collection (like hundreds of tons) of plastic things floating on the ocean the size of Texas!

Someone did some research and discovered that millions of straws every day were being used once and then thrown away. And most everyone didn’t even realize what they were doing. Who’s great idea was this? But it got worse.

Plastic was discovered to be toxic and non-decomposable. It was both unhealthy AND not going anywhere, EVER! Yikes!!! Everyone was in a panic. It seemed hopeless. Many cried. It was a dark day….

And then something unexpected happened. A creative glass artist made a straw from glass. Huh? A glass straw? What is that? Is it a bean shooter? Is it a crack pipe? No silly, it is a straw you drink from. Kinda like all those plastic ones you use all day long, but these are non-toxic, can be used over and over again, and look way cool like art.

Oh, I get it. That’s a great idea! Freaking brilliant! I can’t believe no one thought of this before. Since I don’t want to use plastic straws anymore, can I get a glass straw? Can I get a bunch of them for my family and friends? Can I get long ones, short ones, bent ones, and colored ones? Please? Pretty please?

Yes! Of course! We would love to! How about we work together and spread the word to everyone we know that there’s a solution to this plastic straw problem and make the world a better place in our lifetime? Sound like a good idea?

Yes! Let’s do it!

So Strawesome was born and people on earth lived happily ever after with their glass straws and healthy planet.

Our Mission

The world is plagued with plastic debris and toxins in our oceans and water ways, on and in the soil of our land, and in the bodies of animals and humans. It is a major problem. Rather than just give up and “deal with it”, Strawesome was born to do something about it. Since March 2009, we have been working towards sufficient awareness and action to forever eliminate the need for single-use plastic drinking straws.

Our mission is to provide the world’s most artistic, eco-friendly, and health-conscious drinking straw. Combined with a lifetime warranty and great customer service, there’s every reason to join the alternative straw movement and eliminate the need for single-use plastic drinking straws."

The Kaikuna Story- https://www.kaikuna.com/

The idea was simple, really: make stuff locally and make it to last; support the communities that we are a part of; follow our passions. So...how did a husband and wife come to be here, making and selling clothing?

Well... It all began with a Volkswagon Van.

Adventure. Risk. Excitement. Growth.

Stepping off of the Cliff. Finding out what this planet has to offer. 

Allan and Julie met over a VW Van - his, to be honest. He’d pieced it together from two or three old vans. She loved it, and found him to be equally engaging and exciting. She hopped in, swooned by his kiss and promise of adventure, and off they went to travel the world and create beauty together. (corny but true)

20 years (and several vans) later, they are still jumping off cliffs. The most recent being the creation of Kaikuna, a clothing company founded with the simple goals of following passions, supporting the betterment of a healthy planet, and giving back.

Wear Ever You Go: Be yourself. Live well. Give from within and let good things boomerang back. 

Globally Inspired, Locally Made Active Wear

Based in Santa Clara, California, Kaikuna offers you “Made in California” travel friendly and functional active wear: Top quality, easy to care for, and versatile.  

Mindful Manufacturing: Their initial goal is to supply made in the USA garments that give you an opportunity to directly support the American economy and revitalize work for local tradespeople and artisans. Kaikuna creates their garments with local San Francisco, California labor.  

Kaikuna also works to support the growth of more environmentally healthy Textile and Clothing Industry practices. They intentionally research and use components made locally and organically whenever available and promote like-minded clothing manufacturers.

Kaikuna gives you an opportunity to choose more ethically manufactured products. They are thrilled to be contributing to 1% For The Planet.

About Prashant, in his words 

"I am a social entrepreneur with a background in finance, international affairs, and philanthropy. My work experiences around the world have allowed me to further expand my knowledge and skills in Business and consumer facing sales, Data management, Financial management, Communication, Organic and Fair-trade product development, and non-profit marketing and market research. 

I've continued to expand my global perspective by living and working in different areas around the world. Working closely with first class non-profit organizations has helped me gain a better understanding of solutions to positively impact the world both from an on the ground and business level. 

I continue to work with and expand a unique network of the world's most intelligent entrepreneurs and passionate change makers. Leaders from the United Nations, world class non-profits around the world, and world changing businesses like LinkediN, all have contributed to a larger network of passionate changemakers. 

Through the past seven years I have worked alongside an inspiring team to develop a new concept for charitable giving with Conscious Step. A social enterprise that makes premium fair-trade and organic socks, each uniquely designed to directly support leading non-profits around the world. 

Through it all I continue to strive to learn more and utilize my skills and creative passions to inspire positive change and outlooks."

About Conscious Step 

For every pair of socks purchased, a donation goes directly to a non-profit. Conscious Step prides itself on being mindful in its manufacturing, sourcing organic cotton, providing an ethical workplace, and being Fair Trade Certified.

About Phoebe

With over a decade's experience working in supply chain management and merchandising, Phoebe Yu founded Ettitude with the vision of building a sustainable bedding brand offering high quality, modern, minimalistic bedding at accessible prices with a focus on innovative fabric technology. 

Prior to Ettitude, she founded two international trading and sourcing companies. Her experience includes business developing, manufacturing, outsourcing, branding, e-commerce & online marketing. 

With a love of technology and sustainability, she constantly seek new ways to use emerging technologies to solve real-world problems and provide better online shopping experiences. 

About Ettitude

Ettitude believes that comfort and quality should not be compromised by a commitment to conscious living. Because the earth is our greatest caretaker, they invest in sustainably sourced materials and methods, so the entire lifecycle of their products reflects the renewable patterns of nature.

MIssion

Sand Cloud's mission is to protect our oceans and #SaveTheFishies. 

From their packaging to their products, everything is designed with sustainability in mind. By providing consumers better lifestyle options, they aim to conserve our precious oceans and marine life. 

Story

Sand Cloud was founded on the sunny beaches of San Diego, inspired by the ocean around us. At the time, it was just just three friends with a dream to reinvent an age-old product: the beach towel. 

They committed ourselves to using sustainable materials and donating a portion of all sales to marine conservation charities as a way to protect the beaches we love. When you purchase a beach towel from Sand Cloud, you not only get a sand-resistant, ultra-absorbent Turkish cotton towel, but also help in their mission as a portion of every sale goes to a worthwhile environmental charity. 

Products

Now, Sand Cloud not only sells the world's best beach towel, but they've introduced other eco-friendly accessories, like clothing made from recycled materials, reef-safe sunscreen, reusable glass water bottles and reusable metal straws. 

Along the way, they've been named Philanthropists of the Year by the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, been ranked as one of the fastest-growing company by Inc Magazine, and have worked with partners like Ryan's Recycling on community beach cleanups, but their favorite milestone by far has been watching the difference their customers make in the fight to #SaveTheFishies.

A self-made serial entrepreneur, Benjamin Jo VandenWymelenberg, has started multiple multi-million dollar companies. He had no idea how to start a business before he constructed a homemade wooden case for his iPhone. 

Within 6 months, it was selling nationwide in Target and Best Buy stores. Ben is founder and CEO of WOODCHUCK USA, a customized wood products manufacturing company, which promotes a “BUY ONE. PLANT ONE” philosophy. 

He’s planted millions of trees on six continents and has made measurable positive environmental impact on all seven. Ben is dedicated to showing the world how we all can make a difference by putting our best ideas into action. 

His most recent book " THE WORLD NEEDS YOUR F*CKING IDEAS" (2019 ) is a 9x Amazon bestseller, has been published in 5 different languages, and helps break down the initial barriers for those looking to take action and start their world changing ideas.

Coffeehaus is a consultancy and roasters - providing their clients with the pinnacle of service.

They provide entirely complimentary services such as restaurant and bar designs, independent training programs, equipment installation, in-house private label, and just about anything you may ever need.

All of this comes together with an emphasis on quality, execution, and cleanliness. By providing a plethora of microlot & direct trade offerings, they are able to remain transparent with their practices, providing insight into the coffee industry as a whole.

This sense of transparency holds coffee roasters accountable - ensuring that the the benefits of these coffees is in the interest of the farmer.

A portion of the profit from CoffeeHaus sales go toward education funds for youth in third world countries.

Learn more at https://www.coffeeha.us/

Heather is a vibrant and curious gal who is determined to help the world be a brighter place. She’s an honors law school grad, a yoga teacher, and a social entrepreneur - bogobrush and a think tank with her brother. She’s worked on venture finance and non-profit lobbying, and she loves singing, dancing, art, and the great outdoors. 

Heather and her brother grew up in a small town in North Dakota. With a dad as a dentist, John’s path to design school, and heather’s to law, were far from the family business. 

During school, however, they decided to use their talents to create products with environmental and social value, and as fate would have it, they couldn't resist starting with a toothbrush. 

BOGOBRUSH believes the world deserves a toothbrush worth caring about. They believe that starts with knowing where it came from, and how it was made. They believe it grows from an attention to aesthetics that will make you smile, and deepens with the beauty of giving back to someone in need. They believe that what is good for the planet, is good for us. They believe in the little toothbrush that could. 

Behind each Bogobrush is a group of determined, caring, visionary, and fun loving people who bring it to life. From factory machinists and material scientists, to product photographers and dental hygienists, they are an eclectic group on a mission to do something that matters.