What are Tequila Straws?

13 Sep

Written by Andrew Ford

Before we start let me answer the basic question - no Tequila Straws don't contain tequila when you drink from them...sorry! But they’re made from agave, the very same plant that makes the world’s best drink (tequila) and are, in my opinion, the best damn sustainable straws on the planet.

They are super strong so they don't fall apart in your icy margarita (even if you're a slow drinker, because they last up to 8 hours!), have no interfering taste and are reusable. Best of all they are 100% biodegradable and made from recycled agave fibre.

But how did I get started in this business when I do marketing, I hear you ask? Well, like all good drinking stories it all started with a bottle of Tequila...

Mr Edwin Reese and I were at a Mexican restaurant enjoying Taco Tuesday and downing a few beers and talking about his new tequila business. He has lucked into an amazing business importing premium tequila from Mexico (La Cofradia) and it was going great guns. Then he pulls out a box of straws.

Not that amazing show and tell, I'm sure my son will not rush off to school with them. But when you hear that these little pieces of environmentally sound goal are the Tesla of straws, I was listening. I saw huge potential for his business and a chance to do some good for the planet too. You would be amazed at how many places still use plastic - criminal!

It could have been the taste bud high of delicious beef tacos, crisp Mexican beer and the allure of going to Mexico to drink tequila, but I was all in! I truly believe these straws can make a better world for us.

Edwin and I now partner on this business and just like that, I'm suddenly in the eco-friendly straw business. Seeing it's all new to me any help from my sustainably-minded hospo friends would be very much appreciated!

Do you want to be part of this? Stay tuned for how it works out and if you need some super awesome straws!

Cheers Andrew

P.S. Top tip - Is agave a cactus? No agave is a type of succulent, commonly confused with cactus. Remember the rule that all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. The main difference between agaves and cacti is the presence of leaves, cacti do not have them, while agaves do. (reference)

Andrew Ford

Marketing expert Andrew Ford, the founder of Social Star, has discovered the secret of ‘Powerful Branding’. With a fire for unleashing people’s inner brand and developing business models to generate profit from an individual’s passions, Andrew leverages ground-breaking digital and social media marketing techniques to create digital strategies for clients to attract maximum opportunities. Having established a strong name for himself in the field, Andrew blends traditional business techniques with now-necessary tools for entrepreneurs to achieve scale, quality, and influence in their niche. Andrew’s comprehensive business background and qualifications consist of a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) (RMIT 2003), a Graduate Certificate in Management (MBA Executive Program, University of Sydney 2005), and a Masters of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Swinburne University 2011). Continually on the cutting edge of his own education, Andrew has tested his marketing theories in forums such as the BCG Business Strategy Competition, which he won in 2005 against all Victorian MBA schools, and the Venture Cup Business Plan Competition (Swinburne University 2003), which he won in the Masters category. With experience working at Hewlett-Packard, Sensis (Telstra) and IBM, Andrew also has mentored dozens of junior staffs to help them achieve their professional goals. Meeting and influencing high-profile public figures helped Andrew to realise just how many professionals require more understanding and control of their public brands or appearance, and need help with the skills to use the many amazing free tools at their disposal to generate success. At Social Star, Andrew consults with clients to uncover their personal brand – both where it is today and where it can be tomorrow – and refine and define how that should be displayed in social media in order to attract their perfect target audience. Andrew mentors his clients to rapidly grow their business’ audiences, resulting in larger potential client bases and higher revenue. Applying formulas that integrate over twenty years of Andrew’s business experience and fifteen years of formal business education, Social Star specialises in building clarity and velocity for clients’ brands using the ‘Understand, Build and Leverage’ methodology. ‘Having a Personal Business enables people to have an authentic, congruent connection with their valued clients and partners, using their brand as the bridge,’ says Andrew. ‘I’m highly driven to work with the new breed of entrepreneurs and small business owners – people who have a passion for making the world a better place. Traditional business models are stepping aside as people follow their innermost dreams and my role is to see them operate within their values while creating wealth. Some people think you have to sacrifice what you love to be successful in your business, yet it is actually the opposite. Follow your passion and success will come.’ Lecturing at Swinburne University from 2009 to 2011 on brand dynamics and digital marketing, presenting at numerous conferences, and consulting to hundreds of clients, Andrew has seen his philosophy work that if you follow your unique path, based on your skills, experience, values and goals, you will automatically attract the opportunities you desire and achieve the success you deserve. Living his mantra, Andrew has created a successful business and attracts high-profile clients including musicians, athletes, authors, models, entrepreneurs, professionals and small business owners, helping them find their ‘why’ in their business and fulfilment in their lives. Business for Andrew is more than work, it’s personal. Running a personal business means that he is able to fulfil all of his values rather than separating his life from work. It supports his two boys while providing social opportunities, educational development, fitness opportunities, spiritual fulfilment and many valuable friendships. Social Star has now become the vehicle for Andrew to crystallise his mission in the world, to help people love what they do, supporting his ‘why’, that if more people loved what they did, the world would be a better place.

http://www.andrewford.com.au/

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