Delilah Snell
Owner, Road Less Traveled Store and Co-Creator Patchwork Show and Edible Edition.
1. You are a pioneer in Orange County for opening the first one-stop eco-friendly lifestyle shop, what prompted that?
Very flattered to be thought of as a pioneer! I have always just went with my heart, wanting something honest, sincere and conscious in my community. I never thought about where that would take me!Short story: I started a nonprofit with friends and wanted the organization to have the “behind the scenes” match the mission. I looked for office products that reflected our mission and realized there wasn’t a store or place to buy those products. My mission now is to help those small, local and creative businesses thrive.
2. What’s your most prized possession?
My VW bus 1968…you might see it on the road blasting Joy Division.
3. Favorite drink?
Anyone who knows me knows that I am OBSESSED with Arnold Palmers. Ideal with Perricone lemonade and tropical iced tea. Gypsy Den is my go-to place to have this. Obsessed I tell ya!
4. If you had to begin a different career, what would you do?
I really love working in the service/restaurant industry. I would have loved to have my own little café.
5. Fantasy purchase?
Travel across the planet with a backpack…this is still a goal.
6. What can’t you live without?
Music, our little old mutt Marge and pen+paper- lots can happen with a pen+paper!
7. What’s next on your “to do” list?
I have had a “bucket list” since I was 15- not sharing that but for right now? I need to plan my wedding. Life has been too busy to make that happen but the goal is early 2014!
8. Biggest regret?
I regret engaging with those who are not good people. I wish I never wasted time with them. Other than that, I have loved every hard-working minute of my life…I try to live it like it was my last.
9. Cause that you’re most interested/involved in?
This is hard for me. I want safety for children and animals in danger or women being free of harm.
10. Your dream day in Orange County?
A celebration of creativity with great food and meeting new friends that you never thought you would meet!
11. Favorite place for breakfast?
Break of Dawn, Anepalcos, and oysters from Carlsbad Aquafarm (at Old Towne Orange Farmers Market) are the tops right now, and my own backyard cooking for friends with the sun and ‘80s music blasting and many cocktails!
12. What was the best day of your life?
Patchwork Santa Ana when it was first in Downtown Santa Ana. I remember looking at my business partner Nicole Stevenson across a sea of people and we just looked at each other and we could both communicate ESP-style “ OMG WTF look at what has happened- we created SOMETHING- people love this and it is real!” And then, Craftcation Conference 2012. We started a conference in Ventura for small business owners and at the end (mind you we hadn’t slept right for months and work usually 10 to 16 hour days, seven days a week) at the closing people were lining up to take a picture with us. At one point, Nicole and I just looked at each other while posing for a picture and “ESP-style” said, “can you believe this?!”
13. Last concert that you went to?
Nicole and I were in Vegas recently for a tradeshow and just randomly saw a Cirque show- it was really great! But other than that, I don’t get out much- I would though for a Boards of Canada concert. (I don’t think that will happen any time soon.)
14. Favorite vacation spot?
Fethiye, Turkey; San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua-Iquitos, Peru, Paris, Albuquerque, New Mexico (and other areas of New Mexico). I need to see Mongolia (bucket list for 12 years.)
15. If you had to live somewhere else, where would you like to move?
Any of the above vacation areas.
16. Favorite books?
Breakfast of Champions, Kurt Vonnegut Jr. but I have so many more …
17. Favorite restaurants in Orange County?
Old Vine Café, Anepalcos, Break of Dawn, Taco Maria, Alebrijes Grill taco truck in Santa Ana, anything that Dean Kim makes at O.C. Baking Company.
18. Biggest accomplishment?
So far, starting a conference and our newest endeavor Patchwork Edible!
19. What’s your biggest fear?
Being at the end of my days and wishing that I tried to do something but didn’t.
20. Secret most people don’t know about you?
I may seem like a hard a$$ but I when you tell me you need me, I will be the one who will feel your hurt like you do. I will carry it so you won’t have to. I live for my friends.
