A deeper look at Owl’s Nests’ Debra Maslowski
Emily Cobb | October 6, 2022
Owl’s Nest, located on central campus, is the Warren Wilson College (WWC) coffee shop. Those who visit may have seen its supervisor and manager behind the counter, Debra Maslowski, also affectionately known as Deb. Quick to make drinks and run the register, Maslowski is a familiar face at Owl’s Nest.
Gabe Blythe is a junior currently taking off this semester and has been working at Owl’s Nest since their freshman year. This year, he became the assistant manager for Owl’s Nest and often works 40-hour weeks.
“Deb is a central part of the community, she is very important to how the community runs, Blythe said. “Everyone knows who Deb is.”
Ruby Jane Moser
Debra Maslowski
Maslowski is from Minnesota and consistently moved between there and Florida throughout her life. When she turned 40, Maslowski decided to move somewhere permanently and found herself drawn to the Appalachian area. Maslowski decided to move to Asheville after she visited it for a funeral.
“It was May 15, five o'clock in the afternoon and it just rained and the irises were in full bloom, and I told myself this is it,” Maslowski said.
She moved to the Asheville area — knowing only one person — a month later. Maslowski was drawn in by the woods, large mountains and the rocks, coining herself a “rockhound.” She came to WWC in 2013 and has been working here ever since.
“I would not be here if it were not for the kids,” Maslowski said. “They come back and they are happy to see me.”
Maslowski considers Owl Nest an integral community space on campus, one where all can hang out with each other and work. She is the one who ensures the cafe is running smoothly and that everyone is getting what they need. Maslowski is in charge of timecards, ordering products, running the register, making drinks and much more.
“Deb has the biggest heart in the whole world, she is so kind and will offer you anything you need,” Blythe said. “She is always willing to offer what she has to other people.”
This year has been especially challenging due to Owl’s Nests' increase in sales; Maslowski said there was around a 25% increase in business from the year before.
“This year seems to be a different energy than last year now that we are ‘post covid,’” Maslowski said. “Last year was like, ‘okay fine, we are here.’ This year is like, ‘oh, great! We are here.’” Maslowski said.
She has been the owner and instructor of Earth Echoes since 1995, which she founded with $27. Earth Echoes is an industry leader in the soap-making world and she previously taught a soap-making class at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (AB Tech). Earth Echoes sells retail and wholesale and carries a wide range of soaps and soap-making supplies on Amazon and at the East Asheville Tailgate Market.
Maslowski has a passion for making soap and currently employs her sister for her business. She makes both cold process soap, one which takes weeks to cure, as well as glycerin and alcohol-based soap that is ready once firm.
“My favorite part of soap making is the satisfaction of taking caustic substances like lye, mixing them with water and oil and turning it into a hard substance that is cleansing and that is also good for one,” Maslowski said.
Maslowski is now teaching two classes at AB Tech, a natural home-cleaning class and a natural skincare class. She is also working on building her own studio on her property and will hopefully be teaching private soap-making classes in the spring. Maslowski recently started growing herbs on her property and uses the herbs in her soap. She is currently growing sweet mint, peppermint and lemon balm.
Maslowski enjoys teaching, loving the rewarding experience of everyone going home happy and learning.
“It is my goal to be able to teach people,” Maslowski said. “I mean I think teaching is the way to go.”
Maslowski has also taken stray cats in, some of which ended up pregnant, leading her to currently have around 15 cats. A number that requires a lot of responsibility, money and time.
Maslowski makes a point to be willing to do and go on life’s journey, wherever it takes her, especially when it comes to using natural resources to experiment and create.
“Living life makes so much of a difference rather than just doing,” said Maslowski.