Vape and Head Shops are going through major changes in 2020. With changes in regulations in the e-cig/vape industry, many are scratching their heads wondering what to do with their stores. Now with the Covid-19 pandemic, business owners are living in an especially difficult time trying to make up for lost sales and keep stores open. This is a time for stores to think outside the box and expand their selections. Wahine Ki Botanicals can set you up with top grade botanicals including Indonesian Kratom and Fijian Kava which can yield tremendous revenue stream for your store this year.
Starting around 2015 in the warm and sunny state of Florida, the Tampa Bay area emerged as the largest kava and botanical community in the country. It started with a couple of small lounges selling kratom teas and kava. It quickly grew to become a staple of the area where folks of all ages can come to socialize and work in a friendly and alcohol-free environment. Starting with 3-5 bars in the St. Petersburg area, Tampa Bay now boasts over 150 kava bars with more opening around the state every day.
So why are these botanicals such a hot commodity? There are several reasons for kava bars to become quite popular in recent years. Many bars have extended hours so customers have a place to hang out, work, and meet others 12-24 hours a day. A safe and comfortable place that is always open to the public. People are also becoming more health conscience and are viewing alcohol in a new light. Kava bar customers can hang out in a bar like atmosphere but then drive themselves home at the end of the night without hangovers.
But what are kratom and kava?
Kratom is a plant that is naturally grown in the hill areas near rivers throughout South East Asia. It has been used for hundreds of years as a stimulate for agricultural workers. The natural kratom plant is typically consumed by chewing on the leaves, brewing leaves in hot water to create a tea, or in capsule form. Kratom has been used safely in Southeast Asia for centuries without any reported overdose or death caused by consuming the plant.
Figure 1 Kratom Trees in Indonesia
The leaves main compound, Mitragynine, is reported by many to increase focus and energy while helping with pain relief. Kratom eventually made it into the US and has been shown to help with pain, anxiety, PTSD, depression, energy, and focus. Most importantly in recent years, the opiate epidemic has gripped the lives of millions of Americans around the country. Kratom has been used by 100’s of thousands to help addicts detox from dangerous prescription drugs. Opiates react with the Mu-receptors in the brain alleviating pain in the body and are a key molecular switch triggering the brain reward system and potentially initiating addictive behaviors. An interesting minor alkaloid of Kratom, 7-hydroxymitragynine, has reported to activate supraspinal mu- and delta- opioid receptors, explaining their use by chronic narcotics users to ameliorate opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Kava Kava is an herbal remedy that's made from the roots of Piper methysticum -- a type of plant found in the islands of the Pacific Ocean. Its name literally means “intoxicating. pepper.” People who live on Pacific islands like Fiji and
Tonga have used it for hundreds of years in social gatherings and traditional medicine. They dry out the roots or crush them into a powder. Then they add water and drink the mixture.
The exact mechanism of action on the nervous system is unknown; however, it is likely that many phytochemicals in Kava, including kavalactones contribute to the activity of this herb. Clinical studies show great promise for Kava to support healthy lung tissue and as a supportive aid for the nervous system. Kava has a calming and relaxing effect on the body and is supportive during periods of occasional stress.
Figure 3 Ground Kava Root from Fiji.
Wahine Ki Botanicals:
After being introduced to kratom several years before. I started Wahine Ki LLC in 2016, because I created teas that were not only delicious but the effects of kratom on my overall well-being were tremendous and changed my life. I had been a career marine biologist working on fishing and seismic vessels for 15 years collecting fisheries data and then monitoring for marine mammals all over the world for various governmental agencies. I was looking for a drastic change in career and a friend introduced me to kratom. I noticed the euphoric effects and then pain relief immediately. I started talking about kratom to friends and eventually started my company supplying 100% raw lab tested kratom powder to stores and kava bars. I am proud to have an Indonesian farmer whom I have worked with for many years and we have a very close relationship. We are constantly in contact to ensure proper handling procedures, lab testing schedules, and proper shipping and handling of all products.
In 2019, I started consulting with bars and stores around the country to provide educational materials, recipes, along with step-by-step instructions and material lists for stores wanting to convert to selling kratom powder, pre-made teas and kava. Several of my clients have vape stores that they have converted a small section over into selling kratom powder, teas and capsules. And it has over doubled their existing business in a very short time.
Wahine Ki is a wholesaler of premium kratom powders and Fijian Waka Kava to stores. We have an entire line of labeled kratom and kava products, packaged and ready for sale. Want to white label your own brand? We can white label our products for you to extend your brand.
This is the time for vape and head shops to think outside the box and expand their current selections. Stores only need a small amount of space in their current stores for converting into a kratom tea bar. Many of my wholesale clients sell teas to-go eliminating the costs of seats and tables. With the correct guidance and material lists, Wahine Ki can get you up and selling teas in days. We provide in depth education via phone, training for employees and kavatenders, recipes, drink ideas, pricing, and display set up. Converting a small section of your store to sell teas to go, is easy, clean up simple, and time efficient.
If you would like to have a consult via phone or receive a product list, please email wahineki@gmail.com or call 727-324-8034. All products for wholesale can be found at www.wahineki,com.