Kratom Eye has been supplying the U.S. with 100% Natural Kratom Powders. Kratom Plants, Blue Lotus & Kratom Alternatives since 2013. With the goal to teach its customers the truth about the plant and industry. KratomEye was forged from creative, cultural & mythologically-driven concepts to further entice the kratom curiosities.
Kratom Eye has been supplying its loyal customers with high-quality classic strains as well as unique kratom blends. When you take the time to read the many customer reviews on their products, it’s easy to see how they have maintained 8 years in the industry.
We have had the pleasure to know Greg over the last few years. He shows a great deal of passion for his company, customers, and the industry. It’s one of the reasons we wanted to do a Brand Spotlight with him.
I’m a long-time customer of KratomEye. Their customer service has been responsive and they always meet their shipping promise dates.
Interview with Greg with Kratom Eye
ILK: Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to know kratom products?
Greg: I have been a researcher of plants (including entheogenic specimens) from a very early age. I can trace it back to circa 9 th grade in High School, reading about different plants in the school library – this was also my first time learning about Mitragyna Speciosa. However, I didn’t become formally introduced until 2012, a couple of decades later.
ILK: How long were you a customer of Kratom Products before you decided to start your own brand?
Greg: For around 1 year.
ILK: What was the key driving force to start your own company? What drives you to continue?
Greg: I felt enthralled to share this plant with more people as it was still on the fringe during that time, it was just starting to be known outside of niche communities then. I still feel that organic connection to this plant after nearly a decade.
ILK: KratomEye has been in the game for a while now. How do you keep a loyal customer base in a growing industry?
Greg: I believe it’s because we continue to offer unique, compelling products (of exemplary quality) along with the best customer service (for which we have received many wonderful customer statements). Also, we have been known to offer free samples generously and consistently.
ILK: You guys have very unique artwork on your products, website, and marketing media over the years. Who does your art?
Greg: Thank you 😊. The vision/artwork started with my own design work (I have been a graphic designer for over 20 years). Since then, I also use my wife’s
design skills and/or a collaboration together (she has also been a graphic designer for over a decade). This is still one of my favorite parts of the business – the conceptual vision fashioned into design (that in our minds captures the essence of a blend, strain, product). My wife has added a nice feminine touch to the vibe which I couldn’t have on my own so it’s a nice balance of the masculine/feminine, overall.
ILK: What is the culture like within your company? What would your employees say about you?
Greg: We are citizens of the world (literally and figuratively). We represent European, South American, Caribbean, and of course American sensibilities. However, figuratively speaking I encourage a fun ‘atmosphere’ in combination with a meticulous work ethic…we like to ‘whistle while we work’. I imagine my employees would consider me a stickler for high quality & effort while keeping the mood chill…in other words, similar to a ‘Green Vein’ 😊
What are the Most Popular Products?
ILK: What would you say to someone new to kratom or someone who is interested but has not tried it yet?
Greg: I would suggest that they do as much research as possible regarding all of the different strains, veins & terrains pertaining to this versatile & complex tree (including the chemistry, history & cultures of origin).
ILK: Tell us a secret about kratom or the industry?
Greg: A lesser-known (yet indirect) symbiosis exists between kratom & Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Cat’s Claw, Passion Flower (all of which we now offer). Great tools for the seasoned kratom aficionado.
ILK: How do you feel about the American Kratom Association?
Greg: A necessary entity, without a doubt.
ILK: What should a kratom customer look for to find a proper vendor?
Greg: High-quality products & empathetic customer service (as well as speedy responses). We always recommend that customers sample the waters before taking a deep dive, that goes with any product, this is why we offer sampler packs as well.
ILK: We have been asking other brands about the social and corporate responsibility that lays on the shoulders of this industry’s leading vendors. In your opinion what steps should brands be taking to ensure safety, good products and most importantly keeping kratom legal?
Greg: That’s a good question, this is a bit controversial but what I believe we can all agree on is the following: Realistically benevolent (and factual) social, written & verbal etiquette is important to maintain for this product to remain available. This is something that that outside and/or inside of the industry would be wise to practice. Of course, industry insiders must make sure that only the purest & cleanest products are being offered to the market in an ethical manner. The problem is that the worst of the legal issues revolving around kratom are generally politically motivated and/or based on untruths rather than real substantive problems. This is why we’ve been most successful as a community. However, vendors have often been less fortunate, i.g. facing crippling social media & advertising bans (at best censorship), complicated payment processing acquisitions & sometimes a stigma due to a lack of factual knowledge regarding this plant.
Garden Gnomes? Yes or No – I have no issues with them (my father has about 10 in his backyard – to my mother’s dismay). I personally prefer a Hellenistic (Greco-Roman) aesthetic over garden gnomes but to each their own. I must add that I enjoyed learning about the origins of the garden gnome awhile back. In a nutshell, it was supposedly connected to an Ancient Roman fertility god (Priapus) then much later the more recognizable Germanic version that is more like those we enjoy (or don’t) nowadays. For those wanting to research ‘Priapus’, this may not be safe for some workplaces…consider this a warning – a sense of humor required 😉
Favorite Kratom Strain? – I am unable to choose only one, I will have to say ‘Green Veins’ in general. I also enjoy the unicorn strains (the special/unique types) that don’t necessarily fit into their perceived ‘categories’. For instance, our White Elephant & Exclusive White Vein Bali.
Favorite Band? As a former musician – I have several faves in many genres including tribal/world music, classic rock, metal, punk/hardcore, hip-hop, classical music, and soulful electronic music of all sorts.
Favorite Movie? That’s another tough question, most recently I enjoyed ‘Synchronic’, ‘Upgrade’ but I am a classic fan of The Twilight Zone (old and new), Black Mirror, and mostly anything intellectually stimulating. I also enjoy silly comedies, for good measure.
Favorite Food? I love/cook a variety of dishes from the Mediterranean to Hungarian to pan-Asian and classic Americana, etc.
Favorite Coffee Brand? I’ve been enjoying the custom espresso roasts at Coffee AM these days but classically, Levazza is a top brand (and most Italian or French Roasts). I’m really digging the Ethiopian ‘Non-Roasted’ Green coffee beans lately too…it’s more like a ‘tea’ experience vs an espresso (way more caffeine and antioxidants too).
Grow Your Own Kratom Tree
