We have had the pleasure of getting to know Adam and his team at Kratom Spot over the last few years. They are the type of brand that we like to highlight on the ILK Forum. Kratom Spot is one of the leading brands that are modernizing the kratom industry. Great packaging, Great customer service, and approved for Good Manufacturing Practices. This industry has taken many strides over the last decade and it is brands like this that lead the industry in a promising way. It takes a team that believes in what they do and does it with pride.
Jump on their website and read the customer reviews, It’s clear that the customer service at Kratom Spot is top-notch.
"Fast service, quality products. Always satisfied with doing business with Kratom Spot!"
Interview with Adam the Kratom Spot
ILK: Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to know kratom products?
Adam: When we founded Kratom Spot back in 2013. The team we put together was all proponents of naturopathic remedies. Dating back to when we were kids, our families would prepare herbal teas for us anytime we had the flu. When we came home banged up from skateboarding, we would apply cinnamon root balms. When we first came across kratom at a trade show, it was love at first sight. Since then, we’ve been intrigued by the amazing benefits of Kratom.
ILK: How long were you a customer of Kratom Products before you decided to start your own brand?
Adam: Our entire purpose as a company is to advocate for kratom in its purest, most natural form. We came into the business because we felt early on that the kratom business lacked transparency and consistency. We wanted to provide the peace of mind that we never received when we were customers. What started out as a passion project for us has grown into a career we love. Kratom Spot is driven to bring kratom into the mainstream by always delivering a safe, all-natural, and consistent product to the kratom community.
ILK: Kratom Spot seems very consistent with their customer base. How do you keep customer loyalty in such a saturated industry?
Adam: From the get go, we’ve always held ourselves to the highest standards in an industry that lacked regulation. We spent weeks researching labs and testing kratom products. We went to Indonesia and visited kratom farms and vendors before we ever sold a single product. Our very first shipment from Indonesia was tested by 4 different labs before we felt it was up to our standards as consumers. We tested that batch so much that we almost had no product to sell! We openly communicate with our customers about our process and it feels good to know that they trust us. That is a big responsibility, and we don’t take it for granted.
Our customers keep coming back to us for four reasons: consistent quality, customer service (we’re always available to chat via phone or email), quick delivery times, and our no-questions-asked, 100% satisfaction guarantee.
These are non-negotiable business principles for us that we try to improve on a daily basis.
ILK: What is the culture like within your company? What would your employees say about you?
Adam: We started off packaging kratom in a small kitchen just for fun after work. We’ve kept it fun since then. It’s been amazing to grow a team of kratom enthusiasts throughout the years. From our warehouse employees to our cleanroom packaging team, we’re all like a family. We love to have fun and often hang out after work. We’re not a traditional top-down business. Our entire team has a say in the direction of Kratom Spot and the majority of them have been with us for 3+ years now.
ILK: What is the typical day like for the owner of a Kratom vendor?
Adam: I’d like to think we start the day just like anybody else. Cup of coffee and quick playtime with my dog before going to the office. The first thing I do is check Google news for “kratom.” A little disheartening at times to see negative reporting but it helps to gauge what we are up against as an industry. After which, I read reviews posted on our site, some of which are the most uplifting comments I’ve ever read. It feels good to see that your work is making a positive impact on somebody’s life. The rest of my day is spent doing any number of things from talking to our suppliers in Southeast Asia, reviewing our GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) documentation, and improving Kratom Spot’s functionality. I like to catch up with everyone on staff, customer service (shoutout to Priscila!), warehouse, packaging, digital marketing and offer help wherever I can. Sometimes when we spend long days in the office, I like to take breaks by shooting basketball in our mini hoop in the warehouse.
What are the Most Popular Products?
ILK: How did your company handle the pandemic? What was it like to pivot manufacturing over the last year? What’s your take on how the pandemic affects the Kratom industry.
Adam: Just like everybody else, March 2020 was an uneasy time for us. We weren’t sure if we should temporarily shut down Kratom Spot for the protection of our shipping staff. We decided to follow all safety protocols and continue operating the business, and looking back, I’m glad we did. Our manufacturing/packaging facility has always operated as a clean room so we were ahead of the curve when it comes to personal protective equipment. Anybody who handles our kratom products in the cleanroom must be wearing a hairnet, mask, gloves, and a full-body cloak. We even have air filtration systems in the facility to ensure clean air. Pre-pandemic Kratom Spot was already applying a lot of the procedures we see today at restaurants, airports, or hotels.
For that reason, we continued to operate like normal during the early days of the closures. Our office employees worked from home for many months so we would use Zoom to communicate with each other early on.
I feel like the pandemic was a good transition for the industry. Consumers are now more aware of how their consumable products are prepared and we welcome that awareness. We’ve seen higher demand across the industry for transparency and cleanliness when it comes to kratom packaging. This is important for the longevity of the industry and it is a standard we’ve been living by since the inception of Kratom Spot.
ILK: What are your go-to strain and a typical dose? What is your choice way of taking kratom?
Adam: My favorite strain hands down is the White Maeng Da. I’ll usually have some to avert my post-lunch slump. I’m also kind of old school and prefer the toss and wash method, but sometimes I’ll mix kratom into hot water with a whisk and add honey for a tasty drink.
ILK: Do you have a favorite Kratom Recipe?
Adam: I’ve tried so many different kratom recipes in the past 10 years. We sometimes have fun coming up with new ways to take it at the office. My favorite is whisking kratom with hot water and adding honey. I also love our kratom shots on the go, they’re super convenient.
ILK: What would you say to someone new to kratom or someone who is interested but has not tried it yet?
Adam: I would advise them to look for a reputable vendor and start off small. Read reviews and try different strains and see what works best for you.
ILK: Do you take any other natural supplements? If so, what would you recommend?
Adam: I’m also a big fan of CBD. It helps me curb anxiety. I also take a daily supplement of echinacea in capsule form.
ILK: How do you feel about the American Kratom Association?
Adam: Kratom Spot has partnered with and donated to the American Kratom Association for several years now. We are an AKA compliant GMP vendor and we appreciate their work advocating for the industry. We think their work is vital to help promote the safe consumption of kratom. As a kratom vendor, I would like to see them grow to be independent of the business side of kratom. The AKA will better serve the kratom community in the coming years by acting as a watchdog for bad players who enter the industry.
ILK: What should a kratom customer look for to find a proper vendor?
Jessica: A transparent company that has a customer service number where you can speak to a live person. A company that also posts transparent reviews openly shows lab reports upon request and is proud of how they package and process their kratom. It’s also a great idea to look for a vendor with GMP certification through the American Kratom Association.
ILK: It seems to us that most of the top vendors are paving the way for the industry to leave a positive impact. In what ways can a kratom brand uphold the social/ corporate responsibility that other industries are held to? You mentioned Lab tests on the product, what else can a company do?
Adam: I think as a natural supplement industry we have a big responsibility to stick to the all-natural benefits of kratom. As an industry, we should avoid adulterating the natural leaf in any way. As for corporate social responsibility, we adhere to fair trade principles with our suppliers in Southeast Asia. We believe our employees should be treated fairly in the United States and the same principle should apply to our partners across the world. We happily pay a premium for our kratom to ensure that it is sustainably farmed with good working conditions for our farmers.
All kratom vendors in the U.S. should focus on packaging their products following GMP standards and in an independently audited clean room. It starts with us ensuring safety and widespread acceptance of kratom. Kratom needs to be handled with care, all the way from seed to sale, and we’re proud that Kratom Spot is leading the way in these efforts.
Some fun Questions….
Favorite Band?: The Doors
Favorite Movie?: Interstellar
Pineapple on Pizza?: YES, PLEASE!
