Otie's Botanicals
Over the last few years, we have heard more and more about Otie’s Botanicals. As the company grows, so does its reputation. We have had the pleasure of talking to Adam a few times over the last few years and it’s clear to see that Otie’s is not only a business but a passion that carries over into the industry.
When you take the time to read the many customer reviews that Otie’s has stacked up over the recent years, it is very clear Otie’s is truly a family business. Adam and his wife Becca run the business together and many of the reviews mention them personally for the help and assistance with their questions and orders.
As advocates for the industry, we truly appreciate the work Otie’s Botanicals does.
Lab Tested, High Quality, All Organic, and ILOVEKRATOM code for 10% Off
Adam the owner of this company is the best in the business! I contacted him about Kratom and he instantly recommended exactly what i needed. He is extremely knowledgeable and very professional! He sent me the link told me what to order! I put the order in and within days i had the product i purchased! Adam is very passionate about the products he sell and it shows! Highly highly recommend Oties Botanicals!
Interview with Adam the Owner of Otie's Botanicals
ILK: Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to know kratom products?
Adam: Hey everyone. My name is Adam and I am the owner of Otie’s Botanicals. I am 29 years of age, almost 30 
Our company is based out of Wilmington Delaware which is where I grew up. I am married and I have three children and two dogs. So, I discovered Kratom a few years ago when my friend was talking about it and how it helped him. Coincidentally, I saw some shows that spoke about Kratom. I struggled with addiction many many years ago and had no idea about this plant. It probably would have saved my family and I a lot of heartaches but better late than never. I have been doing Muay Thai for 7 plus years. Needless to say, I’m always beat up. Kratom helped me immensely with the way I train and my quality of life. As for my wife, since she has begun using this miracle plant she has successfully been able to get off all medications.
ILK: How long were you a customer of Kratom Products before you decided to start your own brand?
Adam: I was a customer of Kratom products for about 1 year before deciding on building a brand. Sidenote: could never have done it without my wife.
ILK: What was the key driving force to start your own company? What drives you to continue?
Adam: I was an electrician before going into business. I had the strong desire to never want to work for anyone ever again. I also knew I wanted to help people. So after much talking and planning, we decided to open a Kratom business. We wanted to do it the right way. Not just a side business. I want my wife and kids to have something of anything that ever happened to me. We started in a spare bedroom. Now we have a fully stocked warehouse, clean room, and lab testing. GMP standards were our goal since day one.
ILK: Who is Otie? I think we all assume Otie is the dog. Is he the company Mascott?
Adam: Yup. Otis is our two year old Bojack. Boston Terrier Jack Russell mix. He’s named after Otis Driftwood from HOUSE Of 1000 Corpses. We’re horror people but yea We wanted to do something different for the company name and mascot. We couldn’t think of a company name that we really liked then all of a sudden it clicked. We started playing around with logo designs and when we had one we really liked we stuck to it. It was Otie
ILK: Your Company seems to have a loyal customer base. You don’t need to tell us all your secrets but could you share a bit of how that came to be?
Adam: Otie’s Botanicals had a very loyal customer base since the very beginning. Many things made that possible. Quality, customer service, and consistency. I would close shop before I ever sold an inferior product. When people purchase from us I want them to be able to say to themselves they got a great product and I enjoyed the entire experience. We have no room here for anything less than excellence. We put our hearts and souls into this brand and we want people to feel that. We truly care about every one of our customers and we want them to know that. We also accept credit cards.
ILK: What is the culture like within your company? What would your employees say about you?
Adam: Haha our culture is a very laid-back and playful one. If you don’t have a good sense of humor then this workplace is probably not for you. My employees would probably say we’re fun, kind, but I’m also serious about our work. Mainly quality control. Especially on days where we have an especially large volume of orders. You can come to work and have a good time as long as you remain focused on the quality of your work.
ILK: What is the typical day like for the owner of a Kratom vendor?
Adam: What is my day like. HECTIC. First thing in the morning the kids have to get ready and go to school. They are young so we have to keep them on track. Less than 10 years of age. Right now it’s especially hard, because of the pandemic they are doing school online. So in that case they wake up they get started, and then when it’s time to go to the warehouse we all pack up and head over. So while we all have our own duties at the warehouse, the kid’s duties are to stay focused on school. So we kind of have to move to manage that. After we’re all done we go home, let the dogs out, and all that good stuff. You would think the work day would be over, but, it never really is. Becca and I handle all customer communication. That includes phone calls, emails, text messages etc. The workday is never really done. If I personally still have enough energy I’ll head to the Muay Thai gym. Come home, hang out with the family, get ready to do it again the next day. This brand and my family are my life.
What are the Most Popular Products?
ILK: What are your go-to strain and a typical dose? What is your choice way of taking kratom?
Adam:I have several go-to strains and they’re all greens. Reds and Whites don’t work for me the same way greens do. I prefer the powder over capsules because to me the capsules take too long to start working. We have these cute little “Kratom cups” that Becca got. So I just put the cup on the scale and dump the powder in. Then I mix it with a little bit of warm water. Maybe two shot glasses worth, Pour a little mio in it and take it like a shot. Honestly, I’m not too sure if the mio makes the flavor better or worse.
ILK: Do you have a favorite Kratom Recipe?
Adam: I have no Kratom recipes that I prefer. I see a lot of people do though it just never really interested me.
ILK: How do you see the industry unfolding over the next couple of years? What can people do to help?
Adam: I see the industry being in a safe place in the next couple of years. Especially with the KCPA. I could literally go on for hours with this topic but I promise I’ll spare you. Becca and myself have done a lot when it comes to the advocacy of our plant and we continue to do so. My suggestion would be to support the AKA with everything they ask. Whether it is sign this, do that. Anything. Contact your local and state officials and give them your testimony. Also, if you can donate to the AKA. They are the biggest allies in this industry just as much as we need them, they need us. They are always looking for more help so if you feel like you would like to do more definitely send them an email. If you feel like you are able to please make donations to them. Nothing is too big or too small. I know some people may not agree with that. I have had the pleasure of speaking to them many times and joining them at hearings and they really do have everyone’s best interest at heart. We take advocacy very seriously over here.
ILK: What are some issues that you can see with the Kratom Industry?
Adam: Even though I love this industry there are some issues in my humble opinion. We all know the biggest obstacle is the FDA and its propaganda. This import alert can be crippling. Especially when you import Kratom by the tons. So, unless AKA is able to get that important alert lifted, we will continue to see those types of problems. Not to mention the credit card processors will not process for us. We have been through so many and the options are limited. We are truly lucky to have the credit card processors that we have and they WILL NOT be going anywhere. Those two issues the AKA is currently working on. I see a problem in the marketplace. I am under no illusion that when you start a business you start from the bottom and work your way up. Like I said we started in a spare bedroom. Everybody is entitled to their dream. However, we had a goal and we achieved it. I think if a Kratom vendor is selling untested products out of their home with no goal of providing of keeping a better standard then that is counterintuitive. Those are the things the FDA attack us on. We need to not only provide a safe reliable space for the consumers but the industry as a whole.
ILK: What would you say to someone new to kratom or someone who is interested but has not tried it yet?
Adam: Get samples and figure out what is right for you. Names are just names. Just a marketing technique. Kratom is extremely subjective, so it’s important to find what “strain” and what dose works for you. Start at a low dose and see from there. Rotate different powders and different vendors.
ILK: Tell us a secret about kratom or the industry?
Adam: 40% white 30% red 30% green. Then they put a name to it. Normally the only names that are legitimate are when leaves are named after the region they actually come from.
ILK: Do you take any other natural supplements? If so, what would you recommend?
Adam: I do not. I do occasionally enjoy smoking weed but that’s really it.
ILK: How do you feel about the American Kratom Association?
Adam: WE LOVE THE AKA!!! They have helped so much. I know some people do not share that sentiment. Mainly regarding them asking for donations. The fight doesn’t fund itself. People do. If it wasn’t for the AKA, Kratom would have been banned a long time ago. We work with them any way we can. From being our state reps on the KCC, making donations, contacting state reps, sending emails, anything. As far as I’m concerned they are our biggest allies and we should treat them as such.
ILK: What should a kratom customer look for to find a proper vendor?
Adam: Look at their payment methods. I’m no stranger to the struggle and I know how hard it is. But there are options out there if you work hard enough to find them. Do they have a website and how well laid out is it. I wouldn’t recommend buying from someone without a website. Bad things happen like that. Look at the pricing. If it’s crazy cheap, there is definitely a reason for that. We would never overcharge our customers. However, you can look at prices and see if it reflects what is required to provide a clean and quality product. Look at reviews but don’t put too much stock into them. What doesn’t work for one person could work great for the next. Do they have good customer service? Good customer service is a tell-tale sign whether they care or not. But, don’t be fooled. People will be nice as hell just to get a dollar out of your pocket. Just use your best judgment. If the product doesn’t work for you. Don’t vendor bash. Just because it didn’t work for you doesn’t mean it’s not good for someone else.
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 there are a couple of things a Kratom brand can do. Don’t sacrifice quality over quantity. In my opinion that takes the heart out of what we do. We are a business, but people are worth more than profits. Get into advocacy. Have your voice and your customer’s voices be heard. Don’t ever lie to make a sale. If you get into this industry make sure you are doing the right things to build your business up. We are an industry that is looked at as illegitimate by many, unfortunately. Have a legitimate operation that people can look at and say “I feel good about what they’re doing.” At the end of the day, we just want to be treated fairly. So as a Kratom brand do what you can to help us get there.
ILK: Has Kratom improved your quality of life? If so, how?
Adam: For me, it helps with training and it helps me stay level-headed. Life can be stressful. Nothing is wrong with having something to take the edge off. For Becca, it helped her with Depression and Anxiety. She was able to successfully get off her medications feeling better than she did while on them.
Favorite Kratom Strain?
Super Green
Favorite Band?
Favorite Movie?
Favorite Food?
Steak. Medium rare! With some raw oysters!
Favorite Coffee Brand?
Garden Gnomes? Yes or No
Nah. More like horror decor.
Thank you so much for the opportunity! I love ILK and I love the people on ILK! Best, most involved Kratom forum by far