Herbal Healing Meets Modern Wellness

What happens when a Boston native trades the city bar scene for a Fijian-rooted plant and an entrepreneurial mission in Florida? In this episode, Michael Hamwey shares his transformation from skeptic to pioneer in the world of kava and kratom, two herbal alternatives gaining traction in modern wellness.

Michael walks us through his journey from visiting a kava bar on a whim to co-founding Kava Luv, a fast-growing social lounge concept built around herbal relaxation and human connection. He breaks down what kava and kratom really are, how they work, and why they’re sparking a wellness movement in Southwest Florida—and beyond.

We dive into:

• The community-first culture of kava bars

• The misunderstood reputation of kratom

• Building a business from scratch (and turning it around!)

• Scaling to multiple locations and launching a national franchise

• Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and wellness seekers alike

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