Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Johnson.
Hi Wendy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am the owner of Krazy Kombucha. My background is in nursing, and my passion is holistic wellness. I bought the business in 12/2017 from its original owner after the business had been closed for a year. I was a customer and kombucha help my family and me so much but I couldn’t get it anymore. I knew the previous owner and he offered to sell the company. My best friend -AJ Jackson, had started making our own kombucha bc we could not buy it. I bought the business and we reestablished the business in Lakeland. We knew we needed help in running a business, so we became members of Catapult Lakeland. At Catapult, we were kitchen members and acquired permits we needed and within six months, we were back selling at the Lakeland farmers market. We have sold at the market every Saturday 8-2. We are coming up on our 3rd anniversary.
We currently share a kitchen space in Dixieland and have recently leased a location not very far away, and we are so excited to get to expand and stay in Dixieland. Lakeland’s Local Kombucha Brewery will be at 1030 S Florida. This new location will give us much-needed space to increase production and will also have a small retail/ bar space. Our kombucha bar will have approximately 16-20 taps, as we have 25 flavors and counting. We use the best organic, quality ingredients that we can find. Our Local kombucha brewery will serve as a place our customers can buy directly from us, the brewers. In the past rain, hurricane’s and Covid has closed us down & hindered us greatly. We look forward to quickly and effectively serve our new and returning customers in our new brewery. Opening in April (tentatively) We plan to continue being vendors at our community market. At the brewery, our customers can taste kombucha and purchase cups, fill 32/64oz growlers of Krazy Kombucha to take home. We also can’t wait to offer more fermented foods and beverages in the future.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our biggest day is Saturday Markets Days. Rain, hurricanes and Covid have been very challenging. We learned very quickly that we needed a location that our customers could come to us. We were fortunate that the kitchen we share had a walk-up window, and our wonderful customers came to us and that is how we survived Covid until markets reopened. Our Kombucha is sensitive to temperature changes, possible contamination and air quality. We are so happy to be leasing our own location to have more control of these important factors.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My first job at Lakeland Regional was on 6E, which was a Medical-Surgical/Gastrointestinal floor. I am married and raised three sons, two of which serve in the United States Marine Corp. and our youngest is a Junior in High School. Through the years, I also worked in an Acupuncturist office and for a Chiropractor. About seven years ago, I became Certified in Holistic Nutrition and found my passion in nutrition and wellness. AJ Jackson is FSC alumni, a fitness instructor and has worked for the City of Lakeland for over 20 years. Her passion is fitness.
What makes you happy?
I love the benefits of fermentation and brewing kombucha. Every drop of our kombucha in someone’s belly is benefiting them. Adults and children, that make my heart smile.
Pricing:
- 12 oz cups $6
- 32 oz growlers $15/refill $12
- 64 oz growlers $25/refills $20
Contact Info:
- Website: Krazykombucha.life
- Instagram: @krazykombucha
- Facebook: Krazy Kombucha
Image Credits
Wendy Johnson AJ Jackson Curtis Johnson Justin Johnson
