Wendy and AJ’s story is one of friendship, community roots, and a shared passion for health and wellness.

Wendy, a third-generation Lakeland native married to her high school sweetheart, has been a nurse for 27 years and is deeply passionate about holistic nutrition.

AJ, originally from Albany, Georgia, came to Florida on a softball scholarship and decided to make Lakeland her home. A much-loved fitness instructor and City of Lakeland Aquatics employee, AJ became a familiar face at the city pool, leading water aerobics, body sculpting, and swim lessons.

The two met in 2010 when Wendy, fresh off completing her first marathon, joined AJ’s Body Sculpting class. Their shared love for running, fitness, and healthy living quickly formed a strong bond. They became inseparable workout partners, supporting each other through countless races and fitness classes.

Little did they know they would end up brewing kombucha together!

Wendy’s journey into the world of fermented foods began after working with an acupuncturist and chiropractor, where she learned about alternative health treatments. Suffering from digestive issues despite a healthy lifestyle, Wendy found relief in raw kombucha, a discovery that eventually led her to make locally brewed kombucha available to her community.

After the chiropractor who originally started the business stepped away, Wendy decided to buy Krazy Kombucha, inviting AJ to join her on this new adventure.

With AJ’s support, Wendy rebranded Krazy Kombucha, eventually opening the Dixieland Taproom. They’ve now been selling their locally crafted, gut-friendly kombucha for six years.

Through hard work and gutsy dedication, Wendy and AJ have created a thriving business and a place where people can come together to enjoy the simple pleasures of life—great friends, good health, and local raw kombucha.