#133 - Katie Wafer "Hydrate IV Bar" Intravenous wellness and recovery
In this episode, Miro talks with Katie Wafer owner of Hydrate IV Bar — a collection of Colorado IV therapy spas promoting wellness from within. Her lifelong passion for health and wellness led her to a post-grad career in medical sales, with a particular focus in therapeutic drug monitoring within pain management. When she wasn’t working, she served as a Denver Broncos Cheerleader for two seasons, 11-12 and 12-13. During that time, she traveled to Las Vegas for work conferences often. And, that’s when she was first introduced to IV therapy. At the time, IV therapy in Vegas was mostly used to supplement hangover recovery and the work-hard, play-hard Vegas lifestyle. While Katie admired these places’ ability to maintain Vegas’ signature level of customer service, she knew the concept would do really well in cities like Denver with a deeper focus on health, wellness, alternative medicine, and preventative care. But, it wasn’t until she stumbled upon the perfect set of leather recliners at a Habitat Restore in Denver that she finally made the plunge to open Hydrate IV Bar. Those leather chairs sat in storage while she kept working in medical sales, but during her work travel, she tried IV therapy clinics anywhere she could find them — sampling services in San Diego, Chicago, Scottsdale, New Orleans, the British Virgin Islands, and Australia. Finally in 2016, the leather chairs were pulled out of storage and into Hydrate IV Bar’s first location in Denver’s Bonnie Brae neighborhood, with a menu of services for illness, wellness, recovery, and beauty. Hydrate IV Bar caught on quickly in the Denver market, largely set apart for its ability to provide services in a restorative, spa-like atmosphere while still maintaining the professionalism of a more traditional clinic. Since then, Hydrate IV Bar has opened three more locations in Colorado — in the Highlands, (Denver), in Cherry Creek (Denver) and in Boulder. They’ve been recognized by almost every local news network and publication in the area, from the Denver Post to Denver 7 News. Because of Team Hydrate’s commitment to the communities that they serve, they’ve also garnered several awards including Cherry Creek Chamber’s Business of the Year in 2017 and MindBody visionary award in 2018 and 2019.