The Story of a Movement Built Against All Odds
The Founder Who Refused to Quit
From Crisis to Clarity
Steve Curtis was 18 when addiction nearly derailed his life. By 22, he had built a successful business. At 24, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and told he had only a few years left to live.
What could have been the end became a turning point.
Steve vowed that if he survived, his work would be about more than profit. It would be about creating a lasting impact.
A Movement Born in the Mountains
Years later, on the slopes of Mount Everest, Steve reflected on what survival had taught him: real strength comes from working with nature, not against it. During that climb, he began to envision a company that could connect traditional botanicals with modern science, offering people safe and effective ways to support focus, energy, and resilience.
That vision became Vivazen®, a botanical brand grounded in integrity, transparency, and the belief that plants can play a meaningful role in people’s lives.
Building Trust in a Broken Market
When Steve entered the plant-based supplement industry, he found challenges on multiple fronts that needed to be confronted:
- Bad actors adding undisclosed synthetics to products
- A lack of regulation against dishonest sales practices
- Consumers justifiably skeptical about quality and safety
Vivazen® set out to do things differently. Investing over $30 million into science, advocacy, and safety, Vivazen® is a decade ahead of major competitors in scientific credibility. Establishing "Best Practices", such as clear labelling, independent dual-lab testing, and strict compliance measures, long before they became standard practice.
More than a decade later, Vivazen® has provided over 600 million servings without a single reportable severe adverse event.
This focus on integrity has established Vivazen® as the plant-based wellness industry’s leading purpose-driven pioneer brand.
Scaling Purpose
What started as a single kratom shot is now a national brand, found in over 20,000 stores. The portfolio has grown to include functional gummies, energy shots, and relaxation formulas. Each is designed to deliver clean, plant-powered effects without shortcuts or compromise.
“We didn’t just create a product. We created a category, and we continue to lead it with science and integrity.”
- Steve Curtis
The Founder Today
Today, Steve is not just an entrepreneur.
He is a father and husband who has survived personal crises, invested millions of dollars into scientific research and education, and built a reputation defined by integrity.
His focus today is advancing safe, science-driven access to botanicals. Through Vivazen®, LEVO Naturals, and Elevation Capital, he has built organizations that prioritize rigorous research, transparent standards, and responsible regulation.
Steve’s mission is to prove that plants, when studied carefully and shared responsibly, can improve human health and well-being. His work extends beyond botanicals into initiatives for clean water, land resilience, and health innovation; always guided by the same commitment to wellness, safety, and consumer trust.
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