Ken Owen, founder of Agravitae, launched the nutritional supplement company in 2022 from California, basing its core product line on graviola sourced from his TKO Farms operation in Tea Kettle, Belize. The company functions within the multi-level marketing (MLM) sector, promoting supplements derived from the tropical fruit also known as soursop.
Owen's professional background is diverse, beginning with his upbringing on an Oregon farm. Following his education, he entered land development, eventually settling in Palm Springs before transitioning into sales. He became a significant distributor for early voice over internet protocol (VOIP) technology in Los Angeles after joining AT&T. Owen later invested in various businesses; some succeeded, becoming publicly traded, while others failed. He reportedly embraced these setbacks as learning experiences. By 2017, Owen had shifted his focus to TKO Farms, a hardwood and tropical fruit enterprise in Belize, which now supplies raw materials for Agravitae's product line. No public record indicates prior executive experience for Owen in the MLM industry before Agravitae.
Agravitae's product catalog centers heavily on graviola. Offerings include AM Boost & Burn capsules, priced at $79.95 for a box of 28 servings, which the company claims aid weight loss, boost mood, and increase energy. A PM Rest & Restore product is marketed as a sleep aid. Other graviola-infused items include loose leaf tea at $40 for 2 ounces, Gravajava Empress Blend coffee for $71.92 per 2.47 ounces, and coffee latte bars. The company also sells herbal tea blends and a graviola leaves tincture.
Beyond the graviola line, Agravitae offers a small selection of skincare products such as Intensive Firming Treatment, Night Repair Cream, and Collagen Boost Serum. These items, sold in small volumes (0.5 to 1.7 fluid ounces), carry prices ranging from $59.95 to $79.95 per bottle. Bundles are also available, with the most expensive combination of AM and PM formulas costing $1,000 for 50 samples.
Graviola, or soursop (Annona muricata), is a tree native to tropical regions of the Americas and the Caribbean. Its fruit, leaves, and bark have been used in traditional medicine for various ailments. Modern scientific research into graviola's health benefits, particularly its purported anti-cancer properties, remains largely in preclinical stages. Human clinical trials are limited, and regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not approved graviola for the treatment of any disease. Some studies have suggested potential neurotoxicity with high or prolonged consumption, highlighting the need for caution.
Agravitae does not publicly disclose its compensation plan details or affiliate joining costs on its corporate website. Information regarding affiliate earnings potential and required purchases must be obtained from current promoters. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for potential participants to assess the financial viability and risks associated with joining the MLM. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) emphasizes that MLMs must clearly disclose all material information to prospective participants, including the costs and likelihood of achieving stated income claims.
An official document, circulated by a promoter in March 2024, outlines Agravitae's compensation structure. There are nine affiliate ranks, starting with Social Retailer and progressing to Crown Ambassador. Advancing through ranks requires increasing monthly Group Volume (GV) and specific recruitment numbers. For instance, a Social Retailer needs 100 Personal Volume (PV) monthly, while a Crown Ambassador must have five personally recruited affiliates and generate 500,000 GV per month, with no more than 40% from any single sales leg. PV represents an affiliate's personal orders and retail sales, while GV includes PV plus sales volume from their downline.
Retail commissions range from 10% to 35%, depending on an affiliate's monthly retail volume. Recruitment commissions pay 25% on sales from personally recruited affiliates, but only for the first twelve weeks after their enrollment. Residual commissions operate through a unilevel structure, paying out up to seven levels deep. Managers through Directors earn 7% on levels one to three, while Senior Directors and higher receive 7% on levels one to four, then 6% on levels five to seven. A Leadership Pool allocates 3% of company-wide sales to qualified Directors and higher, with shares increasing by rank. One-time Rank Achievement Bonuses are also offered, ranging from $1,000 for a Director to $500,000 for a Crown Ambassador, paid out over ten months.
A significant concern within Agravitae's compensation plan involves the absence of mandatory retail sales volume requirements tied to affiliate ranks. This structure allows affiliates to qualify for commissions and rank advancements primarily through personal product purchases and recruitment of other affiliates who also make personal purchases. Such a model, where compensation is driven by recruitment rather than genuine retail sales to end-users, mirrors characteristics often associated with pyramid schemes. The FTC has repeatedly warned consumers about MLMs that prioritize recruitment over product sales, as these models often prove unsustainable and lead to financial losses for most participants.
The pricing of some Agravitae products, such as the cacao bars at $12 for a 3-ounce bar, appears high when compared to quality retail alternatives. Similar soursop-based MLM ventures, including Success200 (2015), Amazing Living (2016), and OneOkada (2019), have historically failed to sustain operations. While Agravitae's vertical integration, from farming to manufacturing, could suggest quality control, this does not inherently translate into market success or mitigate the risks associated with its compensation model.
Prospective Agravitae affiliates should exercise considerable caution. Before committing, individuals must demand full disclosure of all joining costs, recurring fees, and a comprehensive breakdown of the compensation plan directly from the company or a transparent upline. It is also prudent to inquire about an upline's personal retail sales volume compared to their personal product purchases. An unwillingness to provide this information should be viewed as a significant red flag, indicating a potential over-reliance on recruitment rather than genuine product sales. Consumers can report questionable business practices to the FTC.