Exclusive Neopian Interviews: Kauvara

     Many are familiar with her pointed hat peering above the counter, surrounded by swirling mists and hazes of various colours. After all, she is the long-time owner of one of the most popular shops around, with lines out the door at all hours. Of course, we’re referring to her magical-ness, Kauvara.

     We stumbled through the packed store into the back room, where empty bottles are stacked neatly in the corner, surrounded by bubbling cauldrons. The shelves lining the walls are meticulously labelled, some of them rattling and oozing. We find our guest putting the finishing touches on what appears to be a Faerie Ixi Morphing Potion, attaching the delicate wings on the bottle.

     NT: Hello, we’re so glad to finally be here. It was certainly tough to find time to speak with you!

     Kauvara: Oh isn’t it just the most wonderful thing, when the stars align? We were destined to meet today.

     NT: Of course, we spent hours working around your schedule but I’m sure the stars are in position as well. Please tell us a little bit about how you first opened up this shop, and how that journey has been.

     Kauvara: I’ve always felt drawn to all things bubbly and magical. In fact, I had previously worked with the Healing Springs faerie, master of all healing potions and elixirs. My first storefront was a humble shack, equipped with just a few shelves of my favourite potions. Business was slow at first, mostly Neopians who didn’t want to make the journey to Faerieland for healing potions.

     NT: How does one go from this humble storefront to one of the busiest and most popular shops in Neopia?

     Kauvara: The vision came to me in a dream: Neopets changing their appearance by drinking a magical potion. Can one imagine the possibilities? I got straight to work the next day, brewing up a storm! The first few ones were for basic colours, with the occasional fire or rainbow ones as well. They didn’t catch on at first, I think most Neopians were accustomed to using paint brushes. Why would anyone consume something that was to permanently alter their appearance?

     NT: It sure is crazy to think that there was a time when morphing potions weren’t very commonly used. What did you do to convince Neopians of their safety and effectiveness?

     Kauvara: I was able to receive an endorsement from my old friend, the Healing Springs Faerie. Luckily, she is widely regarded as an expert in both potions and Neopian medicine. She was able to speak to my magical ability. From there on, business grew like a field of Meridellian berries fertilized with the finest dung.

     NT: Our readers are curious, who makes all the potions?

     Kauvara: Why me, of course! Throughout all these years, I’ve preserved and kept my secrets. Not only are my recipes of the highest quality, they are also exceedingly difficult to brew. I’m unsure if there is anyone else out there who can do what I do. Do you know anyone who can keep Essence of Drackonack at the exact right temperature while slowly incorporating fresh Dewberry juice?

     NT: I sure don’t think I could. It sounds quite complicated to create these potions!

     Kauvara: When I first started stocking my Maraquan morphing potions, I was diving to collect shells to grind on my own. Now, I am able to outsource that to an entrepreneurial Koi.

     NT: It seems like a lot of work goes into these morphing potions, why have you not increased your prices over the years? It seems like you could be charging much more, based on how popular they are.

     Kauvara: Oh absolutely, my dear. However, I believe in keeping my potions as affordable as I can. I believe the gift of transformation should be enjoyed by all, not just the most fortunate Neopians. I’ve recently started working with other distributors to get my potions into more hands, paws, and claws.

     NT: What are some of your favourite potions that you make?

     Kauvara: I enjoy the Christmas ones, we source only the finest ingredients from Happy Valley. Many of them have the most delicious peppermint scent, with a hint of Fir. I must say, it is tiresome to attach the decorations on the potion bottles, though. The same is true for the Halloween series.

     NT: Personally I enjoy these more ornate morphing potions, the ornaments on the bottles really add a nice touch.

     Kauvara: Thank you, they seem to be the most popular these days. Sometimes I notice the restockers leaving the older, more plain ones on the shelves! Can you believe them?

     NT: It seems like the market does change quite frequently, with different potions being higher in demand than others. How do you adjust for this?

     Kauvara: Well, it would be unfair of me to focus on brewing only the most special and in-demand potions now, wouldn’t it? I continue to maintain stocks of all morphing potions, while developing recipes for new colours. I’ve been at this for a long time, and it doesn’t get any easier. The restockers that constantly flood my store will just have to manage. Like I mentioned earlier, I cannot produce more than I currently do.

     NT: The lack of mass-production does make your potions seem more special than your average tonic! From all of us here at the Neopian Times, we congratulate your success! Is there anything you’d like to tell the readers?

     Kauvara: I’d like to thank all my loyal customers of course, and invite anyone who may be hesitant to come on in! As for all you restockers out there currently tapping their feet outside, please understand that I am a one-Kau operation. I can only brew a certain number of potions every day, unfortunately.

     NT: Well, that concludes our Exclusive Neopian Interview. Please thank the one and only Kauvara for her time.

     See you next time on Exclusive Neopian Interviews!