Founding friendships 

Christian Seaverns was the original force behind wHydrate, founding the corporation himself. Two important events (among others) helped set the stage for the vision wHydrate would come to champion. One was Seaverns time in the Marine Corps, where he saw how the use of IV hydration helped military personnel stay healthy, heal faster and feel better. The second came from when his mother was fatally ill, and he saw what great help and comfort she received from various IV medicines and products.  

When asked why he and his business associates chose to open a wHydrate location in Rome, Seaverns says, “Well, I came up as a military brat but settled into a very similar town—Cartersville—to attend middle school and high school.  All the things I loved about a small town growing up and also seeing the Cartersville wHydrate thriving told me that our service was something everyone needed.  I saw similarities in Rome as well, great community, close community, and with the addition of wonderful partners that were Rome natives. It was a no-brainer!  Having a strong medical economy was also a big add.” 

About wHydrate’s relationship with the sports community, Seaverns says, “Athletics is one of the important demographics of our customer base, and a great one.  We currently support college athletes, professional athletes, and other customers that are proactive in their own athletic goals such as tennis, marathons, triathlons, boxing, and wrestling. We have customized our infusions to meet the needs of all customers.  The Olympian is a great package for the Athlete, as it aids in the recovery process. We have specific vitamins, minerals, and medications which also align with what an athlete may seek.”   

Madison Seaverns, wHydrate’s chief nursing officer, is a nurse with a background in pediatrics and several other areas in the medical field. She says, “Our clients are the best. Placing IVs while they tell you about their life and the experience with healthcare is so rewarding because you get to build those relationships and promote health and wellness.” She explains that their clients see increased energy, a strong immune system, and easier recovery from sickness. She says, “Repeat customers look forward to taking forty-five minutes to an hour for themselves, watching their favorite show, receiving fantastic service, and then seeing great results.” 

The business locations outside of Rome are all franchises, such as the ones in Chattanooga, numerous locations in and around Atlanta, and even in Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans. However, the Rome wHydrate is not a franchise but is owned under the partnership of Seaverns, Shows, and Ozment. “I’ve known Keith Ozment since he was in high school,” says Shows. “We’ve worked together in different capacities in the past. We were able to work with Christian to bring wHydrate to Rome. There was already one in Cartersville, and Keith and I thought Rome would be a great place for another.” The three business partners saw that Rome, having numerous hospitals, colleges, and health clubs, possessed the ideal demographics to make the business a success. “It was the perfect storm,” says Shows, “so we brought wHydrate here.”  

Seaverns, Shows, and Ozment are not only committed businessmen, but they are also deeply dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles. They’re active men, with many interests. Shows, for instance, enjoys his role as a college basketball referee (at the time of the phone interview for this article, he was in a downtown Chicago hotel room, waiting to officiate at a game— “It’s my avocation,” he says, “It’s a lot of fun.”). These business partners are motivated, in part, by a strong desire to help people, and improve people’s lives. “We all share the same philosophy of helping people out,” Shows says, so we’re here in Rome encouraging people to stay fit and take care of themselves.”