ContenderCast with Justin Honaman
Business & Finance
About
Welcome to the ContenderCast with Justin Honaman, a leadership and Consumer Industries entrepreneurship conversation centered on shining a light on bright ideas. The ContenderCast is the top global Consumer Industries entrepreneurship podcast. Justin is a digital commerce leader, author, communicator, and Consumer Products / Retail industry thought-leader based in Atlanta, Georgia. For additional information and guest access, visit contendercast.com. Every winner started as a contender!
Episodes
- ZICO COCONUT WATER, GROUNDFORCE CAPITAL & AN ENTREPRENEUR'S GUIDE TO FREEDOM
Mark Rampolla built ZICO Coconut Water over nine years and sold it to Coca-Cola for over $200M. Then seven years later, bought it back. Now he's rebuilding it bigger than ever, going for $1B+, and documenting the entire process. Mark also…
- EVERBOWL
Jeff Fenster, founder of Everbowl, discusses the fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in customizable superfood bowls and smoothies. Everbowl focuses on promoting a healthy lifestyle with its fruit-based offerings.
- ALAFFIA :: CLEAN, GREEN, FAIR TRADE BEAUTY
Olowo-n'djo Tchala, founder of Alaffia, shares insights with Justin Honaman on establishing and expanding his clean, green, fair-trade beauty brand over a 20-year period.
- PAKING DUCK :: CUSTOM PACKAGING FOR CPG BRANDS
Jason Wong, founder and CEO of Paking Duck, shares his entrepreneurial journey, including building Doe Lashes to a $15 million valuation and developing Paking Duck's Packaging Network Model to offer innovative and flexible packaging soluti…
- LOONEN :: STILL & SPARKLING SPRING-SOURCED PURIFIED WATER
Clara Sieg shares the origin story of Loonen, a purified water brand. Her search for toxin-free water alternatives during pregnancy led her to develop a new product focused on healthier hydration.
- AMERICAN VINEGAR WORKS
Rodrigo Vargas of American Vinegar Works discusses the revival of artisanal vinegar in the US, using 1820s fermentation processes to create a modern craft brand. He shares insights into the growing consumer demand for authentic pantry stap…
- SUCCESS IS A NUMBERS GAME: ACHIEVE BIGGER GOALS BY CHANGING THE ODDS
Host Justin Honaman talks with author Kyle Austin Young about his book, which argues that goals have inherent probabilities of success and failure. Understanding and changing these odds is key to achieving objectives.
- PEESPORT PREMIUM PEE BOTTLE
Henry Snow, founder of PeeSport, the #1 pee bottle company in America, joins Justin Honaman on ContenderCast. They discuss the brand's mission to build a large, adventure-focused brand that also aims to be as impactful as Red Bull.
- COOKTOP SAFETY
David Eby, founder and CEO of Cooktop Safety, discusses the company's AI-powered automatic safe smart cooking system and SensorAI's focus on predictive technology for various housing solutions.
- HIGH LEVEL SCIENCE
High Level Science, co-founded by Ashley Parker Angel and Bobby Klebanoff, integrates entertainment and medicine through science-backed supplements. Co-founder Ashley Parker Angel and Dr. David Rizik developed formulations like Heart + Bod…
- JULIE ORIGINALS :: DESERT DWELLERS FLASH CARDS
Julie Bonner discusses the creation of Desert Dwellers Flash Cards, which merge education with fine art to teach children about desert wildlife. The conversation also covers leveraging creative design for consumer products.
- SIPSY
Hala Shamas, Founder and CEO of Sipsy, shares insights on her company's discover-driven approach to alcohol retail and e-commerce. She explains how Sipsy redefines the shopping experience through a blend of data-driven strategy and communi…
- BREAKWATER SUPPLY
Josh Lipinski, founder of the digital-first ecommerce retailer Breakwater Supply, shares his journey. The brand specializes in waterproof backpacks, shoes, and outdoor gear. Lipinski previously spent over 15 years in tech as a software eng…
- SPICED UP SEASONINGS :: FROM CHEF CALVIN HARRIS
Chef Calvin Harris, founder of Spiced Up, shares his mission to make home cooking both convenient and flavorful. His seasoning blends aim to help busy people create delicious, healthy meals without dining out.
- MAIA YOGURT :: GRASS-FED GOODNESS. FULL OF LOVE, NOT SUGAR.
The podcast episode features Hamilton Colwell, founder of Maia Yogurt, discussing the brand's focus on texture, resulting in a thick and creamy product. Colwell explains their production process, which emphasizes a smooth, velvety consiste…
- CHEEKY COCKTAILS
April Wachtel, founder of Cheeky cocktail mixers, joins Justin Honaman to discuss the brand's origins, its use in high-end establishments, and its focus on quality ingredients and mixology guidance.
- SHADY LADY HATS
Allyson Mandelbaum founded the hat brand Shady Lady out of a personal need for stylish headwear. The brand, designed in Fairfield, CT, offers hats for adults and children inspired by social gatherings and outdoor activities.
- HOLLOW SOCKS + FIX-IT-STICKS :: MEET ENTREPRENEUR BRIAN DAVIS
Brian Davis, an entrepreneur who founded Fix-It-Sticks and Hollow Socks, shares his experiences with both successful and unsuccessful ventures. He discusses the keys to turning a new idea into a product on the shelf.
- FROM SMALL BEGINNINGS TO BIG DREAMS: LORI PINE'S JOURNEY TO BECOMING THE JOY CEO!
Lori Pine, The Joy CEO, shares her journey from corporate roles at companies like Anheuser-Busch and Coca-Cola to becoming an executive life coach. She now assists ambitious women in redefining their lives and embracing joy, emphasizing it…
- OLIVA DORADO :: OLIVE OIL
Jeremy Sernick, founder of Oliva Dorado, joins Justin Honaman to discuss his single-origin organic olive oil brand. The conversation explores why Oliva Dorado tastes different from typical grocery store olive oil and the journey to making…
- AMY'S KITCHEN
Amy's Kitchen, founded in 1987, is a family-owned company specializing in organic and non-GMO convenience foods. President Paul Schiefer joined Justin Honaman to discuss the brand's growth.
- NORTH AVENUE CELLARS :: WINE
Charlie Fauroat discusses the founding of North Avenue Cellars with Justin Honaman. The brand was created by four friends from Georgia Tech who reunited after twenty years, blending their skills to create a wine that reflects their journey…
- SUNDAY :: LAWN CARE
Coulter Lewis, CEO of Sunday Lawn Care, discusses the company's subscription-based lawn care system that uses eco-friendly products and custom plans based on location, climate, and soil tests. The service aims for a healthy lawn with fewer…
- NAN'S ORIGINAL RECIPES :: SALAD DRESSINGS
Corinne Cartwright joins Justin Honaman to discuss Nan's Original Recipes, a small-batch food brand known for its healthy and versatile salad dressings, inspired by the resourceful cooking of its founder, Nan.
- JUST CALL ME SHIRLEY :: PREMIUM CANNED SHIRLEY TEMPLE COCKTAIL
ContenderCast features a discussion with Sydney Attis and Mikayla Garcia, co-founders of the Just Call Me Shirley canned cocktail brand. They explore the inspiration behind their RTD 5% canned cocktail and NA collection, which evokes 60s c…
- GOSPOTCHECK :: REIMAGINING HOW THE MOBILE WORKFORCE WORKS
GoSpotCheck was founded by childhood friends Matt and Joey in 2011. Cory Knopp joins host Justin to discuss consumer goods, retail, and data analytics that enhance in-store customer experiences.
- BETTER & BETTER :: ORAL WELLNESS TOOTHPASTE
The podcast episode discusses oral care, focusing on the toothpaste brand Better & Better. Co-founder and CEO Vladimir Vukicevic joins host Justin Honaman to talk about the brand's approach to avoiding harsh ingredients like SLS and fluori…
- CUSTOM NEON :: TURN YOUR IDEA INTO AN EYE-CATCHING LED NEON SIGN
Justin Honaman speaks with Jake Munday, Founder and CEO of Custom Neon, a company offering custom LED neon signs handmade in multiple countries and sold worldwide to various clients, including major brands.
- PASSPORT GLOBAL :: YOUR PASSPORT TO GLOBAL GROWTH
Alex Yancher, Co-Founder and CEO of Passport, discusses with Justin Honaman how their company assists direct-to-consumer and marketplace businesses in achieving global growth through technology, logistics, and compliance solutions.
- DISTILLERY OF MODERN ART
Seth Watson, founder of Distillery of Modern Art (DoMA), discusses the inspiration behind their craft spirits and unique label art with Justin Honaman on ContenderCast. DoMA aims to foster community and self-expression through their produc…
- OOLIE DIPS & YOGURTS :: IT'S A NEW ERA FOR EGGS!
Faith Ferguson discusses Oolie, a brand creating dairy-free dips and yogurts from Free-Range eggs sourced from small family farms. Oolie focuses on simple, creamy, clean, and protein-rich foods.
- KÜLTEE KAVIAR™ POPPING BOBA
Nils Schaede, Director of Marketing at Zentis, joins Justin Honaman on ContenderCast to talk about Kültee Kaviar™, a brand of popping boba balls known for their natural flavors and appealing texture and colors.
- STEWARDSHIP FOR BUSINESS: A PLAYBOOK TO DRIVE MORE VALUE INTO YOUR CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
Ira Gleser, formerly of Coca-Cola and Microsoft, discusses with Justin Honaman how building trust and investing in customer relationships drives long-term business value and partnerships.
- TRUBAR
Erica Groussman, founder and CEO of the vegan protein bar brand TRUBAR, discusses the company founded in 2019. TRUBAR features 100% plant-based ingredients and is free of gluten, dairy, soy, sugar alcohols, and harmful seed oils. The brand…
- SEAHORSE SNACKS
Stacy Martin, founder of Seahorse Snacks, shares her experience with a rare genetic mutation (CDH1) that required the removal of her stomach. Due to needing to eat frequently, she developed nutritious and flavorful nut-based snacks.
- MATCH MY MAKEUP
Victoria Ha, co-founder of Match My Makeup, discusses her company's foundation shade matching platform, which uses scientific and mathematical methods. The technology has been adopted by major retailers, and Ha previously worked in health-…
- TONY ROMA'S
Tony Roma's is a full service, casual dining family restaurant where you can find premier BBQ ribs and steaks in locations across the world. With over 100 family restaurant locations on five continents, Tony Roma's is one of the most globa…
- TIP TOP K9 DOG TRAINING
Tip Top helps you quickly fix behavior problems and bring the best out of your dog! They got started 15 years ago in Oklahoma and now have locations across the U.S. where they help people communicate better with their dogs. With the Tip To…
- DIVE NETWORKS / DIVE BILLBOARDS
Let's dive in! Deborah Hall is CEO and Co-Founder of DIVE Billboards, a company renowned for transforming digital out of home (DOOH) screens with real-time, human-curated and brand safe content. Under her leadership, alongside Co-Founder M…
- DIXIE GRACE'S BOILED PEANUTS
Discover the unexpectedly craveable taste of Dixie Grace's Boiled Peanuts. Unique taste, layered in flavor and texture. Plant-based protein grown in the ground, not in a lab. Minimally processed with carefully curated ingredients. Beloved…
- SEEME INDEX :: AI FOR INCLUSIVE MARKETING DECISIONS
Asha Shivaji is an accomplished marketer, having collaborated with renowned global brands, such as Apple, Disney, Moet Hennessy, Estee Lauder, and Johnson & Johnson. Throughout her career, Asha has focused on revamping and modernizing mark…
- WYNK :: HEMP-DERIVED 1:1 THC:CBD ZERO-CALORIE SELTZER
WYNK was founded in 2020 by Casey Parzych, Angus Rittenburg, and Shawn Sheehan, three friends (a beverage manufacturer, mechanical engineer, and energy trader) looking for a new opportunity in the cannabis beverage market. Their challenge:…
- THE PEACHIE SPOON
Trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle amidst changing diet trends and busy lifestyles can be overwhelming. In addition to being a wife and mother of three, Meredith Mann is a CPT and holistic nutrition and wellness consultant. She special…
- GOSILI :: REUSABLE SILICONE STRAWS, CUPS, FOOD STORAGE, & TABLEWARE
GoSili was founded in 2006 based on the principal that it was time to create a cultural shift away from toxic and excessive plastics. Founders, Giuliana Schawb and Stacey Feeley believed there was a better alternative to plastics, so they…
- BAKIT BOX :: BLEND BAKING WITH STEM!
Unlock the full adventure with Bake & Explore Kits, where engaging activities, global flavors, and fun challenges await. Or check out the Individual Baking Kits that offer fun and easy-to-follow recipes. Although these kits don't include a…
- MIGHTYLICIOUS BAKERY :: COOKIES, FLOURS, & MIXES
With just six simple ingredients, these cookies were designed for purists. They use the best quality peanut butter, eggs, vanilla, and maple syrup to create a cookie that is somewhere between fudge and cookie in texture. Meet Mightylicious…
- SHIPLAB :: THE ULTIMATE FULFILLMENT PARTNER
ShipLab is a San Diego based fulfillment center that is focused on providing simple and effective order fulfillment and inventory management to help entrepreneurs focus on growing their business, not just maintaining it. Co-founder Alan Si…
- RATIONALE BREWING
Jamie and his sons were sitting around the campfire having a few beers and talking about beer, naturally. His oldest was about to leave for college, so Jamie encouraged him to think for himself when it came to drinking alcohol, regardless…
- AMC GLOBAL :: LEADERS IN BRAND INNOVATION & LAUNCH
AMC Global delivers insights from real consumers in real markets to help you optimize your launch strategies. Shira Horn, Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Innovation, joins Justin to discuss market research, insights and anal…
- PICKYTARIAN :: ELEGANT, COMPOSTABLE, & DISPOSABLE DINNERWARE
Pickytarian, an e-commerce brand that creates stylish, sturdy, and compostable tableware for special occasions. Pickytarian stemmed from a desire to elevate an experience that is often riddled with single-use plastics, outdated designs, an…