ContenderCast with Justin Honaman

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. Every winner started as a contender!

TONY ROMA’S 01/20/2025

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 globally recognizable names in the industry. CEO, Mina Haque joins Justin to discuss this growing restaurant industry brand! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/34922255

TIP TOP K9 DOG TRAINING 11/04/2024

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 Top Method of Dog Training, you can quickly gain the control you have always wanted while still having a happy, tail-wagging dog! Ryan Wimpey, the visionary founder of Tip Top K9 Dog Training, joins Justin to discuss the business, their training method, and more! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/33745147

DIVE NETWORKS / DIVE BILLBOARDS 10/28/2024

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 Michael Girgis, DIVE Billboards is bringing the best of mobile and social to DOOH. Deb joins Justin to discuss how DIVE curates and translates dynamic, data-driven creative and social UGC moments to billboards around the world, combining social and digital out of home (DOOH) strategies for ultimate engagement and discovery. /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/33590357

DIXIE GRACE’S BOILED PEANUTS 10/21/2024

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 snack all around the world for centuries! Dixie joins Justin to discuss this delicious brand! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/33501542

SEEME INDEX :: AI FOR INCLUSIVE MARKETING DECISIONS 10/14/2024

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 marketing initiatives that captured the hearts and minds of consumers. Most recently, Asha led the marketing strategy for Google's Advanced Brand Acceleration Team and co-led Google's partnership with the UN's Unstereotype Alliance, an organization whose meaningful efforts are aimed at eliminating harmful stereotypes from media and advertising. In 2023, Asha and Jason launched the SeeMe Index because there was a lack of data about consumer-facing inclusivity efforts. Asha joins Justin to discuss the index and benefits to consumers and brands! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/33326372

WYNK :: HEMP-DERIVED 1:1 THC:CBD ZERO-CALORIE SELTZER 10/07/2024

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: find a way to dose the seltzer with THC legally, as current laws for dispensary distribution require dosing in the states where the drinks will be sold. Today, WYNK is a hemp-derived 1:1 THC:CBD zero-calorie seltzer. WYNK's blend of THC and CBD offers a light and bubbly buzz that is enjoyable any night of the week. WYNK is made with all-natural flavors and comes in Black Cherry Fizz, Lime Twist, Juicy Mango, and newly released Tangerine. WYNK is available online for purchase in 37 states, and sold in retail stores in 12 states at www.drinkwynk.com. Angus joins Justin to discuss this innovative, and fast-growing, beverage brand. /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/33306592

THE PEACHIE SPOON 09/30/2024

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 specializes in metabolisms, blood sugar, and emotional eating. Her happy place is her yoga mat and her kitchen, creating simple recipes that help balance blood sugar. She believes that freedom starts to come when we learn to eat properly to shut off hunger, ditch the crave/crash cycle, and finally feel good every day. Meredith joins Justin to discuss launching and growing a lifestyle brand – The Peachie Spoon! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/33095957

GOSILI :: REUSABLE SILICONE STRAWS, CUPS, FOOD STORAGE, & TABLEWARE 09/23/2024

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 began creating stylish, incredibly durable, 100% nontoxic silicone products with the philosophy that it was time to make the “basics” better. They first founded the award-winning all silicone children’s brand, Silikids of which GoSili is the parent company. Today, the company has expanded from kids products to products for the whole family and more. GoSili continues to bring innovative silicone products to market and has since been dedicated to building a social movement away from unsustainable plastic wares by providing the alternative to them. Stacey joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing brand. /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/32955142

BAKIT BOX :: BLEND BAKING WITH STEM! 09/16/2024

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 all the extras found in Bake & Explore Kits, they're just as perfect for spending quality time with your little ones. CEO and Founder Shelley Gupta joins Justin to discuss this growing baking experience brand! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/32948387

MIGHTYLICIOUS BAKERY :: COOKIES, FLOURS, & MIXES 09/09/2024

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! CEO Carolyn Haeler joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing brand. /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/32908787

SHIPLAB :: THE ULTIMATE FULFILLMENT PARTNER 09/02/2024

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 Silberstein joins Justin to discuss launching and growing the business. /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/32574457

RATIONALE BREWING 08/26/2024

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 of the peanut gallery's opinions. Making a rational choice feels pretty damn radical...so why not screw the rules, make that radical choice and own the moment? They got pretty fired up about the idea of crafting a non-alc beer that doesn't play by the rules. They started brewing RationAle and haven’t looked back since. Wendy Pickett, Co-Founder and EVP of Sales, joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing non-alc beverage brand! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/32444792

AMC GLOBAL :: LEADERS IN BRAND INNOVATION & LAUNCH 08/19/2024

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 analytics that power product innovation and launch. /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/32366907

PICKYTARIAN :: ELEGANT, COMPOSTABLE, & DISPOSABLE DINNERWARE 08/12/2024

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, and subpar offerings. Pickytarian creates dinnerware products that are beautifully designed, elegant, sturdy, compostable, and disposable. Their tableware products are meant for those special occasions where it’s a huge hassle to use fine dinnerware but you are also conscious enough not to use toxic plastic or flimsy paper plates. Founder and CEO Laide Olambiwonnu joins Justin to discuss this innovative brand. /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/32290822

BAR2TABLE :: PREMIUM CANNED COCKTAILS 08/05/2024

BAR2TABLE :: PREMIUM CANNED COCKTAILS What do you do when you want your Bloody Mary but can’t carry along all of the ingredients to mix the drink? You grab a MaryCan! Premium canned cocktails – cocktails on the go – are a fast-growing category and the team at Bar2Table is working hard to introduce your favorite cocktails, with great taste, the highest quality and in great packaging. Charlton Gronlund joins Justin for a “Part 2” to discuss this fast-growing alco-bev brand! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/32242707

RAZER :: FOR GAMERS. BY GAMERS. 07/29/2024

RAZER :: FOR GAMERS. BY GAMERS. Razer Inc. is an American multinational corporation and technology company that makes, develops and sells consumer electronics, financial services, and gaming hardware. The brand was founded in 1998, then re-founded in 2005 by and Robert "RazerGuy" Krakoff, although the business originated in 1999 in the US. Bob Ohlweiler, SVP of Global Sales & Marketing, joins Justin to discuss this high-octane brand! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/32242697

DEEBEE’S ORGANICS 07/22/2024

DEEBEE’S ORGANICS As a mom, Dionne Laslo-Baker wanted to show her kids that real food can be delicious without adding malic acid, artificial colors, or artificial flavors. So she brought her PhD in Medical Science from the lab to the kitchen and created products she would be proud to give her own family. She also wanted to prove that business can be a force for good—helping to create a more colorful world filled with health, inclusivity, and joy. A world where everyone thrives, together. DeeBee’s Organics is a Certified B Corporation, their factory uses solar power, and they champion employees’ most loved causes through the DreamLauncher program. Dionne joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing brand! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/31984007

MING RIVER :: BAIJIU 07/15/2024

MING RIVER :: BAIJIU Baijiu (pronounced bye-j’yo) means “white spirits” in Mandarin. It is a diverse drinks category that includes all traditional Chinese grain spirits. Most baijiu is distilled from sorghum, but it can also be made from other crops. The techniques deployed in baijiu production vary greatly by region and style, and different styles of baijiu can be as distinct as whiskey is to tequila. Baijiu is the world’s most popular liquor by volume. China’s National Statistics Bureau estimates that the country produces about 12.9 billion liters (3.4B gal) of baijiu annually. Put another way, there is more baijiu produced each year than the combined total of vodka and whisky—numbers two and three, respectively. Baijiu and Western spirits, broadly defined, are fundamentally different alcohols, which makes Chinese spirits an exciting new addition to the international spirits world. Co-founder Derek Sandhaus joins Justin to discuss this new exciting, up-and-coming alco-bev brand! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/31913717

TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE 07/08/2024

TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE Tropical Smoothie Cafe, also referred to as Tropical Smoothie, is a restaurant franchise in the United States that operates more than 1400 locations nationwide. Tropical Smoothie began as a smoothie shop in 1993 along the panhandle of Florida. Tropical Smoothie Franchise Development Corporation was founded in 1997 in Destin, Florida, and the first franchised store opened in 1998 in Tallahassee, Florida. Tropical Smoothie Cafe is currently headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. CEO Charles Watson joins Justin to discuss restaurant strategy, growth and delivering an exceptional customer experience! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/31913637

FRESH PRESS FARMS :: OLIVE OIL 07/01/2024

FRESH PRESS FARMS :: OLIVE OIL Fresh Press Farms are the makers of homegrown, cold pressed cooking oils. Crafting oil like this means they capture the best of the olive...or peanut, pecan, or sunflower seed because they make those oils, too! CEO Frederic Lebourg joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing brand. /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/31879752

CRISP POWER :: PROTEIN PRETZELS 06/24/2024

CRISP POWER :: PROTEIN PRETZELS Crisp Power. Your go-to for functional food with just 6g of net carbs and a whopping 28g of plant based protein per pack [1.75oz (50g)]. It’s not just a snack; it’s a revolution! Gilad Zilberberg joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing, innovative snack brand! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/31479822

DAILY CRUNCH :: UNIQUELY CRUNCHY SPROUTED NUT SNACKS 06/17/2024

DAILY CRUNCH :: UNIQUELY CRUNCHY SPROUTED NUT SNACKS It all started when Diane’s sister took a trip to India over 15 years ago, where she learned about the health and taste benefits of sprouted almonds. When you soak almonds in water for a long period of time, they “sprout”. The result is easier to digest + more nutrient dense + crunchier almonds! Inspired by these health benefits + the “sprouted-nut-crunch”, Diane began sprouting almonds and then dehydrating them, as opposed to roasting them, at home. She would then flavor them with real ingredients. She loved the way they tasted, and even more, the way they made her feel. She shared her sprouted snacks with friends and family members … who were always asking for more! Laurel, her niece and a healthy food lover with plentiful experience in marketing, fell in love with the snacks. Her interest was piqued. After doing some market research and going to Natural Products Expo West, Laurel and Diane realized sprouted snacks were truly unique from snacks already on the market. For the health-conscious consumer, a tasty + crunchy sprouted nut snack made with all real ingredients, no oil, and no added sugars would be a dream come true. Co-founder and CEO Laurel Orley joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing snack brand! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/31479167

THE LITTLEOAK COMPANY :: BABY FORMULA (PART 2) 06/10/2024

THE LITTLEOAK COMPANY :: BABY FORMULA (PART 2) The LittleOak Company is on a mission to create products that care equally for our little ones and the world they will grow into. They believe that nothing can prepare our children for the world more than the world itself. Nature, after all, is our greatest provider. This is why they fell in love with the natural benefits of fresh goat milk and use it in our range of toddler drinks. Founder Elke Pascoe joins Justin to discuss this growing baby formula brand! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/31389762

MOSHI :: SPARKLING BEVERAGES 06/03/2024

MOSHI :: SPARKLING BEVERAGES NYC is widely considered one of the most diverse cities in the world, with people, music, and FOOD from all over! After several years of cooking in some of the top restaurants in the city, Founder Alton But noticed that the non-alcoholic beverage pairings could have been more inspiring. NYC has some of the best Asian cuisines outside of Asia, only for the meals to be paired with the same old sodas and soft drinks that every other restaurant in the city carries. Alton and his team made it their mission to change this; they launched Moshi, a beverage brand made with unique Asian ingredients to pair with the Asian cuisine we all know and love. Alton joins Justin to discuss this growing beverage brand! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/31271952

A SHARK ATE MY BAGEL :: THE STORY OF BANTAM BAGELS! 05/27/2024

A SHARK ATE MY BAGEL :: THE STORY OF BANTAM BAGELS! Elyse and her husband and business partner, Nick, seemingly have done it all. Together, they faced the notorious Sharks of ABC’s Shark Tank, sold millions of bagels on live TV, invented multiple successful lines of frozen breakfast items, and built their company into a recognized national brand. But they have also faced challenge. In pursuit of their dream, Elyse and Nick spent seven days a week, 24 hours a day, bustling through financial struggles, rejections, pregnancies, births, miscarriages, crisscrossing the country, fighting tooth and nail for the survival of their company. And nearly every time they made a step towards success it was coupled by an equally sized calamity or failure. Elyse also just published "A Shark Ate My Bagel: How We Built Bantam Bagels, A Memoir." Elyse joins Justin to discuss launching, growing, and exiting a fast-growing bagel business. /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/31110783

STAGE SEVEN TEQUILA 05/20/2024

STAGE SEVEN TEQUILA Miles Marmo is a failed professional athlete turned marketing agency and brand owner. As the Co-Founder of Agency Squid and Stage Seven Tequila, he brings a wealth of consumer goods knowledge to every brand he develops. Prior to starting his own agency and tequila brand, he spent years at one of the leading RTD beverage brands in the US. As a trained strategist, Miles works to blend business acumen with creative expression. Miles joins Justin to discuss Consumer Goods and his new beverage brand! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/31110753

EVERGREEN :: BREAKFAST JUST GOT (WAY) BETTER WITH WAFFLES! 05/13/2024

EVERGREEN :: BREAKFAST JUST GOT (WAY) BETTER WITH WAFFLES! With the arrival of her daughter in 2018, Emily Groden (Founder and CEO) knew she would not have as much time to cook. She needed a new go-to: something that was simple, tasty, and truly nourishing. But frozen waffles? Are they simple? Yes. Tasty? Definitely. Nourishing? Uh… no. It’s a classic tale of a mom, a mission, and a waffle maker. Cramming all the good stuff like fruits, veggies, nuts and spices into something that tastes as good as it makes you feel. A few years and a few hundred recipes later, flavor, protein, fiber, and a whole serving of fruits and veggies are together at last… in a toaster. Emily joins Justin to discuss this delicious and fast-growing brand! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/30963738

MOSS PURE :: LIVE MOSS WALLS & DECOR 05/09/2024

MOSS PURE :: LIVE MOSS WALLS & DECOR Moss Pure was created during a startup competition at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in June 2020, where it won First Place Startup in Track 1B: Health, Energy, and Waste Management (MIT Lebanon Challenge). It then went on to participate in the United Nations Development Programme where it won Top 10 Startup in August 2020. While most moss wall companies use preserved moss that is no longer living, Moss Pure is the first and only live moss air filter and stress relief device. Their patent pending science extends the lifespan of live moss within our design without needing any watering, sunlight, or maintenance. All while being an aesthetically pleasing decor piece in your modern space. Founder Jamie Mitri joins Justin to discuss this “growing” company! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/30438153

AMANTE 1530 :: APERITIVO AMARO 05/06/2024

AMANTE 1530 :: APERITIVO AMARO Amante, the Italian word for lover, is designed to stimulate the senses and inspire a life of passion. LA DELIZIOSA VITA, the delicious life. Hailing from the historic Il Palagio 1530 estate in Tuscany, this latest innovation in amaro offers a new take on an old classic; combining aromas of Italian citrus, ginger and honeysuckle to help you enjoy a unique bittersweet taste and a thoroughly delicious afternoon. Amante 1530 transports the art of Italian spirit-making into the 21st century, and heralds a new era of amaro. Amante 1530. The delicious life. CEO Ana Rosenstein joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing brand! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/30900528

NOOVO :: CAMPER VAN CONVERSIONS! 04/29/2024

NOOVO :: CAMPER VAN CONVERSIONS! Based in Las Vegas, Noovo introduces two groundbreaking models in 2024: Noovo Lite and the innovative Noovo Plus, the ‘First Super High Roof Camper Van in the US. Designed for the evolving needs of remote workers, retirees, travel nurses, and adventurers, these vans represent our vision of seamless integration between life’s work and pleasures. These vans are ideal for full-time van living. Co-founder Paul Aubert joins Justin to discuss this moving brand! /episode/index/show/jhonaman/id/30715908

ContenderCast with Justin Honaman

TOPICS