Wan Kim was first introduced to Smoothie King while studying at Boston University before going on to earn his MBA at the University of California at Irvine. Wan became a huge fan of the concept and opened the first international Smoothie King location in South Korea in 2003. Within six years, Wan had opened 120 stores in South Korea and eventually grew brand awareness to 94 percent on the peninsula. Wan went on to purchase the entire Smoothie King company in 2012 with the fundamental goal of pushing the brand to rediscover and reinvigorate the foundational values that differentiate Smoothie King as the standalone pioneer in the quick-service restaurant segment focused on health and fitness. Wan joins Justin to discuss this high-growth brand!
Peter Manning makes high-quality, great-fitting clothes for the "Not-so-tall"™ guy, including shorter inseam pants, shirts you can wear untucked, and jackets that don't fit like tents. Co-founder and CEO Jeff Hansen joins Justin to discuss launching and growing this fashion and apparel brand.
Spencer Jane was formed during Logan Brown’s first semester at Harvard Law School when she needed a suit for her law school's career fair. After multiple Ubers across town and exasperated texts to her mother asking if it looked like something fit, she found nothing. Logan wanted something that made her feel confident, comfortable in her own skin, and ready to be herself in an interview. She then founded Spencer Jane. Logan joins Justin to discuss this innovative Pant Suit (blazers, quarantine outfits, and more) brand.
Agua Bonita makes the first 100% real fruit, ready-to-drink aguas frescas. Inspired by perfectly delicious, fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste, and fueled by a passion to create something culturally authentic, unique, better for the planet, and beautiful, Kayla Castañeda co-founded Agua Bonita. Kayla joins Justin to discuss this fresh beverage concept.
Disappointed by a market filled with products that were loaded with sugar and unnecessary junk, founder Eric Bonin wanted something better – something to feel good about serving to family and friends. Eric spent two years sourcing the best ingredients and perfecting a recipe that’s known as much for what’s left out, as for what’s in it. Pillars all-natural, non-GMO Greek yogurts are naturally simple and naturally good. Eric joins Justin to discuss this delicious new brand.
The pet world needed a change. Pawpurity began researching, testing and developing products that were food based. They started designing support systems to help senior dogs lead a normal life, some of which are still in the testing phases. They made a promise to pet owners to set the bar higher so their dogs stay safe, healthy and happy. PawPurity is determined to produce only top quality, naturally made products packaged in eco-friendly materials. Founder Lisa Porter joins Justin to discuss this pet brand.
At Happy Howl, dogs are more than just our companions, they’re our co-pilots in life. Happy Howl’s mission is to do more than just fuel our furry tribe with wholesome, human-grade food – they are dedicated to feeding shelter pups in need, too. Colin Buckley joins Justin to discuss this exciting new better-for-your-pet dog food company.
Chi Kitchen is a woman-owned, family business founded by chef and culinary educator, Minnie Luong, who was born on a beautiful rice farm in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. After moving to the United State, Minnie grew up in Massachusetts and Rhode Island with a food obsessed family. Minnie became a culinary expert specializing in hand-crafted fermented kimchi and decided to launch her own business with a simple mission - to create flavorful, hand-crafted Asian foods for the well-being and vitality of their customers. Minnie joins Justin to discuss this new food brand.
David Bloom leads with a passion! He is the Chief Development and Operating Officer of Capriotti’s and Wing Zone and an expert in all facets of the Foodservice business. David joins Justin to discuss how to strategically develop and operate at an accelerated pace with the right talent in the right seats on the team. Let’s go!
Chad Belding is a lifelong sportsman and outdoors enthusiast whose love of the lifestyle was instilled at a very young age by his father Orville Belding. Chad’s passion eventually led him to predator and waterfowl hunting, and soon thereafter he became involved in competitive duck and goose calling in the late 1990’s. The call of the wilderness never left him, however, and in 2008 he founded Banded, a video production and merchandising company that specializes in waterfowl hunting gear and accessories as well as a selection of turkey hunting products. In that same year he originated The Fowl Life Television Series, also founded in 2008, which eventually went to air in 2009. Chad hosts several podcasts, is a leader in the outdoors industry, has launched numerous products lines in the outdoors segment, and joins Justin to discuss launching and growing the business.
Farzan Dehmoubed is Founder and CEO of Lotus Sustainables, an eco-friendly company on a mission to eliminate plastic from shopping. After launching its first product online with unprecedented success, Farzan expanded the company to retail. Lotus Sustainables eco-friendly products are now available in 15,000+ stores across the US and Canada, as well as on Amazon and Lotus-Sustainables.com. As the leading manufacturer of reusable bags, Lotus Sustainables has eliminated the need for over 400 million single-use plastic bags. In 2020 the company ranked 144 on the INC 5000 fastest growing companies in America. Farzan joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing business.
At PB2, they believe in finding the balance in everyday life, feeling confident in your choices, and being present each day. PB2 launched in 2007 and is continually working with a family of farmers to create pure and simple products that help you live better and happier. PB2 believes food can be both healthy and delicious at the same time. Eat what you love. Love what you eat. Choose PB2. John Monczynski joins Justin to discuss this delicious brand.
While working to build her business as a freelance designer for many years, Leah Michelle suffered tremendously from eye strain and headaches due to way too much screen time. After searching for and purchasing many pairs of blue light blocking glasses, she became disappointed with what she found in the marketplace and set out on a mission to create a better business. She developed a line of blue light blocking eyewear that are made of acetate to prevent eyes from harmful blue rays. Leah joins Justin to discuss this new eyewear brand.
ufurnish.com allows you to search furniture and home furnishing ranges from 100+ retailers all on one website. Use our detailed filters to segment the market and easily find what you’re looking for. While searching for the perfect item, ufurnish will suggest alternative and similar products, so you can ensure you never miss out on the perfect item. Co-founder Deirdre Mc Gettrick joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing e-furniture business!
Copper Clean™ Antimicrobial Surface Patches are durable, antimicrobial copper stickers that are applied to door handles, push plates, and other high-touch surfaces to kill surface-borne bacteria. Co-founder Benton Allen joins Justin to discuss product engineering, innovation and how copper helps keep surfaces clean.
In a quest to find a healthier alternative to traditional burgers, co-founder, Jason, quickly realized that the grocery aisles were full of imitation meats and veggie burgers but all were either highly processed, frozen, bland or loaded with preservatives. Not to mention they didn’t even look appetizing! He was determined to create a better option full of fresh farm-grown veggies and ingredients that were not only healthier, but filling, delicious and colorful. This was the spark that led to the creation of Actual Veggies and its line of chef-created, gourmet, ALL vegetable burgers - Just veggies, actually. Co-founders Jason Rosenbaum and Hailey Swartz join Justin to discuss this “actually” delicious new food brand.
Keith Belling always loved rice. But the empty calories, all the carbs, and that mystery packet of seasoning, started to keep him from eating it as much as he wanted to. When he realized he wasn’t the only one, he decided to do something about it. He put together a team of fellow rice lovers and got to work figuring out how to create a dry (shelf-stable) rice grain packed with the power of vegetables. They kept at it, blending different nutritious vegetables until it was just right. Meet RightRice. Keith joins Justin to discuss this awesome new rice offering!