Artificial Intelligence. Machine Learning. Generative AI. Deep Learning. What does it all mean?! And why should you as a founder or entrepreneur care? Michael Connor joins Justin to unpack all of this and more as related to the Retail and Consumer Packaged Goods start-up space.
Elevate your meal with six sauces that combine fresh ingredients and convenience. Haven’s Kitchen fresh sauces save you time shopping, chopping, & cleaning so you can focus on eating. Flavor-Forward Sauces. Vegan & Gluten-Free. Cooking? Haven’s Kitchens knows you’ve got it in you. Fluffy rice, crispy fish, perfectly roasted, caramelized vegetables…you just need a few tricks, a couple of tips and some simple recipes. Founder Alison Cayne joins Justin to discuss this growing food brand!
Family-owned Langer Juice Company, Inc., has emerged as a major force and a top ranked brand in the very competitive juice industry. Since the formation of the company in 1960, the Langer family has remained actively involved in every aspect of making juice, from production and marketing to quality assurance. Producing beverages in many of the high-volume categories that include apple, cranberry, orange, grape, grapefruit, and pomegranate, as well as innovative tropical blends such as mango, guava and passionfruit, the Langers brand can be found in major retailers and Club stores across the country. Additional brands include Langer Farms 100% juices and No Worries brand cocktail mixers. Recent additions include Langers apple cider vinegar stick packs, Langers organic flavored sparkling waters, Langer Farms Beyond Butter apple butter, Beyond Honey plant-based vegan honey, LyteAde Sports hydration beverage with caffeine, and Gen Z flavorless transparent liquid in aluminum bottles. Langer Juice Company is located in City of Industry, CA. Bruce Langer joins Justin to discuss this leading juice brand!
NestFresh started as a family company in Colorado in 1991. Their founders wanted to create an egg company focused on animal welfare and environmental sustainability. They believed that by treating animals right, both hens and humans benefit, and they are proud to maintain those founding values. In the early years, NestFresh Eggs were produced and sold exclusively in Colorado, and soon became Colorado’s favorite egg brand. Today they use regional, family-owned farms to produce and supply farm fresh NestFresh Eggs in a local, sustainable system. Jason Urena joins Justin to discuss the egg industry and this growing egg brand!
ContenderCast Website: http://contendercast.com || ContenderCast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contendercast-with-justin-honaman/id1253179825
Also check out: CPG Guys: http://CPGguys.com || FMCG Guys: http://FMCGguys.com
Open Water is ultra-purified, electrolyte-packed canned water in BPA-free aluminum packaging. Recyclable? Check. Climate Neutral? You bet. P.S. Fill up at the tap whenever possible. No, really! Co-founders Jess Page and Nicole Doucet join Justin to discuss this innovative and fast-growing water brand!
ContenderCast Website: http://contendercast.com || ContenderCast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contendercast-with-justin-honaman/id1253179825
Also check out: CPG Guys: http://CPGguys.com || FMCG Guys: http://FMCGguys.com
Moving the Middle is a must-read for any leader, manager or coach looking for a way to tap into the unrealized potential of their middle performers. Why the Middle? Your customers – Your culture – The economics – The physics – Your potential. This book was written to change the way you think about solving your greatest opportunity and challenge – your middle performers. As Retail and CPG brands return to office, this topic takes on added importance. Author Jack Spartz joins Justin to discuss this moving concept.
ContenderCast Website: http://contendercast.com ||. ContenderCast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contendercast-with-justin-honaman/id1253179825
Also check out: CPG Guys: http://CPGguys.com || FMCG Guys: http://FMCGguys.com
Do Good Foods is offering great-tasting products consumers know and love, that also have a tangible positive impact on the world. How? Today, 40% of the food we grow currently goes to waste. Can you imagine going to the store, filling five bags of groceries but then throwing two of them away? It’s a waste of resources, time and money. And Do Good Foods is putting a stop to it. Rather than throw food away, Do Good Foods is upcycling it. Surplus grocery food is first shared with local food pantries — what’s left over is then sent to their facility to be repurposed into feed for animals. Co-founder and co-CEO Justin Kamine joins Justin Honaman to discuss this transformational food brand!
ContenderCast Website: http://contendercast.com ||. ContenderCast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contendercast-with-justin-honaman/id1253179825
At Mother Raw, their love of plants runs deep. They like to say they're plant-powered and inspired by all the possibilities that can grow from a single seed. Their life's work is to make plants crave-able because everyone benefits from digging into their awesomeness! That's why they select the best of Mother Earth's incredible bounty including organic, non-GMO plant-based ingredients, and create ridiculously delicious and versatile products and recipes. All of the flavor and goodness, with none of the crap. Put Good on Good™. CEO Kristi Knowles joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing food brand!
ContenderCast Website: http://contendercast.com || ContenderCast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contendercast-with-justin-honaman/id1253179825
Also check out: CPG Guys: http://CPGguys.com || FMCG Guys: http://FMCGguys.com
As COO of Nuts.com, Eran Mizrahi watched as vendors changed up pricing, quality, and lead times on a whim. With so much at stake, he knew there had to be a better way. He partnered with fellow Nuts.com alumni Aalap Patel to start Ingredient Brothers, a company that is data-informed but relationship-driven and sources ingredients for consumer products from around the world. Eran joins Justin to discuss this growing brand.
ContenderCast Website: http://contendercast.com || ContenderCast on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contendercast-with-justin-honaman/id1253179825
Also check out:
CPG Guys: http://CPGguys.com || FMCG Guys: http://FMCGguys.com
Founded in 2015 by Marian Leitner-Waldman and her husband, David, Archer Roose is dedicated to producing affordable luxury wines with minimal intervention. How? Marian and David created the concept of a traveling vineyard. Instead of building a winery and committing to a specific geography and varietal, they wanted to offer wines from the most-renowned regions around the world. So, they fostered personal relationships with small, adventurous winemakers who preserve terroir, and approach viticulture with craftsmanship and deep respect for the environment. Through these close partnerships, they are able to produce unique, natural wines within 20 miles of their harvest location and bring them to you. Marian joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing wine brand!
ContenderCast Website: ContenderCast Website: http://contendercast.com || ContenderCast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contendercast-with-justin-honaman/id1253179825
Also check out: CPG Guys: http://CPGguys.com || FMCG Guys: http://FMCGguys.com
The Carbonauts host live, virtual workshops that help people optimize their lifestyles so that we can build a greener future. A natural sequel to TreeHugger.com, The Carbonauts inspires and guides people towards compelling, low-footprint ways of living and working by offering them live, time-efficient zoom courses that make it easy for them to slash their footprints at home and work while saving money and influencing others. Founder and CEO Graham Hill joins Justin to discuss this climate-friendly sustainability brand!
ContenderCast Website: http://contendercast.com || ContenderCast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contendercast-with-justin-honaman/id1253179825
Also check out: CPG Guys: http://CPGguys.com || FMCG Guys: http://FMCGguys.com
First things first: the bagels. Shug’s “Store 1,” just steps from SMU, smells exactly like a bagel store should smell, which is not a surprise as every day they make all of their dough from scratch, in-house, then make their bagels the artisanal, old-fashioned way – including a necessary fermentation period, kettle-boiling them, then baking them in a massive, revolving tray oven. Founder Justin Shugrue works at Shug’s every day, in his apron and baseball cap and joins Justin to discuss this growing bagel brand!
ContenderCast Website: http://contendercast.com || ContenderCast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contendercast-with-justin-honaman/id1253179825
Also check out: CPG Guys: http://CPGguys.com || FMCG Guys: http://FMCGguys.com
Clutch Coffee was born in the Carolinas in 2018. With 20+ years of drive-thru coffee experience, combined with a burning desire to revitalize the lost art of customer service, they set out on a quest to build the best drive-thru beverage experience on the planet. They are passionate about people, providing opportunities, and creating a culture that is second to none. They are equally inspired to provide the best coffees, energy drinks and other specialty beverages that you’ve ever tasted. Co-founder and CEO Darren Spicer joins Justin to discuss this growing coffee bar brand!
ContenderCast Website: http://contendercast.com || ContenderCast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contendercast-with-justin-honaman/id1253179825
Also check out: CPG Guys: http://CPGguys.com || FMCG Guys: http://FMCGguys.com
Holistic Roasters is certified by Demeter USA. They source coffee directly from family-run, Regenerative Organic / Biodynamic farms and cooperatives. Holistic Roasters is certified by Demeter USA. They source coffee directly from family-run, Regenerative Organic / Biodynamic farms and cooperatives. Co-founder Gregory Kalinin joins Justin to discuss this growing coffee brand.
ContenderCast Website: http://contendercast.com || ContenderCast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contendercast-with-justin-honaman/id1253179825
Also check out: CPG Guys: http://CPGguys.com || FMCG Guys: http://FMCGguys.com
The story of T-swirl Crepe starts thousands of miles away on the shores of Japan. The Japanese Crepe borrows from a western concept and modernized it into new level of versatility that you can gobble on the go. Building on this new concept, T-swirl started to research and have perfected the 100% gluten free rice flour batter, to craft a crispy thin chewy layer that embraces all the decadent condiments. T-swirl is synonymous with using the finest ingredients to construct a trendy/artistic crepe that arrives to your hand with incredible speed. We have standardized the process to give you a consistently clean and delicious crepe. T-swirl is the only destination to satisfy your crepe cravings. As you crack open the door, the initial whiff is enchanting. The air perfumes with aroma of fresh fruits and savory bacon as you walk closer to the counter. Once there, you are greeted with an inviting smile; letting you know that you are about to embark on a mouth-watering adventure. We have sweet and savory crepes that can satisfy your taste buds. Co-founder Jerry Lin joins Justin to discuss this delicious brand!
ContenderCast Website: http://contendercast.com || ContenderCast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contendercast-with-justin-honaman/id1253179825
Also check out: CPG Guys: http://CPGguys.com || FMCG Guys: http://FMCGguys.com
Nicole (Nikki) Dawes is the CEO and Founder of Nixie Sparking Water and also the Founder of Late July Organic Snacks. Founded in 2018, Nixie Sparkling Water is a brand that delivers exceptional taste without synthetic solvents, carriers or artificial preservatives. Founded in 2003, Late July Snacks offers tortilla chips and crackers made of organic, non-GMO ingredients that the whole family can enjoy. Nikki joins Justin to discuss launching and growing two successful CPG brands.
ContenderCast Website: http://contendercast.com
ContenderCast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contendercast-with-justin-honaman/id1253179825
Also check out:
CPG Guys: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys: http://FMCGguys.com
At Good Food for Good, their products are certified organic and free of refined sugar, soy, corn syrup, gluten, dairy, or preservatives. Basically, if you wouldn’t add it when cooking from scratch, you won’t find it in their products. Unlike most store-bought sauces you can find, they don’t believe in relying on sugar and artificial additives for flavor. All of their organic sauces are Keto, Paleo, Vegan, and Whole30 Approved, because putting your health first should not have to mean sticking to bland, sauce-less meals. Founder and President Richa Gupta joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing food brand.
From a small kitchen in Asheville, NC, two mothers with a purpose and passion for fermentation began making kombucha as a healthy alternative for their kids. From gifting jars to friends, families, neighbors and eventually selling through farmers markets—their shelves and countertops were quickly overflowing with kombucha. So they took a big leap—a leap that sparks fear, curiosity and can alter a person’s life forever. Buchi took their small-batch home production to a warehouse on a 180-acre farm in the mountains of Southern Appalachia. Unwaveringly dedicated to their mission, the whole team decided this wouldn’t just be their office, but their home. Brewing together, working together, living together, and taking on every hardship together. In 2016, Buchi opened the first commercial kombucha brewery in the Southeast. Buchi’s purpose is to craft delicious, high-quality, nutrient-dense living drinks; invest in the regeneration of our planet; and use business as a conduit for positive social impact. Zane Adams joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing brand.
Designer Dram began when one of the founders set about to create his own whiskey. He quickly discovered that the only way he could do this was by going through the process of creating an entire barrel of whiskey. As exciting as this was, this process takes a minimum of two years and costs upwards of $5,000 if aged well. Now each of us can create our own via Designer Dram. Co-founder Chintan Dhanji joins Justin to discuss this unique alcoholic-beverage experience brand!
First it was salsa! Now it is chicken! Dave Zilko has been a food entrepreneur for over 25 years, most prominently at Metro Detroit-based Garden Fresh Gourmet. He succeeded in taking the company from $4.6 million in annual revenue to just over $110 million prior to engineering a sale to the Campbell’s Soup Company for close to a quarter billion dollars. From his Garden Fresh experience, Dave wrote the book, “Irrational Persistence; Seven Secrets That Turned A Bankrupt Startup Into A $231,000,000 Business.” Now Dave has a new endeavor – The Skinny Butcher – that is growing rapidly with plant-powered protein! Dave joins Justin to discuss the keys to launching and growing a successful food brand.
Only 69% of Americans brush twice per day. A clear indicator that brushing is a chore, rather than a joy. And yet, a healthy mouth promotes a health life. At Chilly, they are on a mission to make brushing something we look forward to. They have re-imagined toothpaste – in fact, spicing it up! Founder and CEO Rainer Agles joins Justin to discuss this hot new brand!
Like many kids, mainstream snacks and cereals were a memorable part of Krishna Kaliannan’s childhood. There’s nothing he loved more than chocolate puffs for breakfast or a delicious sandwich cookie dunked in a glass of cold milk. Unfortunately, when he turned 17, he was diagnosed with T1 diabetes and had to give up many of his favorite snacks since they are typically loaded with sugar and empty carbs. He started eating low carb to help manage his blood sugar, but the few healthy options available tasted like cardboard. He got fed up! He wanted delicious snacks that would satisfy my cravings but weren’t loaded with all the sugar and empty carbs. And thus, Catalina Crunch was born. Krishna joins Justin to discuss this innovative and fast-growing food brand!
Deliciously different, with a refreshing approach to building a brand. Made the “Old fashioned way,” reaching consumers in an entirely new way. CAVU works with brands like Beyond Meat, Bai, Vital Proteins, Jennifer Garner's Once Upon a Farm, ONE bars, Oat-ly, Skinny Dipped, and Bulletproof. Chief Brand Architect Stevie Clements joins Justin to discuss how CAVU helps consumer brands accelerate growth.
Innoviom is a global innovative food and beverage platform that builds on new trends and takes them to scale. Innoviom uncovers new emerging trends for food and beverages bringing value-added healthy propositions to consumers. Imagine a world full of delicious healthy beverage and snacks that make us feel better. Ahmed ElAzizi, CEO, joins Justin to discuss this innovative new food and beverage platform.
flavrs provides foodies with the first shoppable-video platform that merges premium food content and commerce. The platform connects high-quality food videos to shopping, starting with groceries, through an industry-first Instacart integration. flavrs gives users access to premium recipe tutorials with a commerce-driven component allowing foodies to discover and replicate the meals they watch at home by purchasing ingredients through a custom integration with Instacart. flavrs is designed for passionate foodies who have been long deprived of one central digital ecosystem where they will discover the best food content, cook along with recipes, and shop. Co-founder Alejandro Oropeza joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing food commerce brand!