ContenderCast with Justin Honaman

Josh Lipinski is the founder of the Breakwater Supply outdoor brand which is a digital-first ecommerce retailer that sells specialized waterproof backpacks, shoes, and other outdoor gear. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Josh worked for over 15 years in tech as a Software Engineer and Senior Manager in the Boston area. He currently leads all day-to-day operations of Breakwater Supply, which involves sourcing and product development, marketing and advertising, logistics, fulfillment, and web development. Josh joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing brand!

With decades of culinary experience, Chef Calvin Harris is on a mission to transform home cooking. He launched Spiced Up to tackle a common problem: the trade-off between convenience and taste. Chef Calvin understands that busy lives often lead to dining out or ordering in. Yet, he believes that home-cooked meals can be both healthy and incredibly flavorful. That's why he created Spiced Up seasoning blends—making it easy for anyone to whip up delicious, nutritious meals at home. Cooking is Chef Calvin's love language. He's passionate about helping home cooks create amazing meals that bring families together. With Spiced Up, he proves that anyone can cook and that great taste should never be sacrificed for convenience. Chef Calvin joins Justin to uncap this spicy brand!

At Maia, they believe that great yogurt is about more than just flavor—it's about texture. Their commitment to crafting the perfect yogurt results in a thick, creamy consistency that stands out from the rest. Each cup of Maia spends its final hours of production settling into its rich, velvety texture, right in the cup. For the ultimate experience, they recommend enjoying Maia's thick, creamy texture by gently scooping into it rather than stirring. This way, you savor every smooth bite, just as we intended. Founder Hamilton Colwell joins Justin to unpack this delicious yogurt brand!

Founded by bartenders and used behind bars at five-star hotels, stadiums, resorts (and in your home!) Cheeky is a line of badass cocktail mixers designed to unleash your creativity. They believe everyone can be a mixologist with a bit of guidance and access to the best ingredients. So, they source the highest-quality raw materials, make non-alcoholic cocktail mixers to the specifications used in craft cocktail bars, and provide recipes, tips, and tricks on using them in your creations. Founder April Wachtel joins Justin to unpack this "cheeky" brand!

As a mom, business owner and woman on the go, Allyson Mandelbaum was faced with the eternal question, "How can I look cute, but still have dirty hair?" ...And that is how Shady Lady was born. Allyson loves wearing hats but could never find the perfect one. They were either too stiff, too big, had team names, or adorned with cheesy catch phrases. After a lot of unsuccessful searching, she came to only one conclusion: If she couldn't find the hat of her dreams, she had to make it. Designed in Fairfield, CT and available for kids and adults, Shady Lady hats are inspired by fun times with fabulous girlfriends and beach days that turn into cozy nights around the fire pit. At Shady Lady they want you to have fun and not take yourself too seriously because every lady is a little bit shady. Allyson joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing "shady" brand!

An entrepreneur from head to toe, meet Brian Davis! Brian launched Fix-It-Sticks and Hollow Socks…and several others that didn't make it! He is always looking for writers, reviewers, buyers and more to help him spread the word and get socks and tools to customers who will LOVE them. Brian joins Justin to share his entrepreneurship stories – some that worked and some that did not – and the keys to success when taking a new idea from concept to shelf!

Lori Pine, The Joy CEO, an award-winning Corporate VP turned Executive Life Coach and dynamic speaker. After years of working for corporate powerhouses such as Anheuser-Busch, The Coca-Cola Company, and Campbell's Soup Company, Lori now helps ambitious, high-performing women rewrite their old, worn-out story, dream bigger, and thrive. Her innate ability to clarify the problem and quickly assess the situation helps women spend less time swirling and more time living and loving their lives. Because if there's one thing she has learned, it's that joy has a ripple effect. Add it to one area of your life and it will enhance so many more! Lori joins Justin for a "joy-filled" conversation!

They tasted real olive oil and wondered...why was this so different than everything at the grocery store? Why did this taste richer, smoother, and cleaner than anything we had tried before? Why was something this good, the same ingredient prized by ancient civilizations, so rare and hard to find? So they started looking for answers. And Oliva Dorado was born. Jeremy Sernick, founder of Oliva Dorado, a single-origin organic olive oil, joins Justin to discuss this growing brand!

Amy's Kitchen, Inc., doing business as Amy's, is a family-owned, privately held American company based in Petaluma, California, that manufactures organic and non-GMO convenience and frozen foods. Founded in 1987 by Andy and Rachel Berliner, and incorporated in 1988, the company took its name from their daughter, Amy! Paul Schiefer, Amy's President, joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing, entrepreneurial brand!

Twenty years ago, four friends met at Georgia Tech, each driven by a unique passion for innovation, creativity, and excellence. Their paths diverged after graduation, leading them into different industries, but their shared love for wine remained a constant. Reuniting two decades later, they decided to blend their diverse skills and experiences to create a wine brand that reflects their journey and the spirit of collaboration that started in their college days. This brand isn't just about producing high-quality wine; it's about telling a story of friendship, perseverance, and a deep-rooted love for the craft. Charlie Fauroat joins Justin to discuss this growing wine brand!

Sunday Lawn Care offers a subscription-based, personalized lawn care system that delivers eco-friendly products like fertilizers and grass seeds directly to consumers. It uses your location, climate, and soil test results to create a custom plan for your specific needs, aiming to provide a healthy lawn with fewer harsh chemicals. The service includes detailed instructions, and products are designed to be easy to apply, working with nature to promote growth and combat weeds without broad-spectrum pesticides. Founder and CEO Coulter Lewis joins Justin to discuss this "growing" brand!

Born in 1928, Nan grew up on the Connecticut shoreline, where the salty sea air and small town charm forged her lifelong coastal spirit. A child of the Great Depression, Nan learned the fundamentals of resourceful cooking from her mother, who showed her how to create exciting meals from what grew in their garden. Eventually, Nan would hone her skills to recreate dishes from her travels around the world. It didn’t take long for Nan to become known for her healthy salad dressings, always made with premium olive oil. Today, Nan’s Original Recipes captures the essence of the beloved mother and grandmother: Good, wholesome food that inspires an enriched wholesome life. Family-founded and made in small batches with premium organic ingredients, her healthy creations are versatile and shelf-stable. Corinne Cartwright joins Justin to unpack this growing food brand!

Just Call Me Shirley invites you to the essence of the 60’s era, where the clinking of glasses echoed through smoke-filled rooms with power suits and intriguing conversations. Their Original Shirley Temple Cocktail is a purposeful blend of classic charm and timeless sophistication. Inspired by the iconic Shirley Temple, their RTD 5% canned cocktail & NA collection elevates a classic experience to a new level of refinement. Just Call Me Shirley is a nod to the past, a celebration of the present, and a promise of timeless sophistication. Enjoy the subtle sweetness of natural cherry and lemon-lime flavors. Expect retro red coloring without the harmful dyes. Co-founders Sydney Attis and Mikayla Garcia join Justin to discuss this growing brand!

GoSpotCheck was born in the Mile High City, where a love for the outdoors, beer brewing, and the Broncos run deep. Their founders, Matt and Joey, were childhood friends, and Joey and Samantha met at DU in grad school. The three started GoSpotCheck in a garage together after graduating from Boulder Techstars in 2011. Their spirit lives on in their product, teams, and values. Cory Knopp joins Justin to discuss Consumer Goods, Retail, data, and analytics that help brands deliver a better customer experience in store.

From toxins and harsh soaps to polluting plastics, oral care was long overdue for an upgrade. You don’t need harsh ingredients for a healthy smile, so they said no to sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), fluoride, parabens, GMOs, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives—forever. Meet Vladimir Vukicevic, co-founder and CEO of Better & Better. Justin and Vlad unpack bright and shiny toothpaste and oral care ideas together on this episode!

Custom Neon™ offers stunning custom-made led neon signs worldwide. Their signs are handmade in the US, China and Australia and sold in over 60 countries to customers including some of the world's biggest brands. Founder and CEO Jake Munday joins Justin to discuss this bright and shining brand!

Top brands trust Passport. They help your DTC or marketplace business scale globally—whether you’re shipping cross-border or fulfilling in-country to navigate de minimis and tariff changes, and maximize Q4 growth. Combining innovative technology, global logistics, and expert compliance, Passport delivers the right solutions for the right markets at every stage of global growth. Co-Founder and CEO Alex Yancher joins Justin to discuss launching and growing the business.

At Distillery of Modern Art (DoMA), they celebrate the Art of the Spirit, distilling craft spirits that inspire community and connect people to what they love. Pour yourself a glass of their amaro, gin, vodka, or whiskey, and you’ll notice that not only is the liquid inside the bottle exceptional, but each package features a unique print behind the label. The beauty and artistry in the label is a nod to the craft inside each bottle, and a reminder to make time for your own self-expression. Owner and Founder Seth Watson joins Justin to discuss art, creativity, and crafting an incredible mix of alco-bev brands!

Eggs…Reinvented. Creating Simpler, Creamier Dairy-Free Foods from Nature’s Perfect Protein. Oolie are egg experts who dared to dream differently. By reimagining what eggs could do, they created something extraordinary—deliciously creamy foods that are clean, protein-rich, and free from dairy and fillers. Their secret? They partner with small family farms, sourcing Free-Range eggs that would otherwise go unused. Because they believe good food starts with doing good. VP of Marketing Faith Ferguson joins Jusitn to discuss this “eggcellent” new brand!

Kültee Kaviar™ is the redefined premium popping boba balls experience with a refreshing burst of natural flavor. At just 6mm or 9mm in size, these tiny boba balls deliver unique taste and texture that consumers are continually seeking, while adding irresistible, vibrant pops of colors. Nils Schaede, Director of Marketing at Zentis, joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing brand!