ContenderCast with Justin Honaman

Bubble Goods is on a mission to redefine our food system. And at the same time, provide the most transparent health food marketplace. Today's food system is loaded with refined sugars, dyes, gums, and preservatives-- a function of mass distribution that has resulted in products that are cheaply made. Bubble Goods believes that the future of food is built from a community of independent makers who make real food. Founder Jessica Young joins Justin to discuss launching and growing this food brand marketplace.

Nikki Baird is the vice president of strategy at Aptos, a retail enterprise solution provider. She looks after the future of retail and retail technology and identifies their impacts on both retail and Aptos' strategy and solutions. She has been a top global retail industry influencer for 20+ years, with a background in retail and technology, and a career spanning PwC, Forrester, independent retail and tech startups. Nikki joins Justin to discuss key retail trends expected in early 2024.

Founded by husband-and-wife duo Stephen and Allison and based in Austin, TX, poppi combines fresh fruit juice, apple cider vinegar, and inulin prebiotics for a deliciously refreshing, full-of-flavor soda with benefits. With the help of an investment on Shark Tank, poppi has gone from farmer's-market-favorite to sitting pretty on the shelves of thousands of retailers across the nation. Along the way, they've become beloved by many including Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner, Billie Eilish, Russell Westbrook, JLo, Olivia Munn, and more. Allison joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing beverage brand!

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.

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!

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Endangered Species Chocolate has been crafting premium chocolate for three decades. ESC is passionate about redeeming typical business practices into "doing good better" that leaves a positive and lasting ripple in their wake. They love the truly delicious product they create, and are on a mission to seed joy through abundant giving. By donating 10% of net profits to impactful organizations and initiatives, they can continue in their amazing work to improve our world every day. CEO Curt Vander Meer joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing and delicious brand!

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.

Mari Fassett started mixing flavors when she was 12 and whipped up a bowl of peanut butter, syrup and melted butter to dip pretzels in while she watched cartoons. Today, she is proud to celebrate over 25 years making better-for-you, plant-based, gluten-free snack mixes. She believes today's consumer craves snacks that innovate with bold, adventurous flavor while still paying tribute to comfort-food traditions. Mari joins Justin to discuss this growing brand!

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!

Mara Smith, a former attorney in Chicago, started drinking tequila when she was looking for a clean, gluten-free spirit that fit into her active lifestyle. She and her friends enjoyed the versatile, carb-free and zero sugar spirit but they were not drawn to the traditional offerings. For years, Mara searched for a tequila brand that was additive-free with a look, taste and aroma that appealed to her and that she could share with her friends and family and proudly display on her bar. That perfect tequila simply did not exist, so she decided to create one. Mara joins Justin to discuss this growing alcoholic-beverage brand!