ContenderCast with Justin Honaman

Coffee without the pretentiousness. Coffee without all the extra packaging. Coffee without the bland, the beige, the boring. Say hello to coffee without the crap. Say hello to Chamberlain Coffee. CEO Chris Gallant joins Justin to discuss this growing coffee brand!

Jack & Friends® believes in inclusivity—especially when it comes to food. That's why they're on a mission to make snacks you can feel good about eating, regardless of your lifestyle or diet. Their plant-based jerky is carefully crafted to ensure as many people as possible not only can consume their product, but also enjoy it. Who said you have to choose between function and flavor? Not them! Founder and CEO Jessica Kwong joins Justin to discuss launching and growing a jerky 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!

Blue Circle Foods is an employee-owned sustainable seafood company founded in 2005 by organic industry pioneers. They produce feel good fish for every day eating – from fillets to fun things like salmon sausages and burgers always free from fillers and breadcrumbs. They are passionate about continuous improvement in both aquaculture (fish farming) and wild-caught fishing practices. As a protein producer, they have a responsibility to the environment. Their farmed salmon and shrimp are net producers of protein, meaning that unlike farmed beef, chicken, and pork, our salmon and shrimp generate more protein than they take out of the environment. Father and daughter, Steven Damato and Nina Damato join Justin to discuss this growing seafood brand!

Farmer Focus was founded and is led by Corwin Heatwole, a 6th generation farmer. Corwin was just three years old when his father built his first poultry house; he grew up farming and tending to the flocks. Corwin spent years raising flocks for other companies and saw the toll it took on both his family and the birds. He started Shenandoah Valley Organic (later Farmer Focus) with a question posed to farmers, "What can we do to improve generational family farming?" At Farmer Focus, they wake up every morning looking for new ways to answer that question. Corwin joins Justin to discuss all things chicken!

As immigrants from India, Ragoth Bala and his co-founder were frustrated that they couldn't find good sources of authentic and healthy Indian food to could consume on a regular basis. Thus, Cumin Club was born. Their expert chefs ensure they are staying true to the origins of each dish by using locally sourced ingredients and authentic cooking methods. They are rooted in representation, with a focus on showcasing the incredible and diverse dishes from across India that you can't find on shelves. Fed up with expensive takeout and unhealthy microwaveable meals, they wanted to change the game and make it easier for busy people to enjoy the dishes they grew up with like Paneer Butter Masala and Dal. Ragoth joins Justin to discuss this high-flying Indian food brand!

Jill Koziol is the co-founder and CEO of Motherly, a wellbeing destination empowering mothers to thrive. An Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Company and a Parity.org Best Company for Women to Advance, Motherly is built for mothers, by mothers. Engaging an audience of 40 million+ readers and viewers a month, Motherly offers on-demand parent education classes, Webby-award winning videos, The Motherly Podcast, essays and articles, and a highly-engaged social media community. Co-author of "The Motherly Guide to Becoming Mama: Redefining the Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum Journey" and "This Is Motherhood: A Motherly Collection of Reflections and Practices", Jill is passionate about serving and empowering women and mothers because when mamas are successful, everyone wins. She is an advocate for families, female founders, and how to thrive with multiple sclerosis. Jill lives in Park City, Utah with her husband and two daughters. Jill joins Justin to discuss launching and growing this mother-centric business.

The Vortic Watch Company is a high-end wristwatch engineering and manufacturing company based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Their inspiration lies in pairing classic watchmaking techniques and traditions with innovative, modern technology. After finding that their metal 3D printed prototypes for a university design project had a uniquely vintage look, they decided to combine the cutting-edge technology of metal 3D printing with gorgeous, antique, American-made pocket watch movements to create bespoke wristwatches. Co-founder RT Custer joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing watch brand!

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!

Thomas Ashbourne raises the bar in the world of ready-to-sip craft cocktails. Their rich flavors are curated by iconic partners who know their way around a top shelf cocktail. Every batch is sustainably handcrafted in the U.S. using all-natural, Kosher ingredients. Their work is driven by the love of a wildly good time, so cut ties with your bartender (or offer them a cocktail) and let's cut loose together. CEO and co-founder Cara Kamenev joins Justin to discuss this rapidly growing alcoholic-beverage brand!