ContenderCast with Justin Honaman

Bala Sarda comes with lineage of over 80 years in the tea industry and it is when he worked in his bulk export family business, he noticed the huge gaps in the $90 billion tea market. He started Vahdam Teas in early 2015 to address these problems and make available garden fresh teas to consumers across the world, direct from source, under a home-grown tea brand by leveraging technology. A tea enthusiast, he dreams of putting an Indian tea brand on the global stage. Prior to founding Vahdam Teas, he started Youth 360, a youth network & b10Media, a digital marketing company while still in college. Bala joins Justin to share insights on launching this fast-growing tea brand.

Every 100 seconds, a baby in America gets a food allergy. However, babies don't have to get food allergies. Evidence-based research, USDA guidelines and leading allergists all agree – introducing small amounts of allergens early and often is the best way to help a child have a greater chance at a future of food freedom. Ready. Set. Food! is the only complete early allergen introduction system that takes the work, confusion and fear out of doing something really important for the health of your baby. Their mission is to help babies have healthier futures, free from the limits of food allergies. Co-founder and CEO Daniel Zakowski joins Justin to share the growth story behind Ready. Set. Food!

As a Los Angeles-based interior designer, author, philanthropist and mom to two boys, Breegan Jane is a dynamic voice in the industry. As host of HGTV's Dream Home, Breegan continues to showcase her vast expertise building and designing homes, as well as on over six Warner Brothers Discovery shows. She originally honed her design skills as a creative director and marketing professional for a leading luxury yacht manufacturer, which catapulted her experience in the industry. From there, her talents led her to design projects impressively spanning the gamut, from celebrity residential and commercial properties to lavish restaurants and large-scale remodels. Along with gracing six Warner Brothers Discovery television shows, Breegan Jane has been featured on multiple shows across major networks, including The Rachael Ray Show, NBC's Open House, HGTV's Property Brothers and Hallmark Channel's Home & Family, in which she discussed her first children's book, Carbie. As the host of HGTV's Dream Home, Breegan continues to stay on-trend with up-and-coming interior design and home decor styling. Breegan joins Justin to discuss building a brand in the design space!

Many years in the making, Lyre's exquisite range of lovingly crafted non-alcoholic spirits was borne from a quest to make the impossible possible – giving the freedom to drink your drink, your way. Not just provide an alternative to those who don't wish to imbibe alcohol, but ensure everyone can enjoy the mirth and merriment of a soiree or shindig. With Lyre's, it's up to you – replace some of the alcohol in your drink to make a low alcohol Lyre's or make your classic favorites as a no-alcohol option simply by selecting from the many Lyre's variants in our extensive range. Co-founder and CEO Mark Livings joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing brand!

It started with a passion and a pandemic. It led to an understanding and conviction. Blind Tiger is linked back to Erie, Pennsylvania's Room 33 Speakeasy where owner, Rebecca Styn, PhD., brought her passion for the Prohibition era to life. Mirroring the ban on alcohol in the 1920's, the onset of the pandemic in 2020 forced the speakeasy to provide only sans-alcohol drink options to-go. The team took on the challenge to deliver a top-notch spirit-free cocktail that mirrors the flavors of the original, less the alcohol. The result: a sophisticated cocktail with the defining flavors, with or without the spirit. Rebecca joins Justin to discuss this growing beverage brand!

When it comes to Dewey Beach, if you know, you know. Those legendary days spent hanging out on the beach with your crew, or taking in some live music at the bars. And of course, those epic nights spent reveling with friends at The Starboard - the source of Dewey Crush inspiration. When the concept of Dewey Crush was just a twinkle in their founders' eye, it was the vibe, atmosphere, and energy of The Starboard that gave them the motivation to fully hatch their canned cocktail plan. The big idea was to make something that captured the essence of East Coast summers. Something that you could take home that'd spark an amazing memory from an unforgettable summer. A drink that you could share with friends and family to make new moments. Co-founder and CEO Andrew Rigney joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing cocktail brand.

Francesca Hahn is Vice President, U.S. Digital Commerce and Direct to Consumer for Mondelēz International, a global company leading the future of snacking with 2021 net revenues of approximately $29 billion. Mondelēz International makes and sells primarily snacks, with iconic global and local brands such as OREO, Ritz, belVita, Cadbury and Toblerone chocolate, Sour Patch Kids candy, Trident gum, and HALLS. Francesca has been a global leader in Sales Transformation and Customer Leadership roles for more than twenty years. She partners to drive business results by leading multi-functional teams and managing change in fast-paced environments. And today, she joins Justin to discuss ecommerce, direct-to-consumer, the industry and more!

At Recess, there are two paths to calm. Stress exists as both a feeling in our minds and a physiological response in our bodies. That's why they made Recess: two distinct paths to a single destination. Recess balancing CBD blend and Mood mood-lifting magnesium blend. Founder and CEO Ben Witte joins Justin to discuss this growing beverage brand!

Anouck Gotlib is the CEO of Belgian Boys, a woman-owned sweet treats and snack brand on a mission to turn up the happy one sweet moment at a time. Belgian Boys offers a delicious assortment of breakfasts, sweet treats, and desserts, including stroopwafels, crepes, pancakes, and cookies. Anouck joins Justin to discuss this yummy brand!

IZO is a collection of Mexican spirits handcrafted in Durango, Sonora and Tequila, Mexico. Their company was born out of a desire to bring their heritage and tradition, found in every bottle of IZO, according to traditional ancestral methods. Co-founder Gaston Martinez joins Justin to discuss this growing spirits brand.