ContenderCast with Justin Honaman

Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Dixie Southern Vodka is the largest premium craft vodka produced in the Southeast United States and the 9th fastest growing spirit brand in the country as ranked in 2019 by the Beverage Information Group. Matti Anttila joins Justin to discuss his move from investment banking into the spirits business.

Could the magazine world be hungry for something new?! Absolutely, according to Laura Quick, CEO and Founder of Good Grit Magazine! GGM brings a new approach to meeting readers where they are and serving advertisers. Laura and team are passionate about stories that lie on the outskirts of mainstream media and curating the work and lives of makers, creatives, authors, podcasters, artists, leaders and those that capture the spirit of the vibrant South. Laura joins Justin to discuss launching the business.

Umberto Luchini is the founder and proprietor of Wolf Spirit LLC, a company which develops and owns spirit brands – such as Blood x Sweat x Teams Vodka of Eugene, OR -- as well as imports and markets others, such as Tom of Finland Organic Vodka from Finland. Umberto joins Justin to discuss launching and growing a new spirits brand. Che bello!

Rich Berens is the CEO of Root and author of What Are Your Blind Spots? Conquering The 5 Misconceptions That Hold Leaders Back. What Are Your Blind Spots equips you with the tools needed for a personal leadership reset. You'll discover how to increase engagement, productivity, and growth in your own organization. This is an invaluable guide for executives, managers, team leaders, and human resource professionals looking for an effective way to engage and motivate employees at every level of an organization. Rich joins Justin to discuss the book.

Ben Braithwaite is the Owner and Brand Creator of ChickenGuard - producers of the ChickenGuard automatic coop door opener and the world's first, self-locking door kit. Chicken keeping is on a steady rise throughout the world and with ChickenGuard, Chicken keepers don't have to dash home at dusk to close the coop and keep their hens safe from predators, and they can even sleep later as the door opens automatically in the morning. Ben joins Justin to discuss chicken, eggs, and consumer products!

Michelle Tillis Lederman one of Forbes Top 25 Networking Experts, is the author of four books including the internationally known, The 11 Laws of Likability Nail the Interview, Land the Job; Heroes Get Hired and the #1 new release The Connectors Advantage: 7 Mindsets to Grow Your Influence and Impact Michelle is also a connection creator and CEO of Executive Essentials. Michelle joins Justin to discuss being a connector and application of her new book.

Adam Cole is an author, business leader and co-director of the Grant Park Academy of the Arts in Atlanta, Georgia. Adam's new book focuses on helping business leaders improve team performance via a structured improvisation model. Adam shows how bandleaders get the most out of their teams and how to translate that into office interactions.

Bailey's Blossoms was born in 2009, at a kitchen table in Arizona, and was strictly hair accessories at first, but grew quickly into clothing and accessories as well. Bailey's Blossoms is now a multi-million dollar, socially driven ecommerce children's clothing line. Erin Hooley joins Justin to discuss launching and growing this ecommerce business.

Anne Beall is the CEO of Beall Research and author of Strategic Market Research: A Guide to Conducting Research that Drives Businesses. Anne joins Justin to discuss the book, how emotions influence purchasing, and even how animals and people help one another.

Adventurist Backpack Co. designs minimalist backpacks for travel, and for every backpack sold, they provide 25 meals to families in need across the country. Since their recent launch they have been able to provide over 75,000 meals to families in need across the U.S. Kelly Belknap joins Justin to discuss launching the business. You'll want to opt outside with this backpack!