ContenderCast with Justin Honaman

Jason Wong is the award-winning Founder and CEO of Paking Duck, a revolutionary packaging manufacturing company that's redefining how consumer brands bring products to market. Born in Hong Kong and immigrating to America at age 8, Jason combines his bicultural perspective with serial entrepreneurial success—starting his first business at age 14 and achieving his first major win at 23 with Doe Lashes, building it to a $15 million valuation in one year from a $500 investment after solving his girlfriend's struggle with uncomfortable false lashes. Through Paking Duck's award-winning Packaging Network Model and proprietary AI-powered tools, Jason has created a strategically-partnered manufacturing business that serves everyone from Fiji Water to emerging beauty brands, delivering the speed, flexibility, and creative freedom that traditional factories cannot provide. His approach embodies innovation, transparency, and founder empowerment, turning packaging from an operational headache into a strategic advantage for scaling consumer brands. Jason joins Justin to unpack Paking Duck products and services!

When Clara Sieg was pregnant with her daughter, she became acutely aware of what she was putting in and on her body. She focused on avoiding toxins and plastics, and there seemed to be thoughtful alternatives in nearly every category - from food to personal care to home cleaning. But when it came to water, things got murky. She couldn't make sense of what was actually in tap water, and the more she learned about bottled water, the more she becamse interested in developing a new better-for-you product. What started as an effort to protect her growing family quickly became an interest in creating something better. That's how Loonen was born. Co-founder Clara Sieg joins Justin to unpack the Loonen story.

Boston-based American Vinegar Works is bringing artisanal vinegar back to the US, reviving a centuries-old fermentation process from the 1820s, transforming it into a modern craft brand that meets growing consumer demand for authentic, clean-label, premium pantry staples. The vinegar market is a $10.8B global industry, and specialty vinegars are among the fastest-growing categories, projected to expand nearly 7% annually. Founder Rodrigo Vargas joins Justin to share how artisanal vinegar is not just a culinary trend, but a growing landscape of consumer demand and what it takes to reimagine a historic American industry in 2026.

Every goal that you're pursuing has two hidden numbers attached to it—a probability of success and a probability of failure. Whether you're trying to start a business, run a marathon, get a promotion, earn a pilot's license, grow a bumper crop of tomatoes, or sign an acting deal, these two percentages are always lurking in the shadows predicting what is going to happen. But most of us never think about them. We assume our odds are unknowable and unchangeable. This dangerous lie leads millions of people to fail at goals where they were perfectly capable of succeeding. You can choose a smarter path. Author Kyle Austin Young joins Justin to discuss his new bestselling book.

PeeSport is America's #1 Pee Bottle Company. They're making life easier and more fun for thousands of people. Their product is fun, useful, and life changing. Thousands of truckers, travelers, clinics, festival-goers, and adventurers trust PeeSport for relief on the go. But they are not just selling pee bottles, they are building something bigger. A brand that makes people laugh, that's all about adventure, and that's going to be as wild as Red Bull one day. Founder Henry Snow joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing brand!

Introducing the world's first AI-powered, fully automatic safe smart cooking system (www.CookTopSafety.com) and SensorAI – AI innovators specializing in predictive and preventative technology solutions. The CTS focus is on aging in place, multi-family and student housing, IoT connected kitchen and SaaS. Cooktop Safety (CTS) founder and CEO David Eby joins Justin to discuss innovation in tech and AI.

High Level, co-founded by Ashley Parker Angel and Bobby Klebanoff, is revolutionizing the wellness industry with a unique dual-business model. When the worlds of entertainment and medicine come together, something extraordinary happens. Ashley Parker Angel, known for his dynamic stage presence and transformation coaching, and Dr. David Rizik, a global leader in cardiovascular medicine, teamed up to create High Level Science — a line of medical-grade supplements redefining wellness with a foundation in solid science and real-world performance. Their groundbreaking formulations include High Level Heart + Body + Mind, designed to support overall physiological wellness, and High Level Man, a 12-in-1 advanced men's vitality formula crafted to help support energy, endurance, circulation, and overall wellness with clean, science-informed ingredients. Ashley Parker Angel and Bobby Klebanoff join Justin to discuss this fast-growing brand.

From concept to completion, creating the Desert Dwellers Flash Cards has been an enriching and fulfilling experience. These flash cards blend education and fine art, designed to captivate young minds and foster a love for the unique wildlife of the desert. Julie Bonner joins Justin to discuss how to best leverage creative design with consumer products!

Hala Shamas is the Founder and CEO of Sipsy, a discover-driven alcohol retail and e-commerce platform redefining how consumers discover and shop for spirits. With a background in digital growth and brand building, she has scaled Sipsy from a startup concept into a multi-channel business spanning brick-and-mortar retail, nationwide shipping, and tech-enabled e-commerce. Hala blends data-driven strategy with community-led content, using education and storytelling to turn liquor shopping into an experience, not just a transaction. Hala joins Justin to discuss this growing alco-bev retail brand!

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!

Are you creating value for your customers? How do you really know? Your customers choose to do business with your company based on the value you deliver to them. And the relationship investment you make in them. Former Coca-Cola and Microsoft exec Ira Gleser joins Justin to discuss how customer relationships – earning trust first with executives – drive long-term invested partnerships. Link to book on AMAZON.

Erica Groussman is the founder and CEO of TRUBAR, a delicious vegan protein bar brand made of 100% plant-based ingredients and free of gluten, dairy, soy, sugar alcohols, or harmful seed oils. Founded in 2019, TRUBAR has seen over 100% YoY growth every year since its launch and will expand into 15,000+ new retail locations this year including their most recent last month in Targets nationwide! Erica joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing food brand!

Meet Stacy Martin – the founder of Seahorse Snacks! She calls herself a seahorse because she chose to have her stomach removed due to an extremely rare genetic mutation (CDH1). Seahorses also don't have stomachs. Because she doesn't have a stomach, she has to eat frequently, like every two hours all day, every day. Because she eats so frequently, she often gets bored with eating the same thing over and over. Nuts are a great source of protein and she learned that she could make them extra delicious! Stacy joins Justin to discuss this up-and-coming snack brand.

Victoria Ha is the co-founder of Match My Makeup, the world's first scientifically and mathematically derived foundation shade matching platform. Match My Makeup's technology has been adopted around the world by major retail clients and cosmetics houses such as Net-a-Porter, Clarins and Harvey Nichols. Prior to launching Match My Makeup with her sister in 2012, Victoria was in Silicon Valley working in health-information, a field that allowed her to combine both her skills as a Computer Scientist and Lawyer. Victoria joins Justin to discuss the industry, technology and more!

Tony Roma's is a full service, casual dining family restaurant where you can find premier BBQ ribs and steaks in locations across the world. With over 100 family restaurant locations on five continents, Tony Roma's is one of the most globally recognizable names in the industry. CEO, Mina Haque joins Justin to discuss this growing restaurant industry brand!

Tip Top helps you quickly fix behavior problems and bring the best out of your dog! They got started 15 years ago in Oklahoma and now have locations across the U.S. where they help people communicate better with their dogs. With the Tip Top Method of Dog Training, you can quickly gain the control you have always wanted while still having a happy, tail-wagging dog! Ryan Wimpey, the visionary founder of Tip Top K9 Dog Training, joins Justin to discuss the business, their training method, and more!

Let's dive in! Deborah Hall is CEO and Co-Founder of DIVE Billboards, a company renowned for transforming digital out of home (DOOH) screens with real-time, human-curated and brand safe content. Under her leadership, alongside Co-Founder Michael Girgis, DIVE Billboards is bringing the best of mobile and social to DOOH. Deb joins Justin to discuss how DIVE curates and translates dynamic, data-driven creative and social UGC moments to billboards around the world, combining social and digital out of home (DOOH) strategies for ultimate engagement and discovery.

Discover the unexpectedly craveable taste of Dixie Grace's Boiled Peanuts. Unique taste, layered in flavor and texture. Plant-based protein grown in the ground, not in a lab. Minimally processed with carefully curated ingredients. Beloved snack all around the world for centuries! Dixie joins Justin to discuss this delicious brand!

Asha Shivaji is an accomplished marketer, having collaborated with renowned global brands, such as Apple, Disney, Moet Hennessy, Estee Lauder, and Johnson & Johnson. Throughout her career, Asha has focused on revamping and modernizing marketing initiatives that captured the hearts and minds of consumers. Most recently, Asha led the marketing strategy for Google's Advanced Brand Acceleration Team and co-led Google's partnership with the UN's Unstereotype Alliance, an organization whose meaningful efforts are aimed at eliminating harmful stereotypes from media and advertising. In 2023, Asha and Jason launched the SeeMe Index because there was a lack of data about consumer-facing inclusivity efforts. Asha joins Justin to discuss the index and benefits to consumers and brands!

WYNK was founded in 2020 by Casey Parzych, Angus Rittenburg, and Shawn Sheehan, three friends (a beverage manufacturer, mechanical engineer, and energy trader) looking for a new opportunity in the cannabis beverage market. Their challenge: find a way to dose the seltzer with THC legally, as current laws for dispensary distribution require dosing in the states where the drinks will be sold. Today, WYNK is a hemp-derived  1:1 THC:CBD zero-calorie seltzer. WYNK's blend of THC and CBD offers a light and bubbly buzz that is enjoyable any night of the week. WYNK is made with all-natural flavors and comes in Black Cherry Fizz, Lime Twist, Juicy Mango, and newly released Tangerine. WYNK is available online for purchase in 37 states, and sold in retail stores in 12 states at www.drinkwynk.com. Angus joins Justin to discuss this innovative, and fast-growing, beverage brand.

Trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle amidst changing diet trends and busy lifestyles can be overwhelming. In addition to being a wife and mother of three, Meredith Mann is a CPT and holistic nutrition and wellness consultant. She specializes in metabolisms, blood sugar, and emotional eating. Her happy place is her yoga mat and her kitchen, creating simple recipes that help balance blood sugar. She believes that freedom starts to come when we learn to eat properly to shut off hunger, ditch the crave/crash cycle, and finally feel good every day. Meredith joins Justin to discuss launching and growing a lifestyle brand – The Peachie Spoon!

GoSili was founded in 2006 based on the principal that it was time to create a cultural shift away from toxic and excessive plastics. Founders, Giuliana Schawb and Stacey Feeley believed there was a better alternative to plastics, so they began creating stylish, incredibly durable, 100% nontoxic silicone products with the philosophy that it was time to make the "basics" better. They first founded the award-winning all silicone children's brand, Silikids of which GoSili is the parent company. Today, the company has expanded from kids products to products for the whole family and more. GoSili continues to bring innovative silicone products to market and has since been dedicated to building a social movement away from unsustainable plastic wares by providing the alternative to them. Stacey joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing brand.

Unlock the full adventure with Bake & Explore Kits, where engaging activities, global flavors, and fun challenges await. Or check out the Individual Baking Kits that offer fun and easy-to-follow recipes. Although these kits don't include all the extras found in Bake & Explore Kits, they're just as perfect for spending quality time with your little ones. CEO and Founder Shelley Gupta joins Justin to discuss this growing baking experience brand!

With just six simple ingredients, these cookies were designed for purists. They use the best quality peanut butter, eggs, vanilla, and maple syrup to create a cookie that is somewhere between fudge and cookie in texture. Meet Mightylicious! CEO Carolyn Haeler joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing brand.

ShipLab is a San Diego based fulfillment center that is focused on providing simple and effective order fulfillment and inventory management to help entrepreneurs focus on growing their business, not just maintaining it. Co-founder Alan Silberstein joins Justin to discuss launching and growing the business.

Jamie and his sons were sitting around the campfire having a few beers and talking about beer, naturally. His oldest was about to leave for college, so Jamie encouraged him to think for himself when it came to drinking alcohol, regardless of the peanut gallery's opinions. Making a rational choice feels pretty damn radical...so why not screw the rules, make that radical choice and own the moment? They got pretty fired up about the idea of crafting a non-alc beer that doesn't play by the rules. They started brewing RationAle and haven't looked back since. Wendy Pickett, Co-Founder and EVP of Sales, joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing non-alc beverage brand!

AMC Global delivers insights from real consumers in real markets to help you optimize your launch strategies. Shira Horn, Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Innovation, joins Justin to discuss market research, insights and analytics that power product innovation and launch.

Pickytarian, an e-commerce brand that creates stylish, sturdy, and compostable tableware for special occasions. Pickytarian stemmed from a desire to elevate an experience that is often riddled with single-use plastics, outdated designs, and subpar offerings. Pickytarian creates dinnerware products that are beautifully designed, elegant, sturdy, compostable, and disposable. Their tableware products are meant for those special occasions where it's a huge hassle to use fine dinnerware but you are also conscious enough not to use toxic plastic or flimsy paper plates. Founder and CEO Laide Olambiwonnu joins Justin to discuss this innovative brand.

What do you do when you want your Bloody Mary but can't carry along all of the ingredients to mix the drink? You grab a MaryCan! Premium canned cocktails – cocktails on the go – are a fast-growing category and the team at Bar2Table is working hard to introduce your favorite cocktails, with great taste, the highest quality and in great packaging. Charlton Gronlund joins Justin for a "Part 2" to discuss this fast-growing alco-bev brand!

Razer Inc. is an American multinational corporation and technology company that makes, develops and sells consumer electronics, financial services, and gaming hardware. The brand was founded in 1998, then re-founded in 2005 by Min-Liang Tan and Robert "RazerGuy" Krakoff, although the business originated in 1999 in the US. Bob Ohlweiler, SVP of Global Sales & Marketing, joins Justin to discuss this high-octane brand!

As a mom, Dionne Laslo-Baker wanted to show her kids that real food can be delicious without adding malic acid, artificial colors, or artificial flavors. So she brought her PhD in Medical Science from the lab to the kitchen and created products she would be proud to give her own family. She also wanted to prove that business can be a force for good—helping to create a more colorful world filled with health, inclusivity, and joy. A world where everyone thrives, together. DeeBee's Organics is a Certified B Corporation, their factory uses solar power, and they champion employees' most loved causes through the DreamLauncher program. Dionne joins Justin to discuss this fast-growing brand!