Let's flip the script!
Welcome to Race 2 The Bottom, a podcast with founders, operators and builders proving how to win in business without selling our souls.
Host Tristan Bordallo goes deep in honest conversations with humans doing business the right way - with integrity, purpose, impact and responsibly!
Explore what it really means to to build a sustainable business that stands out...without selling out!
Vibes y'all!
The 10-Year Formula: A Physics Teacher Formulates The Ultimate Matcha (Blake Parsons)
Tristan Bordallo, founder of Fr8topia, a freight brokerage, and host of Race 2 the Bottom, sits down with Blake Parsons of Ultimacha to explore what it really takes to bring a health product from kitchen experiment to shelf.
In this interview, Blake shares his journey from high school physics teacher to founder of a premium matcha brand. Discover how his passion for health, quality sourcing, and entrepreneurial resilience led to creating a unique product that challenges what you thought you knew about matcha.
Blake pulls back the curtain on why most "ceremonial grade" matcha on the market is misleading, and how ten years of personal formulation—combining L-theanine, fiber, and immune-boosting ingredients—shaped a product built for the busy, health-conscious modern professional.
Blake didn't quit his day job — he worked three of them. From subbing classrooms to bartending nights while quietly formulating the perfect matcha, he opens up about spousal support, the CPG grind, and why the only regrets that stick are the chances you never took.
Race 2 The Bottom
Brought to you by Fr8topia — shipping solutions for CPG brands. https://fr8topia.com (https://fr8topia.com)
6 Feb 2026
No Dummy. Choosing Better: Sobriety, Health and Building YoBe (Hawkins Golden)
In this conversation, Tristan Bordallo hosts Hawkins Golden who shares his journey of building YoBe, a protein smoothie brand, from overcoming personal challenges to navigating the complexities of the food industry.
He discusses the importance of customer feedback, the evolution of his product, and the mindset required to succeed as an entrepreneur.
Hawkins emphasizes the significance of taste, the challenges of scaling a food business, and his vision for the future of YoBe, including plans for shelf-stable products and expanding into new markets.
Hawkins faced personal challenges that fueled his entrepreneurial journey.
Taste is the most important factor in food products.
The process of building a business is more important than the end goal.
Race 2 The Bottom
5 Dec 2025
16 Years and 25 Million Jeans: The Grind And Fit Don’t Lie! The Making OF Ace Rivington, Inc. (Beau Lawrence)
In this engaging conversation, host Tristan Bordallo of Race 2 the Bottom sits down with Beau Lawrence. Beau shares his journey from a long career in fashion to founding Ace Rivington, a denim brand focused on quality, storytelling, and community engagement.
He discusses the importance of tailoring, the challenges of the fashion industry, and the strategic use of Kickstarter for launching his brand. Beau emphasizes the significance of building relationships, consistency in product quality, and the personal growth he has experienced throughout his entrepreneurial journey. He reflects on the impact of family and community on his success and offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Race 2 The Bottom
7 Nov 2025
Breaking Bad Mom: The Jayne.LA Story (Bridget Benaim)
In this engaging episode of Race 2 The Bottom, host Tristan Bordallo sits down with Bridget Benaim to discuss her journey in the cannabis industry and the story behind her brand, Jayne.
Bridget opens up about the challenges and breakthroughs of building a business in a highly competitive market, emphasizing the importance of quality over quantity and a wellness-focused approach to cannabis
The cannabis market is highly competitive and requires a focus on quality.
The black market poses significant challenges to legal cannabis businesses.
The cannabis industry is still facing many legal and financial hurdles.
Race 2 The Bottom
24 Oct 2025
It Has to Stand for Something More: Building Impact Beyond the Can (Sara Stender Delaney)
Host Tristan Bordallo of Race 2 The Bottom podcast sits down with Sara Delaney, founder of Sarilla, a beverage brand with a powerful purpose rooted in her transformative experiences in Rwanda.
In this conversation, Sara shares her entrepreneurial journey and the story behind building Sarilla from the ground up.
She discusses the strategic importance of rebranding, how travel shaped her perspective on personal growth, and the profound lessons learned during her time in Rwanda that continue to influence her business today.
Sara opens up about the significance of community in both business and life, the real challenges of entrepreneurship that often go unspoken, and navigating the complex emotional landscape of leadership.
She also explores what it takes for brands to create lasting customer loyalty and the core values that drive Sarilla's mission to make a meaningful impact.
Traveling has a profound impact on confidence and personal development.
Entrepreneurship comes with emotional challenges that require self-awareness.
Brands must stand for something bigger than just their products.
Race 2 The Bottom
10 Oct 2025
High Stakes, Higher Falls: How a Human Came Back from a Broken Hand
In this conversation, host and entrepreneur Tristan Bordallo sits down with Rafe Furst to explore his remarkable journey from studying AI at Stanford in the 1990s to co-founding Full Tilt Poker and navigating the highs and lows of the poker industry.
Rafe shares insights on the intersection of technology and poker, the rise and fall of Full Tilt Poker, and the profound impact of mental health on his life.
Rafe reflects on the harm he caused during his career and the importance of personal accountability.
AI was considered science fiction during Rafe's early studies, and its current prominence was unexpected.
The downfall of Full Tilt Poker in 2011 was a significant turning point in Rafe's life.
Race 2 The Bottom
26 Sept 2025
Running Out of Money: The Business Is About to Flop but Oprah Comes In and the Business Goes POP (Tal Moore)
Tristan Bordallo hosts an engaging conversation with Tal Moore, who traces his entrepreneurial path from selling gumballs as a kid to launching his popcorn brand, Popsmith.
Tal opens up about the role vulnerability, focus, and hard work played in his success, the challenges of building a brand from scratch, and why creating memorable, family-centered experiences drives his products.
Guided by Tristan’s questions, the episode underscores connection, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of personal and professional growth—rooted in the lessons of Tal’s upbringing.
Building a brand requires intentionality and creativity.
Vulnerability is a key strength in entrepreneurship.
Tal faced significant challenges while launching Popsmith.
Race 2 The Bottom
12 Sept 2025
Success Ships with Two Stamps: Grit and Relationships. So Send It 🚀 (Fabrizio “Pep” Alvear)
Race 2 the Bottom: In this episode, Tristan Bordallo sits down with Fabrizio “Pep” Alvear to discuss his journey from first-gen immigrant to parcel industry entrepreneur.
Pep shares how grit, mentorship, and strong relationships fueled his success, opening up about legal hurdles, tech shifts, and leadership values.
He highlights the power of customer service, workplace culture, and building a lasting legacy.
First-generation immigrants often have a strong self-determination mindset.
Customer service should prioritize human interaction over automation.
Finding mentors can lead to career-defining opportunities.
Race 2 The Bottom
29 Aug 2025
Keeping Humans in the Driver’s Seat: Building Businesses That Drivers Love Without Selling Out (Mutha Trucker)
Tristan Bordallo—host of Race 2 The Bottom—sits down with Mutha Trucker, who shares his journey from being a truck driver to becoming a cultural voice for the trucking community.
They discuss the challenges drivers face, the importance of maintaining strong relationships with brokers and shippers, and the future of trucking in light of technological advancements and regulations.
Mutha Trucker emphasizes respect and professionalism within the industry while expressing his commitment to supporting drivers and advocating for their needs.
Respect and professionalism are essential for the future of trucking.
Strong broker and shipper relationships sustain drivers’ success.
Supporting drivers today builds a lasting legacy for tomorrow.
Race 2 The Bottom
22 Aug 2025
When Community Builds a Bank: The Story of Mission Valley (Tamara Gurney)
In this conversation, Tristan Bordallo talks with Tamara Gurney about her journey starting a community bank, the power of relationships, and lessons from failure.
They discuss the contrast between community banks and big institutions, with Tristan pointing out the race to the bottom in both banking and trucking.
Tamara also reflects on being a woman in banking, her proudest moments, and her commitment to community impact.
- Tamara started a bank out of necessity after losing her job.
• Imposter syndrome is common, especially for women in leadership roles.
• Generational lending requires understanding the evolving needs of families.
PS: We hit a internet snag on the recording, so the video cut out partway through. We appreciate your support — the audio still captures the full conversation.
Race 2 The Bottom
15 Aug 2025
The MBA You Can’t Buy: Four Decades of Balancing Downturns and Profits (Greg Dubuque)
Tristan Bordallo—host of Race 2 the Bottom—sits down with Greg Dubuque of Liberty Linehaul Inc. to unpack four decades in freight.
They dig into passion, resiliency, and the power of networking, the realities of today’s market, how diversifying into the event space reshaped Greg’s business, and why retention and culture drive performance.
They also look ahead to technology’s role and what it means to leave a legacy in the industry.
Having a passion for the trucking industry is crucial.
Joining associations can provide valuable resources and support.
Understanding the costs of running a trucking business is essential.
Race 2 The Bottom
8 Aug 2025
Taking on Airline Giants in Brazil at 28 (Marlon Ramirez)
In this conversation with Tristan Bordallo, Marlon Ramirez shares his journey as an entrepreneur, discussing his experiences in founding airlines and transitioning to logistics and supply chain management.
He emphasizes the importance of understanding market dynamics, the challenges of operating in competitive industries, and the necessity of documentation and managing expectations in business partnerships.
Marlon also reflects on the impact of his work and the legacy he wishes to leave behind, highlighting the significance of grit and resilience in overcoming challenges.
•He shares insights on the complexities of the airline industry
•Marlon reflects on the role of grit in overcoming imposter syndrome
•Marlon shares his vision of leaving a legacy of impact.
Race 2 The Bottom
1 Aug 2025
Young CEO, Unfamiliar Market: $10M to $100M+ Revenue in Under 10 Years (Sebastian Zelger)
In this episode of the Race to the Bottom podcast, Tristan Bordallo interviews Sebastian Zelger, CEO of Liqui Moly, who shares his journey from Germany to leading a successful automotive business in the US.
They discuss the cultural challenges Sebastian faced, the importance of building connections with his team, and the strategies that led to Liqui Moly's impressive growth.
Sebastian emphasizes the significance of education in sales, the role of distribution partnerships, and the need for trust and transparency in business.
He reflects on the challenges of being a young CEO and the human element in leadership, ultimately expressing pride in his team's accomplishments and a vision for future growth.
• LiquiMoly grew from $10 million to $120 million in under 10 years.• Micro influencers play a key role in LiquiMoly's marketing strategy.• Compliance with regulations is a significant challenge in the US market.
Race 2 The Bottom
25 Jul 2025
Shelf-Made Lemonaire at Slow Speed to Shelf (Curtis Knight II)
In this conversation on Race 2 The Bottom, Curtis Knight II shares his journey of building Lemonicious, a unique beverage brand focused on all-natural fruit drinks.
He discusses the challenges of the beverage industry, the importance of taste and quality, and the advantages of selling at farmers markets.
Farmers markets provide a profitable and direct-to-consumer sales channel.
Chargebacks from retailers can significantly impact small brands.
Race 2 The Bottom
18 Jul 2025
Overnight Success??? Bankruptcy, Brutal Grind, Grand Exit (Tyson Lawrence)
In this episode of Race 2 the Bottom, host Tristan Bordallo interviews Tyson Lawrence, a seasoned veteran in the trucking industry with over 20 years of experience. Tyson shares his journey from starting at CH Robinson to founding his own brokerage later exiting.
He discusses the importance of grit and resilience, the impact of private equity on business relationships, and the lessons learned from his experience with Safeway.
Tyson emphasizes the human side of business, the struggles of managing crises, and the importance of mentorship and gratitude in his career.
He discusses his comeback after bankruptcy and the lessons learned along the way to a successful exit.
Tyson's journey reflects the grind behind perceived overnight success.
The trucking industry requires mental toughness and resilience.
Mental health awareness is crucial for entrepreneurs.
Race 2 The Bottom
11 Jul 2025
Robby Thone Go-Giver Gold: Guiding Mavericks to Build Million-Dollar Businesses
In this engaging conversation, Robby Thone shares his extensive journey in the freight industry, detailing his accidental entry into trucking, the challenges of starting and running multiple brokerages, and the importance of customer service and integrity in business.
He reflects on the evolution of the industry, the impact of technology, and the significance of giving back to the community. Thone emphasizes the value of personal connections in a digitizing world and shares insights on maintaining a successful business philosophy over decades.
Robby's legacy: His influence has directly led to the launch of multiple million-dollar companies.
The philosophy of treating customers well is key to long-term success.
Diversified Transportation Services thrived due to a commitment to customer care.
Race to The Bottom
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