Race 2 The Bottom

Tristan Bordallo

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!

  1. The 10-Year Formula: A Physics Teacher Formulates The Ultimate Matcha (Blake Parsons)

    Apr 3

    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

    1 hr
  2. No Dummy. Choosing Better: Sobriety, Health and Building YoBe (Hawkins Golden)

    Feb 6

    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

    54 min
  3. 16 Years and 25 Million Jeans: The Grind And Fit Don’t Lie! The Making OF Ace Rivington, Inc. (Beau Lawrence)

    12/05/2025

    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

    1h 8m
  4. Breaking Bad Mom: The Jayne.LA Story (Bridget Benaim)

    11/07/2025

    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

    59 min
  5. It Has to Stand for Something More: Building Impact Beyond the Can (Sara Stender Delaney)

    10/24/2025

    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

    1h 4m
  6. High Stakes, Higher Falls: How a Human Came Back from a Broken Hand (Rafe Furst)

    10/10/2025

    High Stakes, Higher Falls: How a Human Came Back from a Broken Hand (Rafe Furst)

    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

    1 hr
  7. Running Out of Money: The Business Is About to Flop but Oprah Comes In and the Business Goes POP (Tal Moore)

    09/26/2025

    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

    57 min
  8. Success Ships with Two Stamps: Grit and Relationships. So Send It 🚀 (Fabrizio “Pep” Alvear)

    09/12/2025

    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

    50 min
See All (16)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Tristan Bordallo
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Tristan Bordallo
  • Show Website
    Race 2 The Bottom

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