Race 2 The Bottom

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 profoun...

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 ha...

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 unders...

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 immi...

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 w...

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 sta...

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.

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 t...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

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 c...