This week Gina Moore, founder of Pantry Gems, shares her entrepreneurial journey from side hustles to launching an innovative tomato paste product. Discover her creative paths, challenges in product development, and tips for bootstrapping in the CPG space

Key Takeaways

Entrepreneurial journey of Gina Moore

Challenges in product development and packaging

Bootstrapping strategies for food startups

Start with small steps and validate your idea early.

Leverage your environment and personal experiences for product ideas.

Build relationships with industry experts and co-packers early.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Pantry Gems and Gina's Journey

01:55 Navigating Product Development for CPG Brands

03:04 Gina's Background and Early Career

07:04 How to Manifest Your Dream Business

10:48 How to Find My Million Dollar Idea

12:09 How to Find The Right Side Hustle

15:13 How to Fund Your Business Idea

18:32 Bootstrapping and Funding Strategies

20:00 The Birth of Pantry Gems

22:49 How to Start Product Development At Home

25:35 How to Find Your Brand Designer (Thank you Fishwife)

28:18 How to Find A Co-Packer

31:17 Building the Brand and Community Engagement

32:11 The LaunchLab CPG Accelerator

34:49 Navigating Challenges and Momentum

36:26 How to Attend Expo West and How to Go For Free

40:52 The Meaning Behind Pantry Gems

45:58 How to Find A Product Moat

47:52 How to Create Single Serve Packaging

49:32 Lessons Learned in the CPG Space

50:56 Current Status and Future Prospects

56:04 How to Build in Public

01:00:16 How to Stay Sane While Building a Company

01:02:13 Milestones and Business Journals

01:02:54 The Future of the Brand: Selling vs. Family Business

01:04:10 Taking Action at Any Stage Of Life

01:05:33 Incremental Steps to Success

01:06:04 How to Support Gina and Pantry Gems

01:06:53 See You in the Next Episode

Resources

Scale Food Labs - https://scalefoodlabs.com/

Danielle from It's All Happening Co. - https://www.instagram.com/itsallhappeningco/

Expo West - https://www.expowest.com/

Fishwife (brand inspiration) - https://fishwifefish.com/

Startup CPG Group - https://www.startupcpg.com/

Connect With Us:

Our Guest - Gina More

Instagram - /gina.moore86

Guest Brand - Pantry Gems

TikTok -  /pantrygems

Instagram @pantrygems

Pantry Gems - ⁠https://pantrygems.co

Our Host - Milan Terez

Instagram: ⁠ ⁠⁠ / @milanterez  ⁠    ⁠⁠ 

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/milanterez⁠  ⁠

TRENCHES the podcast

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ / @trenchesthepodcast  ⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/trenchesthepod... ⁠⁠

entrepreneurship, CPG, food innovation, bootstrapping, product development, startup tips, Pantry Gems, tomato paste, food industry, founder journey