How To Bootstrap a CPG Brand: The Pantry Gems Story

from TRENCHES with Milan Terez · host Milan Nolen

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 spaceKey TakeawaysEntrepreneurial journey of Gina MooreChallenges in product development and packagingBootstrapping strategies for food startupsStart 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.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Pantry Gems and Gina's Journey01:55 Navigating Product Development for CPG Brands03:04 Gina's Background and Early Career07:04 How to Manifest Your Dream Business10:48 How to Find My Million Dollar Idea12:09 How to Find The Right Side Hustle15:13 How to Fund Your Business Idea18:32 Bootstrapping and Funding Strategies20:00 The Birth of Pantry Gems22:49 How to Start Product Development At Home25:35 How to Find Your Brand Designer (Thank you Fishwife)28:18 How to Find A Co-Packer31:17 Building the Brand and Community Engagement32:11 The LaunchLab CPG Accelerator34:49 Navigating Challenges and Momentum36:26 How to Attend Expo West and How to Go For Free40:52 The Meaning Behind Pantry Gems45:58 How to Find A Product Moat47:52 How to Create Single Serve Packaging49:32 Lessons Learned in the CPG Space50:56 Current Status and Future Prospects56:04 How to Build in Public01:00:16 How to Stay Sane While Building a Company01:02:13 Milestones and Business Journals01:02:54 The Future of the Brand: Selling vs. Family Business01:04:10 Taking Action at Any Stage Of Life01:05:33 Incremental Steps to Success01:06:04 How to Support Gina and Pantry Gems01:06:53 See You in the Next EpisodeResourcesScale 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 MoreInstagram - /gina.moore86Guest Brand - Pantry GemsTikTok - /pantrygemsInstagram @pantrygemsPantry Gems - ⁠https://pantrygems.coOur Host - Milan TerezInstagram: ⁠ ⁠⁠ / @milanterez ⁠ ⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/milanterez⁠ ⁠TRENCHES the podcastInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ / @trenchesthepodcast ⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/trenchesthepod... ⁠⁠entrepreneurship, CPG, food innovation, bootstrapping, product development, startup tips, Pantry Gems, tomato paste, food industry, founder journey

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This episode is 1 hour and 8 minutes long.

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This episode was published on April 16, 2026.

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