# @startupcpg on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DW6te2VgABk
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/63796825-startupcpg-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/46101bdd07.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-04-09T16:18:45.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Startup CPG (@startupcpg) — https://gondola.cc/startupcpg

## Caption

No CPG experience. No big budget. So how do you build a cult-favorite brand? 👀

In this Startup CPG founder feature, host Caitlin Bricker sits down with Gabriella Labi and Tonya Reznikovich, co-founders of Gato Dates, to talk about what happens when the best dessert at a dinner party becomes a full-blown luxury confection brand.

From gut health struggles and culinary school pivots to Shabbat dinners that sparked a business idea, this is the real story behind a product people can’t stop eating. Gato Dates are dark chocolate covered, nut butter stuffed Medjool dates—crafted to feel indulgent, but actually better for you. 

They also get into what it really takes to scale: co-packing challenges, managing COGS, landing retail accounts, and why going all in in January 2025 changed everything.

Whether you’re building your first product, testing at farmers markets, or figuring out how to grow without a big budget, this episode is packed with honest, tactical insights.

Link in bio for the full episode.

#FoundersandFunders #StartupFunding #ConsumerBrands #CPGFounders #StartupPodcast

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 248
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 28

## Tags

startuppodcast, foundersandfunders, consumerbrands, startupfunding, cpgfounders

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