{"podcast":{"title":"The Startup CPG Podcast","slug":"the-startup-cpg-podcast-1235739","podcast_index_feed_id":1235739,"rss_url":"https://feeds.transistor.fm/startupcpg","website_url":"https://startupcpg.transistor.fm/","image_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/WNouK7j5vR6Y4BOYi04oDl3hjEsu2FYQMPHcqVNY7hc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hMTFl/MTgxNTNlZTAwZjU1/ZmNmNWM1ZjkwMDg5/NTU4MS5wbmc.jpg","author":"Startup CPG","episode_count":474,"summary":"The top CPG podcast in the world, highlighting stories from founders, buyer spotlights, highly practical industry insights - all to give you a better chance at success.","last_synced_at":"2026-08-02T06:22:47.976796+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast-1235739"},"episode":{"title":"How to Make the Most of Expo West as an Emerging CPG Brand | Little Latke, Gato Dates & Hola Mija Chips","slug":"how-to-make-the-most-of-expo-west-as-an-emerging-cpg-brand-little-latke-gato-dates-hola-mija-chips","published_at":"2026-04-20T07:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast-1235739/how-to-make-the-most-of-expo-west-as-an-emerging-cpg-brand-little-latke-gato-dates-hola-mija-chips","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast-1235739","url":"https://share.transistor.fm/s/e21383bd","audio_url":"https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/pdst.fm/e/media.transistor.fm/e21383bd/860f95c8.mp3","summary":"In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host and managing editor Caitlin Bricker sits down with three emerging brands to unpack what Expo West really looks like on the ground — from first-time exhibiting to scrappy Alley Rally wins to landing a yes from a buyer on the spot. First up is Taylor Blue, founder of Little Latke, the first shelf-stable potato crisp inspired by the crispy edges of a traditional potato latke. Taylor shares what it was like to exhibit at Expo West for the first time, why she chose the Startup CPG section, and how she used the show to launch not just a new and improved formula (now non-GMO and seed oil free), but two brand new flavors — Garlic Parmesan and Spicy Honey Dijon. She also opens up about what she'd tell any first-time exhibitor who's on the fence. Next, Caitlin talks to Gabriella Labi and Tonya Reznikovich, co-founders of Gato Dates — dark chocolate covered, nut butter stuffed Medjool dates in four flavors. Gabriella shares the full emotional story of attending Alley Rally on a shoestring, including a broken washing machine, sample packs that wouldn't open, shirtless models with QR code tattoos at a Venice event the night before, and a vote count that first broke their hearts before ultimately delivering the news that they'd won a free booth at Expo West 2027. Finally, Jesse Suarez, founder of Hola Mija Chips — one of the first tallow tortilla chips on the market, made with nixtamal corn and beef tallow — breaks down his experience with Startup CPG's one-on-one retailer meetings, including how a meeting at Winter Fancy Food in San Diego helped close a deal with Buy Rite a week later, and how a 10-minute conversation at Expo West ended with a buyer saying yes on the spot. Listen in as they cover: What it's actually like to exhibit i…","meta_description":"In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host and managing editor Caitlin Bricker sits down with three emerging brands to unpack what Expo West really…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1953,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-startup-cpg-podcast-1235739/episodes/how-to-make-the-most-of-expo-west-as-an-emerging-cpg-brand-little-latke-gato-dates-hola-mija-chips/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast-1235739/how-to-make-the-most-of-expo-west-as-an-emerging-cpg-brand-little-latke-gato-dates-hola-mija-chips.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}