How Gather Brands Is Creating Shelf Space for Women-Owned CPG Companies

Please share a brief introduction and your business:

At Gather Brands, our mission is to champion and elevate women-owned and women-led companies in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. We exist to create a space at the table - and on the shelf - for innovative female founders whose products deserve to be seen, sold and celebrated.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but like many people, I found comfort in the stability of a steady paycheck and benefits. When I was laid off during COVID, it was a moment of uncertainty — but also clarity. What felt like a loss at first turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me. It gave me the push I needed to take a leap of faith and build something of my own. That’s how Gather Brands was born — out of a mix of experience, resilience, and the realization that sometimes life’s biggest challenges open the door to our greatest opportunities.

Are you a mamaprenista?

I manage business and family by being intentional about where I focus my time. When I’m with my family, I try to be fully present and soak in those moments. At work, I focus on the things that matter most to move the business forward. It’s not always perfect, but I’ve learned that staying flexible and keeping open communication with both my family and my team makes it all work.

Take us back to when you launched? What was your marketing strategy?

When I first launched Gather Brands, my marketing strategy was really rooted in relationships. After spending 25 years in the CPG world — as a broker, on the manufacturer side, and as a distributor — I had built a strong network of industry contacts. I focused on leveraging those connections and word-of-mouth to get the word out. I also made it a priority to show up authentically — sharing why I started Gather Brands and how we could help emerging brands grow. Like most startups, not everything went exactly as planned. I assumed my network alone would be enough to fill the pipeline, but I quickly realized I needed to invest more in visibility — things like social media presence, thought leadership, and brand storytelling. Over time, that combination of personal relationships and consistent brand building became the foundation for our growth.

What accomplishments are you the most proud of to date in your business?

My biggest accomplishment has been building Gather Brands into a trusted partner that truly helps emerging CPG brands grow and succeed. Seeing the brands we’ve supported land on more shelves, expand into new markets, and reach the next level of their business is incredibly rewarding. On a personal level, I’m proud that I took the leap of faith to start something of my own — especially after so many years of playing it safe. Turning a moment of uncertainty into an opportunity, and then watching it flourish into a thriving business, has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

One thing I wish I had known before starting my entrepreneurial journey is how incredibly supportive women can be. I had this idea that I needed to do everything alone or I may be judged harshly, but I’ve found the opposite to be true — the encouragement, advice, and mentorship from other women has been invaluable. It’s taught me that building a strong network of support can make all the difference in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

This depends on the position and the person, however I firmly believe to always trust your gut!

What did you go before starting your own business?

With over 25 years of experience in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry, I’ve worked across every major facet of the business — as a broker, on the manufacturer side, and as the owner of a distribution company. This hands-on experience gave me a deep understanding of how brands are launched, scaled, and sustained in a competitive marketplace. Drawing on that expertise, I founded Gather Brands to help emerging and established CPG companies navigate growth with strategic insight and operational excellence.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

When I was laid off during COVID, it initially felt like a setback — but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Losing that job gave me the push I needed to finally take a leap of faith and start my own business. I had spent decades helping other brands grow and succeed, and for the first time, I realized it was time to build something of my own. That moment of uncertainty became the catalyst for launching Gather Brands, and I haven’t looked back since.

Do you have any recent wins?

A recent win has been seeing several of our client brands secure national retail placements after starting with us at the regional level. Watching their growth and knowing we played a role in that journey is incredibly rewarding — it’s exactly why Gather Brands exists!

Who are your customers?

We proudly serve women entrepreneurs in the CPG space who are ready to grow their retail presence but may not have the resources, network, or internal sales team to do it alone.

What's your top productivity tip?

Time blocking

What's your favorite business tool?

Asana for project management, Pipedrive for lead tracking - they both generate reminders and prompt tasks.

What's your approach to work-life balance?

I approach work-life balance through integration — blending focus on the business with time for family, health, and personal interests so each fuels the other.

How do you avoid burn-out?

Self care - yoga, time with friends and family

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

My advice for aspiring Entreprenistas is to trust yourself and take the leap, even if it feels scary. Surround yourself with a supportive network, ask for help when you need it, and don’t be afraid to learn as you go. Entrepreneurship is a mix of strategy, resilience, and intuition — and the more you lean into both your skills and your instincts, the more you’ll grow, both personally and professionally.

Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today

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