# Nemi, The Original, All-Natural Crunchy Cactus (Nopales) Snack

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2021-06-14
- Length: 27m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-06-14-nemi-the-original-all-natural-crunchy-cactus-nopales-snack
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/47633712

## Summary

Regina Trillo, founder of Nemi, explains how her background in human rights law and personal health struggles inspired her to create a crunchy, all-natural cactus (nopales) snack that avoids artificial ingredients and stereotypes. She details her bootstrapped journey, emphasizing the importance of sourcing from female-led farms in Mexico and securing grants from the Entrepreneurial Dream Project and Mind the Font to support design and mentorship. Trillo discusses the challenges of consumer education around nopales and amaranth, the company's current focus on a rebrand to better communicate its authentic Mexican heritage, and its distribution in Chicago, California, and New York.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-06-14-nemi-the-original-all-natural-crunchy-cactus-nopales-snack#t=6) Introduction: Regina Trillo and Nemi
- [1:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-06-14-nemi-the-original-all-natural-crunchy-cactus-nopales-snack#t=95) Origin Story: Health, Law, and the Nopales Gap
- [5:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-06-14-nemi-the-original-all-natural-crunchy-cactus-nopales-snack#t=323) Sourcing and Values: Working with Women Farmers in Mexico
- [10:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-06-14-nemi-the-original-all-natural-crunchy-cactus-nopales-snack#t=654) Funding and Mentorship: Grants from Entrepreneurial Dream Project and Mind the Font
- [17:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-06-14-nemi-the-original-all-natural-crunchy-cactus-nopales-snack#t=1063) Brand Identity: Avoiding Stereotypes and Authentic Mexican Culture
- [21:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-06-14-nemi-the-original-all-natural-crunchy-cactus-nopales-snack#t=1278) Consumer Education and Market Response
- [24:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-06-14-nemi-the-original-all-natural-crunchy-cactus-nopales-snack#t=1461) Rebranding, Distribution, and Future Plans

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Nemi (product)
- The Hatchery (company)
- Entrepreneurial Dream Project (company)
- Mind the Font (company)
- Schmidt Naturals (company)
- Hippies (company)
- Amazon (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Siete Family Foods: Miguel and Veronica Garza](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-03-15-siete-family-foods-miguel-and-veronica-garza) (How I Built This)
- [Late July Snacks: Nicole Bernard Dawes. Crackers and Cookies were Failing… Tortilla Chips Saved Them](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-08-31-late-july-snacks-nicole-bernard-dawes-crackers-and-cookies-were-failing-tortilla) (How I Built This)
- [MadeGood: Salma and Nima Fotovat Lost Their First Business. They Grew Their Next One Into a Snack Giant.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-08-10-madegood-salma-and-nima-fotovat-lost-their-first-business-they-grew-their-next-o) (How I Built This)
- [Jovial Foods: Carla Bartolucci](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-07-jovial-foods-carla-bartolucci) (How I Built This)
- [Numi Organic Tea: Reem Hassani and Ahmed Rahim](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-07-05-numi-organic-tea-reem-hassani-and-ahmed-rahim) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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