Hearing Angie Gustafson discuss her personal and professional journey is a unique, inspiring experience. A children’s book author, a solopreneur, a Peace Corps volunteer, a community mentor… it seems she’s done it all. And she’s always ready to help others build bridges to further their ambitions — especially through community-minded groups like Food Connections.
But Angies’s story isn’t just a list of accomplishments. It’s a study in imagination, networks, and asking the right questions.
Curiosity Is Her Superpower
“One of my strengths,” she says, “is discovering and extracting people’s stories — understanding what they do, what drives them, and what they’re truly great at.” Her mindset of listening first has become foundational to how she mentors others and navigates the complex, often overwhelming world of food systems.
Her experience as the owner of Gustola Granola gives her valuable wisdom she freely shares with others. “Food is fascinatingly complex and overwhelming in a lot of ways,” she reflects. “But I think there are so many opportunities to dive in and push for better. That’s what I’m trying to figure out. How can I take all this experience that I’ve gained and make a positive difference going forward?”
Born from a kitchen creation and empowered with encouragement from friends, Gustola Granola grew to be a brand sold in about 200 retail locations from 2016 to 2023. Angie started selling her product at a farmer’s market and quickly realized she was building something meaningful. As demand grew, she navigated the complexities of scaling a small food business, including sourcing ingredients, designing packaging, negotiating with distributors, and learning how to price for profit while staying true to her values. Gustola Granola provided Angie with a powerful understanding of the realities of the food industry from the inside out.
Helping Founders Find Their Focus
Pushing for better is central to how Angie guides emerging entrepreneurs and community organizers. She encourages people to clearly define what makes them stand out. Angie invites people into her stories and encourages them, in turn, to ask themselves, “What is your unique selling position? What is it you do better than anyone else?” She explains, “Your product can be really great, but it also has to benefit everyone at every step of the selling process: the distributors, retailers, and finally the end consumer.”
That same clarity and focus are guiding Angie’s latest venture: A Jar Opener, a simple yet ingenious under-cabinet kitchen tool based on the design her grandfather Jerry handcrafted and gifted. After 25+ years of personal use and appreciation, Angie decided to bring this family creation to the public, combining nostalgic value with practical utility. The project embodies her ability to recognize everyday challenges and provide useful, joyful solutions.
Big Questions for Bigger Impact
That whole-picture thinking is something Angie brings up often. From the supply chain to the store shelf to the emotional connection with the customer, she encourages founders to zoom out and think strategically and sustainably. “What’s your end goal?” she asks. “To be in every store across the country or to be an accessible rock star to retailers and customers closer to home?” Those are two different scenarios that can both bring about fulfillment and success.
Making the Numbers Work
For many emerging brands, those kinds of questions reframe their definition of success. And Angie is quick to follow it with practical advice, especially when it comes to building a financially viable business. “It’s in your best interest to own as many aspects of the supply chain as possible,” she says. “When you’re working with a product with super tight margins and you’re outsourcing everything, it’s really hard to make the numbers work.”
Meet Angie at Food Connections
Whether she’s offering tactical advice or helping people find their “why,” Angie blends experience with empathy. Her work is driven by a passion for food and a deep belief in the power of people, their stories, their communities, and their ability to make a difference.
Want to learn more from Angie and others like her? Join us at our next Food Connections meeting.
