Meet Gabriella Labi & Tonya Reznikovich | Co-Founders of Gato Dates

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabriella Labi & Tonya Reznikovich and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabriella & Tonya, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

Gabi’s Answer
 
Starting Gato Dates was never just about creating a product – it was about reclaiming what indulgence could look and feel like. As someone deeply rooted in the health and wellness world, I was constantly coming up against this tension between clean eating and craving indulgence. So much of what we’re told to avoid in pursuit of “wellness” is actually what connects us to culture, pleasure, and memory. I didn’t want to choose between nourishment and enjoyment – I wanted both.

Building my own brand gave me the freedom to rewrite that narrative. I wanted to be my own boss not just to have autonomy, but to protect the integrity of what matters most to me: quality ingredients, unapologetic pleasure, and the radical idea that food can be both healing and delicious. That’s what Gato Dates stands for – reimagining indulgence through a wellness lens. No compromises. No empty claims. Just food that truly makes you feel good – body, mind, and spirit.

This is more than a business – it’s a mission. And being at the helm means I get to champion that every day.

Tonya’s Answer

To be completely honest, starting my own business was never something I actively sought out. Some people have that itch – I didn’t know I had it. Looking back, that shocks me, because I’ve never had this much fun doing anything.

Gato started on a whim. Entrepreneurship wasn’t on my radar, and neither was the food or CPG world. What sparked it all was a deep obsession with the product itself. Gabi was making these unbelievable dates, and I knew instantly: there was something there. I didn’t know how big the market was, but I was convinced Gato had to exist.

So I convinced Gabi to give it a shot. We launched a tiny farmers market stall to test my theory: would complete strangers (not just friends and family) love these the way I did? The answer was a resounding yes. Not only did people buy them, they came back. They brought their friends. They couldn’t stop talking about them. That was all the validation we needed. The rest is history.

What should our readers know about your business?

Gabi’s Answer

Gato Dates is a reimagination of indulgence through the lens of wellness – we make dark chocolate-covered, nut butter–filled Medjool dates that are both wildly delicious and made with the kind of ingredients you can feel good about putting in your body. At its core, Gato Dates was created to bridge the gap between food that brings you joy and food that nourishes you – no compromises, no fads, just real ingredients and deep satisfaction.

What truly sets us apart is our commitment to building something that’s both beautiful and lasting – rooted in Mediterranean values, slow food principles, and a desire to bring ritual and pleasure back into eating. We’re not chasing trends or restrictive diets; we’re creating a better-for-you treat with staying power – something that feels like a luxury, but lives seamlessly in people’s everyday lives.

I’m most proud of the community we’ve built since our launch a year and a half ago. Our loyal Gato Dates customers are everything – they’ve embraced our product and woven it into their daily and weekly rituals of self-love and care. Seeing Gato Dates show up on people’s coffee tables, in their lunch boxes, their fridges – it’s deeply meaningful. They’ve become our champions, and it’s because of them that we’ve continued to grow.

I’m incredibly excited about what’s ahead – we’re focused on expanding across the U.S. through thoughtful, strategic partnerships with online marketplaces and retailers that celebrate small-batch, artisanal, premium products. It’s important to us that we scale in a way that still feels personal and aligned with our values.

Of course, it hasn’t been easy. Building Gato Dates has come with countless challenges – from production delays to shipping issues (especially during the summer heat), to weeks when we’ve felt like everything was unraveling. But the biggest lesson I’ve learned is to keep showing up. For every hard week, there’s a high that reminds us why we’re doing this. There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel – and learning to celebrate the wins, no matter how big or small, has been everything.

What I want people to know about Gato Dates is that we’re not just here to make a good snack – we’re here to redefine indulgence. We’re building something rooted in real food, real pleasure, and real sustainability. It’s about creating joy in the everyday, honoring your body with what you eat, and feeling good – not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually too. That’s the story behind Gato Dates. And we’re just getting started.

Tonya’s Answer

Gato is something we’re building for ourselves. What began as a personal health quest for Gabi quickly became an indulgent addiction for me, and for once, one I could feel good about.

We weren’t trend-chasing. We weren’t scanning the market for gaps. We just made something we genuinely loved. I think that’s why it resonates. The best products usually come from solving your own problem, and that’s exactly what Gato is.

They say when you try to build something for everyone, you end up building something for no one. We are our target customer. And that’s something we intend to stay true to with every single product we launch.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Gabi’s Answer

If my best friend was visiting LA for the week, I’d want to give them the absolute best mix of delicious food, beautiful nature, and all the little rituals that make this city feel like home to me.

We’d start our mornings with a walk through the Beverly Hills Flats – it’s one of my favorite ways to move gently in the morning while admiring some of the most stunning homes in LA. I’d grab my usual iced matcha americano from Community Goods (trust me, it’s the best in the city) and we’d use that time to catch up, reset, and soak up the early sunshine.

For breakfast, there’s only one place I’d take them first: Salt’s Cure. The pancakes are truly unmatched – perfectly crisped on the outside, soft and fluffy inside, with just the right touch of this maple butter. Pure magic. For lunch, we’d head to All Time in Los Feliz – it’s got a great neighborhood vibe, super fresh food, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to linger a little longer.

Dinner plans would rotate, but Marvin is my number one. The steak au poivre is next-level, and the whole place just feels like a chic little Parisian escape tucked into LA. I also recently fell in love with Dunsmoor – I took Tonya there for her birthday and it’s quickly become a new favorite. The menu is super seasonal, bold, and thoughtful – everything just feels considered.

We’d definitely carve out a day (or two) for Malibu. A hike at Los Liones is always worth it – the views are breathtaking, and it’s a great way to get a sweat in. After the hike, we’d head to the Malibu Country Mart for some relaxed shopping and lunch – SunLife Organics for the best smoothies and Malibu Mutt’s Grill for a surprisingly epic grilled chicken burger. Since the fires i’ve tried to go out as much as possible to support local businesses there that were affected.

One of my favorite LA activities – and an absolute non-negotiable on the itinerary – is catching a movie night at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. There’s always a DJ set before the film, and yes, I’ve definitely been known to have a little dance before we sit down for a picnic and a classic movie under the stars. It’s such an iconic LA experience – weird, magical, and communal in the best way.

By the end of the week, I’d hope they’d not only be full of amazing food, but that they’d feel like they got to see a really personal side of LA – the little rituals and places that make life here feel so nourishing, inspiring, and joyful.

Tonya’s Answer

First stop: Verve. Their avocado toast is the best I’ve ever had, and I’ve tried a lot of avocado toast.

Next, a hike – because what else do you do in LA? Fryman Canyon is a favourite.

I’d also take them on a little architecture tour. LA’s got some incredible single-family home design – from the Eames Foundation to the Neutra VDL Studio. We’ll hop in my ’97 convertible (no parking sensors, no cameras, no AC but all the vibes), and cruise up the canyons in style.

Dinner? Either Anajak Thai (five minutes from my house) or Asanebo for some of the best sushi in town.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m incredibly grateful to a few key people who have given me the confidence and support to build Gato Dates. First and foremost, my co-founder Tonya – this is our second venture together, and she has always been my biggest champion. Her belief in my ideas, even the wild ones, and her constant encouragement have pushed me to try things I never imagined I’d have the courage to pursue. She brings sharp business savvy that beautifully balances my creative and experimental nature, making her the perfect partner to bring Gato Dates to life. I also want to thank my parents, who have backed me wholeheartedly through every chapter – from launching my first business, Body by Gaby, to now building Gato Dates. Their unwavering support and steady belief that I could succeed at whatever I put my mind to have been the foundation beneath every bold leap I’ve taken.

Website: https://www.gatodates.com

Instagram: gato_dates

Image Credits
@daniellegadams