From One to 14,000 Acres: Angela Santiago's Little Potato Journey

Table Talk with ABFI

In this enlightening episode of ABFI Table Talk, host Matt Knight sits down with Angela Santiago, co-founder and CEO of the Little Potato Company, to explore her remarkable journey from a small family venture to a North American agricultural powerhouse.

Angela shares the surprising origin story of how, fresh out of university and with no agricultural background, she reluctantly agreed to help her father plant a one-acre test plot of small potatoes in 1996. What began as washing potatoes in a bathtub and selling them to local delis has grown into a company that manages 14,000 acres and distributes to 20,000 stores across North America.

Throughout the conversation, three key themes emerge:

1. Family Values as a Business Foundation: Angela reveals how the company's five core values—with "family" being central—guide everything from hiring decisions to strategic expansion. These values have fostered a culture where product quality and people take precedence over profits, embodying the unique strengths of family businesses.

2. Innovation as an Entrepreneurial Spirit: From advocating for smaller potato packaging to creative product development stemming from "mistakes and laziness," Angela demonstrates how innovation permeates every aspect of the business. Her willingness to embrace new ideas—whether in automation, AI, or product lines—has kept the Little Potato Company thriving in a declining category.
   
   
3. Next-Generation Leadership Development: Perhaps most fascinating is Angela's thoughtful approach to involving her children in the business. By establishing clear ground rules—"enter where you enter," "no exceptions"—and focusing on teaching them to be "good owners" regardless of their career choices, she's creating a legacy that extends beyond the balance sheet.

This episode offers invaluable insights for family business leaders navigating the complex interplay of family dynamics and business growth. Angela's experiences balancing her "life buckets"—work, family, self, and marriage—while scaling internationally provide a masterclass in entrepreneurial business family leadership.

Learn more about ABFI at https://abfi.ca/, connect with Matt Knight at [email protected] or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattknight/

Learn more about The Little Potato Company at https://www.littlepotatoes.com/

This video podcast series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55 - located in Edmonton, Alberta. For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca