If there’s one thing the internet has given us, besides endless memes and cat videos, it’s reviews. They’re both a blessing and a curse: you might earn a glowing five-star rave, or you might get dinged because the shipping box arrived dented (thanks, UPS). Despite the risk, reviews are crucial for a growing brand like Tantos. Whether they’re on Amazon, our own site, or social media, I tend read every single one. They can shape brand perception, inform product tweaks, and even inspire new marketing strategies.
The Early Realization
Even before Tantos officially launched, I knew reviews would play a huge role. In the early days, people don’t have much else to go on besides your packaging, your story, and, of course, feedback from others who’ve tried it. A solid set of reviews can convince a curious shopper to click “Add to Cart,” while a few harsh words might scare someone off. From day one, I made sure to pay close attention, both to the five-star love letters and the one-star complaints.
We keep an eye on multiple platforms, but Amazon is probably the biggest battlefield for feedback. When you Google Tantos, our Amazon page often shows up near the top, and it’s where many people check ratings. At first, we nudged customers to leave reviews on our website. But once we realized Amazon’s influence, we shifted our energy there instead. Now, part of my morning routine, right up there with sipping coffee and scanning emails, involves a quick look at our Amazon page for new comments.
We haven’t changed anything yet based on reviews. That’s mostly because we did a ton of development before launch, and we genuinely love the product as it is. The few negative reviews we’ve seen usually revolve around shipping delays or gripes about not having a gluten-free version (we’re pasta—gluten-free isn’t on the menu). We do note suggestions for future development, but we haven’t felt compelled to overhaul a flavor or reduce salt just because of an online rant.
One thing I’ve learned is that some people will leave a one-star review because the box arrived crumpled, even though that’s more of a logistics issue than a product fault. It comes with the territory. Usually, we don’t respond publicly unless someone is way out of line or truly misled about our product. If a review is harsh but constructive, we might reach out privately to see if we can make it right. The goal is to keep customer service front and center, especially for a small brand that relies heavily on word of mouth.
We don’t have a fancy system for sorting reviews by “shipping complaint” vs. “taste complaint” vs. “damage complaint.” Given our volume of feedback, I can usually skim through and mentally note if it’s something the shipping team needs to address or if it’s a flavor critique for Chef Joe. We’re still scrappy enough that this hands-on approach works. If we ever get flooded with feedback, we might need a more formal triage, but for now, a quick read suffices.
Asking for Reviews
We’ll send out an email or two post-purchase asking people to leave a review. It’s not pushy; it’s just a friendly nudge. Most people ignore it, but those who do respond often share heartwarming feedback. Reading a five-star rating that says, “I’m obsessed with the pesto flavor, and I can’t believe these are pasta chips!” is the kind of validation that keeps the team motivated, especially on tougher days.
Some of our most treasured reviews are private endorsements from industry pros, Chef Joe’s circle of chef friends that include a few culinary heavyweights and some industry experts. When they offer praise, publicly or in a text message, it’s huge for morale. These are folks with refined palates and know the snack space, so if they enjoy Tantos, we know we’ve got something special.
On the flip side, we haven’t had any soul-crushing critiques that forced major damage control. The few negatives typically revolve around shipping mishaps or personal flavor preferences. We’re fortunate there’s no widespread outcry demanding we change the entire Tantos line—fingers crossed it stays that way.
One thing to remember: don’t let reviews paralyze you. Some people can be nasty just for the sake of it, and if you obsess over every bad word, you’ll drive yourself mad. Use negative feedback as fuel—see if there’s any validity, take what’s useful, then move on. Leverage positive reviews in your marketing and social posts. Potential customers often trust user feedback more than your own ad copy.
Reviews are part of the modern consumer landscape. Embrace them, respond when it makes sense, and keep in mind: behind every review (good or bad) is a real person who took the time to comment on your brand. That in itself is valuable—it means they care enough to share their thoughts. And isn’t that what every new brand wants, attention and honest conversation?
