How I Built This with Guy Raz The Container Store: Kip and Sharon Tindell
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Dec 23, 2024 
Kip Tindell and Sharon Tindell, co-founders of The Container Store, discuss their journey from skeptics to industry pioneers in home organization. They share how the idea of selling empty boxes transformed into a retail sensation despite initial doubts. The couple reflects on challenges with growth, the pitfalls of going public, and the effects of online competition. Insights about their partnership and a notable collaboration with Marie Kondo showcase their dedication to promoting organization as a means to enhance daily life.
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Early Skepticism
- Kip Tindell's father questioned the viability of selling empty boxes, highlighting the initial skepticism surrounding The Container Store's concept.
- This anecdote underscores the challenge of explaining a novel business idea before its tangible realization.
From Furniture to Function
- Kip and Garrett Boone initially considered opening a furniture store but found the environment too slow and unexciting.
- This led them to explore housewares and the then-untapped market of consumer organization products.
The Storage Landscape of the 70s
- In the late 1970s, readily available storage solutions were limited, with no widespread retail options for cardboard boxes or durable plastic bins.
- People often resorted to repurposing commercial items or using steamer trunks for storage.
