How I Built This with Guy Raz Live Episode! Walker & Company: Tristan Walker
Sep 30, 2019
Tristan Walker, founder of Walker & Company and P&G’s first Black CEO, shares his journey from a painful first shave to innovating grooming products tailored for men of color. He discusses the struggles he faced while securing funding and creating Bevel, a subscription service designed to combat the challenges of coarse hair. Tristan highlights the importance of representation in the beauty industry and reflects on the transformative experiences that shaped his vision for success and inclusion.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Childhood in Queens
- Tristan Walker grew up in Queens, New York, facing poverty and homelessness.
- His mother worked three jobs to support him and his brother after his father was killed.
Hotchkiss Experience
- Walker attended the elite Hotchkiss boarding school, where he first witnessed wealth disparity.
- He realized name and legacy mattered and that he could compete with his privileged peers.
Wall Street Disillusionment
- Walker worked on Wall Street for two years after graduating from Stony Brook University.
- He found the work unfulfilling and the culture unappealing, even though he was laid off before the 2008 financial crisis.