How I Built This with Guy Raz Bonobos: Andy Dunn (2019)
Apr 4, 2022
Andy Dunn, Co-founder of Bonobos, shares his journey from business school roommate to launching a successful men's clothing brand. He discusses the innovative approach to addressing fit issues with stylish pants, and the emotional rollercoaster of navigating co-founder dynamics and personal challenges, including mental health struggles. Andy emphasizes resilience through crises, culminating in Bonobos' acquisition by Walmart for $310 million. He reflects on the interplay of success, luck, and the importance of supportive relationships in entrepreneurship.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Bicultural upbringing
- Andy Dunn's bicultural background wasn't prominent in his childhood until a high school nickname, "Windu," highlighted his Indian heritage.
- A trip to India during college solidified his connection to his roots.
Spaley's pants idea
- At Stanford, Dunn's roommate, Brian Spaley, obsessed over ill-fitting men's pants and began tailoring them for a better fit.
- This led to Spaley creating pants with a curved waistband, a novel concept in menswear.
The birth of Bonobos
- During spring break, Spaley chose to develop his pants idea instead of attending a wedding in Brazil.
- Upon Dunn's return, he found their house filled with fabric, marking the informal start of Bonobos.