How I Built This with Guy Raz
Advice Line with Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield
Nov 14, 2024
Gary Hirshberg, co-founder and former CEO of Stonyfield, shares his entrepreneurial insights while answering questions from budding founders. He discusses how a social mission can give a product a competitive edge. Cate seeks advice on sustainable practices for her leather goods, while Jamie navigates unexpected demographics for her vegan camping meals. Dianna grapples with hiring the right person for her seeded cracker business. Their conversations highlight persistence, community support, and the importance of aligning business with personal values.
44:59
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Gary Hirshberg emphasizes that a strong social mission can serve as a competitive advantage for consumer products, particularly in today's eco-conscious market.
- The importance of grassroots marketing is highlighted, illustrating how consumer demand can effectively influence retailers' decisions to stock new products.
Deep dives
The Journey of Stonyfield
The founder of Stonyfield, Gary Hirshberg, shares the inception of his yogurt business, which began as a small endeavor on a rundown farm. Despite facing numerous financial challenges, including borrowing loans from family and experiencing near failures, Hirshberg's persistence led to the creation of a highly successful organic brand. He emphasizes the importance of having a product that resonates with consumers, describing early iterations of the yogurt as something that could be labeled ambrosia, which ultimately drove demand. The narrative highlights that success is often built through setbacks and that enthusiasm should remain intact even during tough times.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
