How I Built This with Guy Raz cover image

How I Built This with Guy Raz

Advice Line with Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield

Nov 14, 2024
44:59
Snipd AI
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.
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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.

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