From Scratch with Jessica Harris

DonorsChoose is an online philanthropic marketplace that connects citizen philanthropists— members of the public– to public school teachers who request supplies for their classroom projects across the United States. Charles started DonorsChoose in 2000 while he was a public school teacher in the Bronx facing his own shortage of supplies for the projects he wanted to create with his students. The organization has raised over $300M, benefiting almost 15 million students. Charles speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched DonorsChoose, from scratch. Listen to the interview

Dollar Shave Club is a membership club for men’s grooming products. The company started delivering razors in 2011 for less than $10 per month. DSC now offers a range of bathroom products from hair gel to body cleanser. Michael speaks with Jessica Harris about how he started DSC, from scratch. Listen to the interview

charity: water provides clean water to communities in developing countries. Scott launched charity: water in 2006 after raising $15,000 from his friends at his 31st birthday party. Prior to launching charity: water, Scott was a night club promoter, of course. Scott speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched charity: water, from scratch. Listen to the interview

IDEO is a global design firm that takes a human-centered approach to innovation. IDEO has helped to innovate products including Apple’s first computer mouse in 1980, the first stand-up toothpaste for Procter and Gamble, surgical tools for Medtronic, and furniture for Steelcase. The company also helps governments and social organizations innovate internationally. David is the founder of the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford, also known as the Stanford d.school. He is the co-author with his brother Tom of Creative Confidence. David speaks to Jessica Harris about how he pioneered design thinking, from scratch. Listen to the interview

Friends of the High Line is the organization that pioneered the transformation of an abandoned elevated train line into a public space about 1.5 miles long on Manhattan’s west side in New York City. Robert and his Co-Founder Joshua David started the organization after attending a community board meeting to protest the High Line’s demolition in 1999. Robert and Joshua are the authors of the book High Line: The Inside Story of New York City’s Park in the Sky. Friends of the High Line receives support from members to fund the ongoing maintenance of the park, as well as the expansion of its third section, to be completed in 2014. Robert speaks with Jessica Harris about how he overcame fierce opposition to develop an unlikely public space, from scratch. Listen to the interview

Glossier is an online beauty company that launched on Instagram in 2014. Emily is also the founder of Into the Gloss, an online community dedicated to beauty. Visitors get tips on skin, hair, makeup, and learn the beauty routines of leading members of the cosmetic and fashion industries. Emily speaks with Jessica Harris about how she launched her beauty blog and skin products company, from scratch. Listen to the interview

Peter Manning launched his eponymous clothing company to focus on men 5’8″ and under. Prior to starting the company in 2012, Peter was a Tony Award winning theatrical producer. Peter speaks with Jessica Harris about his career shift– and the sartorial needs of this segment of the male population— from scratch. Listen to the interview

Shutterstock is an online marketplace for photos, graphic images, video clips and music. The content is crowdsourced, with photographers, artists and other contributors uploading their content in exchange for a percent of revenue when their work is purchased. Jon started Shutterstock in 2003, and the company went public in 2012. Jon speaks to Jessica Harris about how he built Shutterstock, from scratch. Listen to the interview

Strand Book Store in New York City was founded by Fred’s father Benjamin in 1927. Fred was born in 1928 and has been working in the family business since he was thirteen years old. The Strand has roughly 2.5 million used, rare, and new books—the equivalent of roughly 18 miles of books. Fred spoke to Jessica Harris about how he and his father turned the Strand into one of New York’s literary landmarks, from scratch. Fred died in January, 2018 at 89 years old, a few months after celebrating the Strand’s 90th birthday. Listen to the interview

Mark started the Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) in 1980. Headquartered in Fort Green, Brooklyn, the company is on tour more than 20 weeks per year. MMDG collaborates with leading artists, including the cellist Yo Yo Ma, the pianist Emanuel Ax, the designer Isaac Mizrahi, and the dancer Baryshnikov. Mark speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched his choreography career, from scratch. Listen to the interview