How I Built This with Guy Raz
Guy Raz | Wondery
Guy Raz interviews the world’s best-known entrepreneurs to learn how they built their iconic brands. In each episode, founders reveal deep, intimate moments of doubt and failure, and share insights on their eventual success. How I Built This is a master-class on innovation, creativity, leadership and how to navigate challenges of all kinds.New episodes release on Mondays and Thursdays. Listen to How I Built This on the Wondery App or wherever you listen to your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/how-i-built-this now. Get your How I Built This merch at WonderyShop.com/HowIBuiltThis.
Episodes
Mentioned books
80 snips
Jan 5, 2026 • 52min
Dollar Shave Club: Michael Dubin, From Zero to a Billion Dollar Exit in Five Years (December 2018)
Michael Dubin, founder of Dollar Shave Club, shares his entrepreneurial journey from a warehouse of unused razors to a billion-dollar acquisition by Unilever. He discusses how a chance meeting at a holiday party sparked the idea and how his background in improv comedy shaped his innovative marketing strategies. The creation of a viral launch video catapulted the brand into fame, while their rapid expansion into more grooming products caught the eye of major players. Dubin candidly reflects on the challenges faced and the role of luck in his success.
19 snips
Jan 1, 2026 • 44min
Advice Line: Tapping AI as a Resource for Your Business
Randy Hetrick, founder of TRX, returns with insights on product sampling and influencer strategies. Avni, co-founder of Modi Toys, seeks advice on scaling her culturally inspired plush toys and books after a sales decline. They discuss leveraging micro-influencers and AI-driven content to enhance brand engagement. Ideas for animated shorts and interactive AI dolls emerge as innovative solutions to reignite growth, showcasing the intersection of creativity and technology in today's marketplace.
31 snips
Dec 29, 2025 • 1h 24min
SkinnyDipped: Breezy and Val Griffith. The Flourishing Snack Company That Almost Failed
Breezy Griffith, the founder and CEO of SkinnyDipped, and her mother Val, a former TV producer, share their journey of creating a healthier chocolate-coated almond snack in the midst of adversity. They discuss how Breezy's failed ventures built her entrepreneurial spirit. The duo emphasizes innovation by using less sugar and a thin chocolate layer. Their story highlights the nerve-wracking moment of receiving a massive Target order, only to face a crisis with rancid almonds, and their drive to turn the business around amid financial challenges.
39 snips
Dec 25, 2025 • 51min
Advice Line with Todd Graves of Raising Cane's
Todd Graves, founder of Raising Cane's, shares his expertise in business growth and operations. He advises an aspiring coffee entrepreneur on the importance of validating a franchise model before scaling. For a pasta company founder with financial hurdles, Todd suggests creative financing options like subordinated debt. He also cautions a focaccia sandwich creator about the challenges of opening a brick-and-mortar location, recommending alternative strategies like pop-ups to maintain scalability and focus.
94 snips
Dec 22, 2025 • 1h 28min
Exploding Kittens: Elan Lee. How cat-themed Russian Roulette changed game night forever
Elan Lee, co-founder of Exploding Kittens, shares his journey from dismantling toys to designing hit games. He reveals how a simple Sharpie prototype bloomed into a Kickstarter sensation that raised nearly $9 million. Elan discusses the innovative marketing strategies that turned fans into collaborators and the creative pivots that made the card game a household name. He emphasizes the importance of community in crowdfunding, while also recounting amusing anecdotes about game failures and designing games with his daughter.
10 snips
Dec 18, 2025 • 44min
Advice Line with Bobby Trussell of Tempur-Pedic
Bobby Trussell, the founder of Tempur-Pedic and author of The Logic That God Exists, shares entrepreneurial wisdom with early-stage founders. He discusses his unexpected journey from horse racing to creating a household name. Bobby offers valuable advice on business expansion, emphasizing the importance of focusing on core products and community-building. He also tackles fundraising strategies for startups, urging entrepreneurs to demonstrate traction and seek initial support from friends and angel investors.
64 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 1h 7min
93 Rejections, One Revolution: How Indiegogo Changed Crowdfunding Forever
Join Slava Rubin and Danae Ringelmann, co-founders of Indiegogo, as they share their incredible journey to democratize funding. Hear about the pivotal role their personal histories, including losses and financial struggles, played in shaping their mission. They revisit the agonizing 93 investor rejections and how the 2008 financial crisis almost derailed their vision. Discover the decisions that allowed Indiegogo to transform from a niche platform for film into a global crowdfunding giant, proving that anyone can bring their ideas to life.
23 snips
Dec 11, 2025 • 43min
Advice Line with Scott Tannen of Boll & Branch and Jamie Siminoff of Ring
Scott Tannen, CEO of Boll & Branch, and Jamie Siminoff, founder of Ring, offer invaluable entrepreneurial insights to early-stage founders. They discuss the balance between bootstrapping and investment, emphasizing mission protection. Jamie suggests innovative retail strategies, like selling UV apparel in sunscreen aisles. Scott shares the importance of simplifying business focus while ensuring customer satisfaction. Tune in for a mix of practical advice and inspiring stories from these successful entrepreneurs!
89 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 1h 18min
Khan Academy: Sal Khan. From Tutoring His Cousins to Teaching the World For Free (September 2020)
Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, shares his inspiring journey from a high-paying finance job to creating a free educational platform serving millions. He discusses the early spark that came from tutoring his cousin, which led him to harness the power of YouTube for educational content. Sal emphasizes his vision for world-class education accessible to anyone and reflects on key moments, like receiving support from Bill Gates and forming a nonprofit to maintain trust. His focus remains on providing quality learning experiences without the distractions of profit.
17 snips
Dec 4, 2025 • 52min
Advice Line with Jane Wurwand of Dermalogica (December 2024)
Jane Wurwand, co-founder of Dermalogica, shares her insights on building a trusted skincare brand through education. She advises founders like Camille on scaling premium baby food while ensuring quality, emphasizes community value for Molly's fitness classes, and discusses the balance between narrow focus and expansion for Sarah's performance underwear line. Jane highlights modern branding essentials while recalling her scrappy beginnings, giving valuable guidance on entrepreneurship and self-care in the startup world.
