How I Built This with Guy Raz

Hamdi Ulukaya, the founder and CEO of Chobani, shares his inspiring journey from Turkey to America as an immigrant who transformed the yogurt industry. He recalls the pivotal moment when he purchased an abandoned yogurt factory that ignited his entrepreneurial spirit. The podcast covers the early struggles of building Chobani, including financial setbacks and the emotional toll of managing a brand during a crisis. Hamdi emphasizes the importance of community and social responsibility in business, along with Chobani's exciting future plans for expansion.

Norma Kamali, the iconic fashion designer known for her innovative creations, teams up with Ahmed Ejaz, founder of the Cambridge Spectacle Company, to offer insights to budding entrepreneurs. They discuss balancing creative visions with financial realities. Ahmed seeks advice on storytelling for his eyewear brand, while another caller, Bob, shares his soup restaurant concept focusing on nutritious offerings. Additionally, they explore the importance of authenticity in branding and the challenges of scaling an inclusive activewear business.

Rick Steves, a renowned travel writer and TV host, shares his adventures from backpacking in Europe on two dollars a day to building a $120 million travel empire. He discusses the importance of affordable travel and how he successfully turned free content into a loyal audience. Steves reflects on the evolution of travel media, his transition from selling guidebooks to producing TV shows, and his personal journey with health awareness. His passion for sharing authentic experiences remains central to his mission in the travel industry.

Jim Koch, founder of the Boston Beer Company and a pioneer of the craft beer movement, shares his expertise on brand building and navigating market challenges. He offers advice to Kim on entering the rum market with her apparel line, Llance on launching his tea-bag broth nationally, and Ami on enhancing her electrical contracting business's customer service. Koch emphasizes the importance of storytelling and emotional connections to foster brand loyalty, while addressing growth strategies and the significance of clear communication in entrepreneurship.

Josh Hochschuler, founder of Talenti Gelato, shares his journey from experiencing Argentina's vibrant gelato culture to launching a successful brand in the U.S. He faced early setbacks, including shutting down his retail shop to pivot to wholesale, which ultimately led to Talenti's national acclaim. Hochschuler discusses the importance of resilience, creative marketing, and strategic partnerships, including a game-changing deal with Costco and navigating the 2008 financial crisis. His story highlights the transformative nature of entrepreneurship and personal growth.

Eric Ryan, co-founder of Method and serial entrepreneur, shares his expertise on market entry strategies and his latest venture, Tandy, a functional candy brand. He dives into finding mentors for young entrepreneurs, scaling unique products, and the balance between control and growth in business. Ryan also highlights the importance of innovative marketing and strategic partnerships while sharing anecdotes from his own journey. He offers practical advice to founders navigating the competitive landscape of their respective industries.

In this engaging discussion, Chris Riccobono, the founder of UNTUCKit, shares his entrepreneurial journey from a GE salesman frustrated with dress shirts to launching a successful clothing brand. He details the challenges of creating the perfect untucked shirt and overcoming manufacturing hurdles. Chris highlights pivotal moments like a risky shift to physical retail in Soho and a transformative radio ad campaign. He also reflects on navigating the brand through financial hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing resilience and adaptability in the ever-changing fashion industry.

Marcia Kilgore, a serial entrepreneur and founder of popular brands like Beauty Pie, shares valuable insights on overcoming entrepreneurial challenges. She addresses pressing questions from founders navigating fears of failure and maintaining customer excitement. Listeners learn about innovative pricing strategies, effective engagement techniques, and the role of failure in building resilience. The conversations emphasize the importance of customer feedback and adapting in a competitive landscape, making it a treasure trove of advice for aspiring business owners.

Dylan Field, co-founder of Figma, started his journey in design collaboration after dropping out of Brown University to pursue a Thiel Fellowship. He discusses the early challenges of monetizing Figma and the innovative features that revolutionized design workflows. Dylan shares his personal experiences of navigating skepticism, managing a young team, and the transformative moments that shaped his leadership. He reflects on the delicate balance of luck and hard work that led to Figma's notable growth, including its $20 billion acquisition bid from Adobe.

Perry Chen, co-founder of Kickstarter, lends his expertise to early-stage founders facing critical decisions. Joe Fontana shares his vision for Fry the Coop and how he navigates growth in the competitive food industry. Jesse Hodge grapples with whether to sell his cold plunge business, while Catharine Kerbis seeks strategies for scaling her hot sauce brand without heavy investment. The guests dive into the emotional ups and downs of entrepreneurship, discussing personal aspirations versus business goals, and the importance of community support.