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How I Built This with Guy Raz

Latest episodes

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Oct 24, 2024 • 50min

Advice Line with Michael Preysman of Everlane

Everlane co-founder and former CEO Michael Preysman joins Guy on the Advice Line where they answer questions from three early-stage founders.  First we meet Todd in the Bay Area, who’s looking to spread the word about his pickleball apparel brand with a younger demographic. Then Anna in Sydney, who wonders if she should expand her eco-friendly kids clothing line to include adults. Then Pall in British Columbia, who wants to change how people think about reusable plastic containers.Thank you to the founders of KTCHN, Earthlings United and Mr. Lid for being part of our show. If you’d like to be featured on a future Advice Line episode, leave us a one-minute message that tells us about your business and a specific question you’d like answered. Send a voice memo to hibt@id.wondery.com or call 1-800-433-1298.And be sure to listen to Everlane’s founding story as told by Michael on the show in 2023. This episode was produced by Kerry Thompson with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella. Our audio engineers were Robert Rodriquez and Gilly Moon. You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy’s free newsletter at guyraz.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Oct 21, 2024 • 1h 6min

21 Seeds: Kat Hantas

Kat Hantas, the founder of 21 Seeds, transformed a home hobby of infusing tequila into a $160 million brand, targeting moms. She started this entrepreneurial journey after switching from wine to tequila for health reasons. Hantas shares insights on overcoming industry challenges, the importance of storytelling in branding, and the unique approach of crafting tequila flavors appealing to women. Her strategic partnerships and innovative marketing not only disrupted a male-dominated market but ultimately led to a successful acquisition by Diageo.
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Oct 18, 2024 • 36min

What It Really Takes To Build a Food Business: Part 1

In this engaging discussion, Becca Millstein, founder of Fishwife, Brian Rudolph of Banza, and Caue Suplicy from Barnana share their culinary entrepreneurial journeys. They delve into the challenges of launching food brands during the pandemic, from supply chain woes to creative solutions. The trio discusses their unique products, such as gourmet canned fish and chickpea pasta, while reflecting on the importance of branding and personal dietary shifts. Their stories highlight resilience and innovation in the competitive food industry.
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Oct 17, 2024 • 51min

Advice Line with Lara Merriken of LÄRABAR

LÄRABAR founder Lara Merriken joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three early-stage founders. Plus, Lara discusses her latest venture: a coaching service for entrepreneurs.First we meet Alison in Denver, who’s hoping to maintain her body care brand’s edge and authenticity as it expands to new retailers. Then Mariano in Miami, who’s wondering how to market his caffeinated gum to corporate buyers. And Lauretta on Long Island, a one-woman-show who’s looking to fundraise for her ginger tea brand.Thank you to the founders of Joy Breeders, Maax Brands, and Lauretta’s British Ginger T for being a part of our show.If you’d like to be featured on a future Advice Line episode, leave us a one-minute message that tells us about your business and a specific question you’d like answered. Send a voice memo to hibt@id.wondery.com or call 1-800-433-1298.And be sure to listen to LÄRABAR’s founding story as told by Lara on the show in 2018.This episode was produced by Sam Paulson with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch.You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy’s free newsletter at guyraz.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Oct 14, 2024 • 1h 9min

Viator: Rod Cuthbert

In this conversation, Rod Cuthbert, the founder of Viator, shares his journey of transforming travel booking online. He reveals how Viator was born from a failed partnership and his foresight regarding the decline of traditional travel agents. Rod discusses navigating startup challenges, securing investment, and the eventual acquisition by Tripadvisor. He emphasizes the importance of innovation and personal connections in the travel industry while reflecting on the joy of discovering local cultures through food.
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Oct 10, 2024 • 41min

Advice Line: Growing Beyond Your Niche

In this episode, Fawn Weaver, founder of Uncle Nearest Whiskey, shares how personal storytelling can elevate a brand. Andrew Abraham discusses innovative ways to educate consumers about dry eye treatment, shifting focus from medical jargon to lifestyle marketing. Brett Schulman offers insights on scaling a business, while Oni Colston highlights the transformative power of board games in sparking deeper conversations. Lastly, Adam Goldberg dives into the ups and downs of turning pet photography into a thriving business.
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Oct 7, 2024 • 1h 6min

Paperless Post: James and Alexa Hirschfeld

James and Alexa Hirschfeld, co-founders of Paperless Post, share their journey from a simple idea to creating a digital invitation powerhouse. They discuss the unique blend of elegance and technology that defines their brand. The duo reflects on overcoming skepticism from investors and navigating the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, which challenged their business model. Their sibling bond plays a pivotal role in their resilience, inspiring innovative pivots and a commitment to customer engagement as they celebrate 15 successful years.
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Oct 3, 2024 • 38min

Advice Line: Reaching New Customers

Leah Solivan, CEO of TaskRabbit, and Scott and Ally Svenson, founders of MOD Pizza, along with Holly Thaggard, founder of Supergoop!, share insights on reaching new customers. They tackle innovative approaches to introducing businesses, enhance customer engagement, and discuss the importance of blending empathy with expertise in marketing. From simplifying the divorce process to branding premium olive oil, they emphasize storytelling, collaboration, and community to thrive in competitive spaces, offering valuable strategies for aspiring entrepreneurs.
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Sep 30, 2024 • 1h 7min

Lily’s Sweets: Cynthia Tice

Cynthia Tice, a late bloomer entrepreneur, shares her inspiring journey of launching Lily's Sweets, a successful sugar-free chocolate brand. Cynthia discusses her initial struggles with developing a tasty chocolate using Stevia, her strategic pivot from soda to chocolate, and how her family's business background fueled her success. She also highlights the heartfelt story behind the brand’s name, honoring a young girl who inspired its creation. Ultimately, Cynthia's tale epitomizes resilience and innovation in the face of challenges.
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Sep 26, 2024 • 48min

Advice Line with Vicky Tsai of Tatcha

Vicky Tsai, co-founder and former CEO of Tatcha, shares her entrepreneurial wisdom and experiences transitioning from a corporate career to creating a skincare empire. She discusses overcoming imposter syndrome and the challenges of leadership. Vicky provides valuable advice to emerging founders, including increasing brand awareness for a jewelry line and strategies for prioritizing sales channels in fem care. She also dives into the voting process for innovative marketing and storytelling techniques, emphasizing community engagement in building a successful brand.

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