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
50 snips
Aug 19, 2024 • 1h 31min
Banana Republic: Mel and Patricia Ziegler
Mel and Patricia Ziegler, co-founders of Banana Republic, transformed their journalism backgrounds into a unique retail adventure. They creatively repurposed army surplus gear into stylish safari-themed clothing, which captured media attention and redefined shopping. The conversation highlights their innovative marketing strategies, the challenges of business expansion, and the bittersweet sale of their brand to The Gap. Reflecting on their journey, they also discuss launching The Republic of Tea and the importance of resilience, love, and serendipity in their entrepreneurial life.
9 snips
Aug 15, 2024 • 47min
Advice Line with Holly Thaggard of Supergoop!
Holly Thaggard, founder of Supergoop!, shares her journey of making sunscreen a daily habit. She offers invaluable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, helping a cookie business owner navigate growth challenges and discussing innovative shaving products targeting eco-conscious consumers. Holly highlights the significance of branding and storytelling, while emphasizing the need for safety in water sports through creative product design. Her insights on trusting instincts and market awareness make for a dynamic and practical conversation!
32 snips
Aug 12, 2024 • 55min
Thrive Market: Nick Green
Nick Green, Co-founder and CEO of Thrive Market, discusses his journey from struggling to secure funding to building an online grocery giant focused on healthy living. He shares how they creatively overcame initial setbacks and navigated the world of venture capitalism, eventually winning over critics with grassroots support from health influencers. The conversation dives into unexpected challenges, like a marketing mishap with coconut oil, and the importance of adaptability in entrepreneurship as they achieved rapid growth while staying mission-driven.
5 snips
Aug 8, 2024 • 51min
Advice Line with Jim Koch of Boston Beer Company
Jim Koch of Boston Beer Company dives into entrepreneurship with insightful advice for three founders navigating their unique challenges. From tropical apparel merging into the rum market to innovative tea-bag-soup-broth ambitions, creativity and storytelling play pivotal roles in their journeys. They discuss pricing strategies, exceptional customer service, and the significance of positioning as a premium provider. The conversation also touches on the unexpected joys and philosophical aspects of building a brand, highlighting the rewarding nature of entrepreneurship.
4 snips
Aug 5, 2024 • 1h 15min
SmartSweets: Tara Bosch
Tara Bosch, the innovative founder of SmartSweets, transformed her passion for candy into a $360 million venture at just 21. She shares her inspiring journey from a college dropout living in her grandmother's basement to securing partnerships with major retailers. Tara discusses the challenges of creating low-sugar alternatives, her battles with self-doubt, and the pivotal moment she appeared on Shark Tank. With a focus on health-conscious consumers, she reflects on the emotional ties to candy and her incredible growth amidst personal and professional hurdles.
5 snips
Aug 1, 2024 • 46min
Advice Line with Jeff Raider of Harry's
Jeff Raider, co-founder of Harry’s, dives into the entrepreneurial journeys of Uli Nasibova, who juggles revenue streams for her gelato business, and Carly Bonfonte, founder of Full Moon Fairy, a magical children's book subscription. Uli shares her challenges with product development and pandemic pivots, while Carly discusses her transition from side project to full-time passion, emphasizing mentorship and community engagement. Their insights provide invaluable advice for navigating the complexities of startup growth and brand building.
30 snips
Jul 29, 2024 • 56min
Specialized Bicycle Components: Mike Sinyard
Mike Sinyard, founder of Specialized Bicycle Components, revolutionized the mountain biking industry. He dives into his journey from selling bike parts to designing some of the first mass-produced mountain bikes. Sinyard shares the pitfalls of diversifying into lower-cost bikes, which jeopardized brand trust, and the near-bankruptcy that followed. He emphasizes lessons in recovery, innovation, and the importance of staying true to core values, all while celebrating the cycling passion that drives the industry forward.
30 snips
Jul 26, 2024 • 28min
BONUS: Brand Building Live at Cannes Lions
Join Jim Stengel, former Global Marketing Officer at Procter & Gamble, as he shares his expertise in brand building. He emphasizes the importance of understanding consumer insights and emotional connections, illustrated through the relaunch of brands like Jif and Pampers. Stengel discusses the evolution of advertising in the digital age, highlighting how social media and influencer marketing reshape brand relevance. He also explores strategies for targeting niche audiences to foster brand growth and authenticity in a rapidly changing marketplace.
35 snips
Jul 25, 2024 • 44min
Advice Line with Joe Kudla of Vuori
Joe Kudla, the Founder and CEO of Vuori, shares his entrepreneurial wisdom while advising early-stage founders tackling distinct challenges. He emphasizes the importance of building genuine customer relationships, especially in niche markets like healthcare apparel. The discussion highlights the evolution of comfort in fashion post-COVID and dives into strategies for navigating the luxury apparel market. Kudla also explores innovative product design and the critical impact of community engagement and resilience on business success.
35 snips
Jul 22, 2024 • 1h 16min
On athletic shoes: Olivier Bernhard and Caspar Coppetti
Olivier Bernhard, a Swiss triathlete and Ironman champion, co-founded On to revolutionize athletic shoes, inspired by a prototype using garden hose strips. Alongside Caspar Coppetti, an expert in branding, they faced skepticism from major sneaker brands. Their groundbreaking shoe eventually caught the eye of Roger Federer, transforming On into a $2 billion company. The pair share tales of innovation, resilience against industry giants, and the blend of hard work and luck that propelled their success.
