How I Built This with Guy Raz

Chris Ruder, the Founder and CEO of Spikeball, joins forces with Jimmy Davidson, the visionary behind Freedom in Motion, and Nigel Lewis from Station Surf Shop. They tackle the challenges of finding passionate managers, expanding niche fitness brands, and reviving struggling businesses. Chris reveals strategic insights about his core customers that reshaped Spikeball. The trio emphasizes resilience and community support in entrepreneurship, inspiring listeners to innovate and build strong connections as they navigate their journeys.

Bill Shufelt, founder of Athletic Brewing Company, revolutionizes the non-alcoholic beer market. He reveals the initial skepticism he faced from brewers, retailers, and consumers. Bill shares his personal journey to sobriety and how it inspired him to create better options in the NA beer space. Through innovative marketing strategies like sampling at athletic events, he turned resistance into success. Now valued at $800 million, he reflects on the booming demand and their partnership with Arsenal soccer team, positioning Athletic as a leader in the industry.

Gary Hirshberg, co-founder and former CEO of Stonyfield, shares his entrepreneurial insights while answering questions from budding founders. He discusses how a social mission can give a product a competitive edge. Cate seeks advice on sustainable practices for her leather goods, while Jamie navigates unexpected demographics for her vegan camping meals. Dianna grapples with hiring the right person for her seeded cracker business. Their conversations highlight persistence, community support, and the importance of aligning business with personal values.

Scott and Missy Tannen, co-founders of Boll & Branch, transformed their lack of knowledge about bed linens into a thriving luxury brand committed to ethical sourcing. They share their daring journey, including a bold advertising bet that skyrocketed their visibility. Discover the challenges they faced, from cash flow issues to quality control in sustainable textiles. Their heartfelt commitment to integrity and perseverance shines through as they recount how personal experiences shaped their ambitious venture into the competitive bedding market.

Brian Scudamore, the founder of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, shares his entrepreneurial wisdom with two aspiring founders. Jake Pressman seeks clarity on targeting customers for his customizable skincare brand, while Theo Alexstein looks for strategies to successfully scale his live poultry business. The conversation touches on innovative marketing, essential branding techniques, and navigating challenges in niche markets, making it a treasure trove of valuable insights for budding entrepreneurs.

Matt Meeker, co-founder and CEO of BARK, shares his journey from a Great Dane enthusiast to leading a multi-million dollar pet product company. He discusses how his experiences with startups like Meetup shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. The conversation dives into the innovative subscription model for dog products, the challenges of bootstrapping, and the pressures following significant funding. Matt reveals unique offerings like luxury charter flights for dogs and reflects on the importance of adjusting strategies amid evolving market demands.

Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angi, shares her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the value of human connection in business. Paige McReynolds discusses empowering women in motocross with her apparel brand, tackling marketing and investment challenges. Dianne O'Connor reveals her path from parenthood to founding Weston Table, highlighting the importance of strategic partnerships in e-commerce. Collectively, they explore how small changes can lead to big impacts and offer valuable advice for navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.

Peter Metcalf, the founder of Black Diamond Equipment, shares his incredible journey of reviving a bankrupt climbing equipment company. He discusses the risks he took, including deep personal debt, to create a brand synonymous with quality outdoor gear. Metcalf reflects on the importance of community and innovation in the climbing world, highlights the challenges of navigating business acquisitions, and reveals unique fundraising strategies that engaged loyal customers. His passion for climbing and resilience shines through as he recounts pivotal moments that shaped Black Diamond into an industry leader.

Join Becca Millstein, co-founder of Fishwife, known for making tinned fish trendy; Brian Rudolph, CEO of Banza, a leader in chickpea pasta; and Caue Suplicy, founder of Barnana, who imports Brazilian dried bananas. They share their journeys in building disruptive food brands. Discover their insights on overcoming founder conflicts, innovative marketing strategies, and the importance of consumer engagement. The trio dives into redefining success through sustainability and creating memorable customer experiences, all while promoting ethical sourcing.

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.