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
Jul 18, 2024 • 52min
Advice Line with Pete Maldonado of Chomps (April 2024)
Pete Maldonado, co-founder of Chomps, shares invaluable insights on scaling businesses with early-stage entrepreneurs. Jennifer Ballin seeks advice on expanding her sourdough bagel business while considering franchising. Brandi Shelton discusses entering big-box retail without losing her brand's essence. The conversation highlights partnership strategies, the intricacies of retail pricing, and the importance of storytelling for brand growth. It's a treasure trove of practical tips for aspiring food entrepreneurs on navigating the competitive landscape.
33 snips
Jul 15, 2024 • 1h 11min
KAYAK: Paul English (2021)
Paul English, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Kayak, shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings to building a billion-dollar travel platform. He discusses how chaotic early life experiences fueled his entrepreneurial spirit and the innovative strategies that positioned Kayak against competitors. Paul also delves into the creative process behind the company's name and reflects on personal challenges, including mental health, that shaped his career. Excitingly, he hints at his future endeavors, including a new dating app!
26 snips
Jul 11, 2024 • 48min
Advice Line with Tony Lamb of Kona Ice
Tony Lamb, co-founder and CEO of Kona Ice, shares his expertise alongside Jennifer Braidwood, founder of Braid and Wood Design Studio. They delve into the transformation of classic ice cream trucks into thriving franchises, discussing grassroots marketing strategies and community engagement. The duo answers burning questions from founders, including how to gauge the viability of a candy store franchise and effective ways to promote unique products like handmade decor and needle felting kits on a budget, emphasizing creativity and authenticity.
24 snips
Jul 8, 2024 • 1h 4min
Ouidad hair products: Ouidad Wise
Ouidad Wise, founder of a successful hair care brand specializing in curly hair, shares her remarkable journey from a passion for curls to running a thriving New York salon. She discusses the challenges of being an immigrant entrepreneur, her innovative marketing strategies, and the emotional connections formed between hairstylists and clients. Ouidad also reflects on her personal battles, including a breast cancer diagnosis, and emphasizes her philanthropic work in research. Her inspiring story highlights resilience, love, and community in building a successful business.
Jul 4, 2024 • 49min
Advice Line with Brett Schulman of CAVA
Brett Schulman, co-founder and CEO of CAVA, shares his powerhouse insights on scaling a successful restaurant chain. He tackles imposter syndrome faced by entrepreneurs, while Sophia Bowden discusses her journey creating allergy-friendly accessories for children and seeks marketing strategies. Sean Murray explores whether seeking outside investment is the right move to grow his coffee brand. Together, they navigate the challenges of entrepreneurial growth, emphasizing resilience, effective marketing, and innovative strategies.
48 snips
Jul 1, 2024 • 1h 22min
American Giant: Bayard Winthrop
Bayard Winthrop, founder of American Giant, shares his journey of creating a clothing brand focused on American-made apparel. He discusses the initial hurdles of sourcing materials and finding skilled workers in a shifting textile industry. Bayard reveals how a viral article praised his hoodie as 'the greatest ever made,' leading to overwhelming demand. He emphasizes the socio-political backdrop of American production, the balance of hard work and luck in success, and the significance of supporting local craftsmanship in today’s market.
24 snips
Jun 27, 2024 • 51min
Advice Line with Mark Ramadan of Sir Kensington's
Mark Ramadan, co-founder of Sir Kensington's, shares his unique approach to the food industry, emphasizing bold product launches and brand persona creation. Chef Lucas Manteca discusses his innovation strategies at Taco Shop to compete against fast food giants while emphasizing community engagement. Beth Benecke, founder of Busy Baby, talks about transitioning her products from startup to growth, highlighting financial management and retail strategy challenges. Together, they explore the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and share valuable insights for aspiring business owners.
32 snips
Jun 24, 2024 • 1h 6min
Spin Master/PAW Patrol: Ronnen Harary (2021)
Ronnen Harary, co-founder of Spin Master, shares his unconventional journey in building a $4 billion toy empire. He emphasizes the importance of intuition over market research in creating hits like PAW Patrol. Harary recounts their innovative early products, like the Earth Buddy and Devil Sticks, and the bold decision to launch Air Hogs without traditional testing. He details the triumphs and challenges of navigating financial crises, highlighting how resilience and creativity drove their success in the competitive toy industry.
16 snips
Jun 20, 2024 • 49min
Advice Line with Sarah Kauss of S'well
Sarah Kauss, the founder of S'well, and Adam Barker, the owner of Bolt Skin and Shave, tackle pressing questions from budding entrepreneurs. They delve into unique product positioning and the significance of cultural representation, like greeting cards celebrating Latino heritage. The duo also discusses the innovative launch of a razor specifically for men who shave their legs, shedding light on quirky cycling culture. With advice on fundraising, marketing, and leveraging influencers, this conversation is a treasure trove for aspiring business owners!
37 snips
Jun 17, 2024 • 1h 3min
The Cronut and Dominique Ansel Bakery: Dominique Ansel
Dominique Ansel, the world-renowned pastry chef, shares his journey from humble beginnings to fame as the creator of the Cronut—a delicious fusion of croissant and donut. He recounts the overwhelming demand and chaos his bakery faced when the Cronut took off, leading to lines and scalpers. Ansel discusses the balance between culinary artistry and entrepreneurship, innovations like the cookie shot, and the importance of trademarking the Cronut. He also reflects on the impact of media coverage and resilience in navigating the challenges of business growth.
