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
16 snips
May 27, 2024 • 1h 1min
Concept2 Rowing Machines: Dick and Peter Dreissigacker
Brothers Dick and Peter Dreissigacker, both Olympic-level rowers, share their incredible journey in creating Concept2 rowing machines. They recount how initial skepticism turned into success after transforming bike parts in a Vermont barn into game-changing fitness equipment. With insights on navigating niche markets and competing against fitness fads, they reveal their commitment to customer satisfaction and community. Their personal experiences in rowing and innovation highlight the passion that drives their business, making it an inspiring tale of perseverance.
10 snips
May 23, 2024 • 43min
Advice Line with Tom Rinks of Sun Bum
Tom Rinks, co-founder of Sun Bum, shares his wisdom with early-stage founders navigating brand identity challenges. He engages with Wendy, a former comedian promoting a unique sugar scrub, Allyson, a reality TV producer turned trucker hat designer for women, and Zephyrus, an opera performer with a fresh bedtime storytelling device for kids. The conversation highlights the essential role of branding in making emotional connections, innovative marketing strategies, and the importance of storytelling in product development.
29 snips
May 20, 2024 • 1h 11min
Therabody: Jason Wersland
Jason Wersland, founder of Therabody and inventor of the Theragun, shares his incredible journey from a motorcycle accident to creating a revolutionary pain relief device. After crafting a makeshift massager from a jigsaw, he discovered its therapeutic benefits for himself and his patients. Wersland talks about the challenges he faced in developing his prototype, securing endorsements from top athletes, and transforming his innovative idea into a multimillion-dollar wellness brand.
22 snips
May 16, 2024 • 52min
Advice Line with Andrew Abraham of Orgain
Andrew Abraham, the founder and CEO of Orgain, shares his journey of transforming personal health challenges into a successful brand. Brynn Snyder discusses innovative marketing strategies for her electric flosser that tackles dental anxiety, while Turner Lewis reveals the challenges of launching a golf-inspired cocktail brand while working as a radiologist. They also explore the importance of storytelling and pricing tactics in engaging customers, alongside practical sales strategies for early-stage entrepreneurs.
81 snips
May 13, 2024 • 57min
nutpods: Madeline Haydon
Madeline Haydon, founder of nutpods, shares her journey from a $30,000 Kickstarter campaign to a leading plant-based coffee creamer brand available in 15,000 stores. She highlights the unique hurdles she faced as a pregnant woman of color with no food industry experience and how she navigated investor skepticism. Haydon also discusses the emotional challenges of entrepreneurship, the technical aspects of product development, and the importance of community support and representation for underrepresented founders.
9 snips
May 9, 2024 • 55min
Advice Line with Gary Erickson of Clif Bar
Gary Erickson, founder of Clif Bar and a pioneer in the energy bar industry, shares his entrepreneurial wisdom along with Valerie Franklin from the Artisans Cooperative, an alternative marketplace for handmade goods. They tackle unique questions from early-stage founders, diving into sustainable innovations in plastics and community-driven marketing strategies. Erickson's tale of resilience against acquisition offers and Franklin's insights on crafting a cooperative space highlight the importance of collaboration in building successful brands and navigating competitive markets.
224 snips
May 6, 2024 • 1h 15min
Twitter, Medium and Blogger: Ev Williams
Ev Williams, co-founder of Twitter and the mind behind Blogger and Medium, shares his fascinating journey from college dropout to tech innovator. He recounts early struggles with startups, the emotional toll of managing and losing a company, and the pivotal moments that led to Twitter's rise. Ev discusses how real-time connectivity shaped online engagement and reflects on the balance between hard work and luck in achieving success. With humor and insight, he emphasizes the personal growth that comes from failure and innovation in the tech landscape.
12 snips
May 2, 2024 • 51min
Advice Line with Pete Maldonado of Chomps
Pete Maldonado, co-founder and co-CEO of Chomps, returns to share insights on retail partnerships. Jennifer Ballin, owner of Badass Bagels, seeks advice on scaling her sourdough bagel business and navigating franchising. Brandi Shelton, founder of Just Add Honey Tea Company, discusses expanding into big-box retail while maintaining her brand's essence. The conversation is filled with practical tips and personal stories, perfect for entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in competitive markets.
7 snips
Apr 29, 2024 • 1h 25min
Dhar Mann Studios: Dhar Mann
Dhar Mann, founder of Dhar Mann Studios, is a content creator known for producing impactful morality tales that have amassed billions of views. He shares his inspiring journey from financial struggles and a Ponzi scheme to building a thriving production company in Burbank. Mann discusses the early challenges of creating motivational content, the turning point with a viral video, and the evolution of his storytelling approach. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, community support, and adapting to audience needs in the ever-changing digital landscape.
28 snips
Apr 25, 2024 • 37min
Advice Line with Fawn Weaver of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
Fawn Weaver, founder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, lends her expertise to aspiring entrepreneurs. She emphasizes the critical role of storytelling in branding. Callers share their unique ventures: a coffee roaster aims to connect his heritage to his product, a jewelry entrepreneur champions social causes, and a home baker seeks to turn nostalgia into a business. Fawn provides tailored advice, underscoring how personal narratives can transform brands and attract customers while encouraging adaptability in the face of challenges.
