How I Built This with Guy Raz cover image

How I Built This with Guy Raz

Latest episodes

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Sep 23, 2024 • 1h 6min

Graduate Hotels: Ben Weprin

Ben Weprin, the mastermind behind Graduate Hotels, shares his journey of transforming nostalgia into a successful hotel brand. He discusses how each hotel reflects the spirit of its college town, featuring unique decor and local culture. Weprin recounts the challenges of starting in commercial real estate and how a failed deal turned into a thriving concept. He reveals the pivotal moments during the pandemic that nearly derailed him, and how selling to Hilton secured the brand's future, showcasing the blend of luck, hard work, and community engagement.
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Sep 19, 2024 • 54min

Advice Line with Sadie Lincoln of barre3

Sadie Lincoln, co-founder and CEO of barre3, shares her journey in revolutionizing the fitness world. She offers valuable advice to budding entrepreneurs tackling unique challenges, such as branding a condiment combo, creating a new yard game, and building a community space. Through these discussions, Sadie emphasizes the importance of storytelling, effective branding, and community engagement. Her insights reveal how innovative ideas and personal connections can drive business success in today's market.
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Sep 16, 2024 • 1h 15min

Barefoot Wine: Bonnie Harvey and Michael Houlihan

Bonnie Harvey and Michael Houlihan, the co-founders of Barefoot Wine, turned their limited knowledge of wine into a thriving brand. They discuss their disruptive journey, including their unconventional marketing strategies aimed at attracting beer drinkers. The duo shares stories of overcoming challenges such as debt and rejection from distributors. Their innovative branding targeted women consumers and helped establish a unique identity in the wine market. Ultimately, their hard work led to Barefoot becoming a household name, culminating in its acquisition by E & J Gallo.
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Sep 12, 2024 • 49min

Advice Line with Leah Solivan of Taskrabbit

Leah Solivan, founder of Taskrabbit, shares her entrepreneurial wisdom while advising tech founders on their unique challenges. She discusses how Kate can make her digital greeting cards stand out, and provides insights for Shahn on user acquisition for his couples coaching app. Leah also explores strategies for Allen to achieve product-market fit for his children's music education platform. Emphasizing community support and adaptability, she offers actionable tips that every entrepreneur can benefit from.
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Sep 9, 2024 • 1h 11min

Groupon and Descript: Andrew Mason

Andrew Mason, co-founder of Groupon and a former CEO at just 27, shares his incredible journey from a meteoric rise to a challenging fall. He reflects on the lessons learned from navigating rapid growth, battling copycats, and ultimately being fired. Mason discusses his creative pivot to Descript, an innovative audio and video editing platform, highlighting the importance of adaptability and resilience in entrepreneurship. His unique insights bridge the gap between tech, leadership, and personal growth in the fast-paced startup world.
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Sep 5, 2024 • 46min

Advice Line with Scott and Ally Svenson of MOD Pizza

Scott and Ally Svenson, the visionary founders of MOD Pizza, share their entrepreneurial insights in this engaging discussion. They address the impact of the pandemic and inflation on pizza businesses, emphasizing strategic market presence. Evan shares his journey from a Richmond pizza restaurant to a vegan frozen pizza company, while Zebbie discusses scaling his hot chicken concept. Finally, Christiane, a tequila-maker, highlights her mission for better labor practices in the spirits industry, merging ethics with entrepreneurship.
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Sep 2, 2024 • 1h 9min

Olipop: Ben Goodwin

Ben Goodwin, co-founder of Olipop, shares his journey of creating a healthy soda alternative that blends nostalgia with nutrition. He discusses the challenges faced in developing a low-sugar, gut-friendly beverage and the shift from probiotics to prebiotics. Ben recounts the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, including setbacks and breakthroughs, while highlighting the growing demand for functional sodas. With projected sales nearing $500 million, he reflects on the importance of innovation and collaboration in navigating the beverage industry.
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Aug 29, 2024 • 51min

Advice Line with Ariel Kaye of Parachute Home

Ariel Kaye, the founder of Parachute Home, joins the discussion alongside Daen, Deanna, and Meaghan, each navigating unique entrepreneurial challenges. They tackle investment strategies for Daen's men's grooming line while discussing innovative marketing for Deanna's emotional health tool for children. Meaghan shares insights from the hard seltzer industry, emphasizing the power of positive affirmations and female empowerment. Together, they explore resilience in funding and the importance of staying true to brand identity amidst competitive landscapes.
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Aug 26, 2024 • 1h 17min

Insomnia Cookies: Seth Berkowitz

Seth Berkowitz, the founder of Insomnia Cookies, started his cookie delivery business in college out of frustration with late-night food options. He shares his journey from dorm room cravings to building a $350 million brand. The conversation dives into the challenges of securing investment, navigating academic life while running a business, and expanding into a national chain. Berkowitz discusses the trials of resilience during the 2009 financial crisis and the creative strategies that led to the business's growth and success in a competitive market.
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Aug 22, 2024 • 51min

Advice Line with Jamie Siminoff of Ring

Jamie Siminoff, founder of Ring and innovator in home security, joins fellow entrepreneurs Vico, Iyin, and Franchesca to discuss navigating business challenges. They explore the journey of launching an ergonomic desk and balancing accessibility with profitability in ethically-sourced chocolate. Franchesca delves into the educational market with her motivational posters, considering the impact of certifications. Engaging insights on marketing strategies, audience targeting, and maintaining ethical standards in product development enrich the conversation.

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