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
40 snips
Oct 30, 2023 • 1h 22min
Etsy: Rob Kalin
In this engaging conversation, Rob Kalin, the visionary founder of Etsy, shares his journey from a struggling furniture maker in New York to the creator of a global marketplace for handmade goods. He highlights the challenges of rapid growth, his unexpected exit from the company, and the lessons learned about leadership and community. Rob reflects on the importance of craft, innovation, and staying true to one's values, all while navigating the complexities of building a successful brand. His passion for craftsmanship and entrepreneurship remains a driving force in his life.
26 snips
Oct 26, 2023 • 46min
Love’s next chapter with Whitney Wolfe Herd of Bumble
In this engaging conversation, Whitney Wolfe Herd, Founder and CEO of Bumble, shares her journey as the youngest female founder to take a company public, all while adjusting to motherhood during a pandemic. She discusses the innovative ways Bumble adapted, incorporating video features to keep connections alive. Whitney explores the loneliness epidemic fueled by social media and her fascination with using AI to enhance love. She emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and the ethical integration of technology in relationships.
10 snips
Oct 23, 2023 • 1h 36min
Sir Kensington's: Scott Norton and Mark Ramadan
Scott Norton and Mark Ramadan, co-founders of Sir Kensington's, turned a college project into a $140 million condiment brand with a delightful fictional backstory. They share how they cleverly challenged Heinz with a whimsical narrative around their gourmet ketchup. The duo reflects on their journey from college friends to entrepreneurs, tackling challenges in branding, market expansion, and even navigating the complex dynamics of co-founder relationships. Their story combines creativity, humor, and insights on the blend of luck and hard work that fueled their success.
10 snips
Oct 19, 2023 • 49min
Leading through radical change with Julia Hartz of Eventbrite
Julia Hartz, co-founder and CEO of Eventbrite, shares her inspiring journey of steering the ticketing platform through the tumultuous pandemic years. She explains how the precipitous drop in sales forced her to pivot strategies, embracing virtual events and supporting local organizers. Julia offers insights on effective leadership, emphasizing empathy and adaptation in crises. She also shares innovative ideas for running engaging meetings and the importance of nurturing relationships in evolving work environments. This chat reveals her resilience and vision for the future of events.
47 snips
Oct 16, 2023 • 1h 4min
Herschel Supply Co.: Jamie and Lyndon Cormack
Lyndon Cormack, co-founder of Herschel Supply Co., shares the inspiring tale of how he and his brother Jamie turned their love for stylish bags into a global brand. They discuss the challenges they faced without manufacturing experience, including the creative methods they used to design their products. The brothers reflect on the emotional connections people have with backpacks and how they aimed to infuse sentimental value into their designs. They also talk about pivotal moments in their journey, from a fateful trip to China to navigating growth challenges and embracing sustainability.
60 snips
Oct 12, 2023 • 35min
Unlocking the renewable energy revolution with Ramya Swaminathan of Malta Inc.
Ramya Swaminathan, CEO of Malta Inc. and former hydropower expert, dives into the world of renewable energy with innovative ideas. She discusses the challenges of traditional battery technologies and introduces molten salt as a groundbreaking alternative for energy storage. Ramya explains how this solution could enhance grid stability and efficiency while navigating complexities in the energy transition. With an ambitious timeline for new projects, she underscores the urgency of adopting sustainable innovations to combat climate change.
4 snips
Oct 9, 2023 • 1h 10min
Freshpet: Scott Morris
Scott Morris, the co-founder of Freshpet, shares his journey in revolutionizing the pet food industry with fresh, refrigerated meals. He recounts the initial skepticism from retailers who resisted installing necessary refrigeration. Navigating logistical nightmare challenges, Freshpet now boasts a 96% market share in fresh pet food for 10 million households. Scott's story underscores the transformation of pets into family members and the rigorous development behind creating nutritious, appealing meals for pets.
4 snips
Oct 5, 2023 • 36min
A biometric smart gun with Kai Kloepfer of Biofire
Kai Kloepfer, Founder and CEO of Biofire, is revolutionizing firearm safety with a biometric smart gun that unlocks via fingerprint or facial recognition. He shares the personal tragedy that inspired his mission and discusses the urgent need for solutions to gun violence. Delving into the challenges of bringing such technology to market, Kai reveals the hurdles faced from the gun lobby and highlights consumer trust as a crucial barrier. His innovative approach aims to drastically reduce unauthorized gun usage, especially by children.
60 snips
Oct 2, 2023 • 1h 8min
Vuori: Joe Kudla
Joe Kudla, the Founder and CEO of Vuori, shares his journey of creating a successful men’s activewear brand. He highlights the initial struggles of launching Vuori in a market dominated by women's athleisure and the key pivot to a direct-to-consumer model. Joe discusses the importance of multifunctional clothing that resonates with men’s diverse lifestyle needs. He recounts facing skepticism, overcoming hurdles with sourcing materials, and ultimately achieving profitability within two years, showcasing determination and clever strategic decisions in the competitive apparel landscape.
10 snips
Sep 28, 2023 • 39min
When your dinner is printed with Eshchar Ben-Shitrit of Redefine Meat
Eshchar Ben-Shitrit, Co-founder and CEO of Redefine Meat, shares his journey from corporate life to launching a startup focused on sustainable 3D-printed plant-based meats. He discusses the environmental impact of traditional meat production and how becoming a parent ignited his passion for food ethics. Ben-Shitrit reveals the challenges of innovating 3D meat printing, aiming to recreate the texture and taste of steak. With plans for U.S. expansion, he highlights the commitment to transforming the meat industry through sustainable practices.
