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
57 snips
May 8, 2023 • 1h 32min
Hinge: Justin McLeod (2021)
Justin McLeod, the Founder and CEO of Hinge, shares his remarkable journey from heartbreak to entrepreneurship. He reveals how personal experiences influenced the app's evolution into a space for meaningful connections. In discussing the challenges of launching within a saturated market, he reflects on pivotal shifts, user engagement strategies, and the impact of the pandemic on dating dynamics. McLeod’s heartfelt anecdotes and insights highlight the quest for authenticity in a digital dating world, underscoring Hinge's mission of being 'designed to be deleted.'
35 snips
May 4, 2023 • 40min
HIBT Lab! Babcock Ranch: Syd Kitson
Syd Kitson, a former NFL player turned real estate developer, shares his journey of creating Babcock Ranch, America's first solar-powered town. He discusses negotiating the purchase of a massive 91,000 acres while conserving 80% as nature preserve. Syd highlights how innovative planning allowed this community to withstand Hurricane Ian with minimal damage. He dives into sustainable practices and advanced urban design, demonstrating how resilience and eco-conscious living can pave the way for future communities.
5 snips
May 1, 2023 • 1h 19min
Suitsupply: Fokke de Jong
Fokke de Jong, the founder and CEO of Suitsupply, started his journey selling suits from his dorm in Amsterdam. He revolutionized men's fashion by sourcing high-quality Italian fabrics at affordable prices and embraced e-commerce early on. His unconventional retail strategies included opening a store next to a highway, challenging norms, and a playful legal dispute that gained publicity. With over 150 global locations, Fokke reflects on the challenges of growth, the importance of quality craftsmanship, and the balancing act of work and personal life.
4 snips
Apr 27, 2023 • 42min
HIBT Lab! Hevesh5: Lily Hevesh
Lily Hevesh, a Domino artist and YouTuber known for her stunning creations on her channel Hevesh5, shares her journey from a young hobbyist to a viral sensation with nearly 4 million subscribers. She discusses creating intricate domino designs, the challenges of filmmaking, and her ambition to launch a precision-engineered line of dominoes. Lily reflects on the importance of prioritizing her craft over business goals and reveals her experiences judging the Domino Challenge TV show, all while navigating the complexities of YouTube revenue.
10 snips
Apr 24, 2023 • 1h 10min
Manduka: Peter Sterios
Peter Sterios, the founder of Manduka, transitioned from architecture and yoga teaching to create a leading yoga accessories brand. He stumbled into yoga by chance, which led him to invest $25,000 in durable mats, foreseeing a demand that others overlooked. He shares how targeting influential yoga teachers helped propel the brand. Peter also discusses navigating early cash flow challenges, personal struggles, and the emotional complexities of stepping down as CEO, providing a candid look at entrepreneurship intertwined with personal growth.
36 snips
Apr 20, 2023 • 39min
HIBT Lab! Ursa Major: Joe Laurienti
Joe Laurienti, founder and CEO of Ursa Major and a former engineer at SpaceX and Blue Origin, shares his journey of revolutionizing rocket engine production with 3D printing. He discusses the U.S. reliance on Russian engines and the impact of geopolitical tensions on the aerospace industry. Joe tackles the startup challenges, including funding dilemmas and building a skilled team. He also touches on the significance of hypersonic weapons and the exciting future of space exploration, likening it to past tech revolutions.
4 snips
Apr 17, 2023 • 1h 15min
Halo Top Ice Cream: Justin Woolverton
In this engaging discussion, Justin Woolverton, the founder of Halo Top ice cream, shares his transformation from a frustrated lawyer to an innovative entrepreneur. He recounts the humorous beginnings of creating a low-calorie ice cream in his kitchen, overcoming numerous trials, and how a key GQ article skyrocketed his brand’s visibility. Listeners will enjoy tales of scaling production, battling quality control issues, and the emotional rollercoaster of sudden success, all while redefining the dessert landscape.
9 snips
Apr 13, 2023 • 38min
HIBT Lab! New Culture: Matt Gibson and Inja Radman
Matt Gibson and Inja Radman, co-founders of New Culture, are on a mission to revolutionize the cheese industry with animal-free dairy products. They share how they connected over LinkedIn, long before they met in person, and their journey in creating traditional cheese flavors without the environmental impact of dairy farming. The pair discuss innovative techniques like precision fermentation for developing mozzarella and the unique challenges they face in the plant-based cheese market, all while aiming for a sustainable future in food.
15 snips
Apr 10, 2023 • 1h 5min
Orangetheory Fitness: Ellen Latham
Ellen Latham, the visionary creator and co-founder of Orangetheory Fitness, shares her journey from being a spa director to revolutionizing fitness with her heart rate-based workout program. She discusses the challenges of starting a franchise from scratch and emphasizes the importance of intuition and resilience, particularly for older entrepreneurs. Ellen also highlights her passion for inclusivity in fitness and the evolution of Orangetheory from a single studio to a global brand, driven by community and personal growth.
49 snips
Apr 6, 2023 • 44min
HIBT Lab! Nas Company: Nuseir Yassin
Nuseir Yassin, the mastermind behind Nas Daily, shares his incredible journey from a comfortable tech job to traveling the world and creating powerful, one-minute videos for 1,000 days. He opens up about the challenges of navigating his Palestinian identity and the mission to spotlight positivity amidst adversity. Nuseir discusses his ambition to build Nas Company, which raised $23 million to foster community through content creation. He also delves into ethical dilemmas in content and the future of creative entrepreneurship.
