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
54 snips
Apr 3, 2023 • 1h 15min
Twilio: Jeff Lawson
Jeff Lawson, Founder and CEO of Twilio, shares his journey from juggling customer calls at a surf shop to creating a groundbreaking communication platform. He discusses the initial skepticism from investors and how vital early customers were in shaping Twilio's direction. Lawson reveals the challenges of transitioning from Amazon Web Services to a startup and highlights Twilio's pivotal moments, including their partnership with Uber. He also reflects on the balance between hard work and luck in building a successful business.
17 snips
Mar 30, 2023 • 39min
ICYMI... HIBT Lab! Climeworks: Jan Wurzbacher
Jan Wurzbacher, co-founder and CEO of Climeworks, dives into the urgent need for carbon capture technology to combat climate change. He shares insights on building the world's largest direct air capture facility and the journey from academic dreams to founding a climate tech company. Wurzbacher discusses innovative applications for captured CO2, like fertilizers and beverages, while addressing scaling challenges in the industry. He offers an optimistic vision for how technology can help us reverse climate change within our lifetimes.
28 snips
Mar 27, 2023 • 1h 15min
Sun Bum: Tom Rinks
Tom Rinks, the visionary founder of Sun Bum sunscreen, shares his dynamic journey from surf culture to branding mastery. He discusses how the iconic stone-faced gorilla logo was born from a blend of influences like Japanese streetwear and Scandinavian design. Tom's entrepreneurial flair led to diverse ventures, including a legal battle over the Taco Bell chihuahua. He also introduces his latest creation, Made by Dentists, now in 1,800 Target stores, showcasing his knack for innovative product design and authentic branding.
18 snips
Mar 23, 2023 • 53min
HIBT Lab! Slutty Vegan: Pinky Cole
Pinky Cole, founder of the bold vegan fast-food chain Slutty Vegan, shares her inspirational journey from Baltimore to culinary success. She discusses the challenges of her early ventures, including the devastating loss of her restaurant to a fire, which fueled her resilience. Pinky emphasizes the importance of discipline and creativity in revolutionizing vegan cuisine, utilizing innovative branding and social media to attract diverse customers. Her story showcases how Slutty Vegan is transforming perceptions of plant-based dining with flair and authenticity.
6 snips
Mar 20, 2023 • 1h 30min
Food52: Amanda Hesser (2021)
Amanda Hesser, co-founder of Food52 and former New York Times food writer, shares her captivating journey from prestigious journalism to entrepreneurship. She discusses her culinary adventures in Europe and the bold leap to create Food52, a thriving digital platform for home cooks. Amanda reveals challenges faced, from initial business struggles to achieving profitability during the pandemic. With humor and resilience, she emphasizes the importance of community in food and the ongoing evolution of the culinary landscape.
Mar 16, 2023 • 51min
HIBT Lab! Saysh: Wes and Allyson Felix
Allyson Felix, the most decorated American track athlete, shares her inspiring journey alongside her brother Wes, as they discuss creating their women's footwear brand, Saysh. They delve into the challenges of negotiating contracts while balancing motherhood and sports ambitions, particularly her break from Nike over inadequate maternal protections. The duo also highlights their mission to revolutionize women's footwear, tackling issues like industry neglect and fostering inclusivity, all while celebrating resilience and entrepreneurial spirit.
9 snips
Mar 13, 2023 • 1h 25min
Xero Shoes: Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix
Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix, co-founders of Xero Shoes, share their journey from a simple barefoot running experience to creating a successful minimalist footwear brand. They discuss overcoming manufacturing challenges, a rough appearance on Shark Tank, and their bold move from 'Invisible Shoes' to 'Xero Shoes.' The couple highlights the intersection of luck and hard work that fueled their growth, revealing how they transformed a personal passion for running into a nearly $50 million global business.
7 snips
Mar 9, 2023 • 40min
HIBT Lab! Too Good To Go: Lucie Basch
Lucie Basch, a French entrepreneur and co-founder of Too Good To Go, discusses her innovative app that tackles food waste by connecting consumers with surplus food from restaurants. Lucie shares her philosophy that collaboration trumps competition, leading to partnerships that optimize food rescue efforts. With over $30 million raised, the app has expanded to 17 countries, fostering a community of ‘waste warriors’ committed to minimizing waste. She highlights the importance of educating consumers and shifting cultural values around food.
26 snips
Mar 6, 2023 • 1h 17min
Michael Kors: Michael Kors
Michael Kors, founder of the iconic fashion brand, has a rich story that started with childhood doodles and dreams. He shares how he transitioned from designing thousand-dollar dresses in his bedroom to building a global luxury empire. Kors dives into his struggles, including a tough bankruptcy, and the vital partnerships that helped him recover. He emphasizes the importance of accessories, innovation, and staying true to one’s creative vision in the fast-paced fashion world, alongside humorously recalling a Met Ball idea with Brooke Shields.
Mar 2, 2023 • 36min
HIBT Lab! The Confess Project: Lorenzo Lewis
Lorenzo Lewis, founder of The Confess Project, is on a mission to reshape barbershops into mental health havens. He discusses how barbers can become frontline allies for Black men's mental health by facilitating important conversations. Lorenzo shares his own journey, from growing up with incarcerated parents to transforming his life after a gang-related incident. The discussion highlights the vital role of barbers in providing emotional support and addresses the stigma around mental health, ultimately envisioning an inclusive ecosystem for diverse communities.
