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
11 snips
Jan 23, 2023 • 1h 21min
Tarte Cosmetics: Maureen Kelly
Maureen Kelly, the visionary Founder and CEO of Tarte Cosmetics, transitioned from a budding clinical psychologist to a beauty entrepreneur, fueled by passion and resilience. She shares her adventurous journey from maxing out credit cards to knocking on doors of retailers in New York City. With a pivotal moment at Bendel's and an Oprah endorsement, Maureen details the breakthrough moments that shaped her brand. She also reflects on navigating personal loss while scaling Tarte, emphasizing the blend of hard work, community support, and authenticity in her success.
Jan 19, 2023 • 39min
HIBT Lab! Nuro: Dave Ferguson
Dave Ferguson shares his intriguing vision for the future of self-driving cars, focusing on their role in deliveries rather than transporting passengers. He highlights how many trips are purely for pickups, suggesting robots could handle these tasks. Nuro, his company, has already partnered with major brands like Domino's and Uber Eats for pilot programs. With plans to expand their services across cities, the podcast explores how this innovation could revolutionize everyday errands.
35 snips
Jan 16, 2023 • 1h 24min
Complexly: Hank and John Green
Hank Green, co-founder of Complexly and educational YouTube creator, teams up with his brother John Green, a bestselling author known for 'The Fault in Our Stars.' They discuss their journey from creating video blogs for each other to launching Complexly, a successful educational content company. The brothers share humorous anecdotes about their early days with Vlogbrothers, the challenges of turning a hobby into a viable business, and their innovative ventures like VidCon. They reflect on the impact of personal relationships and their experiences navigating the evolving creator economy.
Jan 12, 2023 • 46min
ICYMI... HIBT Lab! Malala Fund and Our Place: Shiza Shahid
Shiza Shahid, co-founder of the Malala Fund and Our Place, shares her transformative journey from corporate life to activism after the shooting of Malala Yousafzai. She discusses how her childhood experiences in Pakistan shaped her advocacy for girls’ education, the challenges of launching a nonprofit, and her successful shift to a for-profit model with Our Place. The conversation highlights the crucial role of community in empowerment, the innovative spirit behind her kitchen brand, and the intersection of social impact and entrepreneurship.
30 snips
Jan 9, 2023 • 58min
Health-Ade Kombucha: Daina Trout (2020)
Daina Trout, co-founder of Health-Ade Kombucha, shares her journey from farmer's market sales to a $200 million brand. She reveals how a failed hair loss product idea led her and her co-founders to embrace kombucha instead. The trio's commitment to brewing, customer feedback, and bold moves into full-time entrepreneurship are highlighted. Daina discusses the challenges of scaling production, securing funding, and managing rapid growth while reflecting on the balance of luck and grit that shaped their success.
14 snips
Jan 5, 2023 • 40min
ICYMI... HIBT Lab! The Financial Diet: Chelsea Fagan
Chelsea Fagan, Founder and CEO of The Financial Diet, transformed her early financial struggles into a thriving multimedia personal finance platform. She shares insights on prioritizing employee satisfaction over rapid growth and the challenges of managing finances in a society that pressures young individuals. Fagan discusses the significance of targeting niche audiences, especially women, to ensure meaningful financial education. Her commitment to sustainable practices, including a four-day work week, highlights a refreshing approach to corporate culture.
28 snips
Jan 2, 2023 • 1h 15min
Kodiak Cakes: Joel Clark (2020)
Joel Clark, co-founder of Kodiak Cakes, shares his entrepreneurial journey from selling pancake mix door-to-door as a child to creating a pancake empire. He recounts the challenges he faced, including a near-bankruptcy and risky decisions. Securing a partnership with Target proved to be a game changer for the brand. The narrative highlights themes of resilience, family legacy, and the creativity required to thrive in the competitive food industry. Clark's story is a testament to never giving up, even when the odds seem against you.
4 snips
Dec 29, 2022 • 44min
ICYMI... HIBT Lab! The Sorry Girls: Kelsey MacDermaid and Becky Wright
Kelsey MacDermaid and Becky Wright, the creative duo behind The Sorry Girls, delve into their transition from film students to successful YouTubers with over 2 million subscribers. They share their fascinating journey of pursuing a YouTube career, navigating brand partnerships, and building a media company while staying true to their values. The pair discuss the evolving challenges of the creator economy, the emotional toll of negative feedback, and their passion for meaningful content creation. Tune in for insights on balancing creativity and sustainable growth!
7 snips
Dec 26, 2022 • 1h 7min
I.R.S. Records: Miles Copeland
Miles Copeland, a music industry mogul and founder of I.R.S. Records, shares his remarkable journey in shaping the 1980s music scene with iconic bands like The Police and R.E.M. He talks about his early struggles, nearly going bankrupt, and his resurrection through the punk movement. Copeland recounts pivotal moments that led to signing major acts, highlighting the blend of timing, instinct, and personal connections crucial in the competitive industry. He also reflects on his legacy and the evolution of music management, emphasizing resilience and adaptability.
9 snips
Dec 22, 2022 • 34min
HIBT Lab! Immunai: Noam Solomon
Noam Solomon, Co-founder and CEO of Immunai, is revolutionizing drug development by using AI to map the human immune system. He discusses the staggering costs and inefficiencies of drug discovery while sharing how Immunai's innovative approach could change the landscape of personalized therapies for diseases like cancer. Noam emphasizes the importance of a culture that embraces uncertainty, which drives their scientific innovation. He also highlights the collaboration between data science and biology, aiming to create tailored treatment solutions that could improve patient outcomes.
