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
27 snips
Nov 3, 2022 • 50min
HIBT Lab! MKBHD: Marques Brownlee
Marques Brownlee, creator of the influential tech YouTube channel MKBHD, reflects on his rise from a teenager with a laptop to a content creation powerhouse with over 16 million subscribers. He discusses the importance of honesty in product reviews to maintain audience trust amid sponsorship opportunities. Marques shares his unique approach, prioritizing high-quality showcases over trends, and reveals how he successfully transitioned from a hobbyist to a full-time creator, all while navigating the challenges of balancing quality content with business growth.
46 snips
Oct 31, 2022 • 1h 15min
Tripadvisor: Steve Kaufer
Steve Kaufer, co-founder and former CEO of TripAdvisor, shares his entrepreneurial journey that began with a personal travel mishap back in 1998. He discusses the initial struggles of launching a travel guidance site and the pivotal moment when user-generated content changed the game. The conversation highlights lessons learned from early failures, the significance of adapting to traveler needs, and the company's growth to over 400 million monthly visitors. Kaufer reflects on navigating challenges, strategic partnerships, and humorous travel reviews, while already eyeing his next business adventure.
Oct 27, 2022 • 51min
HIBT Lab! Cruise: Kyle Vogt
Kyle Vogt, co-founder of Cruise and a pioneer in autonomous vehicles, shares his journey from Twitch to self-driving technology. He discusses the launch of Cruise's driverless taxis in San Francisco and their potential to reduce traffic fatalities. Kyle recounts the challenges of developing urban navigation systems and the strategic acquisition by General Motors. With insights into safety measures and the future of autonomous driving, Kyle paints an exciting picture of how these innovations could revolutionize transportation.
15 snips
Oct 24, 2022 • 1h 11min
Bluemercury: Marla and Barry Beck
Marla Beck, co-founder of Bluemercury, with her background in private equity, and her husband Barry Beck, bring a dynamic presence to the conversation. They share their journey from a struggling online cosmetics venture to opening nearly 200 successful stores, highlighting the critical pivot that saved their business. The couple emphasizes the importance of personalized customer service and strategic store locations. They also discuss the challenges of securing funding and the lessons learned through their unique entrepreneurial partnership, blending business with family life.
6 snips
Oct 20, 2022 • 38min
HIBT Lab! Universal Hydrogen: Paul Eremenko
Paul Eremenko, Founder and CEO of Universal Hydrogen, is on a mission to decarbonize aviation with hydrogen fuel cells. He discusses the pressing challenges of carbon emissions in air travel and how his extensive background in aeronautics prepares him for this endeavor. Eremenko highlights innovative logistics solutions for hydrogen transport and the urgency of transitioning to sustainable aviation fuels. By tapping into hydrogen's potential, Universal Hydrogen aims to revolutionize the industry and meet environmental targets.
9 snips
Oct 17, 2022 • 1h 8min
Culver's: Craig Culver
Craig Culver, co-founder of the beloved fast-food chain known for its ButterBurgers and frozen custard, shares his journey from a struggling restaurant in Wisconsin to launching a national brand with nearly 900 locations. He discusses the unique menu that includes everything from pot roast to soups, and the importance of exceptional customer service. Craig reveals how challenging moments fueled his ambition and innovation, as well as the clever marketing strategies that captured customer interest, like the popular Curder Burger.
16 snips
Oct 13, 2022 • 34min
ICYMI... HIBT Lab! Blogilates: Cassey Ho
Cassey Ho, the founder of Blogilates, shares her inspiring journey from a simple YouTube video to a multi-million dollar fitness empire. She discusses the challenges of defying cultural expectations while pursuing her dreams and the emotional struggle of balancing family values with her passion for fashion and fitness. Cassey also reveals how she turned criticism into empowering content and the importance of community engagement in her brand's growth. With insights on innovation and sustainability, her story is a motivating tale for aspiring entrepreneurs.
37 snips
Oct 10, 2022 • 1h 10min
Wirecutter: Brian Lam
Brian Lam, the founder of Wirecutter, shares his daring leap from a high-profile job at Gizmodo to creating a user-friendly product review site. He discusses the initial skepticism about his brief, research-backed reviews but reveals how this approach built user trust and led to exponential growth. The conversation dives into the rigorous methods behind Wirecutter's integrity and the challenges of maintaining quality during rapid expansion. Ultimately, Lam shares insights on navigating the complexities of business and the journey to selling Wirecutter to the New York Times.
Oct 6, 2022 • 47min
HIBT Lab! Against All Grain: Danielle Walker
Danielle Walker is a bestselling cookbook author and the founder of Against All Grain, dedicated to grain-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free recipes for those with autoimmune diseases. She shares her inspiring journey from struggling with severe abdominal pain to transforming her diet and creating a thriving brand. Danielle discusses the power of food in healing, her transition from blog to bestselling cookbook, and her commitment to building a supportive community. She also offers insights for aspiring creators navigating the culinary world.
35 snips
Oct 3, 2022 • 1h 20min
ButcherBox: Mike Salguero
Mike Salguero, Founder and CEO of ButcherBox, shares his journey from struggling entrepreneur to leading a booming meat subscription service. He recounts the early challenges that led him to connect with farmers and launch a successful Kickstarter campaign. Salguero discusses innovative marketing strategies and the importance of sustainability in meat production. He emphasizes the growth of ButcherBox amidst the pandemic while maintaining autonomy and prioritizing responsible practices. His story underscores resilience and the transformative power of the subscription model.
