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
Nov 14, 2022 • 1h 30min
Chobani: Hamdi Ulukaya
Hamdi Ulukaya, the founder and CEO of Chobani, shares his incredible journey from a Turkish immigrant to the yogurt kingpin of America. He discusses the pivotal moment of purchasing an abandoned factory and the fierce determination that helped him create Chobani from the ground up. Hamdi dives into the challenges of navigating the yogurt industry, including the hurdles of securing shelf space and the lessons learned from overcoming a devastating product recall. His story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and community commitment.
Nov 10, 2022 • 41min
HIBT Lab! Tomorrow.io: Shimon Elkabetz
Shimon Elkabetz, co-founder of Tomorrow.io and former Israeli Air Force pilot, dives into the critical need for accurate weather forecasting amid climate change. He shares insights on how advanced radar satellites and IoT integration can transform predictions, making them more accessible to businesses and governments. Shimon discusses the challenges of innovating in 'hard technology' and securing funding, while highlighting the importance of immediate climate solutions. He envisions a future where precise weather data is universally available, potentially saving lives.
28 snips
Nov 7, 2022 • 1h 10min
Ooni Pizza Ovens: Darina Garland and Kristian Tapaninaho
Darina Garland and Kristian Tapaninaho, co-founders of Ooni pizza ovens, share their journey from experimenting with home pizza to launching a $250 million brand. They discuss the challenges of creating a portable wood-fired oven, how a Kickstarter campaign propelled them into the spotlight, and their insights on navigating rapid growth during the pandemic. Their personal anecdotes highlight the passion behind perfecting pizza at home and the importance of community and authenticity in their entrepreneurial success.
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.
