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
Aug 29, 2022 • 1h
Men's Wearhouse: George Zimmer (2019)
George Zimmer, founder and former CEO of Men's Wearhouse, shares his remarkable journey from a college graduate to the face of a multi-billion dollar clothing empire. He recounts how a pivotal trip to Asia shaped his vision for affordable men's apparel. Zimmer delves into the challenges of starting his first store in Houston, the impact of his iconic tagline 'I guarantee it,' and the eventual bittersweet departure from the company he built. He also reflects on launching Generation Tux and the emotional hurdles faced along the way.
Aug 25, 2022 • 41min
HIBT Lab! Yolélé: Pierre Thiam
Pierre Thiam, a celebrated chef and co-founder of Yolélé, shares his inspiring journey from Senegal to New York City after a life-changing mugging. He discusses the ancient grain fonio, its potential for food security, and the challenges in promoting it globally. Thiam highlights how he embraces his cultural roots in his cooking and the transformative power of community support in establishing Yolélé. He also reflects on sustainable agricultural practices and the importance of diversifying diets with nutritious options like fonio.
Aug 22, 2022 • 1h 17min
Jo Loves: Jo Malone CBE (2020)
Jo Malone, the founder of Jo Malone London and Jo Loves, shares her inspiring journey from a 1970s London kitchen to a renowned fragrance empire. She discusses the impact of family dynamics and a life-changing cancer diagnosis on her identity and career. Jo reveals her innovative approach to scents, including unique products like a fragrance paintbrush. With resilience shining through, she emphasizes the importance of creativity and passion in her entrepreneurial path, highlighting her latest venture’s revival after setbacks.
17 snips
Aug 18, 2022 • 46min
HIBT Lab! Babish Culinary Universe: Andrew Rea
Andrew Rea, the mastermind behind the Babish Culinary Universe, takes us on an engaging journey from aspiring filmmaker to YouTube cooking sensation. He shares how a cooking video inspired by Parks and Recreation became a turning point in his life. Rea opens up about his struggles with mental health and how they influenced his creative process. He discusses the evolution of his channel, navigating authenticity in the food media landscape, and the unique ways his brand embraces collaboration and community support.
19 snips
Aug 15, 2022 • 1h 2min
Roblox: David Baszucki
David Baszucki, the Founder and CEO of Roblox, shares the inspiring story behind the platform that lets users create and play millions of games. He reflects on his shift from educational software to launching Roblox in 2006, aiming for mass appeal. Baszucki discusses the platform's explosive growth during the pandemic and the challenges of ensuring safety for young users. He highlights the importance of creativity and community, as well as innovative monetization strategies that helped Roblox thrive. His journey underscores resilience and adaptability in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
Aug 11, 2022 • 47min
HIBT Lab! Universal Standard: Polina Veksler
Polina Veksler, Co-founder and CEO of Universal Standard, shares her inspiring journey from an immigrant in Russia to a fashion advocate committed to size inclusivity. She discusses the shocking realization that most women wear larger sizes yet have limited clothing options. The conversation dives into the challenges of securing funding in the fashion industry and emphasizes the $100 billion market opportunity for size-inclusive brands. Polina reveals how Universal Standard is redefining beauty standards while innovating around quality and customer loyalty.
64 snips
Aug 8, 2022 • 1h 10min
Noom: Saeju Jeong
Saeju Jeong, CEO of Noom, shares his inspiring journey from a struggling immigrant with $5,000 to leading a wellness app valued at over $10 billion. He discusses transforming a failed stationary bike idea into Noom by embracing change and resilience. Saeju reflects on his father's influence, the shift from a freemium model to a subscription service, and the significance of personalized support in health management. He emphasizes the delicate balance of hard work and luck in building a billion-dollar company.
6 snips
Aug 4, 2022 • 39min
HIBT Lab! Quaise Energy: Carlos Araque
Carlos Araque, Co-founder and CEO of Quaise Energy, shares his inspiring journey from a tough childhood in Medellin to innovating in geothermal energy. He discusses the immense potential of geothermal resources and the groundbreaking drilling technology aiming to reach 20 kilometers deep. Araque emphasizes attracting visionary investors and the role of major oil companies shifting towards clean energy. He also highlights the environmental advantages and the critical need for a sustainable energy transition to combat climate change.
4 snips
Aug 1, 2022 • 1h 20min
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery: Sam and Mariah Calagione
Sam and Mariah Calagione, co-founders of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, share their inspiring journey from high school sweethearts to craft beer pioneers. They discuss the challenges of starting a unique brewery in a competitive market, infused with offbeat ingredients like cherries and licorice. Their homebrewing adventures and quirky tales, including a surprise encounter with Ricki Lake, add humor to their story. The couple reflects on embracing luck and creativity, navigating regulations, and their path to growing a successful brand that forever changed American craft beer.
19 snips
Jul 28, 2022 • 40min
HIBT Lab! IDEO: David Kelley
David Kelley, the visionary founder of IDEO and Stanford's d.school, shares his journey through design innovation. He reveals fascinating stories, like the creation of Apple's first computer mouse and the principles behind the squishy toothbrush handle. Kelley discusses how diverse teams spark creativity and why design thinking is vital for corporate culture and innovation. He also emphasizes the importance of collaboration, flexibility in workplace dynamics, and the potential for design thinking to transform even nonprofit sectors.
