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
Jul 25, 2022 • 1h 7min
Tumi & Roam Luggage: Charlie Clifford
Charlie Clifford, founder of Tumi and Roam, shares his remarkable journey in the luggage industry, sparked by his Peace Corps experience in Peru. He discusses navigating three major crises, including the aftermath of 9/11 and the effects of COVID-19 on travel. Clifford reveals how Tumi's pivot to durable ballistic nylon revolutionized the brand, leading to global success. He also talks about launching Roam and the innovative strategies that keep his brands relevant amidst competitive challenges.
7 snips
Jul 21, 2022 • 39min
ICYMI... HIBT Lab! Colin and Samir: Colin Rosenblum and Samir Chaudry
Colin Rosenblum, co-founder of Colin and Samir, dives into the evolution of the creator economy with insightful reflections on their decade-long journey. He shares their transition from producing lacrosse videos to becoming pivotal figures in content creation. The duo discusses the challenges of freelancing, the importance of audience engagement, and strategies for sustainable growth in a rapidly changing landscape. They also highlight the power of long-form content and building meaningful creator connections for success.
20 snips
Jul 18, 2022 • 1h 22min
Twitch: Emmett Shear
Emmett Shear, co-founder and CEO of Twitch, shares his fascinating journey from the early days of Justin.tv to transforming it into a gaming giant. He discusses the skepticism surrounding gaming as a mainstream entertainment option and how he built a thriving community by listening to streamer needs. Shear reflects on the challenges faced by early streamers, including safety issues and funding struggles. He also highlights the significant role of community in driving Twitch's success, leading to its lucrative acquisition by Amazon.
Jul 14, 2022 • 39min
HIBT Lab! The Financial Diet: Chelsea Fagan
Chelsea Fagan, Founder and CEO of The Financial Diet, shares her inspiring journey from credit card debt to building a successful personal finance business. She discusses the importance of financial education for young people and how her blog evolved into a multimedia platform. Fagan emphasizes employee satisfaction, innovative pay structures, and the need for transparency in business. The conversation highlights empowering women's financial literacy and the ethical responsibilities of content creators in maintaining trust with their audience.
13 snips
Jul 11, 2022 • 1h 15min
TaskRabbit: Leah Solivan
Leah Solivan, founder of TaskRabbit, shares her inspiring journey from IBM engineer to entrepreneur. She recounts how a snowy night led to the idea of an on-demand errand service. Leah discusses the importance of technology convergence in launching TaskRabbit and the challenges of securing funding. Highlights include her marketing tactics, the company's rebranding, and the transition to a new booking system. Now in venture capital, Leah reflects on her connection to TaskRabbit and her life after her divorce.
7 snips
Jul 7, 2022 • 47min
HIBT Lab! BlocPower: Donnel Baird
Donnel Baird, founder of BlocPower, is on a mission to modernize buildings and transition low-income communities to clean energy. He shares his childhood experiences of energy inefficiency in Brooklyn, including the dangers of heating homes with gas ovens. Baird discusses innovative strategies his company employs to electrify these neighborhoods, creating safer, sustainable environments while also hiring local talent. He emphasizes the importance of partnerships and federal investment to make green energy accessible and affordable for all.
Jul 4, 2022 • 1h 9min
Happy Family Organics: Shazi Visram (2020)
Shazi Visram, the dynamic founder of Happy Family Organics, shares her inspiring journey from a business school idea sparked by a friend's struggles with feeding her twins to creating a multimillion-dollar organic baby food empire. She discusses the challenges of entering a competitive market dominated by giants, the innovative shift from jars to pouches, and the emotional rollercoaster of securing funding while staying true to her vision. Shazi's story highlights resilience, creativity, and the importance of addressing consumer needs in the world of baby nutrition.
13 snips
Jun 30, 2022 • 38min
HIBT Lab! Climeworks: Jan Wurzbacher
Jan Wurzbacher, co-founder and CEO of Climeworks, leads the charge in carbon capture technology. He shares his journey from a mechanical engineer in Hamburg to building the world's largest direct air capture facility. Jan dives into scaling challenges and the financial needs to make carbon capture viable. He discusses the Orca plant in Iceland, showcasing its innovative use of geothermal energy. Wurzbacher also emphasizes the potential of major corporations in offsetting carbon and the optimistic belief in technology's role to reverse climate change.
4 snips
Jun 27, 2022 • 1h 12min
The Tonight Show & Electric Hot Dog: Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Fallon, a comedian, actor, and beloved television host of "The Tonight Show," shares his entrepreneurial journey beyond comedy. He discusses how ordinary experiences can spark innovative ideas, like creating unique products such as all-day pajamas. Fallon reflects on his path from performing for family to a pivotal audition for Saturday Night Live, celebrating the triumphs and rejections. He also dives into the challenges of leading a late-night show and the creative adaptations made during the pandemic, including engaging segments that highlight children's inventive spirits.
6 snips
Jun 23, 2022 • 43min
HIBT Lab! The Sorry Girls: Kelsey MacDermaid and Becky Wright
Kelsey MacDermaid and Becky Wright, co-founders of The Sorry Girls, transitioned from film students to YouTube DIY sensations, amassing over 2 million subscribers. They discuss their creative evolution, starting with memorable projects like a Halloween costume video. The duo shares insights on navigating brand deals while maintaining authenticity and values. They also explore the monetization of their channel, balancing quality and sustainability in their products, and reflect on their mission to create meaningful content amidst the ever-changing digital landscape.
