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
Apr 11, 2022 • 1h 18min
Florentine Films: Ken Burns
Ken Burns, an acclaimed documentarian renowned for his unique storytelling style, shares his journey from aspiring filmmaker to pioneer of American history documentaries. He discusses how personal loss shaped his passion for storytelling and the creation of innovative techniques like the Ken Burns Effect. Ken reveals the challenges of running Florentine Films, including fundraising and protecting his creative vision. He also reflects on the emotional depth of his works and the significance of personal history in shaping impactful narratives.
Apr 4, 2022 • 1h 7min
Bonobos: Andy Dunn (2019)
Andy Dunn, Co-founder of Bonobos, shares his journey from business school roommate to launching a successful men's clothing brand. He discusses the innovative approach to addressing fit issues with stylish pants, and the emotional rollercoaster of navigating co-founder dynamics and personal challenges, including mental health struggles. Andy emphasizes resilience through crises, culminating in Bonobos' acquisition by Walmart for $310 million. He reflects on the interplay of success, luck, and the importance of supportive relationships in entrepreneurship.
Mar 28, 2022 • 1h 7min
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Home Furnishings: Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams
Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, co-founders of the acclaimed home furnishings brand, share their remarkable journey from a small furniture startup to a $300 million enterprise. They reflect on the challenges of navigating identity as a gay couple in a conservative society while building their business. The duo discusses pivotal moments, serendipitous encounters, and the balance of creativity with business acumen that fueled their success. Personal stories of self-acceptance and advocacy for social justice enrich their narrative, highlighting the transformative power of design and entrepreneurship.
33 snips
Mar 21, 2022 • 1h 18min
WordPress & Automattic: Matt Mullenweg
In this conversation, Matt Mullenweg, the visionary founder of Automattic and co-founder of WordPress, shares his inspiring journey from a college dropout to a tech titan. He discusses the early days of blogging, collaboration with fellow coders, and the pivotal moment he launched WordPress after being turned down by CNET. Mullenweg reflects on the challenges of building a free, user-friendly platform, the decision to decline a major acquisition, and the balance between hard work and luck that shaped his success.
Mar 14, 2022 • 1h 2min
Sukhi’s Gourmet Indian Food: Sukhi Singh and Dalbir Singh
Sukhi Singh, the founder of Suki's Gourmet Indian Food, shares her inspiring journey of perseverance in the food industry. Along with her son Dalbir Singh, they delve into the challenges of starting with limited funds and no clear plan, evolving from a small café to a thriving gourmet brand. They recount their transition to refrigerated meals, landing major retail partnerships like Costco. The duo emphasizes the importance of family and tradition in their success, highlighting how hard work and innovation helped them revolutionize Indian cuisine in the U.S.
14 snips
Mar 7, 2022 • 1h 25min
Discord: Jason Citron
Jason Citron, the Founder and CEO of Discord, dropped some fascinating insights about his journey from selling his first gaming company to creating one of the most popular communication platforms today. He discusses the challenges he faced pivoting twice before launching Discord in 2015. Citron highlights the cultural dynamics of Silicon Valley, the importance of fostering a positive company culture, and how Discord evolved from a gamer-focused tool to a vibrant community hub for everyone. He also shares how user experience and safety are prioritized as the platform grows.
Feb 28, 2022 • 1h 3min
Live Episode! Walker & Company: Tristan Walker (2019)
Tristan Walker, founder of Walker & Company and Procter & Gamble's first black CEO, shares his journey from a disastrous first shave to creating Bevel, a revolutionary shaving system tailored for men of color. He discusses the struggles of crafting personal care products that address unique grooming challenges, the importance of securing funding, and aligning values with major partners. Walker reflects on becoming a parent and redefining success while highlighting his mission to uplift underrepresented communities through thoughtful entrepreneurship.
Feb 21, 2022 • 1h 4min
Live Episode! Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP: Angie & Dan Bastian (2019)
Angie and Dan Bastian, co-founders of BOOMCHICKAPOP, discuss their unexpected journey from a simple kettle corn stand to a $250 million company. They share how a desire to fund their kids' college led them to invest in a popcorn business, overcoming challenges like overwhelming debt and securing major retailers like Trader Joe's. The couple emphasizes the role of community support and transformative rebranding in their success, all while maintaining a focus on positivity and hard work.
7 snips
Feb 14, 2022 • 1h 17min
Telfar: Telfar Clemens and Babak Radboy
In this engaging conversation, Telfar Clemens, founder of the Telfar fashion brand, teams up with Babak Radboy, its creative director. They discuss their unique journey of transforming Telfar into a cultural phenomenon by prioritizing inclusivity and accessibility. Telfar reflects on the challenges of gaining recognition in a competitive landscape while sharing how unexpected collaborations, like with White Castle, shook up the fashion industry. Their story captures the essence of creative partnership and pushing boundaries in the world of fashion.
22 snips
Feb 7, 2022 • 1h 10min
Goodreads: Otis and Elizabeth Chandler
Otis Chandler, co-founder of Goodreads with a background in engineering, and his wife Elizabeth, a journalism expert, share their inspiring journey from a small L.A. apartment to creating the world’s largest site for readers. They discuss launching Goodreads amidst skepticism and the challenges they faced with design and community building. The couple highlights their strategic outreach to book bloggers and the emotional complexities of selling the platform to Amazon. Their story showcases the power of passion and resilience in entrepreneurship.
