How I Built This with Guy Raz

Norma Kamali, an iconic fashion designer celebrated for her innovative work and expertise in aging nutrition, joins Ahmed Ejaz, founder of the Cambridge Spectacle Company. They discuss balancing creative vision with business realities. Norma offers valuable insights on refining brand narratives to attract investors, including the importance of storytelling and market connection. They also explore healthy eating through innovative fast-casual soup concepts, emphasizing positivity and resilience in pursuing entrepreneurial dreams.

Koel Thomae, founder of Noosa Yoghurt, shares her journey of bringing a unique Australian yogurt to the U.S. Inspired by a life-changing taste in Australia, she navigated the dairy industry while forging a long-distance partnership. The conversation reveals the hurdles of scaling production and the importance of community engagement. Koel discusses the excitement of moving from small batches to national distribution, highlighting the moments of struggle and triumph that led to Noosa becoming a $200M brand loved by yogurt enthusiasts.

Chris Ruder, the Founder and CEO of Spikeball, joins forces with Jimmy Davidson, the visionary behind Freedom in Motion, and Nigel Lewis from Station Surf Shop. They tackle the challenges of finding passionate managers, expanding niche fitness brands, and reviving struggling businesses. Chris reveals strategic insights about his core customers that reshaped Spikeball. The trio emphasizes resilience and community support in entrepreneurship, inspiring listeners to innovate and build strong connections as they navigate their journeys.

Bill Shufelt, founder of Athletic Brewing Company, revolutionizes the non-alcoholic beer market. He reveals the initial skepticism he faced from brewers, retailers, and consumers. Bill shares his personal journey to sobriety and how it inspired him to create better options in the NA beer space. Through innovative marketing strategies like sampling at athletic events, he turned resistance into success. Now valued at $800 million, he reflects on the booming demand and their partnership with Arsenal soccer team, positioning Athletic as a leader in the industry.

Gary Hirshberg, co-founder and former CEO of Stonyfield, shares his entrepreneurial insights while answering questions from budding founders. He discusses how a social mission can give a product a competitive edge. Cate seeks advice on sustainable practices for her leather goods, while Jamie navigates unexpected demographics for her vegan camping meals. Dianna grapples with hiring the right person for her seeded cracker business. Their conversations highlight persistence, community support, and the importance of aligning business with personal values.

Scott and Missy Tannen, co-founders of Boll & Branch, transformed their lack of knowledge about bed linens into a thriving luxury brand committed to ethical sourcing. They share their daring journey, including a bold advertising bet that skyrocketed their visibility. Discover the challenges they faced, from cash flow issues to quality control in sustainable textiles. Their heartfelt commitment to integrity and perseverance shines through as they recount how personal experiences shaped their ambitious venture into the competitive bedding market.

Brian Scudamore, the founder of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, shares his entrepreneurial wisdom with two aspiring founders. Jake Pressman seeks clarity on targeting customers for his customizable skincare brand, while Theo Alexstein looks for strategies to successfully scale his live poultry business. The conversation touches on innovative marketing, essential branding techniques, and navigating challenges in niche markets, making it a treasure trove of valuable insights for budding entrepreneurs.

Matt Meeker, co-founder and CEO of BARK, shares his journey from a Great Dane enthusiast to leading a multi-million dollar pet product company. He discusses how his experiences with startups like Meetup shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. The conversation dives into the innovative subscription model for dog products, the challenges of bootstrapping, and the pressures following significant funding. Matt reveals unique offerings like luxury charter flights for dogs and reflects on the importance of adjusting strategies amid evolving market demands.

Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angi, shares her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the value of human connection in business. Paige McReynolds discusses empowering women in motocross with her apparel brand, tackling marketing and investment challenges. Dianne O'Connor reveals her path from parenthood to founding Weston Table, highlighting the importance of strategic partnerships in e-commerce. Collectively, they explore how small changes can lead to big impacts and offer valuable advice for navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.

Peter Metcalf, the founder of Black Diamond Equipment, shares his incredible journey of reviving a bankrupt climbing equipment company. He discusses the risks he took, including deep personal debt, to create a brand synonymous with quality outdoor gear. Metcalf reflects on the importance of community and innovation in the climbing world, highlights the challenges of navigating business acquisitions, and reveals unique fundraising strategies that engaged loyal customers. His passion for climbing and resilience shines through as he recounts pivotal moments that shaped Black Diamond into an industry leader.