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
Jan 31, 2022 • 1h 4min
Leatherman Tool Group: Tim Leatherman
Tim Leatherman, founder of Leatherman Tool Group, shares his incredible journey from struggling in his brother-in-law's garage to creating the iconic multi-tool. He recounts the seven years it took to sell his first tool, facing relentless rejection yet remaining undeterred. Tim’s experiences in Vietnam influenced his innovative thinking, while he highlights the importance of perseverance and adaptability. Today, his brand is valued over $100 million, showcasing a remarkable evolution from a single sale to million-unit success.
Jan 24, 2022 • 1h 8min
Dang Foods: Vincent and Andrew Kitirattragarn
Vincent and Andrew Kitirattragarn are the co-founders of Dang Foods, an Asian-American snack phenomenon recognized for its coconut chips and rice crackers. They delve into their unique journey, from childhood meals in a Thai-Chinese household to launching their brand in 2011. Expect tales of culinary inspiration, challenges of entering a competitive market, and humorous insights on iconic product flops. Their story underscores the importance of feedback in innovation and the surprising lessons learned from market missteps.
4 snips
Jan 17, 2022 • 1h 14min
Discovery Channel and Curiosity Stream: John Hendricks
John Hendricks, the visionary behind the Discovery Channel and Curiosity Stream, shares his journey from a curious college student to a pioneer of documentary television. He reveals the creative sparks that ignited iconic programming like 'Shark Week' and discusses the challenging early days of cable TV. With captivating anecdotes, he recounts networking with legends like Walter Cronkite and overcoming financial crises to launch a channel that now educates millions. Hendricks also reflects on the evolution of programming, ensuring an enduring legacy in media.
Jan 10, 2022 • 1h 8min
M.M.LaFleur: Sarah LaFleur (2020)
Sarah LaFleur, Founder and CEO of M.M.LaFleur, shares her journey from corporate life to launching a fashion line for professional women. Frustrated with her own closet, she partnered with designer Miyako Nakamura to create elegantly tailored clothing. The conversation delves into her struggles with fundraising, the importance of fit, and innovative marketing strategies. LaFleur also discusses overcoming financial challenges without venture capital and the balance of luck and hard work in entrepreneurship, especially during the pandemic.
19 snips
Jan 3, 2022 • 1h 8min
Headspace: Andy Puddicombe and Rich Pierson (2019)
Andy Puddicombe, a former Buddhist monk turned co-founder of Headspace, joins forces with marketing expert Rich Pierson to discuss their unconventional journey. They explore how they transformed meditation into a user-friendly app, emphasizing its mental wellness benefits. Personal struggles, from anxiety to cancer diagnoses, shaped their partnership and vision. Andy and Rich also reflect on the challenges of growing a business in a competitive environment while remaining true to their meditative roots and the importance of community support.
Dec 27, 2021 • 57min
Tate's Bake Shop: Kathleen King (2019)
In this episode, Kathleen King, the founder of Tate's Bake Shop, shares her inspiring journey from selling cookies at her family's farm stand to building a $500 million cookie empire. She opens up about the challenges of a failed partnership and the emotional toll of starting over. Kathleen emphasizes resilience, community support, and the importance of family as she navigated the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. With a focus on her famous chocolate chip cookies, she reflects on the lessons learned and the joy of honoring her father's legacy.
5 snips
Dec 23, 2021 • 14min
Bonus Episode! Ask Guy Anything: December 2021
Curious about the magic behind captivating success stories? This discussion spills the secrets of preparing for insightful interviews and selecting genuine guests. Discover the art of storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences. Dive into entrepreneurial adventures, showcasing unique ventures and projects. Plus, learn innovative ways to maximize your space and enhance experiences, whether through hosting or luxury offerings. It’s a valuable peek into the creative process and personal anecdotes.
Dec 20, 2021 • 1h 6min
Spin Master/PAW Patrol: Ronnen Harary
Ronnen Harary, co-founder of Spin Master, shares the inspiring tale behind the billion-dollar toy company known for hits like PAW Patrol. He emphasizes his unique approach of trusting intuition over market research. From the humble beginnings of the Earth Buddy to the innovative launch of Bakugan, Harary discusses the challenges of toy production and the importance of continuous adaptation. He highlights key moments of triumph and innovation, revealing the magic that comes from thinking like a child and creating toys that resonate deeply with kids.
Dec 13, 2021 • 1h
Planet: Will Marshall and Robbie Schingler
Will Marshall and Robbie Schingler, co-founders of Planet, share their journey from NASA to launching small satellites that capture daily images of Earth. They discuss the initial challenges of building an agile startup in a garage while tackling resource constraints. Topics include their first breakthrough satellite images and the mission to photograph every tree on the planet. They also explore ethical uses of satellite data for environmental crises and the exciting future of satellite technology amidst falling launch costs.
Dec 6, 2021 • 1h 18min
Merge Records: Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan
Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan, co-founders of Merge Records and members of the influential band Superchunk, take us through their wild journey in the indie music scene. They discuss the spontaneous creation of Merge while juggling life as indie musicians. Balancing art and emotion, they share stories of navigating a professional partnership post-relationship. The duo reflects on discovering talent, collaborating with bands like Arcade Fire, and the unique challenges of the evolving music industry, including the digital age and resurgence of vinyl.
