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
Aug 9, 2021 • 57min
Stacy's Pita Chips: Stacy Madison (2019)
Stacy Madison, co-founder of Stacy's Pita Chips, shares her inspiring journey from selling pita sandwiches from a hot dog cart to creating a $250 million snack sensation. She discusses the resourcefulness that fueled her venture, overcoming early hurdles, and the innovative leap from leftover pita to crispy chips. Stacy also reflects on her personal transformations, including a significant career shift from social work and navigating a successful partnership with her former fiancé. Her story highlights the blend of creativity and resilience in entrepreneurship.
Aug 5, 2021 • 36min
Live From The HIBT Summit: Gary Vaynerchuk
Joining the conversation is Gary Vaynerchuk, a dynamic entrepreneur and social media expert known for his game-changing marketing strategies. He shares his insights on transforming passion into profit through innovative content creation. Gary emphasizes the vital role of authenticity in branding and how charisma can be developed. He highlights unconventional marketing tactics that engage audiences in surprising ways, and offers practical tips for entrepreneurs on creativity, consistency, and managing their time effectively.
5 snips
Aug 2, 2021 • 1h 10min
Serial Entrepreneur: Gary Vaynerchuk
Gary Vaynerchuk, a serial entrepreneur and founder of VaynerX, dives into his dynamic journey from selling baseball cards to revolutionizing the wine industry with innovative online marketing. He shares insights on building a personal brand through social media and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. Gary speaks about the balancing act of family life and entrepreneurship, his ventures into NFTs, and the importance of genuine communication. His energetic approach to business and life is both inspiring and refreshingly candid.
Jul 26, 2021 • 1h 18min
Robert Reffkin: Compass
Robert Reffkin, the Co-founder and CEO of Compass, shares his inspiring journey from a challenging childhood as a bi-racial, Jewish kid in Berkeley to leading a multi-billion-dollar real estate tech company. He reveals how a job interview turned into an entrepreneurial leap that launched Compass. Reffkin discusses overcoming past failures, the impact of his mother's resilience, and the company's rapid growth during the 2020 housing boom. He also emphasizes the importance of technology in reshaping the agent experience and the evolving landscape of real estate.
Jul 22, 2021 • 42min
Live From HIBT Summit: Payal Kadakia, Tristan Walker, and Perry Chen on Innovation
Join Payal Kadakia, founder of ClassPass; Tristan Walker, founder of Walker & Company; and Perry Chen, co-founder of Kickstarter, as they dive into the essence of innovation. They discuss how personal frustrations fuel entrepreneurial creativity and the importance of resilience. The trio emphasizes that innovation thrives on authenticity, not just new ideas. Their insights on navigating business model iterations and the impact of consumer behavior reveal how diverse perspectives can spark groundbreaking ideas.
10 snips
Jul 19, 2021 • 46min
Bobbi Brown Cosmetics: Bobbi Brown (2018)
Bobbi Brown, founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, transformed the beauty industry with her emphasis on natural makeup. She discusses her early days as a makeup artist battling the flashy 1980s aesthetic, leading to the creation of her revolutionary nude makeup line. Bobbi shares insights on her journey from startup to the acquisition by Estée Lauder, revealing the challenges of maintaining her brand identity within a corporate structure. She also reflects on the emotional complexities of leaving a brand she built, exploring themes of personal fulfillment and creative control.
7 snips
Jul 12, 2021 • 1h 22min
Mailchimp: Ben Chestnut
Ben Chestnut, co-founder and former CEO of Mailchimp, shares his journey from a struggling designer to a successful entrepreneur. He reveals how Mailchimp pivoted from a web design agency to an email marketing powerhouse tailored for small businesses. Chestnut discusses the innovative freemium model, the impact of sponsoring the podcast Serial, and the company’s unique marketing strategies that included quirky ads and merchandise. He also reflects on leadership challenges and the evolution of Mailchimp's company culture amidst changing dynamics.
Jul 5, 2021 • 1h 10min
Numi Organic Tea: Reem Hassani and Ahmed Rahim
Reem Hassani and Ahmed Rahim, co-founders of Numi Organic Tea, share their inspiring journey from humble beginnings to launching a multi-million dollar brand. Reem's childhood memories of Iraqi tea spark their passion, while Ahmed's artistic background shapes their business vision. They discuss the challenges of sourcing quality ingredients, navigating retail markets, and the importance of maintaining sustainability. Their story intertwines cultural heritage and entrepreneurial spirit, proving that dreams brewed from love and tradition can lead to success.
Jun 28, 2021 • 1h 21min
Casper: Philip Krim
Philip Krim, co-founder and CEO of Casper, reflects on his journey from selling random products in his college dorm to revolutionizing the mattress industry. He discusses how Casper turned a mundane purchase into an engaging experience through innovative branding and e-commerce. As competition surged, Casper adapted by expanding its product line and opening retail stores. Philip shares insights on tackling financial challenges, building a sleep-focused brand, and leveraging customer engagement, all while emphasizing the fine balance between hard work and luck in entrepreneurship.
Jun 24, 2021 • 35min
Live From The HIBT Summit: Cynt Marshall, Chieh Huang, and Sadie Lincoln on Leadership
Cynt Marshall, the inspiring CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, Chieh Huang, the innovative co-founder of Boxed, and Sadie Lincoln, the creative mind behind Barre3, share their impactful leadership journeys. They dive into the power of vulnerability, discussing how it fosters trust and collaboration among teams. The trio emphasizes the importance of authenticity and mental health in leadership, revealing personal stories that highlight the delicate balance between empathy and decision-making in tough situations. Their insights are sure to inspire future leaders!
