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
Feb 22, 2021 • 1h 29min
Boxed: Chieh Huang
Chieh Huang, Co-founder and CEO of Boxed, shares his incredible journey from a mobile gaming entrepreneur to launching an online bulk retailer from his garage. He discusses the early challenges of competing against giants like Amazon and Walmart while emphasizing the importance of personal touches, like handwritten notes in every box. Huang also reflects on the pivotal moments that led to unexpected growth and highlights his commitment to employee welfare, showcasing how innovation and perseverance can transform a startup into a valued business.
Feb 18, 2021 • 27min
How I Built Resilience: Beverly Leon of Local Civics
Beverly Leon, the Founder and CEO of Local Civics, pivoted from a professional soccer career to revolutionize civic education for youth. She discusses her innovative, game-based platform aimed at engaging students in their local political landscapes. Beverly highlights the essential role of inclusive democracy and the pressing need for civic knowledge among young citizens. She shares the challenges of building an ed-tech startup while advocating for greater community involvement and resilience in today’s educational climate.
14 snips
Feb 15, 2021 • 59min
Simple Mills: Katlin Smith
Katlin Smith, the founder of Simple Mills, shares her inspiring journey from a restless consultant to the creator of a paleo-friendly baking brand. She dives into the challenges of launching her gluten-free muffin mixes, including the hustle behind securing whole food retailers and managing production logistics. Listeners will love her humorous anecdotes about live demos and the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship. Katlin also emphasizes the importance of using healthier ingredients and building personal connections in a competitive market.
Feb 11, 2021 • 32min
How I Built Resilience: Michael Horvath and Mark Gainey of Strava
Co-founders Michael Horvath and Mark Gainey of Strava share insights into their journey of building a global social fitness platform with over 76 million users. They discuss how the pandemic spurred a surge in community engagement and the transformative power of exercise. Listeners hear about their unique freemium model prioritizing user experience and the importance of maintaining integrity in a fitness landscape. The duo emphasizes patience and meaningful choices in navigating challenges, encapsulating the essence of connection through fitness.
35 snips
Feb 8, 2021 • 1h 13min
Atlassian: Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar
Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar, the co-founders of Atlassian, share their inspiring journey from college friends to tech billionaires. They discuss the challenges of launching a startup in Australia, including societal skepticism and the early struggle to pivot from tech support to developing software. Their fortuitous creation of Jira decimated boundaries in project management and led to their monumental success. With humor, they recount their unconventional marketing tactics and the importance of core values in navigating rapid growth.
Feb 4, 2021 • 48min
How I Built Resilience: M. Night Shyamalan
M. Night Shyamalan, the acclaimed filmmaker behind hits like 'The Sixth Sense' and 'Unbreakable,' shares his journey through self-doubt and resilience in filmmaking. He discusses the creative solitude necessary for innovation and how the pandemic reshaped his projects, including 'Servant' and 'Old.' Reflecting on his childhood, he emphasizes storytelling's emotional power and the importance of diverse voices. Despite past successes, he reveals the constant struggle to prove himself with each new venture, inspiring emerging artists to boldly share their narratives.
Feb 1, 2021 • 1h 30min
Norma Kamali: Norma Kamali
Norma Kamali, an iconic fashion designer, began her journey in the 1960s when she unexpectedly shifted from airline clerk to fashion visionary. She shares tales of her early trips to London that sparked her design passion and how her sleeping bag coat became a trendsetter. From dressing celebrities to navigating personal challenges, Norma highlights the evolution of fashion and the importance of community support. She also emphasizes embracing aging in style and the emotional stories behind her designs, showcasing her indelible mark on the industry.
Jan 28, 2021 • 26min
How I Built Resilience: Loren and Lisa Poncia of Stemple Creek Ranch
Loren Poncia, a fourth-generation cattle rancher, and his wife Lisa, a savvy business partner, have turned Stemple Creek Ranch into a carbon-positive operation. They dive into how consumer demand is propelling sustainable farming forward, especially during the pandemic when they pivoted to online retail. The couple also discusses the complexities of balancing their roles in both love and business, while advocating for transparency in food production. Their innovative practices represent a transformative shift in the agricultural landscape, emphasizing sustainability and regenerative farming.
Jan 25, 2021 • 1h 33min
Seventh Generation: Alan Newman and Jeffrey Hollender
Alan Newman and Jeffrey Hollender, co-founders of Seventh Generation, discuss their groundbreaking journey in eco-friendly products. They delve into their rocky partnership, sharing insights on the emotional fallout from their falling out. The duo recount their innovative marketing strategies and the challenges of building a sustainable brand. Humorous anecdotes from their path highlight the complexities of co-founder relationships and the obstacles they faced in the eco-business landscape. They also touch on personal growth and resilience in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Jan 21, 2021 • 22min
How I Built Resilience: Elisa Villanueva Beard of Teach For America
Elisa Villanueva Beard, CEO of Teach For America, has dedicated her career to improving education in low-income communities. In this discussion, she shares how the organization adapts to challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Elisa emphasizes the importance of resilience, creativity, and support for educators. She also discusses innovative recruitment strategies aimed at enhancing diversity among teachers and the crucial role representation plays in shaping students' futures. The conversation highlights the evolving needs of education in a post-pandemic world.
