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
Apr 8, 2021 • 31min
How I Built Resilience: Ethan Diamond of Bandcamp
Ethan Diamond, CEO and co-founder of Bandcamp, shares his journey in revolutionizing music sales for independent artists. He delves into how Bandcamp emerged from a chaotic music landscape, ensuring artists are prioritized over profit. Ethan highlights the impact of virtual concerts during the pandemic and the success of Bandcamp Fridays, where all fees are waived to support musicians directly. His commitment to sustainability and community-building shines through as he reflects on the unique challenges and opportunities within the evolving music industry.
Apr 5, 2021 • 1h 29min
Food52: Amanda Hesser
Amanda Hesser, Co-founder of Food52 and former New York Times food writer, shares her captivating journey from cooking in European kitchens to launching a successful culinary platform. She discusses the emotional ups and downs of leaving her stable journalism career, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and how the pandemic ultimately led Food52 to profitability. Hesser also recounts the creative process behind launching a food website and reflects on her influential role in culinary journalism, blending personal stories with her passion for food.
Apr 1, 2021 • 21min
How I Built Resilience: Kara Goldin of Hint
Kara Goldin, Founder and CEO of Hint, transformed her love for infused water into a thriving beverage brand available in over 30,000 stores. She shares her inspiring journey from tech executive to entrepreneur, driven by personal health challenges. Kara discusses how Hint's sales almost doubled during the pandemic by focusing on e-commerce and emphasizes the importance of resilience and adaptability in business. With insights on navigating supply chain issues and entering a saturated market, her story is a testament to perseverance and innovation.
Mar 29, 2021 • 53min
UPPAbaby: Bob and Lauren Monahan
Bob and Lauren Monahan, co-founders of UPPAbaby, share their inspiring journey from product development to launching a thriving baby stroller brand. Bob discusses his background with iconic brands before pivoting to the stroller market, while Lauren reveals their innovative strategies to attract budget-conscious parents and engage dads. They recount their experiences navigating early challenges, especially during the 2008 financial crisis, and talk about leveraging celebrity endorsements to boost UPPAbaby's popularity. Their story blends entrepreneurship with personal milestones and a love for family.
Mar 25, 2021 • 23min
How I Built Resilience: Vivian Ku, Restaurateur
Vivian Ku, a Taiwanese-American restaurateur known for her three Taiwanese restaurants in Los Angeles, shares her journey of resilience. She discusses the unique challenges of launching a breakfast pop-up during the pandemic, emphasizing the significance of cultural representation in her culinary offerings. Vivian candidly reflects on the fears and challenges of restaurant entrepreneurship, the impact of recent violence against Asian Americans, and the innovative strategies she employed to adapt her business amid uncertainty.
Mar 22, 2021 • 1h 31min
Hinge: Justin McLeod
Justin McLeod, the Founder and CEO of Hinge, shares his journey from heartbreak to creating a dating app designed for meaningful relationships. He discusses how personal experiences shaped Hinge's evolution and the challenges he faced in a saturated market. McLeod also reflects on Hinge's relaunch, emphasizing user engagement and thoughtful design. The conversation touches on the app's growth during the pandemic and its ultimate acquisition by Match Group, highlighting the resilience and innovation required to thrive in the dating landscape.
Mar 18, 2021 • 30min
How I Built Resilience: Lisa Baird of National Women's Soccer League
Lisa Baird, the Commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League, took the reins just as the COVID-19 pandemic halted sports. She shares how the league tackled financial uncertainties, created a medical task force, and launched a successful Challenge Cup tournament in a bubble. Baird emphasizes the need for equal coverage of women's sports and how viewership surged despite empty stadiums, igniting renewed interest. She also reflects on the historical significance of the 1999 Women's World Cup and the ongoing evolution of women's soccer.
Mar 15, 2021 • 1h 19min
Siete Family Foods: Miguel and Veronica Garza
Veronica Garza, co-founder of Siete Family Foods, and her brother Miguel, the company's CEO, share their inspiring journey from a CrossFit gym to a thriving grain-free tortilla brand. They reflect on how Veronica's health issues prompted a family-wide dietary shift, igniting their entrepreneurial spirit. With tales of culinary heritage, early challenges in scaling production, and the importance of community support, they highlight the relentless pursuit of their dreams while maintaining family bonds. Their story showcases resilience, innovation, and a passion for healthy eating.
Mar 11, 2021 • 28min
How I Built Resilience: Shan-Lyn Ma of Zola
Shan-Lyn Ma, co-founder and CEO of Zola, shares her inspiring journey of transforming the wedding planning industry. She discusses how Zola pivoted during the pandemic to include livestreaming weddings and an e-commerce marketplace for home goods. Shan-Lyn emphasizes the significance of resilience and innovation while forecasting a resurgence in weddings. She also highlights the importance of empowering young girls to pursue entrepreneurship, sharing insights on representation and creativity in the business world.
20 snips
Mar 8, 2021 • 1h 22min
Rick Steves' Europe: Rick Steves
Rick Steves, a renowned travel writer and television personality, begins by recounting his humble beginnings as a budget backpacker in Europe. He shares how his passion for affordable travel led to the creation of a multimillion-dollar brand, emphasizing authenticity over traditional business tactics. Steves also reflects on the challenges of producing a travel show and the impact of social media on travel writing. With insights on maintaining balance in life and advocating for social causes, he offers a humorous yet heartfelt perspective on his journey.
