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
Jul 13, 2020 • 1h 19min
Tatcha: Vicky Tsai
Vicky Tsai, the founder of Tatcha, shares her incredible journey from a high-pressure startup job to discovering traditional Japanese beauty during a life-changing trip to Kyoto. She details how a serendipitous meeting with a geisha ignited her passion for skincare. Despite facing skepticism and working out of her parents' garage, Vicky's relentless spirit led to Tatcha's remarkable success and $500 million acquisition by Unilever. She reflects on resilience, cultural heritage, and the importance of authenticity in building a beauty brand.
Jul 11, 2020 • 24min
How I Built Resilience: Live with Morgan DeBaun
Morgan DeBaun, founder of Blavity—a vibrant media platform for Black millennials—shares her inspiring journey of building community and resilience. She discusses the emotional impact of creating a space for young Black voices during the pandemic and navigating the complexities of a socially conscious business. From her childhood entrepreneurial spirit to tackling venture capital challenges, DeBaun highlights the unique hurdles Black entrepreneurs face today while balancing social justice with financial growth. Her story is both empowering and insightful!
Jul 9, 2020 • 22min
How I Built Resilience: Live with Sharon Chuter
Sharon Chuter, the founder of UOMA Beauty, shares her inspiring journey from Nigeria to creating a cosmetics line that champions inclusivity and diversity. She discusses her groundbreaking campaign, Pull Up or Shut Up, which urges beauty brands to reveal workforce diversity stats. Sharon dives into the challenges of promoting makeup for men and stresses the importance of personalized skincare, especially for darker skin tones. The conversation also highlights the need for corporate accountability in addressing social justice issues and the role of entrepreneurs in driving real change.
Jul 6, 2020 • 58min
Tempur-Pedic: Bobby Trussell (2018)
Bobby Trussell, co-founder of Tempur-Pedic, transitioned from a career in horse racing to the mattress industry at 40, driven by a need to support his family. He discovered memory foam, originally from NASA, which sparked a revolution in sleep products. Trussell shares his early struggles of selling only 70 mattresses instead of the anticipated 10,000. Through innovative partnerships and targeting chiropractors, he turned Tempur-Pedic into a luxury mattress leader. His story highlights the blend of luck, perseverance, and creativity in entrepreneurship.
Jun 29, 2020 • 1h 17min
ClassPass: Payal Kadakia
Payal Kadakia, founder of ClassPass, shares her incredible journey from corporate worker and dancer to billion-dollar entrepreneur. She discusses the initial failure of her fitness concept and the challenging pivots that led to her subscription service. Payal reflects on the vital role of human engagement in fitness, overcoming obstacles in a male-dominated fundraising environment, and adapting strategies during the pandemic. Her journey is a powerful testament to resilience, passion, and the importance of embracing one's unique identity.
Jun 27, 2020 • 27min
How I Built Resilience: Live with Melanie Perkins and Bill Creelman
Melanie Perkins, the visionary co-founder of Canva, shares insights on navigating her company's stellar growth while maintaining a remote team during the pandemic. Bill Creelman, founder of Spindrift, discusses how COVID-19 shifted his sales strategy, driving a surge in grocery and e-commerce. Both founders highlight the importance of adaptability, compassion, and innovation in their industries. Their candid reflections reveal the power of resilience in entrepreneurship and the potential for transformative change amidst challenges.
Jun 25, 2020 • 20min
How I Built Resilience: Live with Deval Patrick
Deval Patrick, the former governor of Massachusetts and now an entrepreneur, shares his profound insights on resilience and racial justice. He reflects on his personal experiences with racism and how current protests can ignite real change. Patrick emphasizes the need for corporations to move beyond performative allyship and engage in genuine action. He advocates for a philosophical shift in leadership, focusing on equality and open dialogue about systemic challenges. His discussion highlights the importance of Black entrepreneurship in the pursuit of social justice.
Jun 22, 2020 • 1h 29min
Ring: Jamie Siminoff
Jamie Siminoff, the mastermind behind Ring, a billion-dollar video doorbell company, shares his inspiring journey from tinkering in his garage to entrepreneurial triumph. He reveals how a personal frustration led to the invention of the Wi-Fi doorbell, overcoming challenges in product development and a nail-biting moment on Shark Tank. Jamie discusses the complexities of selling a business, his adaptive approach to innovation, and the impactful acquisition by Amazon, all while emphasizing resilience, creativity, and community engagement throughout his adventure.
Jun 20, 2020 • 26min
How I Built Resilience: Live with Sadie Lincoln
Sadie Lincoln, the founder of Barre3, shares her insights on leading a fitness revolution that fuses ballet, Pilates, and yoga. She discusses the challenges faced during the pandemic, including the closure of most locations and the shift to an online platform, which has surprisingly boosted subscriptions. Sadie highlights the resilience of both the Barre3 community and her personal journey as an introverted leader. She also emphasizes the importance of innovation, connection, and open conversations on racial justice in fostering a thriving environment.
Jun 18, 2020 • 25min
How I Built Resilience: Live with Cathy Hughes
Cathy Hughes, founder of Urban One and pioneering entrepreneur in the broadcasting world, shares her insights on resilience in the face of social and economic challenges. She discusses the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement and the COVID-19 crisis on Black entrepreneurs. Cathy emphasizes the need for genuine diversity and inclusion in corporate America and the importance of innovating for community empowerment. Additionally, she highlights the role of media in simplifying complex business concepts, making them accessible for everyone.
