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
13 snips
Jul 20, 2020 • 1h 5min
La Colombe Coffee Roasters: Todd Carmichael and J.P. Iberti
Todd Carmichael and J.P. Iberti, co-founders of La Colombe Coffee Roasters, share their remarkable journey from friends to coffee pioneers. They discuss their dream of elevating coffee quality in the U.S. and the challenges they overcame in establishing their Philadelphia roastery. The duo reflects on the evolution of coffee culture, the importance of sourcing directly from farmers, and how luck intertwines with hard work in their success. Their story is a blend of friendship, resilience, and a passion for great coffee.
Jul 18, 2020 • 20min
How I Built Resilience: Live with John Foley
John Foley, the founder of Peloton, shares insights from navigating the booming fitness landscape during the pandemic. He discusses the surge in demand for Peloton bikes and the challenges of adapting supply chains while ensuring safety. Foley emphasizes the resilience required in entrepreneurship, especially in creating hardware. He also reflects on the emotional complexities of leadership amid growth, and touches on the influence of the pandemic on education and personal development.
Jul 16, 2020 • 24min
How I Built Resilience: Live with Julia Hartz
Julia Hartz, Founder and CEO of Eventbrite, shares her journey through the challenges faced by the live events industry during COVID-19. She discusses the emotional weight of making tough calls, including significant layoffs, while her team quickly pivoted to virtual events. Julia highlights the innovative strategies that emerged, such as drive-in concerts and fostering community engagement. With an eye on the future, she expresses optimism for in-person events, emphasizing the need for safety and the importance of supportive networks.
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.
