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
Mar 16, 2020 • 1h 7min
Birchbox: Katia Beauchamp
Katia Beauchamp, co-founder of Birchbox and a trailblazer in the beauty subscription industry, shares her journey from skepticism to success. She reveals the struggles of launching Birchbox while navigating investor challenges and a rapid growth trajectory. Katia emphasizes the importance of personal well-being and adapting business strategies, particularly for women entrepreneurs. In a related postscript, Athena Staton discusses her venture, SheCar, which empowers women in the used car buying process, showcasing innovation and community service.
Mar 12, 2020 • 13min
Live From The HIBT Summit: Stacy Madison of Stacy's Pita Chips
Stacy Madison, co-founder of Stacy's Pita Chips and founder of Be Bold Energy Bars, shares her journey from turning leftover pita bread into a beloved snack brand. She discusses the challenges of building a business without a formal plan and the resilience required to succeed in the gourmet food market. Stacy also dives into personal sacrifices while securing crucial financing, including a pivotal deal with Trader Joe's. Plus, she reflects on balancing passion with practicality in entrepreneurship and what it takes to connect with customers.
Mar 9, 2020 • 42min
Stripe: Patrick and John Collison (2018)
Patrick and John Collison, the brilliant brothers behind Stripe, share their entrepreneurial journey from coding in their family’s hotel to revolutionizing payment processing. They discuss their early successes, including a startup that catered to eBay users, and the challenges they faced securing investor trust post-financial crisis. The duo also highlights how they transformed payments into a seamless part of online shopping, showcasing the blend of skill and luck in their relentless pursuit of innovation.
4 snips
Mar 2, 2020 • 1h 32min
Video Artist: Casey Neistat
Casey Neistat, a trailblazing filmmaker and YouTube personality, shares his inspiring journey from teenage fatherhood and high school dropout to becoming a viral sensation. He discusses the challenges he faced while crafting his brand, including the pivotal moment of relocating to NYC post-9/11. Casey reflects on the delicate balance between artistic integrity and commercial demands, collaborations with industry giants, and how personal struggles fueled his creativity. Additionally, he introduces the innovative Dripsy sink strainer, born from a practical need and creative problem-solving.
Feb 27, 2020 • 16min
Live From The HIBT Summit: Jeni Britton Bauer of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni Britton Bauer, founder of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, shares her journey from farmer's market to national fame, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and quality in her unique flavors. She discusses how Columbus, Ohio, played a crucial role in her success and the balance between creativity and market insights. Jeni also reflects on the challenges of perfectionism in her craft and highlights the power of community support in entrepreneurship, showcasing how kindness can drive small business success.
30 snips
Feb 24, 2020 • 54min
Lululemon Athletica: Chip Wilson (2018)
Chip Wilson shares his journey of launching Lululemon Athletica, inspired by the yoga boom of the late 1990s. From a small pop-up store to a billion-dollar brand, he recounts the evolution of athleisure and the triumphs and trials faced along the way. Discover the significance of recognizing market trends and the transformative power of innovation in women's athletic apparel. Plus, hear about Kate Westervelt, who turned a personal challenge into a successful gift box service for new moms.
5 snips
Feb 17, 2020 • 1h 4min
Eventbrite: Julia Hartz
Julia Hartz, Co-founder and CEO of Eventbrite, shares her journey from developing TV shows to launching a global ticketing platform. She recounts a serendipitous encounter at a wedding that led her to pursue entrepreneurship with her partner. The conversation dives into the challenges of securing venture capital, especially as a married couple, and the resilience needed after numerous rejections. Julia also reflects on Eventbrite's growth from a small startup to a publicly-traded company, illustrating the passion and innovation that fueled their success.
Feb 13, 2020 • 17min
Live From The HIBT Summit: David Neeleman of JetBlue Airways
David Neeleman, the founder of JetBlue Airways and Azul Brazilian Airlines, is known for his innovative approach in the airline industry. In this engaging conversation, he discusses how having ADD has influenced his entrepreneurial journey, providing unique strengths to overcome challenges. He emphasizes the importance of listening to passengers and fostering a customer-centric culture, especially after a major crisis. Additionally, he shares insights on cultivating employee satisfaction, showcasing how a positive environment can drive organizational success.
19 snips
Feb 10, 2020 • 42min
Panera Bread/Au Bon Pain: Ron Shaich (2018)
Ron Shaich, founder of Panera Bread, shares his transformative journey from acquiring a struggling bakery, Au Bon Pain, to creating the fast-casual restaurant revolution. He discusses innovative strategies that led to Panera’s meteoric rise, emphasizing the blend of quick service with quality dining. Listeners will also hear about the pivotal moments and leadership challenges he faced while building a brand that now includes over 2,000 locations. Plus, a heartwarming update on Lisa Dalton, who turned a personal challenge into a life-changing solution for the visually impaired.
Feb 3, 2020 • 1h 15min
M.M.LaFleur: Sarah LaFleur
Sarah LaFleur, the Founder and CEO of M.M.LaFleur, shares her journey from corporate frustrations to launching a successful clothing line for professional women. She discusses the initial overwhelm of choices, her collaboration with designer Miyako Nakamura, and the challenges of fundraising in a male-dominated industry. LaFleur highlights the importance of fit and functionality in women’s workwear, as well as her innovative marketing strategies. Additionally, poet Taylor Mali introduces Metaphor Dice, a tool that helps inspire creativity and ease the writing process.
