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
Jan 30, 2020 • 16min
Live From The HIBT Summit: Stewart Butterfield
Stewart Butterfield, co-founder of Flickr and Slack, shares his surprising journey from failed video games to tech triumphs. He reflects on the pivotal moments that fueled his transitions, revealing how challenges can breed innovation. Stewart also delves into the emotional weight of closing a company, emphasizing responsibility towards employees. He discusses the art of effective communication during pivotal shifts, spotlighting the need for clarity in the fast-paced tech world. His insights inspire resilience and adaptability in entrepreneurship.
Jan 27, 2020 • 43min
Wikipedia: Jimmy Wales (2018)
Jimmy Wales, the visionary founder of Wikipedia, shares the fascinating story behind the groundbreaking online encyclopedia. He discusses the evolution from his early internet ventures to launching Wikipedia, emphasizing the significance of community-driven knowledge and the challenges faced during the dot-com crash. Wales reflects on how innovative solutions emerged amid financial difficulties and how Wikipedia transformed from a questioned source to a trusted resource. Plus, enjoy a lighthearted segment on a dating app for dog owners inspired by personal experiences.
Jan 20, 2020 • 1h 14min
Happy Family Organics: Shazi Visram
Shazi Visram, the innovative founder of Happy Family Organics, shares her journey from a business school student inspired by a friend's struggle with healthy baby food to leading a $200 million brand. She reveals how she overcame skepticism to compete with giants like Gerber, using frozen packaging to revolutionize the market. Shazi discusses the challenges of fundraising, forging partnerships with major retailers, and her new initiative, HealthyNest, aimed at enhancing infant nutrition. Tune in for insights on entrepreneurship and industry transformation!
Jan 13, 2020 • 1h 4min
Spindrift: Bill Creelman
Bill Creelman, Founder and CEO of Spindrift, shares his journey from selling smoked fish to creating a refreshing sparkling water brand with real fruit flavors. He dives into the challenges of product development and the importance of local ingredients that shaped Spindrift. Bill reflects on the financial hurdles of scaling his previous cocktail company and the emotional impact of selling it, leading to a new direction. The podcast also features Gaurav Chavala, who discusses his innovative Chai machine that simplifies making homemade chai.
Jan 9, 2020 • 15min
Live From The HIBT Summit: Marcia Kilgore
Marcia Kilgore, a serial entrepreneur known for her groundbreaking beauty brands like Bliss and Beauty Pie, shares her unique business philosophy. She introduces her 'So What?' test for vetting ideas, emphasizing clarity in innovation. Marcia dives into her journey from bodybuilder to skincare mogul, exploring the emotional drive behind entrepreneurship and the importance of feedback. She discusses navigating challenges in scaling brands and the fine balance between creativity and sustainability in a competitive market.
Jan 6, 2020 • 47min
Dell Computers: Michael Dell (2018)
Michael Dell, Founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, shares his journey from selling computer upgrade kits in his UT Austin dorm room to establishing a multi-billion dollar company. He discusses his innovative strategies that disrupted the PC industry and the challenges faced while growing Dell. Notably, he emphasizes the importance of exceptional customer service and resilience in overcoming obstacles. Additionally, the podcast features the uplifting story of sisters Vanessa and Casey White, who transformed their grandfather's pierogi recipe into a thriving culinary business.
Dec 30, 2019 • 58min
Chicken Salad Chick: Stacy Brown (2018)
Stacy Brown, the founder of Chicken Salad Chick, turned her passion for chicken salad into a $75 million restaurant chain. Starting from her kitchen while juggling motherhood and personal struggles, she shares her journey of resilience and innovation. Stacy discusses overcoming skepticism and legal challenges, launching a drive-thru concept, and the crucial community support she received. Her inspiring story highlights the blend of determination, strategic adaptations, and partnership that led to the success of her franchise.
Dec 26, 2019 • 16min
Live From The HIBT Summit: Tariq Farid Of Edible Arrangements
Tariq Farid, the founder of Edible Arrangements, shares his inspiring journey from a humble flower shop to a multimillion-dollar business specializing in fruit bouquets. He highlights the integral role of family support and the sacrifices made by his immigrant parents. Tariq discusses the challenges of transforming fruit into visually appealing arrangements, emphasizing the importance of customer feedback. He reflects on how cultural values and authenticity shape his entrepreneurial spirit, offering insights for aspiring business owners.
Dec 23, 2019 • 53min
Steve Madden: Steve Madden (2018)
Steve Madden, founder of Steve Madden Ltd., shares his incredible journey from selling shoes in high school to building a billion-dollar brand. He opens up about overcoming personal struggles, including a stint in prison due to a securities fraud case, which ultimately transformed his perspective on success and fulfillment. Madden also discusses the pivotal role of resilience in entrepreneurship and how the merging of high-end designs with affordability shaped his company's identity. Plus, a brief insight into young entrepreneur Gabby Goodwin's inspiring hair bow innovation!
Dec 19, 2019 • 22min
Live From The HIBT Summit: Kevin Systrom & Mike Krieger Of Instagram
In a captivating discussion, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, the co-founders of Instagram, share their experiences after stepping down from the company. They reflect on the emotional challenges of leaving a platform they built and ponder the role of social media in promoting kindness. The duo emphasizes the thrill of new beginnings, the importance of a beginner's mindset, and how their unique personalities fostered trust and collaboration during their journey. Their insights on innovating with passion and curiosity are both inspiring and thought-provoking.
