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 2, 2020 • 15min
How I Built Resilience: Live with Jeni Britton Bauer
Jeni Britton Bauer, founder of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, shares her inspiring story of resilience after facing a listeria outbreak that nearly ruined her business. She discusses the critical lessons learned in crisis management, such as the significance of transparency and community support. Jeni reflects on the nostalgia of childhood flavors and how personal storytelling has fostered connections with customers. She also highlights strategies for engaging with community feedback and adapting in the ever-evolving food market.
5 snips
Mar 30, 2020 • 1h 7min
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company: Ken Grossman
Ken Grossman, the visionary founder of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, shares his journey from brewing in high school to building one of America's largest craft breweries. He delves into the challenges of launching a brewery from scratch with limited resources and the importance of community support, especially during crises like the 2018 campfire disaster. Ken also discusses the pivotal role of hops in crafting distinctive flavors and his commitment to maintaining consistency in their iconic Pale Ale, all while navigating the evolving craft beer landscape.
15 snips
Mar 23, 2020 • 56min
Ben & Jerry's: Ben Cohen And Jerry Greenfield (2017)
Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, the dynamic co-founders of Ben & Jerry's, share the whimsical journey of launching their iconic ice cream brand in Vermont. They discuss their innovative, quirky flavors that stood out in a crowded market and the transformative impact of a Time magazine feature that catapulted them to fame. The duo also candidly talks about navigating challenges from bigger competitors while remaining committed to their social mission, blending personal passion with a corporate identity that values community engagement.
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.
