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
Dec 16, 2019 • 60min
Tate's Bake Shop: Kathleen King
Kathleen King, the founder of Tate's Bake Shop, shares her inspiring journey from a young cookie seller at her family's farm to building a $500 million brand. She candidly discusses the struggles with partnerships and the devastating impact of a legal battle that forced her to start over. With resilience, she navigated the pitfalls of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and passion in pursuing dreams. Plus, hear a heartwarming story about a unique jewelry business born from a creative gift idea.
Dec 12, 2019 • 17min
Live From The HIBT Summit: Troy Carter
Troy Carter, founder and investor known for relaunching his career by managing Lady Gaga, shares his journey through the ups and downs of the music industry. He emphasizes the importance of staying hungry and being humble while navigating challenges. Troy discusses deep connections formed through struggles in music and explores the shift from traditional sales to live performances. He also reflects on overcoming financial insecurity and the transformative power of curiosity in both music and investing.
Dec 9, 2019 • 50min
Minted: Mariam Naficy (2018)
Mariam Naficy, the visionary founder of Minted and former creator of Eve.com, shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey. She reveals the challenges she faced while launching Minted as a unique crowdsourcing platform for artists, revolutionizing the stationery industry. Mariam discusses her immigrant background, the role of luck and skill in her success, and the emotional complexities of entrepreneurship. Plus, they touch on the eco-entrepreneurship revolution with the introduction of BatBnB, combining innovative design and environmental advocacy.
Dec 5, 2019 • 20min
Live From The HIBT Summit: Sara Blakely Of Spanx
Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, shares her incredible entrepreneurial journey filled with innovation and resilience. She opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of starting her business, including an unforgettable moment of sobbing in an Office Depot. Blakely discusses the importance of keeping ideas under wraps early on to avoid discouragement and explores how to turn anxiety into empowerment. She also reflects on the traits that distinguish introverted and extroverted founders, revealing the complexities of charisma in entrepreneurship.
8 snips
Dec 2, 2019 • 1h 2min
Live Episode! OtterBox: Curt Richardson
Curt Richardson, the founder of OtterBox, shares his inspiring journey from crafting waterproof boxes in his garage to leading a billion-dollar tech accessory empire. He discusses the pivotal shift to smartphone protection and the challenges faced during rapid growth. Richardson reflects on the importance of adaptability and customer feedback in product innovation. He also delves into lessons learned from entrepreneurship, including the balance between hard work and luck, and emphasizes the significance of nurturing company culture as the brand expanded.
Nov 25, 2019 • 1h 5min
Outdoor Voices: Tyler Haney
Tyler Haney, Founder and CEO of Outdoor Voices, shares her journey from a Parsons graduate to building a popular athletic wear brand for casual exercisers. She discusses the challenges of identifying a niche in a saturated market and her innovative approach to promoting inclusivity in fitness. Haney recounts pivotal moments, like securing a major order from J.Crew and navigating funding hurdles, while also balancing her expanding company with motherhood. The episode also features Beth Fynbo, who created the Busy Baby Mat, highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit in tackling everyday parenting challenges.
Nov 21, 2019 • 37min
Remembering Jake Burton Carpenter
Jake Burton Carpenter, the visionary founder of Burton Snowboards, revolutionized winter sports by transforming snowboarding into a global phenomenon. He shares his journey from crafting wooden Snurfers in a Vermont barn to founding the world's largest snowboard company. Jake discusses the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, detailing the challenges of gaining acceptance in ski culture and the explosive growth of the sport. His warmth and love for snowboarding shine through, emphasizing family, legacy, and the joy of living fully.
Nov 18, 2019 • 30min
Crate & Barrel: Gordon Segal (2017)
Gordon Segal, the visionary founder of Crate & Barrel, recounts the humble beginnings of the iconic housewares brand he started with his wife in 1962. He reveals how a transformative trip to the Caribbean sparked their innovative retail ideas and the hurdles they overcame to launch their first store. Segal discusses their rapid sales growth and the changing dining culture of America during the 60s and 70s. The conversation also touches on the strategic expansions and challenges they navigated while building their retail empire.
Nov 11, 2019 • 1h 3min
Evite: Selina Tobaccowala
Selina Tobaccowala co-founded Evite during the dot-com boom and faced the tech bubble burst, navigating layoffs and challenges while keeping the company alive. She reflects on moving from a failed app to a million users and massive funding. Selina shares leadership lessons from her journey, including the balance of work and family. Plus, Jamia Ramsey discusses her experience with dance apparel, highlighting the need for inclusivity in fashion for dancers of all skin tones.
Nov 7, 2019 • 51min
Live Episode! Luke's Lobster: Luke Holden and Ben Conniff
Luke Holden, co-founder of Luke's Lobster, shares his journey from Maine lobster boats to launching a successful chain in NYC, alongside business whiz Ben Conniff. They discuss the emotional rollercoaster of starting anew, how they survived early setbacks, and the importance of community and sustainability in seafood production. The duo also highlights the hilarious chaos of their first day in business and the leadership lessons they've learned, emphasizing the significance of humility and collaboration in their entrepreneurial journey.
