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
59 snips
Feb 17, 2025 • 1h 21min
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day: Monica Nassif
Monica Nassif, the innovative founder of Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day, shares her incredible journey in the cleaning product industry. She creatively shifted from an upscale brand to making her products accessible, targeting chains like Target. The importance of family influences shines through, especially how her mother became a beloved mascot. Monica discusses the delicate balance of launching new products and the critical lessons learned about timing in retail. Her insights into blending nostalgia with modern branding reveal the heart behind her successful venture.
23 snips
Feb 13, 2025 • 45min
Advice Line with Travis Boersma of Dutch Bros
Travis Boersma, co-founder of Dutch Bros Coffee, and Sean Chang, co-founder of Mukja Korean Fried Chicken, share invaluable entrepreneurial insights. They discuss the journey of transforming a simple espresso cart into a national coffee chain, tackling challenges like rising costs and competition. Sean highlights creative marketing strategies for his restaurant, while both guests emphasize the power of word-of-mouth in boosting customer growth. The conversation also touches on the importance of resilience and adaptability for new founders in today’s ever-changing market.
55 snips
Feb 10, 2025 • 57min
Beyond Yoga: Michelle Wahler
Michelle Wahler, co-founder of Beyond Yoga, shares her inspiring journey in creating an inclusive activewear brand. She discusses the challenges of starting the company with no outside investment and her focus on soft fabrics and body positivity. Wahler emphasizes the importance of strategic hiring and building a strong team, alongside innovative growth strategies. She also reflects on key moments, including a pivotal e-commerce shift and the brand's lucrative acquisition by Levi’s for $400 million, showcasing the blend of resilience and leadership in her entrepreneurial path.
15 snips
Feb 6, 2025 • 49min
Advice Line with Vicky Tsai of Tatcha (September 2024)
Vicky Tsai, co-founder and former CEO of Tatcha, shares her entrepreneurial journey from finance to skincare, inspired by Japanese beauty rituals. She discusses stepping back into her CEO role and the lessons learned. Brittany Lowe talks about launching her vegan skincare line, focusing on intimate health and the importance of storytelling. Devon Clymer shares insights about her gluten-free mug cake business Mugsy Bakes, including clever marketing strategies. Each guest offers unique perspectives on overcoming challenges and building brand awareness.
55 snips
Feb 3, 2025 • 1h 20min
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery: Sam and Mariah Calagione (2022)
Sam and Mariah Calagione, co-founders of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, share their inspiring journey from high school sweethearts to craft beer pioneers. They discuss innovative brewing techniques and the use of quirky ingredients like cherries and licorice. With humorous anecdotes from their early days, including writing a bill to legalize their brewpub, they reflect on community support and the unique identity of craft breweries. Their remarkable story also touches on the challenges and triumphs that led to their brewery's impressive growth and eventual acquisition.
30 snips
Jan 30, 2025 • 52min
Advice Line with Joe Gebbia of Airbnb
Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb, shares his journey from skepticism to success, revealing insights on launching his new project, Samara, focused on housing solutions. Marina Lido discusses her innovative bilingual board books for children, emphasizing creative marketing and customer engagement. Ray Ricky Rivera talks about his craft beer brand, Norwalk Brewhouse, highlighting the challenges of fundraising and the importance of community in the Latino market. Together, they provide valuable advice for early-stage entrepreneurs navigating unique challenges in their ventures.
68 snips
Jan 27, 2025 • 57min
Fanatics: Michael Rubin
Michael Rubin, the founder of Fanatics, transformed a childhood challenge with reading into a $25 billion sports branding empire. He shares how trading closeout sporting goods fueled his entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. Rubin discusses navigating setbacks with Major League Baseball and Nike, highlighting the importance of learning from criticism. He reflects on the evolution of e-commerce and strategic acquisitions that propelled Fanatics from a small venture to an industry titan while balancing work, personal life, and mental health.
Jan 23, 2025 • 50min
Advice Line with Katlin Smith of Simple Mills
Kaitlin Smith, Founder and CEO of Simple Mills, shares her journey from a homemade recipe to a thriving gluten-free brand. She offers valuable insights on navigating food entrepreneurship. Tim Taves discusses how to expand his family-focused hot sauce business while balancing challenges. Marissa Gurdian highlights her innovative silicone pet products, tackling everyday pet care issues. The conversation touches on overcoming financial obstacles, marketing strategies, and the importance of resilience in the entrepreneurial landscape.
179 snips
Jan 20, 2025 • 56min
Resy and Eater: Ben Leventhal
Ben Leventhal, founder of Blackbird Labs and co-founder of Eater and Resy, dives into his journey from blogging about NYC restaurants to launching impactful ventures. He shares how Eater became a significant voice in dining and the challenges faced while co-founding Resy. Discover how they pivoted their initial model to enhance restaurant profitability through innovative reservation solutions and partnerships, including a notable acquisition by American Express. Leventhal's insights highlight the dynamic relationship between technology and the culinary world.
49 snips
Jan 16, 2025 • 52min
Advice Line with Jack Conte of Patreon
Jack Conte, co-founder and CEO of Patreon, shares insights with early-stage founders like Zach Parsons of Honeymoon Coffee, who explores coffee subscription models, and Rowena Shara of Eat2Explore, seeking to broaden her cooking kits for all ages. They discuss the importance of community-building and authenticity in entrepreneurship. Conte emphasizes the need for innovative product ideas and effective market targeting, highlighting challenges and strategies for scaling businesses while engaging diverse audiences. It's a treasure trove of actionable advice!
