

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 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.

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.


