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
Aug 26, 2019 • 51min
Aden + Anais: Raegan Moya-Jones (2019)
Raegan Moya-Jones, the founder of Aden + Anais, shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey of launching a successful baby blanket company in NYC after struggling to find muslin blankets. She discusses the emotional and financial hurdles she faced while growing her business to over $100 million in revenue. Raegan also reflects on a significant leadership transition, the challenges of maintaining control, and how a royal endorsement unexpectedly boosted her sales. Her resilience and pursuit of new ventures highlight the complexities of entrepreneurship.
Aug 19, 2019 • 59min
Stonyfield Yogurt: Gary Hirshberg (2017)
Gary Hirshberg, co-founder of Stonyfield Yogurt, shares his inspiring journey from eco-conscious farmers to leading yogurt moguls. He recounts the financial struggles and near-death experiences while scaling their organic yogurt brand, emphasizing the power of resilience and community support. Hirshberg discusses pivotal decisions, like selling their cows, and the importance of grassroots marketing in overcoming challenges. Additionally, the narrative introduces Carin Luna-Ostaseski, who transitioned from skepticism to success in launching her own Scotch whisky brand, showcasing determination and passion.
5 snips
Aug 12, 2019 • 55min
Serial Entrepreneur: Marcia Kilgore (2018)
Marcia Kilgore shares her remarkable journey from a cash-strapped newcomer in New York to a thriving serial entrepreneur in the beauty sector. She recalls how her bodybuilding background gave rise to a skincare empire with Bliss, attracting a slew of celebrity clients. After selling Bliss, her new ventures like Soap & Glory and FitFlop illustrate her relentless entrepreneurial spirit. She emphasizes the blend of luck, hard work, and a commitment to customer satisfaction that fuels her innovative drive.
12 snips
Aug 5, 2019 • 1h 5min
Shopify: Tobias Lütke
Tobias Lütke, the visionary founder and CEO of Shopify, shares the fascinating journey of transforming a simple snowboard shop into a leading e-commerce platform. He reveals the hurdles faced while developing software for online sales, driven by his passion for snowboarding. The conversation explores how Shopify thrived during the 2008 recession, turning challenges into opportunities for entrepreneurs. Tobi also reflects on crucial leadership moments and the balancing act between rapid growth and personal responsibilities in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
Jul 29, 2019 • 1h 4min
Live Episode! Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP: Angie & Dan Bastian
Angie Bastian, co-founder of Boom Chicka Pop, and her husband Dan share their surprising journey from a simple kettle corn idea to a $250 million snack sensation. They discuss the challenges of starting a business with limited funds and how a Vikings sponsorship propelled their brand. The couple reflects on their initial struggles, the rebranding to Boom Chicka Pop, and the balance of family life with entrepreneurship. They highlight the blend of luck and hard work in their success, along with the emotional tie to their company’s humble beginnings.
67 snips
Jul 22, 2019 • 44min
Dyson: James Dyson (2018)
James Dyson, the inventive mind behind Dyson vacuums, shares his journey from concept to market. He discusses the struggles he faced, including skepticism from established brands and financial challenges while perfecting his bagless design. With over 5,000 prototypes, Dyson's relentless innovation transformed the household appliance industry. He also reflects on the emotional toll of grief and how it fueled his creativity. The story reveals the power of persistence and believing in one's vision, ultimately leading to tremendous success.
Jul 15, 2019 • 60min
EO Products: Susan Griffin-Black & Brad Black
Susan Griffin-Black and Brad Black, co-founders of EO Products, share their inspiring journey in natural body care. Susan's life-changing encounter with lavender oil sparked their entrepreneurial path. They discuss early financial struggles, the importance of passion over profit, and maintaining authentic relationships amidst personal upheaval. Their resilience shines as they navigate challenges, from losing major accounts to redefining their brand's values, proving that entrepreneurship is not just about business—it's about community and connection.
Jul 8, 2019 • 44min
Teach For America: Wendy Kopp (2017)
Wendy Kopp, the visionary founder of Teach for America, shares her inspiring journey from a college thesis to launching a nonprofit that revolutionizes education in underserved communities. She discusses the challenges of securing funding, including a pivotal meeting with Ross Perot that shaped the future of her initiative. Kopp emphasizes the enduring impact of TFA on thousands of teachers and students across the nation. Plus, meet 19-year-old Abby Kircher, who shares her entrepreneurial journey from a peanut butter obsession to running a successful nut butter business.
Jul 1, 2019 • 1h 7min
Dave's Killer Bread: Dave Dahl
Dave Dahl, co-founder of Dave's Killer Bread, shares his inspiring journey from prison to entrepreneurship. After years of struggles with addiction and incarceration, he found redemption through baking organic bread. His unique branding highlighted his story, resonating with customers. The podcast also explores the creative process behind their distinct products and the challenges of scaling from farmer's markets to major supermarkets. Additionally, it touches on the importance of hiring ex-convicts and overcoming the darker side of fame.
Jun 24, 2019 • 60min
Yelp: Jeremy Stoppelman
Discover the fascinating origins of Yelp, born from failed attempts but evolving into a thriving platform thanks to user-generated reviews. Jeremy Stoppelman shares the ups and downs of startup life, from securing funding to navigating challenges in a competitive landscape. The podcast humorously highlights quirky Yelp reviews alongside insights on indoor cats' instincts. Plus, hear about an entrepreneurial vet's journey in creating a revolutionary cat toy that taps into those instincts, merging innovation with humor in the pet industry.
