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
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.
Nov 4, 2019 • 53min
FUBU: Daymond John (2018)
Daymond John, founder of FUBU and star of Shark Tank, shares his inspiring journey from working at Red Lobster to creating a $350 million clothing empire. He recounts the early struggles of financing FUBU while immersed in hip-hop culture and the significance of connecting with the community. With humor, he discusses clever marketing strategies and the challenges of scaling his brand. Daymond also touches on issues of racism in fashion and his transition to television, highlighting resilience and innovation as keys to entrepreneurial success.
Oct 28, 2019 • 54min
LÄRABAR: Lara Merriken (2018)
Lara Merriken, the founder of LÄRABAR, shares her inspiring journey from social work to creating a thriving energy bar brand. She reveals how personal challenges inspired her passion for natural foods and her experimental approach in the kitchen. Lara navigated the uncertainties of entrepreneurship, overcoming skepticism while launching her product at Whole Foods. After remarkable growth, she faced the emotional complexities of selling to General Mills, a testament to her dedication and innovative spirit in building a beloved brand.
14 snips
Oct 21, 2019 • 1h 20min
Gimlet Media: Alex Blumberg and Matt Lieber
In this engaging conversation, Alex Blumberg and Matt Lieber, co-founders of Gimlet Media, share their journey from public radio stalwarts to podcast entrepreneurs. They discuss the triumphant yet tumultuous path of launching Gimlet, revealing the emotional rollercoaster and challenges of founding a media company. They also dive into the significance of their dream namesake and the struggles with investor pitches. Plus, hear about Casey Kerrigan’s inspiring shift from medicine to reinventing women's footwear with a focus on comfort.
Oct 14, 2019 • 1h 4min
Live Episode! Milk Bar: Christina Tosi
Christina Tosi, the visionary founder of Milk Bar, shares her journey from a baking enthusiast to a renowned pastry chef. She discusses her love for nostalgic desserts and how they inspired the creation of iconic treats like crack pie and cereal milk. Tosi also reflects on the challenges faced during Milk Bar's growth and the pivotal moment when a celebrity endorsement skyrocketed its popularity. With her unique approach, she emphasizes the importance of creativity, sustainability, and connecting with customers in the competitive food industry.
Oct 7, 2019 • 55min
The Knot: Carley Roney & David Liu (2018)
Carley Roney and David Liu, co-founders of The Knot, share their unexpected journey from wedding chaos to revolutionizing the industry. They recount how a haphazard rooftop wedding sparked the idea for a fresh wedding planning platform in 1996. The conversation dives into overcoming doubts, securing support from AOL, and reshaping the narrative for modern couples. They reflect on the challenges of entrepreneurship and the beauty of imperfection in their path to building a billion-dollar brand.
Sep 30, 2019 • 1h 1min
Live Episode! Walker & Company: Tristan Walker
Tristan Walker, founder of Walker & Company and P&G’s first Black CEO, shares his journey from a painful first shave to innovating grooming products tailored for men of color. He discusses the struggles he faced while securing funding and creating Bevel, a subscription service designed to combat the challenges of coarse hair. Tristan highlights the importance of representation in the beauty industry and reflects on the transformative experiences that shaped his vision for success and inclusion.
Sep 23, 2019 • 1h 12min
Headspace: Andy Puddicombe and Rich Pierson
Andy Puddicombe, a former Buddhist monk, and Rich Pierson, a co-founder of Headspace, share their inspiring journey from meditation practices to a global app phenomenon. They discuss how a chance meeting led to their partnership, the challenges of shifting from live events to digital platforms, and the importance of making meditation accessible worldwide. They reflect on personal growth and the role of diverse voices in enhancing the user experience, showcasing how mindfulness can transform lives and businesses.
