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
11 snips
Sep 16, 2019 • 52min
Stitch Fix: Katrina Lake (2018)
Katrina Lake, the founder and former CEO of Stitch Fix, shares her journey from recruiting friends for a style experiment to leading a billion-dollar online styling service. She discusses the challenges of fundraising in a male-dominated industry and how personalized shopping transformed retail. Lake highlights the innovative use of data science combined with human stylists to enhance customer experience. She also addresses the emotional toll of pitching to investors and the importance of resilience for entrepreneurs, especially women in tech.
Sep 9, 2019 • 1h 7min
Dippin' Dots: Curt Jones
Curt Jones, the visionary founder of Dippin' Dots, shares the sweet yet turbulent story behind his revolutionary ice cream brand. He recounts his leap from a stable job to creating colorful, flash-frozen treats, igniting a craze at fairs and stadiums. Jones reflects on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, including the struggles with debt and a painful bankruptcy. He also touches upon the innovative marketing strategies that transformed Dippin' Dots into a household name, and what he learned from pivoting to new ventures post-Dippin' Dots.
Sep 2, 2019 • 1h 2min
The Life Is Good Company: Bert and John Jacobs
Bert and John Jacobs, co-founders of Life is Good, share their inspiring journey from traveling t-shirt salesmen to creators of a $100 million brand built on optimism. They discuss turning personal struggles into an uplifting message that resonated with customers. The brothers reveal how a simple, joyful design sparked a transformation in their lives and their initial business hurdles. Their story showcases resilience, the bond of brotherhood, and the power of positivity in entrepreneurship.
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.
