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
13 snips
Jul 3, 2017 • 29min
Spanx: Sara Blakely (2017)
Spanx founder Sara Blakely's journey from fax machine sales to creating a billion-dollar shapewear brand. The challenges faced, from securing a patent to naming the brand 'Spanx'. Unconventional marketing tactics, like showcasing the product in a bathroom stall, highlighted. Plus, a tech entrepreneur's experience with a friend-matching app on a reality show.
Jun 26, 2017 • 43min
TRX: Randy Hetrick
Randy Hetrick, a former Navy SEAL and the mastermind behind the TRX suspension training system, shares his incredible journey from military innovation to fitness revolution. He recounts how a makeshift workout tool created during a deployment led to a global fitness brand. Randy details the challenges posed by counterfeit products that threatened TRX's success and the emotional toll of protecting his creation. He also discusses his entrepreneurial vision for TRX's future, emphasizing commitment and resilience in business.
12 snips
Jun 19, 2017 • 47min
WeWork: Miguel McKelvey
In 2007, architect Miguel McKelvey convinced his friend Adam Neumann to share an office space in Brooklyn. That was the beginning of WeWork: a shared workspace for startups and freelancers looking for an inspiring environment to do their work. Today, WeWork has created a "community of creators" valued at nearly $16 billion.
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Jun 12, 2017 • 42min
Carol's Daughter: Lisa Price
Lisa Price worked in television but had a passion for beauty products. At her mother's suggestion, she began selling her homemade moisturizer at a church flea market. Twenty years later, Carol's Daughter is one of the leading beauty brands catering to African-American women. PLUS in our postscript "How You Built That," how professional trumpet player Dan Gosling created a special lip balm for musicians called ChopSaver.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
7 snips
Jun 5, 2017 • 35min
Five Guys: Jerry Murrell
Jerry Murrell, founder of Five Guys, shares his journey from failed business ideas to a burger empire with over 1,400 locations. He emphasizes the importance of quality ingredients and family involvement in their success. Also, learn about Aiden and Jesse's journey of creating UV-protecting goggles for dogs.
10 snips
May 29, 2017 • 53min
TOMS: Blake Mycoskie
Entrepreneur Blake Mycoskie shares how he started TOMS shoes with a philanthropic model. He discusses the challenges, successes, and evolution of TOMS, from a niche brand to a major company. The podcast also features a postscript on how Chris Healy created special hair ties for men with long hair.
May 22, 2017 • 38min
Compaq Computers: Rod Canion
In 1981, engineer Rod Canion left Texas Instruments and co-founded Compaq, which created the first IBM-compatible personal computer. This opened the door to an entire industry of PCs that could run the same software. PLUS in our postscript "How You Built That," how frustrated renter Melanie Colón created an easier way to communicate with noisy neighbors, called Apt App.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
10 snips
May 15, 2017 • 45min
Whole Foods Market: John Mackey
In 1978, college drop-out John Mackey scraped together $45,000 to open his first health food store, "Safer Way." A few years later he co-founded Whole Foods Market — and launched an organic food revolution that helped change the way Americans shop. PLUS in our postscript "How You Built That," how Kyle Ewing created waterproof paper through his company TerraSlate.
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12 snips
May 8, 2017 • 40min
Lonely Planet: Maureen & Tony Wheeler
In 1972, Maureen and Tony Wheeler bought a beat-up car and drove from London "as far east as we could go." They wound up in Australia, by way of Afghanistan, India and Thailand. Their notes on how to travel on a shoestring became a book, which grew into Lonely Planet — the largest travel guide publisher in the world. PLUS in our postscript "How You Built That," how 15-year-old Michael Mendicino, with help from his mom, took a teenage trend and turned it into a board game called Bottle Flip.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
10 snips
May 1, 2017 • 45min
Lady Gaga & Atom Factory: Troy Carter
Troy Carter, talent manager who shaped Lady Gaga's career, shares his journey from financial struggles to music industry success. Topics include spotting talent, building Lady Gaga's brand, and transitioning to investment opportunities with Atom Factory.
