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
4 snips
Dec 12, 2024 • 52min
Advice Line with Jane Wurwand of Dermalogica
Jane Wurwand, co-founder of Dermalogica and skincare expert, shares her insights on building a brand through customer education. She emphasizes the importance of community in entrepreneurship, spotlighting Molly Brubaker, founder of Baby Booty, who discusses creating a supportive fitness environment for new parents. They tackle challenges faced by early-stage founders, from scaling vegan baby food businesses to enhancing performance underwear brands, showcasing resilience and innovative strategies in today’s market.
22 snips
Dec 9, 2024 • 1h 29min
Norma Kamali: Norma Kamali (2021)
Norma Kamali, an iconic fashion designer, shares her incredible journey from airline clerk to runway legend. She describes her eye-opening trips to 1960s London, which inspired her unique designs, including the famous sleeping bag coat. Norma reflects on her experiences with celebrities and the impact of fast fashion on the industry, advocating for comfort and creativity. She also discusses overcoming personal challenges, including reinventing herself after divorce, demonstrating resilience in the ever-evolving world of fashion.
19 snips
Dec 5, 2024 • 58min
Advice Line with Gary Erickson of Clif Bar (May 2024)
Gary Erickson, founder of Clif Bar, joins Valerie Franklin from Artisans Cooperative to provide essential advice to budding entrepreneurs. They tackle intriguing questions from founders like James, who’s transforming recycled plastics, and Elsie, who accidentally created a pet hair remover. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of community-focused growth, innovative grassroots marketing, and the challenges of launching a collaborative marketplace against giants like Etsy. Their insights blend humor and practical wisdom, highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit.
74 snips
Dec 2, 2024 • 1h 29min
Dude Perfect: Cory Cotton and Tyler Toney (2021)
Cory Cotton and Tyler Toney, co-founders of Dude Perfect, share their incredible journey from college friends to YouTube sensations. They reveal how a playful bet sparked their first viral video, setting the stage for outrageous trick shots that captivated audiences. The duo discusses overcoming early struggles with finances and copyright issues, their transition from side hustlers to full-time creators, and the balancing act of faith, friendship, and fame in their lives. Their story is a testament to creativity and perseverance in the evolving world of online entertainment.
20 snips
Nov 28, 2024 • 50min
Advice Line with Norma Kamali of Norma Kamali
Norma Kamali, an iconic fashion designer celebrated for her innovative work and expertise in aging nutrition, joins Ahmed Ejaz, founder of the Cambridge Spectacle Company. They discuss balancing creative vision with business realities. Norma offers valuable insights on refining brand narratives to attract investors, including the importance of storytelling and market connection. They also explore healthy eating through innovative fast-casual soup concepts, emphasizing positivity and resilience in pursuing entrepreneurial dreams.
81 snips
Nov 25, 2024 • 1h 7min
Noosa Yoghurt: Koel Thomae
Koel Thomae, founder of Noosa Yoghurt, shares her journey of bringing a unique Australian yogurt to the U.S. Inspired by a life-changing taste in Australia, she navigated the dairy industry while forging a long-distance partnership. The conversation reveals the hurdles of scaling production and the importance of community engagement. Koel discusses the excitement of moving from small batches to national distribution, highlighting the moments of struggle and triumph that led to Noosa becoming a $200M brand loved by yogurt enthusiasts.
4 snips
Nov 21, 2024 • 49min
Advice Line with Chris Ruder of Spikeball
Chris Ruder, the Founder and CEO of Spikeball, joins forces with Jimmy Davidson, the visionary behind Freedom in Motion, and Nigel Lewis from Station Surf Shop. They tackle the challenges of finding passionate managers, expanding niche fitness brands, and reviving struggling businesses. Chris reveals strategic insights about his core customers that reshaped Spikeball. The trio emphasizes resilience and community support in entrepreneurship, inspiring listeners to innovate and build strong connections as they navigate their journeys.
59 snips
Nov 18, 2024 • 1h 4min
Athletic Brewing Company: Bill Shufelt
Bill Shufelt, founder of Athletic Brewing Company, revolutionizes the non-alcoholic beer market. He reveals the initial skepticism he faced from brewers, retailers, and consumers. Bill shares his personal journey to sobriety and how it inspired him to create better options in the NA beer space. Through innovative marketing strategies like sampling at athletic events, he turned resistance into success. Now valued at $800 million, he reflects on the booming demand and their partnership with Arsenal soccer team, positioning Athletic as a leader in the industry.
19 snips
Nov 14, 2024 • 45min
Advice Line with Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield
Gary Hirshberg, co-founder and former CEO of Stonyfield, shares his entrepreneurial insights while answering questions from budding founders. He discusses how a social mission can give a product a competitive edge. Cate seeks advice on sustainable practices for her leather goods, while Jamie navigates unexpected demographics for her vegan camping meals. Dianna grapples with hiring the right person for her seeded cracker business. Their conversations highlight persistence, community support, and the importance of aligning business with personal values.
64 snips
Nov 11, 2024 • 1h 9min
Boll & Branch: Scott and Missy Tannen
Scott and Missy Tannen, co-founders of Boll & Branch, transformed their lack of knowledge about bed linens into a thriving luxury brand committed to ethical sourcing. They share their daring journey, including a bold advertising bet that skyrocketed their visibility. Discover the challenges they faced, from cash flow issues to quality control in sustainable textiles. Their heartfelt commitment to integrity and perseverance shines through as they recount how personal experiences shaped their ambitious venture into the competitive bedding market.
