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
85 snips
Dec 26, 2024 • 47min
Advice Line with Serial Entrepreneur Marc Lore
Marc Lore, a serial entrepreneur known for launching Diapers.com and Jet.com, lends his expertise as he discusses strategic pivots with fellow founders. Ben Bailey shares the challenges of rising cocoa prices at Chomp Chocolate, while Ryan Thompson considers national expansion for his whiskey brand Tenth Mountain. Lore emphasizes adaptability in business and provides insights on market strategies that cater to consumer needs, highlighting the importance of finding the right talent and making informed decisions in a competitive landscape.
94 snips
Dec 23, 2024 • 1h 3min
The Container Store: Kip and Sharon Tindell
Kip Tindell and Sharon Tindell, co-founders of The Container Store, discuss their journey from skeptics to industry pioneers in home organization. They share how the idea of selling empty boxes transformed into a retail sensation despite initial doubts. The couple reflects on challenges with growth, the pitfalls of going public, and the effects of online competition. Insights about their partnership and a notable collaboration with Marie Kondo showcase their dedication to promoting organization as a means to enhance daily life.
22 snips
Dec 19, 2024 • 45min
Advice Line with Steve Case of AOL
Steve Case, the AOL co-founder, shares valuable insights on building tech companies while answering questions from early-stage founders. He emphasizes the importance of engaging diverse audiences, especially in app development. Jason Levi from Kidenza dives into innovative strategies for marketing early childhood music education products, focusing on appealing to grandparents. Their discussions explore challenges in customer acquisition and the evolution of business models in today’s fast-paced tech landscape.
106 snips
Dec 16, 2024 • 1h 11min
Marucci Sports - Kurt Ainsworth
Kurt Ainsworth, a former professional baseball player and co-founder of Marucci Sports, shares his incredible journey from athlete to entrepreneur. After a shoulder injury cut his career short, he and his partners launched a bat company from his backyard. They faced huge challenges, like the NCAA decertifying their bats, but pivoted by expanding into aluminum bats. Their unique marketing strategy, leveraging player relationships, led to Marucci becoming a top competitor and set to be the official bat of Major League Baseball.
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.
