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
33 snips
Sep 23, 2024 • 1h 6min
Graduate Hotels: Ben Weprin
Ben Weprin, the visionary founder of Graduate Hotels, shares his journey from commercial real estate to creating a brand that captures college town nostalgia. He discusses the innovative approach of his hotels that celebrate local culture, including quirky decor like life-sized mascots. Weprin also reveals how he navigated the financial turmoil of the pandemic and turned challenges into opportunities, ultimately selling the chain to Hilton. His inspiring story underscores the blend of passion and practicality in entrepreneurship.
Sep 19, 2024 • 54min
Advice Line with Sadie Lincoln of barre3
Sadie Lincoln, the co-founder and CEO of barre3, shares her journey of creating a unique fitness concept and the challenges of building a brand. Andrew Pizzullo discusses his innovative backyard game, Ramps, and strategies for selling it at a premium price. Randi Pink reveals her efforts to transition from being the sole face of her community space, Ruffner Treehouse Village, highlighting the importance of storytelling and community engagement. This lively discussion offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.
12 snips
Sep 16, 2024 • 1h 15min
Barefoot Wine: Bonnie Harvey and Michael Houlihan
Bonnie Harvey and Michael Houlihan, the innovative co-founders of Barefoot Wine, transformed their 300k debt and wine naivety into a booming brand. They share their journey of creating a relatable wine experience, emphasizing clever marketing strategies that targeted everyday drinkers. From overcoming skepticism to navigating debt and retail challenges, their story is a blend of persistence and ingenuity. Listeners will love the charming anecdotes of their serendipitous partnership and the iconic branding that made Barefoot a household name.
16 snips
Sep 12, 2024 • 49min
Advice Line with Leah Solivan of Taskrabbit
Leah Solivan, founder of TaskRabbit and a pioneer in the gig economy, shares her insights on connecting with core customers. She offers valuable advice to tech founders dealing with unique challenges. Kate in LA seeks to make her digital cards stand out, while Shahn in Australia revisits user acquisition for his couples coaching app. Meanwhile, Allen in Hawaii explores product-market fit for a children's music education platform. Leah emphasizes the importance of focus, user-friendly design, and innovative marketing strategies to overcome hurdles in today's competitive landscape.
35 snips
Sep 9, 2024 • 1h 11min
Groupon and Descript: Andrew Mason
Andrew Mason, the quirky co-founder of Groupon and now the brain behind Descript, shares his rollercoaster journey in the tech world. He reflects on creating one of the fastest-growing companies and the tumultuous experience of being fired. Mason discusses the challenges of rapid growth, facing imitation from competitors, and the emotional toll of leadership. He also dives into his transition from music to tech, highlighting humorous moments and valuable lessons learned along the way as he ventures into new entrepreneurial endeavors.
4 snips
Sep 5, 2024 • 46min
Advice Line with Scott and Ally Svenson of MOD Pizza
Scott and Ally Svenson, co-founders of MOD Pizza, share their insights on scaling a successful fast-casual pizza chain. They discuss the resilience of their brand in the face of challenges like the pandemic and their recent acquisition. Additionally, Evan Byrne discusses transforming his pizza restaurant into a vegan frozen pizza company, emphasizing grassroots marketing and brand visibility. The Svensons also offer guidance to fellow entrepreneurs on maintaining quality and navigating growth while fostering community amidst industry hurdles.
15 snips
Sep 2, 2024 • 1h 9min
Olipop: Ben Goodwin
Ben Goodwin, Co-founder of Olipop, shares his inspiring journey from a challenging childhood to launching a successful prebiotic soda brand. He reveals the chaotic experimentation and innovative fermentation processes behind Olipop, designed to evoke nostalgic flavors while promoting gut health. The talk delves into the importance of resilience, teamwork, and learning from failure. Ben also highlights their strategic pivot from probiotics to prebiotics, aiming to meet the growing demand for healthier beverages.
9 snips
Aug 29, 2024 • 51min
Advice Line with Ariel Kaye of Parachute Home
Ariel Kaye, founder of Parachute Home, leads a discussion on business growth with co-founder Dane Brown of King Brown Pomade and Deanna Blasi-Diandino of Mindset Tapestry. They tackle the intricacies of transitioning from self-funding to seeking investment in men's grooming and offer insights on marketing emotional health tools for children. The group shares strategies for overcoming challenges in a male-dominated industry, emphasizing innovation, brand identity, and the power of positive affirmations.
6 snips
Aug 26, 2024 • 1h 17min
Insomnia Cookies: Seth Berkowitz
Seth Berkowitz, the founder and CEO of Insomnia Cookies, shares his journey from a college student delivering cookies to a $350 million cookie empire. He discusses the challenges of scaling his business while still in school, including funding struggles and navigating early financial crises. Berkowitz emphasizes the importance of resilience and innovative strategies that allowed him to thrive, even during tough times like the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, he reflects on the joy of satisfying late-night cravings and building a loyal customer community.
8 snips
Aug 22, 2024 • 51min
Advice Line with Jamie Siminoff of Ring
Jamie Siminoff, the visionary founder of Ring, shares his entrepreneurial wisdom in a lively discussion. He tackles questions from founders launching innovative products, including a unique ergonomic desk and ethically sourced chocolate. The conversation dives into striking a balance between ethical branding and profitability, emphasizing compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. Jamie highlights the importance of perseverance in entrepreneurship and provides insights on navigating the uncertainties of business ventures, while also encouraging engagement from aspiring founders.
