How I Built This with Guy Raz

Brian Scudamore, the founder of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, shares his entrepreneurial wisdom with two aspiring founders. Jake Pressman seeks clarity on targeting customers for his customizable skincare brand, while Theo Alexstein looks for strategies to successfully scale his live poultry business. The conversation touches on innovative marketing, essential branding techniques, and navigating challenges in niche markets, making it a treasure trove of valuable insights for budding entrepreneurs.

Matt Meeker, co-founder and CEO of BARK, shares his journey from a Great Dane enthusiast to leading a multi-million dollar pet product company. He discusses how his experiences with startups like Meetup shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. The conversation dives into the innovative subscription model for dog products, the challenges of bootstrapping, and the pressures following significant funding. Matt reveals unique offerings like luxury charter flights for dogs and reflects on the importance of adjusting strategies amid evolving market demands.

Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angi, shares her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the value of human connection in business. Paige McReynolds discusses empowering women in motocross with her apparel brand, tackling marketing and investment challenges. Dianne O'Connor reveals her path from parenthood to founding Weston Table, highlighting the importance of strategic partnerships in e-commerce. Collectively, they explore how small changes can lead to big impacts and offer valuable advice for navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.

Peter Metcalf, the founder of Black Diamond Equipment, shares his incredible journey of reviving a bankrupt climbing equipment company. He discusses the risks he took, including deep personal debt, to create a brand synonymous with quality outdoor gear. Metcalf reflects on the importance of community and innovation in the climbing world, highlights the challenges of navigating business acquisitions, and reveals unique fundraising strategies that engaged loyal customers. His passion for climbing and resilience shines through as he recounts pivotal moments that shaped Black Diamond into an industry leader.

Join Becca Millstein, co-founder of Fishwife, known for making tinned fish trendy; Brian Rudolph, CEO of Banza, a leader in chickpea pasta; and Caue Suplicy, founder of Barnana, who imports Brazilian dried bananas. They share their journeys in building disruptive food brands. Discover their insights on overcoming founder conflicts, innovative marketing strategies, and the importance of consumer engagement. The trio dives into redefining success through sustainability and creating memorable customer experiences, all while promoting ethical sourcing.

Everlane co-founder and former CEO Michael Preysman joins Guy on the Advice Line where they answer questions from three early-stage founders.  First we meet Todd in the Bay Area, who’s looking to spread the word about his pickleball apparel brand with a younger demographic. Then Anna in Sydney, who wonders if she should expand her eco-friendly kids clothing line to include adults. Then Pall in British Columbia, who wants to change how people think about reusable plastic containers.Thank you to the founders of KTCHN, Earthlings United and Mr. Lid for being part of our show. If you’d like to be featured on a future Advice Line episode, leave us a one-minute message that tells us about your business and a specific question you’d like answered. Send a voice memo to hibt@id.wondery.com or call 1-800-433-1298.And be sure to listen to Everlane’s founding story as told by Michael on the show in 2023. This episode was produced by Kerry Thompson with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella. Our audio engineers were Robert Rodriquez and Gilly Moon. You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy’s free newsletter at guyraz.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kat Hantas, the founder of 21 Seeds, transformed a home hobby of infusing tequila into a $160 million brand, targeting moms. She started this entrepreneurial journey after switching from wine to tequila for health reasons. Hantas shares insights on overcoming industry challenges, the importance of storytelling in branding, and the unique approach of crafting tequila flavors appealing to women. Her strategic partnerships and innovative marketing not only disrupted a male-dominated market but ultimately led to a successful acquisition by Diageo.

In this engaging discussion, Becca Millstein, founder of Fishwife, Brian Rudolph of Banza, and Caue Suplicy from Barnana share their culinary entrepreneurial journeys. They delve into the challenges of launching food brands during the pandemic, from supply chain woes to creative solutions. The trio discusses their unique products, such as gourmet canned fish and chickpea pasta, while reflecting on the importance of branding and personal dietary shifts. Their stories highlight resilience and innovation in the competitive food industry.

LÄRABAR founder Lara Merriken joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three early-stage founders. Plus, Lara discusses her latest venture: a coaching service for entrepreneurs.First we meet Alison in Denver, who’s hoping to maintain her body care brand’s edge and authenticity as it expands to new retailers. Then Mariano in Miami, who’s wondering how to market his caffeinated gum to corporate buyers. And Lauretta on Long Island, a one-woman-show who’s looking to fundraise for her ginger tea brand.Thank you to the founders of Joy Breeders, Maax Brands, and Lauretta’s British Ginger T for being a part of our show.If you’d like to be featured on a future Advice Line episode, leave us a one-minute message that tells us about your business and a specific question you’d like answered. Send a voice memo to hibt@id.wondery.com or call 1-800-433-1298.And be sure to listen to LÄRABAR’s founding story as told by Lara on the show in 2018.This episode was produced by Sam Paulson with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch.You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy’s free newsletter at guyraz.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this conversation, Rod Cuthbert, the founder of Viator, shares his journey of transforming travel booking online. He reveals how Viator was born from a failed partnership and his foresight regarding the decline of traditional travel agents. Rod discusses navigating startup challenges, securing investment, and the eventual acquisition by Tripadvisor. He emphasizes the importance of innovation and personal connections in the travel industry while reflecting on the joy of discovering local cultures through food.