How I Built This
Business & Finance
About
Guy Raz interviews entrepreneurs behind iconic companies.
Episodes
- Room & Board: John Gabbert. A Broken Deal, a Family Rift, and the Birth of a Furniture Giant
John Gabbert tells the story of starting the furniture brand Room & Board after a professional disagreement with his father. The episode covers his inspiration from IKEA, his commitment to American-made manufacturing, and his decision to p…
- Advice Line with Jonah Peretti of Buzzfeed
Jonah Peretti of Buzzfeed offers advice on business growth and marketing. Callers seek guidance on an outdoor movie theater, a cat wrestling toy, and healthy frozen muffins. Jonah also discusses the future of Buzzfeed.
- Beautycounter: Gregg Renfrew. She Built Beautycounter to $1B… Then Got Fired From Her Own Company
Gregg Renfrew founded Beautycounter, a cosmetics company. The episode covers her experience building the business, being fired from her own company, and her journey to buy it back and rebuild it as a new brand.
- Advice Line with David Neeleman of JetBlue
David Neeleman of JetBlue gives advice to callers. Topics include a nutrition education theater company, Ninja Warrior-inspired gyms, an organic underwear brand, and airline resource management.
- Shep and Ian Murray: Vineyard Vines. A Stale Product Transforms into a Lifestyle Brand.
Shep and Ian Murray transformed men's ties into an expressive product, founding Vineyard Vines. The company grew into a half-billion-dollar lifestyle brand, started without prior fashion experience or outside investors. The brothers discus…
- Advice Line with Eric Ryan of Method returns
Eric Ryan of Method offers advice to entrepreneurs on building trust, brand awareness, and raising capital. Callers present questions about their fragrance brand, a kids' flip flop company, and light-up jewelry products.
- KIND bars: Daniel Lubetzky. From peace in the Middle East to a $5 billion snack bar
Daniel Lubetzky, founder of KIND, originally aimed to foster peace in the Middle East through his company, PeaceWorks. After facing challenges with mission-driven sales, he created KIND bars, which later sold to Mars for $5 billion. This e…
- Advice Line with Chieh Huang of Boxed
Chieh Huang of Boxed provides advice on early-stage business challenges, including production scaling, distribution partnerships, and product line expansion. Callers present scenarios related to beef tallow skincare, horse care products, a…
- iRobot: Colin Angle. How The Roomba Became a Household Icon
This episode features Colin Angle, co-founder of iRobot. He talks about how the company developed the Roomba robot vacuum, built its business, and ultimately faced challenges leading to its acquisition.
- Advice Line with Steve Ells of Chipotle
This episode of How I Built This features Steve Ells of Chipotle providing advice to callers. Topics include differentiating small-batch spirits, balancing commercial and humanitarian interests for heated mats, and reaching younger custome…
- Wingstop: Antonio Swad. A Brilliant Idea — And a Nail-Biting Exit
Antonio Swad, founder of Wingstop and Pizza Patron, built two restaurant chains. This episode covers his entrepreneurial journey, including the development of Wingstop and a challenging acquisition experience.
- Advice Line with Angie & Dan Bastian of Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP
Angie and Dan Bastian of Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP provide advice to callers. Topics include scaling a granola brand, marketing a pelvic floor therapy device, and expanding markets for maple-based sports nutrition products.
- diapers.com: Marc Lore. The ecommerce visionary who lost to Amazon but still made billions (2021)
This episode features Marc Lore, who built Diapers.com into a successful e-commerce business before selling it to Amazon. He later founded Jet.com, which was acquired by Walmart for $3.3 billion.
- Advice Line with Marcia Kilgore of Beauty Pie (June 2025)
Marcia Kilgore, founder of Beauty Pie and Soap & Glory, joins Guy Raz on the Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage founders. They discuss topics such as expanding brick-and-mortar operations versus retail presence, overcom…
- Vital Farms: Matt O’Hayer. How a serial entrepreneur re-branded the egg
Matt O’Hayer, a serial entrepreneur, founded Vital Farms, which became the top pasture-raised egg producer in the United States. This episode explores his journey, including the challenges he faced and the lessons he learned while building…
- Advice Line: What’s Your Value?
This episode features Guy and four former guests offering advice to callers on proving product and self-worth. Topics include reusable gift wrap, dog enrichment activities, and an artisanal pesto business.
- Scrub Daddy: Aaron Krause. How a Failed Experiment Became a Billion-Dollar Sponge
Aaron Krause, founder of Scrub Daddy, discusses his journey from car detailer to inventing a billion-dollar sponge. He shares insights on building a consumer brand, including negotiation, patents, and overcoming challenges.
- Advice Line with Hernan Lopez of Wondery
This episode features Hernan Lopez of Wondery providing advice to callers. Topics include DTC strategy for retail, rebranding uniforms, and new revenue streams for a seed cooperative. Hernan also shares his perspective on the future of pod…
- Bobo’s: Beryl Stafford. A Single Mom Turns a Baking Project into a $100M Business
Beryl Stafford, founder of Bobo's, shares her story of building a successful business from a simple baking project. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of growing a national brand, including securing retail partnerships and managing…
- Advice Line with Miguel McKelvey of WeWork
In this episode, Miguel McKelvey of WeWork provides advice to callers on business challenges including scaling a brand, digital advertising, and customer acquisition costs. He also shares insights into his time at WeWork and his current he…
- Kettle Chips: Cameron Healy. The Wild Bet That Made a Brand
Cameron Healy, founder of Kettle Chips, discusses his journey, including his early ventures, the creation of Kettle Chips with a unique market strategy, and his later success with Kona Brewing. He shares insights into the challenges and de…
- Advice Line with Alexa Hirschfeld of Paperless Post
Alexa Hirschfeld of Paperless Post joins the podcast to offer advice to founders on various business challenges. Topics include structuring collaborations, manufacturing decisions, and strategies for driving sales. The episode also touches…
- Square: Jim McKelvey. He Lost a $2,000 Sale, Then Built a $10 Billion Company
Jim McKelvey, co-founder of Square, discusses the challenges and strategies behind building Square into a multi-billion dollar company. He explains how Square navigated regulations, entrenched networks, and competition to achieve its succe…
- Advice Line with Pete Maldonado and Rashid Ali of Chomps
Pete Maldonado and Rashid Ali of Chomps provide advice to callers on business expansion, retail strategies, and brand development. They also discuss the "protein-ification" of food and customer service.
- Spinbrush: John Osher. The Electric Toothbrush That Sold for $475M
This episode of How I Built This features John Osher, who recounts the development and eventual sale of his electric toothbrush company, Spinbrush, to Procter & Gamble for $475 million. Osher shares his experiences from early entrepreneuri…
- Advice Line with Julia Hartz of Eventbrite
Julia Hartz of Eventbrite provides advice to entrepreneurs on various business challenges, including balancing online and offline ventures and engaging target audiences. She also discusses Eventbrite's acquisition and the importance of in-…
- Netflix: Reed Hastings. “We’re Not a Family.” The Provocative Idea That Helped Build a Streaming Giant
Reed Hastings, co-founder of Netflix, shares insights into the streaming giant's history, from its beginnings as a DVD-by-mail service to its current position. He discusses leadership decisions, company culture, and significant challenges…
- Advice Line with Jon Stein of Betterment
This episode features Jon Stein of Betterment offering advice. Callers Dan, Mike, and Maggie present business challenges concerning new offerings, expansion, and customer acquisition costs.
- HOKA: Jean-Luc Diard and Nicolas Mermoud. The “Clown Shoe” That Became a $2B Bonanza
Jean-Luc Diard and Nicolas Mermoud, founders of HOKA, discuss how they created a running shoe designed for downhill running. They detail the company's growth from early prototypes to over $2 billion in sales, including design challenges, c…
- Advice Line with Serial Entrepreneur Mark Cuban
Mark Cuban provides advice to entrepreneurs on various business challenges, from retail expansion to marketing strategies. He also touches on his efforts to innovate the prescription drug market.
- Taylor Guitars: Kurt Listug and Bob Taylor. From $3,700 Shop to Global Icon
This episode of How I Built This features Kurt Listug and Bob Taylor, the founders of Taylor Guitars. They discuss the company's journey from a small repair shop to a global acoustic guitar brand, overcoming challenges and achieving signif…
- Advice Line with Monica Nassif of Mrs. Meyers
Monica Nassif of Mrs. Meyers offers advice on marketing, retail expansion, and business acquisition to early-stage founders. The discussion also covers the effectiveness of candor as a press strategy.
- Gymboree: Joan Barnes. How Building a Beloved Brand Nearly Destroyed Its Founder
This episode of How I Built This features Joan Barnes, the founder of Gymboree. She shares her experiences building the brand, the challenges of the franchise model, and how she navigated personal struggles while the company faced difficul…
- Advice Line with Neil Blumenthal of Warby Parker
Warby Parker co-founder Neil Blumenthal joins Guy on the Advice Line to answer questions from early-stage entrepreneurs. They discuss topics such as chewable toothpaste, vetting franchisees, and building a trustworthy team, as well as AI i…
- La Colombe Coffee Roasters: Todd Carmichael and J.P. Iberti. A Brotherhood Built on Coffee (2020)
Todd Carmichael and J.P. Iberti, founders of La Colombe Coffee Roasters, built their company from a shared love of coffee. They discuss their journey from Seattle to opening their first roastery in Philadelphia, their role in the third wav…
- Advice Line with Jack Conte of Patreon (December 2024)
Jack Conte, co-founder and CEO of Patreon, joins Guy Raz on the Advice Line. They answer questions from three early-stage founders regarding marketing and community building for their businesses.
- Dollar Shave Club: Michael Dubin, From Zero to a Billion Dollar Exit in Five Years (December 2018)
This episode of How I Built This features Michael Dubin, founder of Dollar Shave Club. It covers the company's origins, its viral marketing, and its eventual acquisition by Unilever.
- Advice Line: Tapping AI as a Resource for Your Business
Guy Raz is joined by founders Randy Hetrick, Todd Graves, and Mei Xu. They discuss navigating social media, integrating AI into business, improving customer engagement, and scaling businesses.
- SkinnyDipped: Breezy and Val Griffith. The Flourishing Snack Company That Almost Failed
Breezy and Val Griffith, a mother-daughter team, founded SkinnyDipped. The company faced challenges in manufacturing and supply chain management as it grew.
- Advice Line with Todd Graves of Raising Cane's
Todd Graves of Raising Cane's provides advice to early-stage founders. Topics include franchising a coffee business, securing financing for a pasta company, and opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant for a sandwich concept.
- Exploding Kittens: Elan Lee. How cat-themed Russian Roulette changed game night forever
Elan Lee, co-founder of Exploding Kittens, shares the story of the card game, detailing its evolution from a Kickstarter project to a successful company that has sold over 60 million games. He discusses the creative and marketing strategie…
- Advice Line with Bobby Trussell of Tempur-Pedic
Bobby Trussell of Tempur-Pedic provides advice to early-stage founders. Topics include expanding a seafood business, growing a paddleboarding company, and fundraising for a lifejacket brand.
- 93 Rejections, One Revolution: How Indiegogo Changed Crowdfunding Forever
This episode explores the origins of Indiegogo with co-founders Danae Ringelmann and Slava Rubin. They discuss the challenges of starting the crowdfunding platform, including 93 investor rejections and navigating the 2008 financial crisis.
- Advice Line with Scott Tannen of Boll & Branch and Jamie Siminoff of Ring
Scott Tannen of Boll & Branch and Jamie Siminoff of Ring join Guy on the Advice Line to provide advice to early-stage entrepreneurs. They discuss topics such as bootstrapping a business, growing apparel lines, and expanding product reach.
- Khan Academy: Sal Khan. From Tutoring His Cousins to Teaching the World For Free (September 2020)
Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, recounts how he started the non-profit teaching platform. He details its growth from tutoring his cousins to becoming a global educational resource.
- Advice Line with Jane Wurwand of Dermalogica (December 2024)
Jane Wurwand, co-founder of Dermalogica, joins the Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage founders: Camille, who asks about scaling her vegan baby food company; Molly, who is building a community for baby-friendly workout c…
- Meridith Baer Home: Meridith Baer. She Started Over at 50 and Put Home Staging on the Map.
Meridith Baer, founder of Meridith Baer Home, started her company at age 50 and built it into a successful home-staging business. The episode details her journey and how she scaled her creative service without external investment.
- Advice Line with Bill Creelman of Spindrift
Bill Creelman, CEO and founder of Spindrift, joins Guy on the Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage entrepreneurs. They discuss solving one problem at a time, and topics include pickle beer, a flannel shirt company, and a…
- Hydro Flask: Travis Rosbach. How a thirsty surfer changed the water bottle industry
This episode of How I Built This features Travis Rosbach, the founder of Hydro Flask. It tells the story of how he created a double-walled, vacuum-insulated water bottle after struggling to find a suitable one in the market, detailing the…
- Advice Line with Anthony Casalena of Squarespace
Anthony Casalena, founder of Squarespace, offers advice to entrepreneurs on the Advice Line. He discusses leveraging AI for digital presence and answers questions regarding increasing brand awareness, product differentiation, and launching…