How I Built This with Guy Raz
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.
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Recent Episodes
Advice Line with Michelle Wahler of Beyond Yoga
Sep 17, 2026Summary Preview
Guy Raz hosts the Advice Line on How I Built This Lab, joined by Michelle Whaler, co-founder and former CEO of Beyond Yoga. Michelle shares insights from building her yoga apparel company over 20+ years before selling to Levi's for $400 million in 2021. Three entrepreneurs call in seeking advice: Carrie Angoff with Elective Study Abroad (adult education travel experiences), Grace Reth with Grace Ann Upholstery (custom furniture reupholstery), and Angel Raymer with Sacred Paws Soap Company (self-care soap kits with crystals). Michelle and Guy provide strategic guidance on converting interested customers, rebuilding burned relationships, and selling emotion through digital channels.
- Michelle Whaler's Journey and Philosophy on Startup Advice
- Elective Study Abroad: Converting Enthusiasm into Bookings
Thrive Causemetics: Karissa Bodnar. How $150 a Day in Sales Turned into a $150 Million Beauty Business with a Mission
Sep 14, 2026Summary Preview
Carissa Bodner shares her journey of building Thrive Cosmetics from a purpose-driven side hustle into a multi-million dollar beauty brand. After losing her close friend Christy to cancer at age 24, Carissa left her job at L'Oreal to create cosmetics that would work for people going through cancer treatment while giving back to those in need. Starting with $100,000 in life savings and working from her kitchen, she spent years developing innovative products before a viral moment in 2016 transformed the business from $78,000 to $30 million in revenue within months. Today, Thrive Cosmetics generates over $150 million annually while remaining profitable, privately held, and committed to its social mission.
- Early Passion for Beauty and Self-Taught Chemistry
- Career Path Through L'Oreal and Finding Her Mentor
Advice Line with Kip Tindell of The Container Store
Sep 10, 2026Summary Preview
Kip Tindall, co-founder of The Container Store, returns to discuss retirement, the challenges of retail, and advises three entrepreneurs on their businesses: a magic cooling wand for kids, a personalized gift engraving company, and an innovative sleep product that went viral. The episode explores themes of patient growth, customer service excellence, and building lasting brands beyond viral moments.
- Kip Tindall on The Container Store's Journey and Bankruptcy
- The Changing Nature of Retail and Customer Service
Summary Preview
Kim Vaccarella shares her remarkable journey from high school dropout and waitress to building Bogg Bag into a $100+ million brand. Starting with an idea inspired by Crocs material in 2008, Kim faced devastating setbacks including $30,000 in defective inventory and considered quitting multiple times. After persevering through financial struggles, depression, and years of working two jobs, she grew the washable beach bag company methodically over 15 years. The story includes a dramatic trip to China where she threatened to burn down a factory, turning down a $100+ million acquisition offer, and eventually securing investment from fashion industry veterans while maintaining majority control.
- The Origin Story: From Struggle to Inspiration
- The Bog Bag Idea: Inspiration Strikes at the Beach
Advice Line with Ben Goodwin of Olipop
Sep 03, 2026Summary Preview
Ben Goodwin, co-founder of the $2 billion prebiotic soda brand Olipop, joins Guy Raz to advise three entrepreneurs navigating growth challenges in the food and beverage industry. The episode covers scaling a ghee-based snack brand, building a gluten-free bakery business, and revitalizing a struggling 50-year-old food co-op. Throughout the conversation, Ben emphasizes the importance of taste over education, maintaining mission integrity, and trusting entrepreneurial instincts.
- Introduction and Olipop's Recent Rebrand
- Geelish: Scaling a Ghee-Based Snack Brand
Late July Snacks: Nicole Bernard Dawes. Crackers and Cookies were Failing… Tortilla Chips Saved Them
Aug 31, 2026Summary Preview
Nicole Bernard-Dawes, daughter of Cape Cod Potato Chips founder Steve Bernard, shares her journey building Late July organic snacks from near-bankruptcy to a $100 million business acquired by Campbell's. Starting in 2003 with organic crackers, the company struggled for years until pivoting to tortilla chips in 2009—right after her father's death and a $3.5 million loan being called in. The business transformed into a national brand before being sold. Nicole then launched Nixie Beverage Company, creating organic sparkling waters and sodas, navigating the ultra-competitive beverage space with lessons learned from her previous ventures.
- The Cape Cod Chips Foundation
- Launching Late July and Early Struggles
Advice Line with Daymond John of FUBU
Aug 27, 2026Summary Preview
In this Advice Line episode, Guy Raz teams up with FUBU founder and Shark Tank judge Damon John to counsel three entrepreneurs facing scaling challenges. They advise a salsa company on transitioning from farmers markets to retail, a protein bar founder on maintaining their origin story, and a sustainable kitchen linen business on winning B2B clients. The conversation emphasizes the importance of storytelling, community building, patience in growth, and financial intelligence.
- What Makes a Successful Entrepreneur: Damon John's Investment Philosophy
- Sabora Mexico Salsas: Transitioning from Farmers Markets to Retail
YETI: Ron and Ryan Seiders. How Two Brothers Turned a $400 Cooler Into a $2 Billion Brand
Aug 24, 2026Summary Preview
Brothers Roy and Ryan Seiders share the story of building Yeti from a specialty fishing cooler company into a $2 billion lifestyle brand. Starting in 2006 with frustration over flimsy coolers breaking on fishing trips, they created an ultra-durable rotomolded cooler that cost $300-400. What began as a product for serious outdoorsmen unexpectedly became a cultural phenomenon when they expanded into drinkware, with their vacuum-insulated tumblers becoming mass-market hits. The brothers discuss bootstrapping the business, nearly losing everything when their manufacturer was killed, strategic branding decisions, and eventually stepping back after building one of the most recognizable outdoor brands in America.
- The Entrepreneurial Foundation: Growing Up in the Outdoor Industry
- The Cooler Problem and Discovery of a Solution
Advice Line with Carlton Calvin of Razor
Aug 20, 2026Summary Preview
Carlton Calvin, founder of Razor USA, joins Guy Raz on The Advice Line to help entrepreneurs navigate challenges in product development, marketing, and scaling. The episode features three diverse businesses: a party game creator seeking growth strategies, a stationery designer looking to stand out in a crowded market, and a craft distillery struggling with profitability. Carlton shares his expertise in identifying trends, the importance of delegation, and the value of focusing on core products while building brand presence through authentic storytelling.
- Carlton Calvin's Journey and Philosophy on Product Trends
- The Reality of Patent Protection for Small Brands
Bobbie: Laura Modi. How a Baby Formula Startup Took Market Share From Two Industry Giants
Aug 17, 2026Summary Preview
Laura Modi built Bobby, an infant formula startup challenging industry giants Abbott (Similac) and Mead Johnson (Enfamil). After struggling with breastfeeding and finding outdated U.S. formulas, she left Airbnb in 2018 while pregnant with her second child to create a European-style formula. The journey included an FDA recall, manufacturing challenges, navigating the 2022 formula shortage, and ultimately acquiring her own production facility. Despite the heavily regulated market dominated by two companies controlling 80% of sales, Bobby has captured nearly 4% market share with over $100 million in revenue.
- The Personal Struggle That Sparked an Idea
- From Tech Career to Entrepreneurial Leap
Summary Preview
This Advice Line episode features Bobby Brown, founder of Bobby Brown Cosmetics and Jones Road Beauty, offering guidance to three entrepreneurs. The callers include Mark, an orthopedic surgeon who created a cabbage-based muscle rub; Abby, a 23-year-old founder of custom phone case business Abby Rose; and Henry, co-founder of Tannin, a post-coffee mouth rinse. Bobby shares insights on scaling beyond personal connections, building community, and expanding product positioning while maintaining authenticity.
- Bobby Brown's Return to Entrepreneurship at 62
- Building Products with Staying Power Beyond Trends
MadeGood: Salma and Nima Fotovat Lost Their First Business.They Grew Their Next One Into a Snack Giant.
Aug 10, 2026Processing... (Downloading)
Advice Line: "Strategy Sessions"
Aug 06, 2026Summary Preview
This episode features three distinct business challenges addressed by legendary founders: Jeffrey Hollander (Seventh Generation) advises on partnership strategy for a brewery-theater hybrid, Sarah LaFleur (MM LaFleur) helps a luxury kidswear brand build awareness without a marketing budget, and Shazi Visram (Happy Family) guides an SAT prep platform on pricing and scaling strategies across different customer segments.
- Brewery-Theater Hybrid Seeks Partnership Strategy
- Luxury Kidswear Brand Builds Heat Without Marketing Budget
Serena & Lily: Serena Dugan and Lily Kanter. They Built a $20M Brand—Then One Investor Almost Destroyed It
Aug 03, 2026Summary Preview
Lily Cantor and Serena Dugan share the dramatic story of building Serena & Lily from a small baby boutique into a luxury home goods empire. Their journey includes navigating explosive early growth, a devastating cash crisis, toxic investors, lawsuits, and board battles—all while creating one of America's most beloved design brands. The episode offers crucial lessons about raising capital, the importance of choosing the right investors, and the resilience required to survive near-catastrophic challenges in entrepreneurship.
- The Founding Story: When Microsoft Money Met Artistic Talent
- The Perfect Storm: Memorial Day Weekend 2004
Advice Line with Chris Riccobono of UNTUCKit
Jul 30, 2026Processing failed
Sweetwater: Chuck Surack. How a Customer Service Strategy Built a Billion Dollar Online Pro Audio and Music Company.
Jul 27, 2026Summary Preview
Chuck Surak built Sweetwater from a mobile recording studio in a VW bus into America's largest online retailer of musical instruments and pro audio equipment, generating over $2 billion in annual sales. His unconventional approach focused on exceptional customer service through highly trained 'sales engineers' rather than competing on price, creating lasting relationships that turned a Fort Wayne, Indiana operation into a billion-dollar empire while staying true to his roots and community.
- From Touring Musician to Mobile Recording Studio
- The Kurzweil K-250: A $20,000 Bet That Changed Everything
Advice Line with Curt Richardson of OtterBox
Jul 23, 2026Summary Preview
This episode of the Advice Line features Otterbox founder Kurt Richardson helping three entrepreneurs tackle challenges in their businesses. The callers seek guidance on scaling a live game show business, reigniting sales momentum for a fairy tale-inspired tea company, and determining the right marketing strategy for a sustainable baby gear startup. Kurt shares insights from growing Otterbox from $5M to $575M in five years, emphasizing the importance of focus, customer understanding, and testing before scaling.
- Kurt Richardson's Journey and Philosophy on Growth
- Scaling a Game Show Business Through People, Not Just Content
Toast: Aman Narang. How a Long Wait for the Dinner Check Launched a $2 Billion Business.
Jul 20, 2026Summary Preview
Aman Narang co-founded Toast, transforming it from a failed mobile payment app into a $15 billion restaurant technology platform serving one in five U.S. restaurants. The journey began in 2012 when frustration with slow restaurant payments led to building an app, which failed but revealed a bigger opportunity: replacing the entire outdated point-of-sale infrastructure that restaurants desperately needed but couldn't easily switch. Through basement-stage bootstrapping, near-death moments during COVID, and relentless customer obsession, Toast became the operating system for America's busiest restaurants.
- The Genesis: From Endeca to Entrepreneurship
- The Failed First Idea: Mobile Payment App
Advice Line with Kenneth Cole
Jul 16, 2026Summary Preview
In this episode of the How I Built This Lab Advice Line, host Guy Raz is joined by legendary fashion designer Kenneth Cole to help three entrepreneurs navigate business challenges. They advise Matt Jacobs of Pedestrian Project on balancing market share versus category expansion in foot care, Emma Fakwade of Israel Acabla on leveraging wholesale partnerships to build direct-to-consumer relationships, and Levi Case of SwingSculpt on reducing friction for a novel custom product while exploring expansion opportunities beyond golf.
- Introduction to Kenneth Cole's Legacy and Modern Brand Building
- Pedestrian Project: Modernizing Foot Care and Category Strategy
Summary Preview
Tom Rinks shares his unlikely journey from furniture salesman to creating one of the most recognizable sunscreen brands in the world. Starting with t-shirt designs, moving through a legendary lawsuit against Taco Bell over the Chihuahua mascot, and eventually building SunBum into a $400 million brand, Tom's story demonstrates how design thinking, relentless work ethic, and strategic branding can transform simple products into cultural phenomena. The episode reveals his philosophy on brand building, the importance of knowing when to step aside, and why he deliberately stayed out of the spotlight despite massive success.
- From Furniture Sales to T-Shirt Empire
- The Psycho Chihuahua Phenomenon