How I Built This with Guy Raz
Guy Raz | Wondery
SummaryWhat if you could sit down with the people behind the world’s most iconic brands and discover exactly how they turned a small idea into a global phenomenon? In How I Built This, host Guy Raz pulls back the curtain on the triumphs and struggles of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs. From the kitchen-table origins of health-conscious snacks and the gutsy moves behind restaurant empires to the technical breakthroughs that launched e-commerce giants, each episode is a masterclass in resilience and creative problem-solving. This isn’t just a show about balance sheets and business models; it is a human-centered look at the grit required to defy the odds. Whether guests are recounting the moment they nearly lost everything or revealing the gut-instinct decisions that defined their brand identity, you will hear the honest, unfiltered stories behind the products you know and love. The podcast also features regular Advice Line segments, where seasoned founders tackle the real-world dilemmas of emerging business owners, offering tactical guidance on everything from supply chain hurdles and retail expansion to building a mission-driven culture. Whether you are an aspiring founder or simply fascinated by the stories that shape our modern world, How I Built This provides a deep, inspiring look at how visionaries move from a simple spark of an idea to building something that truly lasts. Join the conversation and uncover the persistence, innovation, and heart that go into building a legacy.
Updated Jul 6, 2026
Episodes
Catalina Crunch: Krishna Kaliannan. From Homemade Keto Cocoa Puffs to Breakfast Aisle Breakthrough
Krishna Kaliannan turned his personal health challenges into a 200-million-dollar low-carb cereal brand.
Advice Line with Ronnen Harary of Spin Master/PAW Patrol
Spin Master co-founder Ronnen Harary shares strategies on scaling niche brands and navigating high-cost material shifts.
e.l.f. Cosmetics: Joey Shamah. The Dollar Store Formula That Built a Cosmetics Giant
Joey Shamah disrupted the beauty industry by proving that quality cosmetics could be sold for just one dollar.
Advice Line with Susan Griffin-Black of EO Products
Build deep trust through storytelling and community by focusing your distribution in targeted, high-impact markets.
STARR Restaurants: Stephen Starr. How a Non-Foodie Built Thriving Restaurants on Gut Instinct
Stephen Starr explains how a non-foodie turned his gut instinct and hospitality obsession into a restaurant empire.
Advice Line with Shazi Visram of Happy Family Organics
Scale your brand by leveraging expert PR, user-generated content, and AI-driven search to drive repeat purchases.
Build-A-Bear: Maxine Clark. A Former Shoe Executive Launches a Stuffed Animal Empire
After walking away from a top executive role, Maxine Clark turned a simple craft idea into Build-A-Bear Workshop.
Advice Line with Christina Tosi of Milk Bar
Build a successful business by focusing on community and creative brand collaborations rather than just revenue.
Shopify: Tobias Lütke. How a snowboarder built a $150 billion business (2019)
Frustrated by the lack of tools to sell snowboards online, a programmer built the foundation for Shopify.
Advice Line with Tim Ferriss (August 2025)
Diversify your identity across multiple projects to build resilience and avoid burnout as a startup founder.
UGG: Brian Smith. How an epiphany, surfers, and $500 launched an iconic sheepskin footwear company.
Brian Smith turned a $500 investment in Australian sheepskin boots into a global footwear empire by embracing his vision.
Advice Line with Jeffrey Hollender of Seventh Generation
Build a mission-driven business by focusing on the financial benefits of your purpose to attract customers and talent.
Justin’s Nut Butter: Justin Gold. He Was Waiting Tables, Then...He Reinvented Peanut Butter.
Justin Gold turned his kitchen-made nut butter experiments into a category-defining brand by obsessively perfecting recipes.
Advice Line with Sarah LaFleur of M.M. LaFleur
Founders share practical strategies for overcoming deep-seated self-doubt and building resilience in business.
NVIDIA: Jensen Huang. From near collapse to becoming the world’s biggest company
Jensen Huang reveals how he pivoted NVIDIA from a failing gaming chip maker to the engine of the AI revolution.
Advice Line with Julia Hartz of Eventbrite
Netflix: Reed Hastings. “We’re Not a Family.” The Provocative Idea That Helped Build a Streaming Giant
Advice Line with Jon Stein of Betterment
HOKA: Jean-Luc Diard and Nicolas Mermoud. The “Clown Shoe” That Became a $2B Bonanza
Advice Line with Serial Entrepreneur Mark Cuban
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