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879 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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Advice Line with Tariq Farid of Edible Arrangements
30 oktober 2025 · 54 min
Tariq Farid the founder of Edible Arrangements joins Guy on the Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage entrepreneurs. Plus, Tariq updates Guy on how he’s pivoting into a new industry while ushering in the next generation of leadership at the company.
First, we hear from Jake in Virginia who’s wondering how he can make his Filipino-inspired banana ketchup mainstream in America. Then, Heather in Sweden wants to know if she should change the name of her luxury polar voyage company to distance themselves from cruises. And, Ryan in Texas wants to know how he can bump up his revenue without losing his company’s highly personalized customer service.
Thank you to the founders of Fila Manila, Minimal Impact Cruises, and Kong Screen Printing 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 Edible Arrangement’s founding story as told by Tariq on the show in 2017.
This episode was produced by Rommel Wood with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce. Our audio engineer was Robert Rodriguez.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Babylist: Natalie Gordon. How a new mom used nap time to build a $500M business.
27 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 12 min
In 2010, software engineer Natalie Gordon was pregnant– and fed up with the overwhelming baby aisles in big box stores. So she quit her computer job to code the registry she wished existed. No pink-and-blue giraffes. No allegiance to a single store. Just a universal list that let friends give the real help that new parents need—from strollers to diaper services to dog-walking.
Natalie coded the first lines of Babylist during her son’s nap time. She managed customer support, pitched bloggers from coffee shops, and learned growth the hard way—first through affiliates, then with a pivotal Pinterest bet, and finally by taking on her own inventory (and all the headaches that come with it). Along the way she wrestled with hiring, firing, fundraising, and the identity shift from founder to CEO. Today, Babylist is one of the most trusted parenting platforms in the U.S., with a retail arm, editorial content, and a program for providing breast pumps.
This is a masterclass in living a problem–and building a solution.
You’ll learn: Lees meerHow to spot a customer pain point and design an MVP around it
The power of slow virality
How to use a small seed round without losing control
The painful path from affiliate revenue to first-party e-commerce
Stumbles with hiring – and firing– as a first-time CEO
How paid growth works on visual platforms like Pinterest
How “controlling your destiny” justifies a hard shift in business model
How coaching and feedback helps you evolve from founder to leader
Timestamps:
03:07 - Learning to solve hard problems at Amazon -
06:03 - Sabbatical in Latin America: Natalie’s first (failed) business and what it taught her
15:25 - A meltdown in a superstore → the Babylist “aha” moment
17:15 - Designing a universal registry, dog-walking included
22:17 - Blitzing the mommy blogs, a “pregnant hacker” post on Hacker News
27:36 - Why $140/month revenue felt like a victory
34:38 - Going solo at an Accelerator, and the agony of early hiring and firing
44…
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Advice Line with Niraj Shah of Wayfair
23 oktober 2025 · 48 min
Wayfair co-founder Niraj Shah joins Guy on the Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage entrepreneurs about how to bet on themselves – and define themselves to consumers. Plus, Niraj explains why Wayfair is expanding into large-format brick-and-mortar stores.
First up, Valerie in Washington, D.C., is looking for a better way to educate consumers about her dehydrated chicken stock. Then, Bree in Utah wants to know when to seek investment in her improved mineral sunscreen brand. And finally, Tess in San Antonio is wondering if she should quit her day job and go all-in on her networking and accommodation app for solo women travelers. Lees meerThank you to the founders of Cookstix, Daily Shade, and HerHouse 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 go back and listen to Niraj’s original episode from 2018, where he shares how he and his college roommate Steve Conine turned 250 single-product websites into one giant billion-dollar brand.This episode was produced by Alex Cheng with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce. Our audio engineer was Cena Loffredo.
You can follow HIBT on Twitter & Instagram and sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com and on Substack.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Nuts.com: Jeff Braverman. From Corner Store to Snacktime Powerhouse
20 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 16 min
A century ago, Jeff Braverman’s grandfather opened a peanut shop in Newark, New Jersey. By the early 2000s, the family business was doing $1M in sales and struggling to stay afloat. Jeff had a high-paying job in finance, but walked away from it to reinvent the business. His strategy? The internet. Something his dad and uncle knew nothing about.
What happened next is wild: an AdWords experiment that blew the doors off the budding online business; a slip on national TV where Rachael Ray accidentally renamed the company; 40,000 pounds of protest peanuts that crashed servers and landed them in the New York Times; a hilariously polarizing rap jingle; and a COVID surge that tested leadership—and humanity—every single day.
This is the blueprint for transforming a dusty, low-margin business into a profitable, $100M+ direct-to-consumer brand—while keeping it family-owned. It’s also a masterclass in earning trust, making risky bets, and scaling without losing your soul. Lees meerYou’ll learn:
The mechanics of a paid-search playbook that 10x’d orders overnight
How to win over skeptical family members (and when to demand the keys to the store)
The exploding-deal etiquette of buying a premium domain
How an improvised rap-jingle can be stickier than a professional ad
How Nuts.com built a robust B2B business alongside DTC
Crisis leadership lessons from the COVID floor
When and how a leader should hire their replacement
Timestamps:
00:04:43 — Cash registers, code words, and a Newark childhood inside the peanut shop
00:11:17 — The “build a website” pitch at a Jersey diner
00:27:15 — December 4, 2003: from 3 orders/day to 30
00:28:54 — Dad panics –”shut it off!”– Jeff doubles down on demand and ops
00:30:46 — Losing the storefront to a hockey arena—and going all-in online
00:37:49 — Jericho fans send 40,000 lbs of peanuts to CBS: press, links, and leverage
00:43:58 — Rachael Ray calls them “Nuts.com” by accident… and the $700k domain deal that followed
00:54:41 — The notorio…
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Advice Line with John Zimmer of Lyft
16 oktober 2025 · 55 min
Lyft co-founder John Zimmer joins Guy on the Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage founders. Plus, John talks about his recent decision to step away from the company he founded in 2012. Lees meer
First, Alan from England asks about the best strategy for expanding his patented shower innovation to the U.S. Then, Teri from California looks for advice on raising money because her weighted “rucking” vest for women keeps selling out. And finally, Kobi from New York wants to know how to prioritize work-life balance while growing his craft chocolate company.
Thank you to the founders of ShowerSpaah, RUKSTR, and slowcocoa 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 Lyft’s founding story as told by John on the show in 2017.
This episode was produced by Chris Maccini with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce. Our audio engineer was James Willetts.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Magnolia: Chip & Joanna Gaines. From House Flipping to Household Name
13 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 38 min
What happens when a charismatic home renovator marries a budding design whiz? You get the billion-dollar powerhouse that is Chip and Joanna Gaines.
The Gaines’ TV show Fixer Upper became a cultural obsession, turning shiplap and farmhouse sinks into a lifestyle movement that swept America.
When they walked away from that show at peak popularity, everyone thought they were crazy. Instead, they turned their business Magnolia into a thriving lifestyle brand, which includes a network, retail, restaurants, books, and a magazine. The Silos, their Waco headquarters, became an unlikely tourist destination, drawing millions.
Chip and Joanna proved that faith, small-town values and authentic storytelling could compete with coastal glitz. And they did it all while raising five kids. Lees meerYou’ll learn:
What Chip and Joanna saw in each other—as business and life partners.
How a miserable semester in New York sparked the idea for Joanna’s first store.
How the Gaines’ almost went bankrupt after the 2008 housing crash—and refused to quit.
Why walking away from their TV show turned out to be a brilliant move.
Why faith is as important as luck.
Why betting on your hometown can be a superpower.
Time Stamps:
5:55 Chip’s failed dream of becoming a pro baseball player—and the unexpected path that followed.
10:45 How running a laundry in college taught Chip the economics of entrepreneurship.
17:00 Joanna’s Korean-American childhood, identity struggles, and how a toxic newsroom internship changed the course of her life.
26:35 The day Chip walked into her dad’s tire shop—and never left.
37:35 How Joanna’s first $25 “sale” encouraged her to open the first Magnolia store.
49:55 The housing crash that nearly ended their renovation business—and how they scraped their way back.
59:55 The moment HGTV called—and why Chip thought it was a scam.
1:15:20 How saying “no” to Fixer Upper opened the door to owning their own network—and their future.
1:19:19 The cultural backlash and the lessons that … -
Advice Line with Stacy Madison of Stacy’s Pita Chips
9 oktober 2025 · 58 min
Stacy’s Pita Chips co-founder Stacy Madison joins Guy on the Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage entrepreneurs. Plus, Stacy talks about her hard-won experience of knowing when to stick with an idea… and when to walk away.
First up, Sam wants to figure out how to leverage his popular pizza instagram account into the go-to place for men to learn how to bake. Then, Alex wants to know how to make his Peruvian pisco brand stand out in a relatively unknown liquor category. And finally, Stephanie is eager to learn how she can rejuvenate what had been her family’s 88-year-old candy business.
Thank you to the founders of Dough Guy, SUYO, and Stuckey’s 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 go back and listen to Stacy’s episode from 2019 where she shares how a decision to make chips with the leftover pita from her sandwich cart led to a multi-million dollar snack category that didn’t exist before her.
This episode was produced by Rommel Wood with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce. Our audio engineer was Robert Rodriguez.
You can follow HIBT on Twitter & Instagram and sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com and on Substack.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Faherty Brand: Alex and Mike Faherty. How Jersey Shore + Manhattan Chic grew to 80 stores.
6 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 17 min
When identical twins Mike and Alex Faherty launched their clothing brand, they made a daring move– launching wholesale, retail, and online, pretty much at the same time. Investors said it was outdated, maybe even doomed.
But that contrarian bet helped grow Faherty into a hugely popular brand, built on family, ingenuity, and obsession with detail.
The two brothers spent 12 years preparing for launch—Mike at Ralph Lauren learning the craft of fashion, Alex in finance learning the mechanics of business. In the early days they traveled the country in a beach house on wheels, pulling over on the PCH to sell bathing suits and board shorts. Mike’s designs—surf culture meets big-city chic—took hold online, in department stores, and even swanky boutiques in Japan, giving Faherty the momentum it needed to eventually grew to $250 million in sales.
What You’ll Learn: Lees meerWhy the “all channels” strategy (wholesale + retail + online) can actually be a competitive advantage.
The power of 12 years of preparation prior to launch.
How to leverage factory relationships and suppliers as true partners.
Why old-school, in-person sales can be a killer marketing tool
How family, trust, and resilience became a core advantage of the Faherty brand.
Timestamps:
(05:41) Mike discovers Bergdorf’s, cashmere, and fashion inspiration as a teenager in NYC
(08:19) Mike gets grief from his basketball teammates for studying fashion at Wash U
(13:38) Mike lands a job at Ralph Lauren to learn fashion from the inside
(21:28) The moment Alex’s mentor tells him that starting a clothing brand is “the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard”
(31:41) The brothers launch Faherty online from a borrowed apartment in Puerto Rico
(35:00) Roaming the country in a mobile beach house that doubles as their first store
(41:34) Early wins with specialty shops
(59:14) The brand nearly runs out of money and gets rescued by a man from Nantucket
(1:07:14) A Covid-era gamble that pays off in massive growth
(1:15:04) How the identical… -
Advice Line with Michael Dubin of Dollar Shave Club
2 oktober 2025 · 57 min
Dollar Shave Club founder Michael Dubin joins Guy on the Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage founders. Plus, Michael shares his latest career pivot into the screenwriting world.
First, Benita from New Jersey asks how to create a “guerilla-style” marketing campaign to introduce customers to her specialty Syrian Cheese. Then, Brandon from California wonders how he can encourage his mobile mini golf employees to become more emotionally invested in his business. And finally, Bria from Kansas wants to know the best way to scale her custom wildland firefighter uniforms.
Thank you to the founders of Kasbo’s Middle Eastern Kitchen, Parrs Mobile Mini Golf, and Incidental Wildland 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 Dollar Shave Club’s founding story as told by Michael on the show in 2018.
This episode was produced by Noor Gill with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce. Our audio engineer was Cena Loffredo.
You can follow HIBT on Twitter & Instagram and sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com and on Substack. Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Pressbox and Tide Cleaners: Vijen Patel. The $1.99 Gamble That Built a National Brand
29 september 2025 · 1 uur 10 min
What if the best startup isn’t sexy at all? In 2013, Vijen Patel left private equity to pursue “the least-worst idea”: dry cleaning. No patents. No app wizardry. Just laundry lockers in high-rises, ruthless unit economics, and a $1.99-a-shirt price that was seared into America’s brain.
From bootstrapping routes at 5 a.m. to breaking even in 6 weeks, Vijen and co-founder Drew McKenna scaled Pressbox to hundreds of locations, stared down well-funded competitors, and ultimately sold to Procter & Gamble, where Pressbox became Tide Cleaners (now ~1,200 locations). After the exit, Vijen launched The 81 Collection, a VC fund backing “boring” businesses that quietly power the economy.
This episode is a masterclass in building profit first, creating user behavior (not changing it), and protecting customer retention like your life depends on it. Lees meerWhat you’ll learn:
How the “least-worst idea” found product-market fit
How sidestepping rent + labor can flip margins from 15% to ~40%
The efficiency insight that beat “Uber-for-X” rivals
The new-residence edge: creating customer habits with a welcome-kit
Why Pressbox had to set crazy-high retention goals (98%!)
How to keep competitors close—and turn a Goliath into your buyer
The post-exit premise: “boring” businesses are engines of the middle class
Timestamps:
Choosing dry cleaning with a private equity lens: don’t do it for passion–focus on practicality — 00:07:05
The SMS “app”: low tech, high convenience — 00:11:49
Unit economics breakthrough: lockers (26 transactions per hr) versus scheduled pickup (4-6) — 00:16:30
The $1.99 insight: a price everyone expected — 00:22:33
How getting into Chicago’s top high-rise was a game-changer — 00:26:31
Margins that work: if you’re a high-rise “amenity,” you don’t pay rent — 00:28:28
Competing with Washio: convenience wins — 00:34:27
Vertical integration: building the plant, staffing via Spanish newspapers — 00:37:08
P&G looms: head-to-head, then the acquisition dance — 00:45…
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Advice Line with Tony Xu of Doordash
25 september 2025 · 53 min
Tony Xu, founder of DoorDash, joins Guy on the Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage entrepreneurs. Plus, Tony updates Guy on his latest ventures: expanding into grocery and retail delivery - and taking on international markets.
First, we hear from Ron in Portland, who’s wondering about the right time to expand his product line - from kitchen knives to cutting boards. Then Kathryn in Raleigh, North Carolina asks if it’s time to raise outside money to expand her line of date sweetened dark Chocolate bars. Finally, Yori in Stanford, Connecticut - wants to know the best way to educate customers about the benefits of buying grass raised beef.
Thanks to the founders of Steelport Knife Company, Spring and Mulberry and Route 22 Meats 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 Doordash’s founding story, as told by Tony on the show in 2018.
This episode was produced by Kerry Thompson with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce. Our audio engineer was Cena Loffredo. Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Craigslist: Craig Newmark — The Forrest Gump of the Internet
22 september 2025 · 1 uur 9 min
What if the founder of one of the internet’s most enduring brands… never wanted to run a company?
In 1995, Craig Newmark was a 42-year-old computer programmer in San Francisco who simply wanted to share local tech meetups with friends. He started an email list that became Craigslist—a website that reshaped how we find jobs, apartments, and community.
In this conversation, Craig opens up about how not having a grand vision (or a taste for power) led to one of the most popular platforms in the world. With fewer than 50 employees, Craigslist still generates hundreds of millions in revenue—while looking like a website frozen in 1996.
This is the story of an “accidental entrepreneur” who built a global brand by being in the right place at the right time—and why he now calls himself the Forrest Gump of the Internet. Lees meerIn this episode, you’ll learn:
Why keeping things simple is often the smartest design choice.
How knowing your weaknesses can be the ultimate superpower.
Why community beats marketing every time.
How to monetize minimally—and still build a wildly profitable company.
Why luck and timing matter more than you might think.
Timestamps:
04:45 Craig’s childhood struggles with social situations—and how local Holocaust survivors shaped his worldview
13:50 Discovering the early internet and becoming an “evangelist” at Charles Schwab
17:42 The simple email list that broke at 240 addresses—and became “Craig’s List”
24:36 Why Craig refused banner ads and said no to early monetization
30:20 Handing the CEO role to Jim Buckmaster—and how that decision led to Craigslist’s success
43:34 eBay buys a stake in Craigslist, then launches a competitor—sparking a messy legal battle
47:36 Was Craigslist really responsible for killing newspaper classifieds? Craig reveals his opinion
51:58 Why Craig gave hundreds of millions of dollars to support journalism, veterans, and… pigeons
57:00 Craig on money, meaning, and why billionaires are often miserable
Follow How I Buil…
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Advice Line with Randy Hetrick of TRX
18 september 2025 · 56 min
Randy Hetrick, former Navy SEAL and founder of the suspension training company TRX, joins Guy on the Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage entrepreneurs. Plus, Randy updates Guy on his latest venture, a mobile gym called Outfit that brings the workout to you.
First, we hear from Paige in Toronto, who’s wondering how to best capitalize on a major new retail account for her caffeine-conscious energy drink company. Then Kerri in British Columbia asks how to select the right strategic investor for her Australian-style meat pie bakery chain. And Katharine in Ontario wonders whether it's best to expand or narrow the focus of her adaptive clothing brand.
Thank you to the founders of Benny, Peaked Pies and Adaptt Apparel 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 TRX’s founding story as told by Randy on the show in 2017.
This episode was produced by Katherine Sypher with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce. Our audio engineers were Robert Rodriguez and Kwesi Lee. Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Poppi: Allison and Stephen Ellsworth. From Farmers Market Vinegar Drink to $2B Soda Sensation
15 september 2025 · 1 uur 11 min
A decade ago, Allison Ellsworth was drinking apple cider vinegar for health reasons and doctoring it with fruit so she could stand the taste. Her husband Stephen helped her turn it into a business by adding carbonation on a hacked soda line in their Dallas townhouse. They called it “Mother Beverage,” and sold out every week at the farmers market…but then heard the words no founder forgets: “Your branding is…sh*t.”
What happens next is one of the wildest CPG glow-ups of the 2010s: a Shark Tank deal with brand whisperer Rohan Oza, a full rebrand to Poppi, colored cans that jumped off the shelf, a launch derailed by Covid—and finally, an explosion fueled by Amazon, TikTok, and a Super Bowl moment that planted the flag: We’re soda–and we’ve left the farmers market for good.
Five years after its rebrand, Poppi was acquired by Pepsi for nearly $2B. This is the story of the messy bottling line, saying no to “dumb money,” baptism by Shark Tank, and building a generational brand while staying married.
In this episode, you’ll learn: Lees meerHow rebranding can rescue a beverage, and when to avoid early eye-rolls
The hit-and-miss of carbonating on a small scale (and why co-packers said no).
How the risky decision to call Poppi “soda” unlocked a new retail set (functional soda).
What a Shark Tank partner does during a rebrand window.
How Allison seized on TikTok to spike sales during Covid
Timestamps:
07:49 Meeting cute at a snowboard shop → engagement in 7 months
11:34 How apple cider vinegar helped Allison’s health…but tasted terrible (early flavor hacks)
20:11 DIY carbonation disasters: exploding bottles & the 40°F lesson
22:50 Selling out at the Dallas Farmers Market
37:48 Appearing on Shark Tank while nine months pregnant and the deal with Rohan: “your branding is sh*t.”
42:21 The nail-biting rebrand from “Mother” to Poppi: colored cans vs. white, and winning the shelf
47:34 Expo West canceled by Covid → a massive turnaround fueled by Amazon, Shark Tank, and TikTok
5…
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Advice Line with Bobbi Brown of Jones Road Beauty
11 september 2025 · 49 min
Bobbi Brown, founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and Jones Road Beauty, joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three early-stage entrepreneurs. Plus, Bobbi shares what drove her to found her new company — Jones Road — at the age of 62.
First we meet Mark in Chicago, an orthopedic surgeon who’s looking to promote his cabbage-based muscle and joint rub beyond the walls of his practice. Then Abby in Dallas, who’s wondering whether her popular social media livestreams are a sustainable way to market her trendy phone cases. And Henry in Charlotte, who wants to turn his mouth rinse for coffee drinkers into a mainstream oral care brand.
Thank you to the founders of Cabbage Labs, AbbyRose, and Tannin Oral Care for being a part of our show. Lees meerIf 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 Bobbi Brown Cosmetics’ founding story as told by Bobbi on the show in 2018.This episode was produced by Sam Paulson with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce. Our audio engineer was Cena Loffredo.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy’s free newsletter at guyraz.com or on Substack.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Nirav Tolia: Nextdoor. How neighborhood chatter went global
8 september 2025 · 1 uur 12 min
Many of us don’t know our neighbors anymore — and Nirav Tolia wanted to change that. He walked away from millions in stock options at Yahoo and eventually co-founded Nextdoor, the hyperlocal social network where neighbors share local news and recommendations. Along the way, he learned that for a digital service, Nextdoor demanded a ton of manual work: drawing neighborhood boundaries with Sharpies, sending individual “invite” postcards by snail mail, talking to neighbors about the information they wanted. After 8 years of grind, Nirav stepped away as CEO, only to return 6 years later to spearhead an ambitious rebrand of Nextdoor, which now has 100 million users around the world.
In this episode, you’ll learn: Lees meerWhy Nirav walked away from millions in stock options to launch his own business
How the failure of an early business helped fuel Nextdoor’s success
How not having an initial vision for your brand can be a superpower.
Why apps that focus on “local” are so hard to master
Why Nirav believes” local” is a massive untapped opportunity in tech.
This episode was produced by Casey Herman with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Neva Grant. Our audio engineers were Kwesi Lee and Jimmy Keeley.
Follow How I Built This:
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→ @howibuiltthis
X → @HowIBuiltThis
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→ guyraz.comLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Advice Line with Dave Weiner of Priority Bicycles
4 september 2025 · 1 uur
Priority Bicycles founder and CEO Dave Weiner joins Guy on the Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage founders. Plus, Dave shares his strategy for keeping sales steady and positioning Priority Bicycles for continued growth in uncertain times. Lees meer
First, we meet Dave from Rhode Island who’s trying to figure out how to bring his oft-misunderstood coffee milk product to the national market. Then, Alex from Buffalo who is deliberating whether to scale up her lavender farm and barn events venue or stay small while trying to reclaim more work-life balance. And finally, Sabrina from Boise who’s looking for creative ways to get her custom dog treats noticed by larger corporate brands and hospitality groups.
Thank you to the founders of Dave’s Coffee, Kin Loch Farmstead, and Idaho Barkery 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 Priority Bicycle’s founding story as told by Dave on the show in 2023.
This episode was produced by Carla Esteves with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce. Our audio engineers were Maggie Luthar and James Willetts.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com and on Substack.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Carlton Calvin: Razor. The wild rise, collapse, and reinvention of a mobile toy empire.
1 september 2025 · 1 uur 18 min
In the summer of 2000, Razor scooters were everywhere—on sidewalks, in schools, even in Silicon Valley offices. At the center of it all was Carlton Calvin, an ex-lawyer turned toy mogul who had already ridden—and crashed—multiple crazes, from Pogs to yo-yos.
Carlton knew how to spot what kids wanted before the world caught on. But when Razor went from selling a million scooters a month to zero almost overnight, his business teetered on collapse.
This is a story about timing, obsession and instinct: knowing kids would snap up Slammers with scorpions inside, seeing the potential of a sleek new scooter from Taiwan, and learning how to turn a craze into a lasting global brand.
In this episode, you’ll learn: Lees meerWhy most “overnight successes” collapse as quickly as they rise
The power of partnerships– and trust– in scaling quickly
How to think like your customer (in Carlton’s case, a 10-year-old boy)
This episode was produced by Kerry Thompson with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Neva Grant. Our audio engineers were Patrick Murray and Maggie Luthar.
Follow How I Built This:
Instagram
→ @howibuiltthis
X → @HowIBuiltThis
Facebook
→ How I Built This
Follow Guy Raz:
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→ @guy.raz
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Substack
→ guyraz.substack.com
Website
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Advice Line: Playing to Your Strengths
28 augustus 2025 · 42 min
This week, Guy is joined by Lady Gaga’s former manager Troy Carter, Joe Gebbia of Airbnb, and Sadie Lincoln of barre3 in a special mashup episode of the Advice Line about playing to your business’s strengths.
First, Honor from Australia wants to partner with a celebrity in a way that actually boosts her pill organizer brand. Then, Arvy from Johannesburg digs into what makes his sporting and outdoor optics company special. And finally, Genevieve from Montana discovers all the different ways her customers can help her sailing instruction business grow.
Thank you to the founders of Dosey, ProltUp Optics, and Go Sail Virgin Islands and Flathead Lake for coming on the show. Lees meerIf 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.
This episode was produced by Noor Gill and Alex Cheng with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce. Our audio engineers were James Willetts and Maggie Luthar.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com or on Substack.To hear our returning guests’ previous episodes:
Lady Gaga & Atom Factory: Troy Carter | Advice Line with Troy Carter
Airbnb: Joe Gebbia | Advice Line with Joe Gebbia
Barre3: Sadie Lincoln | Advice Line with Sadie LincolnLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Don Vultaggio: AriZona Beverage Company - The Snap Decision That Outsmarted Snapple
25 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 4 min
What does it take to turn a Brooklyn beer salesman into the king of iced tea?
In the early 1990s, the iced tea market was dominated by Lipton, Nestea, and Snapple. But Don Vultaggio saw an opening. A single moment—watching Snapple cases fly off a truck in winter—sparked an idea that would change his life: why not sell tea in a tallboy can?
AriZona exploded—outselling Snapple and becoming a multi-billion-dollar brand.
Behind the success was struggle: Don fought to keep the company private. and faced a painful 10-year legal battle with his former friend and co-founder.
In this episode, Don reveals: Lees meerHow he stayed independent in an industry dominated by giants.
Why Snapple stumbled after being acquired—and how AriZona avoided the same fate.
Why he wants AriZona to remain a multi-generational family business.
Why packaging can be more powerful than advertising.
How AriZona holds onto its 99c price tag
Follow How I Built This:
Instagram → @howibuiltthis
X → @HowIBuiltThis
Facebook → How I Built This
Follow Guy Raz:
Instagram → @guy.raz
X → @guyraz
Substack → guyraz.substack.com
Website → guyraz.comThis episode was produced by Rommel Wood with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei.
It was edited by Neva Grant with research help from Iman Maani.
Our engineers were Maggie Luthar and Gilly Moon.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Advice Line with Tim Ferriss
21 augustus 2025 · 50 min
Entrepreneur, author, and podcaster Tim Ferriss joins Guy on the Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage founders. Plus, Tim shares the inspiration behind his latest venture, Coyote— a 10-minute card game that encourages time spent with friends and family.
First, Lauryn from San Francisco asks about the best way to scale her biodegradable ear plugs in two very different directions. Then Emily from Kansas City weighs whether DTC or wholesale is where to focus her accessory brand after Taylor Swift wore one of her rings and sales exploded. And finally, Kimberley in Woolwich, Maine wonders how to incentivize her customers to pre-order her high-quality, sustainable, clothing.
Thank you to the founders of Gob, EB & Co, and K. Becker Designs for being a part of our show. Lees meerIf 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 Tim Ferriss’s founding story as told by Tim on the show in 2020.This episode was produced by Noor Gill with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce. Our audio engineer was Cena Loffredo.
You can follow HIBT on Twitter & Instagram and sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com and on Substack.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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(July 2021) Ben Chestnut: From Side Business to $12 Billion – The Accidental Triumph of Mailchimp
18 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 23 min
In 2001, three web designers built a quirky email tool called Mailchimp.
It wasn’t their main business.
It wasn’t even meant to make real money.
For years, Ben Chestnut and his partners survived on web-design gigs, while Mailchimp earned just enough to cover lunch.
Then…one surprising spreadsheet changed everything.
In this episode, Ben reveals: Lees meerThe decision that tripled their revenue overnight
How a mispronunciation on the world's biggest podcast turned into a marketing masterstroke
How a painful wake-up call about leadership reshaped the company’s culture
Listen now to hear how guerrilla billboards, a monkey logo, and a string of improbable breaks built one of the most recognizable names in tech.
Follow How I Built This:
Instagram → @howibuiltthis
X → @HowIBuiltThis
Facebook → How I Built This
Follow Guy Raz:
Instagram → @guy.raz
X → @guyraz
Substack → guyraz.substack.com
Website → guyraz.comLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Exclusive Update: The Chef Who Shocked the Culinary World and Why He’s Changing Course Again—Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park
13 augustus 2025 · 47 min
In 2021, Daniel Humm shook up the dining world by making his 3-Michelin-star restaurant, Eleven Madison Park, 100% plant-based.
No meat. No butter. No cream.
It was a first in fine dining, igniting global headlines, industry backlash, and endless debate.
Now, in an exclusive podcast conversation with Guy Raz, Daniel shares his next bold decision—he's reintroducing animal products. Daniel shares what he learned from his years of plant-based cooking and how the experiment forever changed his creative vision.
This is a story about risk, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
In this episode: Lees meerHow a creative rut at the peak of his career sparked a radical transformation.
The hidden economics of running a world-class restaurant without meat.
The backlash—and surprising supporters—of the plant-based pivot.
Why EMP will remain 90% plant-based, but welcome more people back to the table.
What Daniel believes is the future of fine dining.
Listen to the original 2021 HIBT episode with Daniel Humm: https://wondery.com/shows/how-i-built-this/episode/10386-eleven-madison-park-daniel-humm/
Follow How I Built This:
Instagram → @howibuiltthis
X → @HowIBuiltThis
Facebook → How I Built ThisFollow Guy Raz:
Instagram → @guy.raz
X → @guyraz
Substack → guyraz.substack.com
Website → guyraz.comLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Madison Reed: Amy Errett
11 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 22 min
Amy Errett had a successful career in finance and venture capital before taking a leap into an entirely new business: hair color. When her wife complained about the indignities of coloring her hair at home, Amy realized the sector was ripe for a makeover. At age 56, she dove into the minutiae of dyes and developers, launching her own formula in 2013, and naming it after her daughter. Madison Reed’s early successes were marred by a management meltdown, when Amy had to break with three of her co-founders—an experience she describes as one of the most difficult of her life. Today Madison Reed is available in thousands of stores across the US, and runs nearly 100 of its own salons.
This episode was produced by Sam Paulson with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Neva Grant with research by Iman Maani. Our engineers were Patrick Murray and Kwesi Lee.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com or on Substack. Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Advice Line with Jamie Siminoff of Ring (August 2024)
7 augustus 2025 · 56 min
Ring founder Jamie Siminoff joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three founders about balancing short- and long-term goals.
Today, we meet Vico, an industrial designer in southern California who's launching a crowdfunding campaign for his patented ergonomic desk. Then Iyin, a Baltimore-based product specialist seeking to balance accessibility and profitability for her ethically-sourced chocolate brand. And Franchesca, an Atlanta area educator deliberating whether to pursue small-business certifications for her motivational classroom posters.
Thank you to the founders of ErgoFlex Desk, Luji's Chocolate, and Thrive12 for being a part of a 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 Ring’s founding story as told by Jamie on the show in 2020.
This episode was produced by Carla Esteves 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. Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Crumbl: Jason McGowan
4 augustus 2025 · 1 uur 9 min
Crumbl may be a cookie business – but Jason McGowan turned it into a fast-growing restaurant chain by building it like a tech startup. He and co-founder Sawyer Hemsley meticulously A/B tested the recipe, launched a delivery app early on, and went viral with weekly drops of wild new flavors like bubblegum and Almost Everything Bagel. In just eight years, Crumbl has opened over 1,000 stores, and has dominated the cookie conversation on social media, with more TikTok followers than Starbucks, Domino’s, and Taco Bell combined.
This episode was produced by Alex Cheng with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Neva Grant with research help from Carla Estevez. Our engineers were Patrick Murray and Jimmy Keeley.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram, and email us at hibt@id.wondery.com. Sign up for Guy’s free newsletter at guyraz.com or on Substack. Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Advice Line with Mei Xu of Chesapeake Bay Candle and Blueme
31 juli 2025 · 46 min
Chesapeake Bay Candle and Blueme founder Mei Xu joins Guy on the Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage founders. Plus, Mei shares the importance of businesses meeting people everywhere they shop.
First, Sasha, who started a gourmet pot pie company in Brooklyn, New York, asks how to find the right co-founder who can do the things she can’t. Then, Tara from Dubai, Saudi Arabia wants to know whether to market her towel dress directly to consumers. And finally, Lindsay in Grand Rapids, Michigan needs advice on how to get her online curriculum in front of more school districts.
Thank you to the founders of Aunt Ethel’s Pot Pies, Dry Dolly, and Math Medic 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 the Chesapeake Bay Candle story as told by Mei on the show in 2017.
This episode was produced by Kerry Thompson with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce. Our audio engineer was Kwesi Lee.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com and on Substack. Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Simon Cowell: Music Mogul
28 juli 2025 · 1 uur 12 min
Long before he became famous as the sharp-tongued TV personality who launched the careers of pop stars, Simon Cowell was a rebellious teenager who dropped out of school and started his career in the mailroom at EMI. After a failed business left him nearly bankrupt, he found success by zigging where others zagged—initially by selling hit records based on TV shows like Power Rangers and WrestleMania. Eventually Simon got behind the TV camera himself, where his brutally honest feedback on shows like American Idol and The X Factor made him a household name. Today, through his company Syco Entertainment, Simon continues to discover new talent. His latest challenge: an upcoming Netflix show where he’ll try to build a boy band from scratch.
This episode was produced by Josh Lash, and edited by Neva Grant, with research by Iman Maani. Our audio engineers were Patrick Murray and Jimmy Keeley.
You can follow HIBT on X and Instagram, and email us at hibt@id.wondery.com. Sign up for Guy's newsletter at guyraz.com or Substack. Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Advice Line with Isaac Larian of MGA Entertainment
24 juli 2025 · 47 min
Isaac Larian is the founder of MGA Entertainment, the company behind Bratz and LOL Surprise dolls. This week, he joins Guy on Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage entrepreneurs. Plus, Isaac talks about the effects of tariffs on the toy industry.
First, we meet Meghan from Nashville, who finds that the customer for her educational toys may not be who she thought. Then, Libie from New York wants to grow her orthopedic cork insole business and to expand her customer base. And finally, Robin from Steamboat Springs gets advice about first impressions for her kid-exclusive outdoor apparel company.
Thank you to the founders of T is for Tot, Fulton, and Town Hall Outdoor Co. 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 Isaac tell the story of how MGA Entertainment was founded during his first visit to the show back in 2024. Lees meerThis episode was produced by J.C. Howard with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce. Our audio engineer was Jimmy Keeley.
You can follow HIBT on Twitter & Instagram and sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com and on Substack.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Torchy's Tacos: Mike Rypka
21 juli 2025 · 1 uur 29 min
Long before founding Torchy’s Tacos, Mike Rypka was a troubled teenager trying to outrun his own self-destruction. Growing up around addiction and falling into heavy drug use himself, Mike’s future looked bleak—until he got clean and found refuge in kitchens. Cooking gave him structure, purpose, and eventually, a career. Lees meer
After years working in restaurants and corporate kitchens, Mike decided to take a risk on something smaller: a food truck on a street corner in Austin. In 2006, he launched Torchy’s with nothing but a dream, a fiery logo, and a menu full of bold flavors. That humble truck became the start of something much bigger. Today, Torchy’s is a national chain with more than 130 locations and annual sales topping $300 million. And through all of it, Mike has remained sober—more than three decades and counting.
This episode was produced by Carla Esteves and edited by Kevin Leahy, with research by Katherine Sypher and music by Ramtin Arablouei. Our audio engineers were Patrick Murray and Gilly Moon.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram, and email us at hibt@id.wondery.com. Sign up for Guy’s newsletter at guyraz.com and on Substack.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Advice Line with Troy Carter of Atom Factory
17 juli 2025 · 47 min
Former manager of Lady Gaga and Atom Factory founder Troy Carter joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three early-stage entrepreneurs. Plus, Troy’s advice for reaching new audiences when digital ads struggle to perform.
First we meet Madelyn in Arizona, who’s trying to grow her postpartum frozen meal delivery service while preserving its focus on her local community. Then Tyler in Oregon, who wants to strengthen connections with influencers endorsing his water purification systems. And Gina in Minnesota, who’s looking to better market her matching dog and human clothing sets.
Thank you to the founders of The Nest Prep, Guzzle H2O, and Good Thomas for being a part of our show. Lees meerIf 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 Atom Factory’s founding story as told by Troy on the show in 2017.This episode was produced by Sam Paulson with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy’s free newsletter at guyraz.com or on Substack.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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WHOOP: Will Ahmed
14 juli 2025 · 1 uur 10 min
As a Harvard squash player, Will Ahmed discovered his game improved when he focused on things like sleep, diet, and time spent recovering from training. He was convinced that granular health and heart data would become invaluable to other athletes if it could be bundled into a wearable wrist strap. In 2012, Will founded WHOOP, and after three years the company launched its first model, with Lebron James and Michael Phelps as advocates. But WHOOP struggled to gain traction with mere mortals, and spent years overhauling its business model and fending off big name competitors. Eventually it became one of the most popular wearables on the market, with a valuation well above $3 billion.
This episode was researched and produced by Katherine Sypher and edited by Neva Grant, with music by Ramtin Arablouei. Our engineer was Patrick Murray.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram, and email us at hibt@id.wondery.com. Sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com and on Substack. Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Advice Line with Justin McLeod of Hinge
10 juli 2025 · 44 min
Hinge founder and CEO Justin McLeod joins Guy on the Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage founders. Plus, Justin describes Hinge’s new initiatives around intentional dating.
First, Jessica in Toronto, Canada asks about opening new markets for her self-guided mystery road trip packages. Then Nick from Auckland, New Zealand wonders about strategies to drive word-of-mouth referrals for his designer security screen door company. And finally, Chandler from Minnesota discusses the challenge of getting his story across to customers as he sells hand-drawn posters that celebrate the history of golf and hockey.
Thank you to the founders of Guess Where Trips, Framework Doors, and Archive 22 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 the Hinge founding story as told by Justin on the show in 2021.
This episode was produced by Casey Herman with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce. Our audio engineer was Cena Loffredo.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com and on Substack. Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Chobani: Hamdi Ulukaya (2022)
7 juli 2025 · 1 uur 32 min
As a newly arrived immigrant from Turkey, Hamdi Ulukaya learned to be resourceful, determined, and even stubborn when he needed to be. All those traits would serve him well as he began to navigate the hairpin turns of building a yogurt business from the ground up. In 2005, Hamdi was running a small feta cheese business in upstate New York when he happened upon a piece of junk mail that would change his life: an ad for an abandoned yogurt factory...$700K, as is. He knew if he could get his hands on it, he could bring a new kind of dairy product to the U.S.—the thick, creamy yogurt he’d grown up eating in the mountains of Turkey. With the help of a local bank, Hamdi bought the factory, and sales grew so quickly that he could barely keep up. A few years later, some bad business decisions nearly pushed the company into bankruptcy, but today, Chobani is one of the most popular yogurt brands in the U.S; and Greek-style yogurt has become a staple of the dairy aisle. Lees meer
This episode was produced by Josh Lash with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Neva Grant with research help from Claire Murashima.
You can follow HIBT on Twitter & Instagram, and email us at hibt@id.wondery.com. Sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com and on Substack.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Advice Line with Norma Kamali of Norma Kamali (November 2024)
3 juli 2025 · 55 min
Iconic fashion designer Norma Kamali joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three early stage founders. Plus, Norma shares her take on balancing a strong creative vision with the financial realities of building a worldwide brand. Lees meer
First we meet Ahmed in the U.K,, who’s refining a narrative for his eyeglass store concept in hopes of attracting investors. Then Bob in Chicago, who wants to change how people view lunch with his fast casual soup restaurants. And Adreana in Sacramento, who’s wondering if outside investment is the best way to scale her inclusive activewear business.
Thank you to the founders of Cambridge Spectacle Company, Sunny Bowls and the Love Her Shop for being part of the 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 Norma Kamali’s founding story as told by Norma on the show in 2021.
This episode was produced by Kerry Thompson. 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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Rick Steves' Europe: Rick Steves (2021)
30 juni 2025 · 1 uur 22 min
Rick Steves spent the summer after high school backpacking through Europe on two dollars a day—sleeping on the floor, sneaking into museums, and subsisting on a diet of bread and jam. When he came home, he found people were hungry for tips on how to visit Europe on the cheap, so he began teaching classes, and was soon hawking a self-published guidebook out of his car. Eventually, he started leading minibus tours and hosting a travel show on Public TV, steadily growing his business even though he was giving away most of his content. His no-frills approach to travel has persisted as a powerful brand, with 70 guidebooks, an ever-popular travel show, and—in 2024—an annual revenue of $120 million. Lees meer
This episode was produced by Rachel Faulkner-White, with music by Ramtin Arablouei.
Edited by Neva Grant.You can follow HIBT on Twitter & Instagram, and email us at hibt@id.wondery.com. Sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com and on Substack.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Advice Line with Jim Koch of Boston Beer Company (August 2024)
26 juni 2025 · 55 min
Boston Beer Company founder Jim Koch joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three founders about finding product-market fit.
Today, we meet Kim, whose tropical-inspired apparel company in Florida is venturing into the rum market. Then Llance from Washington, who is taking his tea-bag-soup-broth business national. And Ami, who wants potential customers to know that her Ontario-based electrical contracting company has some of the best service out there. Lees meerIf 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 Boston Beer Company’s founding story as told by Jim on the show in 2016.This episode was produced by Chris Maccini with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella. Our audio engineer was Gilly Moon.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com or on Substack.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Talenti: Josh Hochschuler
23 juni 2025 · 1 uur 17 min
After falling in love with the gelato shops of Buenos Aires, Josh Hochschuler came home to Dallas with a bold idea: bring authentic Argentine gelato to the U.S. He raised $600,000 from friends and family and opened a gelato shop called Talenti. The product was a hit - but the retail model wasn’t. Faced with mounting losses, Josh shut down the store and moved into a warehouse to pivot to wholesale. With time, tenacity, and a now-iconic clear jar, Talenti became a national sensation, and in 2014, was acquired by Unilever. Today, it’s the best-selling gelato brand in America.
This episode was produced by Casey Herman and edited by Kevin Leahy, with research by Kerry Thompson and music by Ramtin Arablouei. Our engineers were Patrick Murray and Robert Rodriguez.
You can follow HIBT on Twitter & Instagram, and email us at hibt@id.wondery.com. Sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com and on Substack. Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Advice Line with Eric Ryan of Method
19 juni 2025 · 51 min
Method co-founder and serial entrepreneur Eric Ryan joins Guy on the Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage founders. Plus, Eric shares his strategies for entering new market categories, and gives an update on his latest venture, Tandy, a functional candy company.
First, Aubrey in Tennessee asks how to find a mentor to help her and her husband with their expanding line of bakeries and restaurants. Then Maggie from Chicago weighs whether it’s time to take on an outside investor for her unique travel luggage. And finally, Matt in Arizona wonders how to best scale his three-in-one adventure gloves in retail.
Thank you to the founders Transparent Hospitality, Props Luggage and Flipmits 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 Method’s founding story as told by Eric and his co-founder Adam Lowry on the show in 2018.
This episode was produced by Katherine Sypher with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com and on Substack. Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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UNTUCKit: Chris Riccobono
16 juni 2025 · 1 uur 18 min
On a trip to Las Vegas, Chris Riccobono found himself wearing the same J.Crew shirt over and over; it was the only dress shirt he had that looked good untucked. All of his other button-downs were too long and looked sloppy. His buddies all said they had the same problem, so Chris decided to seize the opportunity and launch UNTUCKit with a friend. Keeping his day job as a GE salesman, he embarked on a crash course in how not to make a shirt. Thousands of defective button-downs later, UNTUCKit hit its stride, and the big fashion brands began to copy the untucked look. In 2020, UNTUCKit came within inches of a lucrative acquisition, then nearly went bankrupt, but today has grown into a thriving brand. Lees meer
This episode was produced by J.C. Howard, with music by Ramtin Arablouei.
Edited by Neva Grant, with research help from Kerry Thompson.You can follow HIBT on Twitter & Instagram, and email us at hibt@id.wondery.com. Sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com and on Substack.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Advice Line with Marcia Kilgore of Beauty Pie
12 juni 2025 · 44 min
Serial entrepreneur Marcia Kilgore — founder of brands like Beauty Pie and Soap & Glory — joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three early-stage founders managing uncertainty and risk. Lees meer
Today, we meet Victor in Fort Worth, the co-founder of a Mexican-style sweets and treats venture who wonders if he should focus on expanding brick-and-mortar operations, retail presence, or both. Then Lydia in Seattle, a former disease researcher who is ready to grow her small batch botanical skincare line, but needs help overcoming her fear of failure to get to the next step. And Jack in San Francisco, the founder of a custom bike bag and accessories brand who’s trying to figure out how to maintain customer excitement throughout the entire purchasing process so as not to lose momentum.
Thank you to the founders of Sol Dias, Clērstory, and Wompy Bikes 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 Marcia Kilgore’s original How I Built This episode as told by Marcia on the show in 2018.
This episode was produced by Carla Esteves with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce. Our audio engineer was Cena Loffredo.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Figma: Dylan Field
9 juni 2025 · 1 uur 19 min
The dashboard in your car – the interface on your Zoom screen … many of the products we interact with every day were created with the collaborative software Figma. Figma is a kind of Google Docs for design, created by Dylan Field and Evan Wallace after they won a Thiel fellowship in 2012. Dylan was just 20 when he became CEO. The only other job he’d had before that….? was college intern. He eventually figured out how to manage his team, and grew the company enough to attract a 20 billion dollar acquisition bid from Adobe. The deal fell through, but Figma continued to grow, and recently filed for an IPO.
This episode was researched and produced by Kerry Thompson with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Neva Grant. Our engineers were Patrick Murray and Jimmy Keeley.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram, and email us at hibt@id.wondery.com. Sign up for Guy’s free newsletter at guyraz.com or on Substack. Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Advice Line with Perry Chen of Kickstarter
5 juni 2025 · 51 min
Kickstarter co-founder Perry Chen joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three early-stage founders about what they really want from investment deals and acquisitions.
Today we meet Jesse in Dallas, who's debating whether or not he should sell part or all of his cold plunge tub business. Then Catharine in Oregon, who's trying to figure out how to move on from the daily grind of her hot sauce brand. And Joe in Chicago, who has an ambitious vision for his chicken sandwich chain.
Thank you to the founders of Modtub, HYCH, and Fry the Coop for being a part of our show. Lees meerIf 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 Kickstarter’s founding story as told by Perry on the show in 2017.This episode was produced by Alex Cheng with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com or on Substack.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Perfect Snacks: Bill and Leigh Keith
2 juni 2025 · 1 uur 30 min
Bill and Leigh Keith had an extraordinary childhood, travelling the country in a school bus with their parents and ten siblings. Along the way, their dad fed them a homemade concoction of peanut butter, honey and supplements rolled into bite-sized snacks. When the family fell on hard times, the older siblings decided to sell their home and bet everything on turning their family recipe into a refrigerated energy bar. Lees meer
The family hand-rolled millions of bars and gave out samples at festivals and grocery stores in Northern California. They eventually got Perfect Bars into Whole Foods, Costco, and major retailers throughout the country, and in 2019, the company was acquired by Mondelēz International.
This episode was researched and produced by Chris Maccini with music by Ramtin Arablouei. Edited by Neva Grant. Our engineers were Kwesi Lee and Ko Takasugi-Czernowin.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram, and email us at hibt@id.wondery.com. Sign up for Guy’s free newsletter at guyraz.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Advice Line with Mark Ramadan of Sir Kensington's (June 2024)
29 mei 2025 · 55 min
Sir Kensington’s co-founder and former CEO Mark Ramadan joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they work through business challenges with three early-stage founders.
Today we meet Pat, a physician assistant working to bring his solution for clogged sinks to major retailers. Then Lucas, a chef whose local quick service taco joint is fending off national competition. And Beth, a working mom whose baby products brand is caught in the "messy middle" between launch and mass scale.
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 to hear the story of how Sir Kensington’s was founded, check out Mark's first appearance on the show in 2023. Lees meerThis episode was produced by Sam Paulson with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella. Our audio engineer was Cena Loffredo.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com or on Substack.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Tatcha: Vicky Tsai (July 2020)
26 mei 2025 · 1 uur 21 min
In 2008, Vicky Tsai walked away from a startup job and set out to rediscover herself on a trip to Japan. In Kyoto, she had an unforgettable meeting with a geisha, and learned about the face creams and blotting papers that the traditional Japanese hostesses had used for centuries. But as she contemplated selling those products in the U.S., experts on both sides of the Pacific told her it would never work. Strapped for money and juggling multiple jobs, Vicky worked out of her parents' garage, pitching her new brand—Tatcha—on QVC and steadily growing it. In 2019, Unilever acquired Tatcha for a reported $500 million.
This episode was produced by Jed Anderson with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Neva Grant.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram, and email us at hibt@id.wondery.com. Sign up for Guy’s free newsletter at guyraz.com and on Substack. Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Advice Line with Steve Holmes of goba Sports Group
22 mei 2025 · 51 min
Springfree Trampoline founder Steve Holmes joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three early-stage entrepreneurs. Plus, Steve’s tariff navigation guidance for businesses manufacturing products outside of the U.S.
First we meet Ikechukwu in Maryland, who’s trying to lean into a core demographic without alienating customers from his activewear brand. Then Cody in Nevada, who’s building a year-round advertising strategy for a largely seasonal product: DEET-free bug repellant. And Kenesha in Ontario, who’s looking to maintain the momentum of a viral moment for her Caribbean-inspired chocolate.
Thank you to the founders of Veii Apparel, Grand Tongo, and One More Cocoa for being a part of our show. Lees meerIf 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 Springfree Trampoline’s founding story as told by Steve and the trampoline’s inventor Keith on the show in 2019.This episode was produced by Sam Paulson with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella. Our audio engineer was Gilly Moon.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy’s free newsletter at guyraz.com or on Substack.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Calm: Alex Tew and Michael Acton Smith
19 mei 2025 · 1 uur 22 min
As a young entrepreneur in the Wild West days of the internet, Alex Tew was drawn to meditation for its simple calming power. Together with fellow tech founder Michael Acton Smith–known for hits like Moshi Monsters–the two brainstormed ways to bring the ancient practice of meditation into the 21st century. In 2011, they bought the domain calm.com, built an app, and started producing meditations and Sleep Stories, narrated by celebrities like Matthew McConaughey and Idris Elba. Despite initial pushback from investors who insisted no one would want to meditate on their phone–let alone pay for it– the Calm app grew to a valuation of nearly $2 billion, with 180 million total downloads.
This episode was researched and produced by Katherine Sypher with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Neva Grant. Our engineers were Patrick Murray and Robert Rodriguez.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram, and email us at hibt@id.wondery.com. Sign up for Guy’s free newsletter at guyraz.com or on Substack. Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Advice Line: Scaling Strategies
15 mei 2025 · 48 min
This week, Guy is joined by Travis Boersma of Dutch Bros. Coffee, Michael Preysman of Everlane and Chris Ruder of Spikeball in a special “mashup” episode of Advice Line.
First, Andy from Nashville is wondering if a brick and mortar burger joint will supercharge growth for his food truck business. Then, Tiffany from Cape Cod is looking to break into large retailers with her inspirational jewelry brand. And finally, Peter from South Dakota is evaluating whether to expand his ice skating apparel to overseas markets.
Thank you to the founders of Bad Luck Burger Club, T. Jazelle and Rink Rabbit.
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.
This episode was produced by Kerry Thompson 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 or on Substack.
To hear our guests previous episodes:
Dutch Bros. Coffee: Travis Boersma | Advice Line with Travis Boersma
Everlane: Michael Preysman | Advice Line with Michael Preysman
Spikeball: Chris Ruder | Advice Line with Chris Ruder Lees meerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Tecovas: Paul Hedrick
12 mei 2025 · 1 uur 16 min
Western wear is having a moment – and so is the upstart Western brand Tecovas. Founder Paul Hedrick is a Texan who realized that cowboy boots were either too expensive or too cheap, so he decided to create a premium brand with an attainable price. He traveled repeatedly to the cowboy boot capital of the world – León, Mexico – to obsess over every detail, and later he expanded his DTC business to make a surprising bet on brick-and-mortar stores. Today, beyond boots, Tecovas sells jeans, shirts, dresses, hats, and bags, and this year, the company expects to do more than $300 million in sales. Lees meer
This episode was produced by Alex Cheng with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Neva Grant with research help from Iman Maani. Our engineers were Patrick Murray and Robert Rodriguez.
You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram, and email us at hibt@id.wondery.com. Sign up for Guy’s free newsletter at guyraz.com or on Substack.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices