How I Built This with Guy Raz

Sweetwater: Chuck Surack. How a Customer Service Strategy Built a Billion Dollar Online Pro Audio and Music Company.

Chuck Surack never planned to build one of America's largest online retailers. He just wanted to be a musician. So right after high school, he took his sax and drove off in his old VW van to play gigs...

2026-07-27

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Advice Line with Curt Richardson of OtterBox

Today’s callers: Andy from Sarasota weighs whether the path to scalability for his live game show business is through personality or product. Then, Marissa from Tampa wants to recapture sales for her ...

2026-07-23

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Toast: Aman Narang. How a Long Wait for the Dinner Check Launched a $2 Billion Business.

After waiting too long to pay his restaurant bill, Aman Narang thought there had to be a better way. His first idea—a mobile payment app—flopped. But that failure revealed a much bigger opportunity. ...

2026-07-20

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Advice Line with Kenneth Cole

Today’s callers: Matt from New York City unpacks the stigma working against his line of foot wellness products. Then Emefa in Toronto seeks a direct relationship with customers of her fashion brand in...

2026-07-16

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Sun Bum: Tom Rinks. The Secrets of a Master Brand Builder (2023)

Tom Rinks got his start in the commission-only "shark tank" of midwestern furniture sales. That’s where he learned what makes customers buy. Decades later, those instincts helped him grow a joke of a ...

2026-07-13

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Advice Line with Jeni Britton of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (2025)

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams founder Jeni Britton joins Guy on the Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage entrepreneurs. Plus, how Jeni’s newest venture Floura is tackling one of America...

2026-07-09

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Catalina Crunch: Krishna Kaliannan. From Homemade Keto Cocoa Puffs to Breakfast Aisle Breakthrough

Krishna Kaliannan wanted to start a tech company but failed at every attempt.  On the side, he was teaching himself how to cook with high-protein, low-sugar ingredients. Not just out of interest...

2026-07-06

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Advice Line with Ronnen Harary of Spin Master/PAW Patrol

Today’s callers: Ann from Nashville asks how to adapt her jewelry business in the face of rising gold prices. Then Felix in Martha’s Vineyard considers strategies for growing his family’s legacy honey...

2026-07-02

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e.l.f. Cosmetics: Joey Shamah. The Dollar Store Formula That Built a Cosmetics Giant

In 2004, Joey Shamah and his partner launched a cosmetics company built on an idea that made almost no sense: Sell high-quality makeup for just $1. At the time, high quality beauty products were sup...

2026-06-29

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Advice Line with Susan Griffin-Black of EO Products

Today’s callers: Ruchi from Chicago looks for advice on which channels to focus distribution for her probiotic skincare line. Then Peter in San Francisco considers strategies to champion his line of o...

2026-06-25

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STARR Restaurants: Stephen Starr. How a Non-Foodie Built Thriving Restaurants on Gut Instinct

Stephen Starr didn’t plan to get into the restaurant business. He set out to be a radio DJ. Then a nightclub owner. Then a music promoter. Along the way, he booked a young Jerry Seinfeld for $75, pr...

2026-06-22

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Advice Line with Shazi Visram of Happy Family Organics

Today’s callers: Daisy in the United Kingdom looks to grow her barefoot shoe brand across the pond in the United States. Then Rachel in Pennsylvania considers private labeling for her protein-packed s...

2026-06-18

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Build-A-Bear: Maxine Clark. A Former Shoe Executive Launches a Stuffed Animal Empire

When Maxine Clark left a top job in retail to start a make-your-own stuffed animal store, people thought she’d lost her mind.  Investors doubted it. Friends questioned it. Retail experts couldn'...

2026-06-15

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Advice Line with Christina Tosi of Milk Bar

Today’s callers: Whitney in Utah  wonders how to bridge the gap between pre-seed and institutional investment for her fitness/retail combo space. Then Chloe in the U.K. considers which markets to...

2026-06-11

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Shopify: Tobias Lütke. How a snowboarder built a $150 billion business (2019)

In 2004, German programmer Tobias Lütke was living in Ottawa with his girlfriend. An avid snowboarder, he wanted to launch an online snowboard shop, but found the e-commerce software available at the...

2026-06-08

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Advice Line with Tim Ferriss (August 2025)

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 1...

2026-06-04

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UGG: Brian Smith. How an epiphany, surfers, and $500 launched an iconic sheepskin footwear company.

In 1978, Brian Smith quit his accounting job in Australia and headed to California with a surfboard, some savings, and ambition. He figured California was where he’d find an idea or a product to bring...

2026-06-01

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Advice Line with Jeffrey Hollender of Seventh Generation

Today’s callers: Kristina in Ohio looks for avenues beyond organic social media to market her furniture designed for toddlers and parents alike. Then Phil in Michigan considers the best messaging to b...

2026-05-28

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Justin’s Nut Butter: Justin Gold. He Was Waiting Tables, Then...He Reinvented Peanut Butter.

At 25, Justin Gold was making experimental peanut butter in his home kitchen with a food processor and a stack of recipe journals. His singular obsession: bring new life to a tired lunchtime staple. ...

2026-05-25

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Advice Line with Sarah LaFleur of M.M. LaFleur

Today’s callers: David from New Jersey struggles with self-doubt as he works to grow his muscle-scraping soap brand. Then, Marnie from Australia wants to convince customers that her colorful tick-repe...

2026-05-21

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How I Built This with Guy Raz

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