How I Built This with Guy Raz

Sweetgreens co-founder Jonathan Neman joins Guy on the Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage founders. Plus, Sweetgreens plans to automate salad assembly in the coming years. 

First, we meet Dini from Maryland, who's learning how to maintain her brands character and product quality as her pie company scales. Next we hear from Matt in Massachusetts, whos leaning into success growing premium mushrooms for local chefs without getting too big, too fast. Then Joey in Chicago, owner of a restaurant specializing in fried chicken wings and fresh-cut fries, whos deciding whether to introduce new products or double down on whats already working.

Thank you to the founders of Dinis Divine Pies, Underground Mushroom Co. and Dak Dak Korean Wings for being part of the show.

If youd 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 youd like answered. Send a voice memo to [email protected] or call 1-800-433-1298.

And to hear the founding story of Sweetgreen, check out Jonathans first appearance on the show in 2020. 

This episode was produced by Iman Maani. It was edited by Casey Herman. 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.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What started as a design project for Stanford student Evan Spiegel quickly flourished into one of the most-used social media platforms in the world: Snapchat. It only took two years for Mark Zuckerberg to make a multi-billion offer for the company. But Evan turned it down convinced of Snaps potential to disrupt human communication in an even bigger way. And while Evans path has been anything but smooth, today Snap is valued at more than $13 billion, with ambitions beyond its hero mobile app.

This episode was produced by Alex Cheng with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella with research help from Katherine Sypher. Our engineers were Patrick Murray and Gilly Moon.

You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram, and email us at [email protected]. Sign up for Guys free newsletter at guyraz.com or on Substack.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bonobos co-founder Andy Dunn joins Guy on the Advice Line to answer questions from three early-stage founders. Plus, Andy shares the motivation for his latest venture, Pie—a new social app that fosters in-person friendships and experiences.

First, Michele in Connecticut asks about the best way to position her tennis-inspired athletic brand. Then Alek from Chicago, who’s wondering how to reach more health-conscious drinkers with his naturally-flavored vodka. And finally, Sabrina in Philadelphia weighs whether a DTC or wholesale strategy is best for her handmade biscotti.

Thank you to the founders Top Banana, Broda Beverage Company and Haus of Biscotti 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 [email protected] or call 1-800-433-1298.

And be sure to listen to Bonobos’ founding story as told by Andy on the show in 2019.

This episode was produced by Katherine Sypher 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 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.

When Wiliam Wang started selling flat-screen TV’s, he used a winning playbook: partner with an efficient manufacturer, cut out the middlemen, and price your product as low as you can. William used a similar strategy at his first company–making computer monitors–and he built it into a multimillion dollar business. But he wound up mismanaging it into the ground, and spent years working to pay off millions of dollars in debt. After surviving a catastrophic plane crash, William embarked on a new venture, Vizio, and returned to his “cut-out-the-middlemen” playbook to sell one of the world’s first internet-connected televisions. Today, Vizio is one of the top-selling TV’s in the US, and in 2024, sold to Walmart for $2.3 billion.

This episode was produced by J.C. Howard, with music by Ramtin Arablouei.

Edited by Neva Grant, with research help from Alex Cheng.

You can follow HIBT on Twitter & Instagram, and email us at [email protected]. Sign up for Guy’s free newsletter at guyraz.com 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

RXBAR co-founder Peter Rahal joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three early-stage founders about positioning new products in competitive markets. Plus, Peter’s take on getting back in the game with his newest venture, David Protein. 

First we meet Kristi from Calgary, who’s considering digital ads as  her women’s supplements brand maxes out on organic growth. Then Erik from Los Angeles, who’s wondering if Amazon is a necessary channel  for his exercise accessories. And April from New York, who’s hoping to find the right messaging for her line of cocktail mixers.

Thank you to the founders of Inner Wellth, SquatWedgiez, and Cheeky Cocktails 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 [email protected] or call 1-800-433-1298.

And be sure to listen to RXBAR's founding story as told by Peter in a special live episode of How I Built This from 2018.

This episode was produced by Chris Maccini 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.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.