# Crate & Barrel: Gordon Segal

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2017-02-20
- Length: 29m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-20-crate-barrel-gordon-segal

## Summary

Gordon Segal and his wife Carol founded Crate & Barrel in 1962, starting with a single store in Chicago to sell affordable, European-style housewares directly from factories. They bootstrapped the business using family loans and bank debt, avoiding outside investors for decades while expanding through high-risk store openings. The company eventually partnered with Otto Group in 1998 to gain scale and digital expertise, growing to $1.12 billion in annual sales before Segal stepped down as CEO.

## Chapters

- [0:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-20-crate-barrel-gordon-segal#t=23) Introduction: Gordon Segal and Crate & Barrel
- [1:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-20-crate-barrel-gordon-segal#t=116) The Idea: Direct Importing from Europe
- [5:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-20-crate-barrel-gordon-segal#t=348) Bootstrapping: Funding the First Store
- [9:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-20-crate-barrel-gordon-segal#t=597) Early Struggles and Pricing Missteps
- [13:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-20-crate-barrel-gordon-segal#t=795) Expansion and Betting the Company
- [17:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-20-crate-barrel-gordon-segal#t=1051) Strategic Partnership with Otto Group
- [22:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-20-crate-barrel-gordon-segal#t=1355) Retirement and Legacy

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- U.S. Bank (company)
- Otto Group (company)
- HackerBoxes (company)

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## Citing this page

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