Live Episode! OtterBox: Curt Richardson

How I Built This · 2 Dec 2019 · 1h 02m

What this episode covers

Kurt Richardson, founder of OtterBox, explains how he transitioned from a garage-based plastic tooling business to dominating the smartphone case market. He details the pivotal shift from waterproof outdoor gear to protective cases for PDAs and later the iPhone, driven by customer feedback and the need for scalable manufacturing. Richardson discusses the company's rapid 1,100% growth, his decision to remain private despite acquisition offers, and his philosophy on leadership, culture, and philanthropy.

Most relevant to

founders before launch, early-stage companies, companies scaling up and established companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
OtterBox, Pelican Products, AT&T, Home Depot, Belkin, Goldman Sachs, Banca Caputo
Products
Palm Pilot, Blackberry, iPhone

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Core77 Podcast · 55m

    Afterschool Podcast, Episode 1 - Rich Brilliant Willing

    Theo Richardson, Alex Williams, and Charles Brill, co-founders of the Brooklyn design studio Rich Brilliant Willing, discuss their journey from RISD graduates to running a furniture and lighting company. They explain how the 2008 financial crisis pushed them to bypass traditional licensing models and instead design and manufacture their own products, such as the XL Perch and Delta Fabric lamp series, to maintain speed and control. The founders detail their collaborative process, the shift from seasonal trade show launches to a more continuous product release strategy, and the challenges of maintaining their creative partnership while scaling the business.

  • The Startup CPG Podcast · 1h 23m

    #95 GT Dave - Founder & CEO of GT’s Living Foods: 25+ years of building the kombucha industry one batch at a time

    GT Dave, founder and CEO of GT’s Living Foods, discusses building a nearly billion-dollar kombucha brand while remaining 100% owner and rejecting acquisition offers. He explains that their manufacturing process relies on small, five-gallon fermentation batches rather than industrial-scale mixing, requiring half a million square feet of facility space to meet North American demand. Dave emphasizes a leadership philosophy centered on cultural alignment, hiring for attitude over credentials, and maintaining profitability without outside investment. He also details the company's product portfolio, including Synergy Kombucha, Agua de Kefir, and Live Medicinal Mushroom Elixirs, while sharing insights on managing a massive brand ambassador force and navigating public perception as a founder.

  • The Startup CPG Podcast · 54m

    Shark Tank, Sea Moss, and an Ocean of Potential with Alexiou Gibson (2022)

    Alexiou Gibson, founder and CEO of The Transformation Factory, explains how his Sea Moss Gel product scaled to $3.5 million in revenue in 11 months, leading to a $600,000 deal with Mark Cuban and Kevin Hart on Shark Tank. He details his journey from a NASA biomedical engineer to an entrepreneur, highlighting the pivot from giving away product to healthcare workers during the pandemic to a commercial Etsy store. Gibson discusses the operational challenges of rapid growth, including hiring his first marketing director, managing a 50-person team, and securing shelf-stabilization technology to enter retail and Amazon channels.

  • Making It · 1h 05m

    Episode 129: Benjamin Buttoning

    Hosts Bob Clagett, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss how aging and life transitions influence their creative risks, business decisions, and personal outlooks. They share anecdotes about moving shops, managing physical limitations, and the shift from seeking external validation to prioritizing autonomy and community. The conversation highlights specific projects like Spray Ground backpack props and a fidget spinner, while reflecting on the trade-offs between scaling a business and maintaining creative control.

  • Core77 Podcast · 1h 27m

    Afterschool Podcast, Episode 19 - Craighton Berman, Founder of Manual (04/16)

    Craighton Berman, founder of the brand Manual, discusses his transition from independent design studio to launching the Manual Coffee Maker (MCM) via Kickstarter. He details the product's design, which uses borosilicate glass and bamboo to create a ritualistic pour-over experience, and explains his strategy for scaling production and managing the crowdfunding campaign. Berman also reflects on the broader industry shift toward quality materials and the role of platforms like Kickstarter in enabling micro-entrepreneurship in industrial design.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by How I Built This. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.