# Live Episode! OtterBox: Curt Richardson

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2019-12-02
- Length: 1h 02m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-12-02-live-episode-otterbox-curt-richardson

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-12-02-live-episode-otterbox-curt-richardson#t=0) Introduction: Kurt Richardson and OtterBox
- [3:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-12-02-live-episode-otterbox-curt-richardson#t=218) Early Life and Plastic Tooling Roots
- [14:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-12-02-live-episode-otterbox-curt-richardson#t=855) From Waterproof Boxes to PDA Cases
- [20:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-12-02-live-episode-otterbox-curt-richardson#t=1230) The E Myth and Business Transformation
- [26:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-12-02-live-episode-otterbox-curt-richardson#t=1583) Scaling Production and Financing Growth
- [36:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-12-02-live-episode-otterbox-curt-richardson#t=2181) The iPhone Launch and Rapid Expansion
- [51:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-12-02-live-episode-otterbox-curt-richardson#t=3102) Leadership, Culture, and Philanthropy

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

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

## Mentioned

- OtterBox (company)
- Pelican Products (company)
- Palm Pilot (product)
- Blackberry (product)
- iPhone (product)
- AT&T (company)
- Home Depot (company)
- Belkin (company)
- Goldman Sachs (company)
- Banca Caputo (company)

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- [Shark Tank, Sea Moss, and an Ocean of Potential with Alexiou Gibson (2022)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-01-03-shark-tank-sea-moss-and-an-ocean-of-potential-with-alexiou-gibson-2022) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
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- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 19 - Craighton Berman, Founder of Manual (04/16)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2014-04-16-afterschool-podcast-episode-19-craighton-berman-founder-of-manual-04-16) (Core77 Podcast)

## Citing this page

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