# method: Adam Lowry & Eric Ryan (2018)

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2020-10-12
- Length: 52m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-10-12-method-adam-lowry-eric-ryan-2018

## Summary

Adam Lowry and Eric Ryan, co-founders of Method, explain how they disrupted the cleaning industry by combining chemical engineering with industrial design to create non-toxic, aesthetically pleasing products. They detail their journey from mixing ingredients in a San Francisco group house to securing a pivotal partnership with designer Karim Rashid and landing a major deal with Target. The founders discuss the operational challenges of scaling production, including a costly failure with their Block personal care line, and their eventual sale to Ecover to expand their sustainable mission.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-10-12-method-adam-lowry-eric-ryan-2018#t=0) Introduction: Adam Lowry and Eric Ryan
- [5:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-10-12-method-adam-lowry-eric-ryan-2018#t=344) Background: Sailing, Auto Industry Roots, and College
- [10:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-10-12-method-adam-lowry-eric-ryan-2018#t=611) The Idea: Identifying the 'Sea of Sameness' in Cleaning
- [17:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-10-12-method-adam-lowry-eric-ryan-2018#t=1050) Prototyping: Mixing Ingredients and Designing Stock Bottles
- [22:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-10-12-method-adam-lowry-eric-ryan-2018#t=1378) Early Sales: Molly Stones and the 'Paper Route'
- [30:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-10-12-method-adam-lowry-eric-ryan-2018#t=1815) Fundraising: The $1M Round and 9/11 Delays
- [34:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-10-12-method-adam-lowry-eric-ryan-2018#t=2046) The Target Pitch: Karim Rashid and the Inverted Bottle
- [37:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-10-12-method-adam-lowry-eric-ryan-2018#t=2241) Scaling: The 90-Store Test and Operational Failures
- [44:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-10-12-method-adam-lowry-eric-ryan-2018#t=2680) Block Failure: Personal Care Launch and Inventory Write-offs
- [49:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-10-12-method-adam-lowry-eric-ryan-2018#t=2986) Exit: Selling to Ecover and Future Ventures

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Method (product)
- Target (company)
- Molly Stones (company)
- Karim Rashid (other)
- Ecover (company)
- Clorox (company)
- Block (product)
- Ripple Foods (company)
- Ollie (company)
- Wellie (company)

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