# Bonobos: Andy Dunn (2019)

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2022-04-04
- Length: 1h 07m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-04-04-bonobos-andy-dunn-2019

## Summary

Andy Dunn, co-founder of Bonobos, explains how he and Brian Spaly identified a gap in men's pants fit and launched an e-commerce brand that was acquired by Walmart for $310 million. Dunn details the company's evolution from a garage operation to a multi-channel retailer, highlighting the strategic pivot to 'guide shops' and wholesale partnerships with Nordstrom. He also discusses the painful but necessary separation from his co-founder, his battle with depression, and the operational challenges of building a tech-forward fashion company in New York.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-04-04-bonobos-andy-dunn-2019#t=0) Introduction: Andy Dunn and Bonobos
- [3:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-04-04-bonobos-andy-dunn-2019#t=234) Stanford Business School and the Pants Insight
- [14:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-04-04-bonobos-andy-dunn-2019#t=844) Early Funding and First Sales
- [27:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-04-04-bonobos-andy-dunn-2019#t=1655) Co-Founder Conflict and Separation
- [38:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-04-04-bonobos-andy-dunn-2019#t=2297) Crisis Management and Fundraising
- [46:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-04-04-bonobos-andy-dunn-2019#t=2815) Closing the Palo Alto Office
- [51:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-04-04-bonobos-andy-dunn-2019#t=3104) The Guide Shop Model and Retail Strategy
- [57:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-04-04-bonobos-andy-dunn-2019#t=3436) The Walmart Acquisition

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Bonobos (company)
- Walmart (company)
- Brian Spaly (other)
- Nordstrom (company)
- Jet.com (company)
- Mavron (company)
- Benchmark (company)
- JetBlue (company)
- Stitchfix (company)
- Trunk Club (company)
- Monica and Andy (company)

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- [#175 - E-Comm Wizards:  David Fudge of Aplós](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-12-24-175-e-comm-wizards-david-fudge-of-aplos) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Zoe Levin of Bim Bam Boo](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-03-21-founder-feature-zoe-levin-of-bim-bam-boo) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
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## Citing this page

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