# Advice Line: Scaling Strategies

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2025-05-22
- Length: 44m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-05-22-advice-line-scaling-strategies

## Summary

Guy Raz hosts a special Advice Line episode with former guests Travis Boersma of Dutch Bros. Coffee, Michael Preysman of Everlane, and Chris Ruder of Spikeball to answer scaling questions from three callers. Andy Atkins of Bad Luck Burger Club asks whether to bootstrap to a brick-and-mortar location or raise capital, with Travis advising on cash flow and overhead. Tiffany Narbonne of T Giselle seeks advice on entering large retailers, receiving guidance from Michael on simplifying her brand story for packaging and retail displays. Finally, Peter Hauk of Rink Rabbit evaluates expanding his figure skating accessories brand internationally, with Chris and Guy advising him to focus on his rapid US growth before tackling complex logistics.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-05-22-advice-line-scaling-strategies#t=0) Introduction and Bad Luck Burger Club Call
- [6:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-05-22-advice-line-scaling-strategies#t=375) Travis Boersma Advises on Brick-and-Mortar Expansion
- [16:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-05-22-advice-line-scaling-strategies#t=985) T Giselle and Retail Entry Strategy
- [21:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-05-22-advice-line-scaling-strategies#t=1302) Michael Preysman on Brand Storytelling for Retail
- [30:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-05-22-advice-line-scaling-strategies#t=1855) Rink Rabbit and International Scaling Questions
- [34:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-05-22-advice-line-scaling-strategies#t=2058) Chris Ruder on Focus and US Growth

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Logistics & fulfilment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/logistics-and-fulfillment)
- [Intellectual property](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/intellectual-property)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Dutch Bros. Coffee (company)
- Everlane (company)
- Spikeball (product)
- Bad Luck Burger Club (company)
- T Giselle (company)
- Rink Rabbit (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- QVC (company)
- Shopify (tool)

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- [92: We’ve Hit Our Ceiling](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2023-01-12-92-weve-hit-our-ceiling) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Bonus Episode: Khalil Khamis of Crafty Ramen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-05-02-bonus-episode-khalil-khamis-of-crafty-ramen) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [#66 Sharing is Caring: How Alison Cayne & Haven's Kitchen share cooking confidence and industry knowledge](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-10-25-66-sharing-is-caring-how-alison-cayne-havens-kitchen-share-cooking-confidence-an) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [#134 How to Make and Scale Your Product with Jamie Valenti-Jordan, Catapult Commercialization Services Part 2](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-03-21-134-how-to-make-and-scale-your-product-with-jamie-valenti-jordan-catapult-commer) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Max Luthy of Plink!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-04-18-founder-feature-max-luthy-of-plink) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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