# Advice Line with Perry Chen of Kickstarter

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2025-06-12
- Length: 46m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-12-advice-line-with-perry-chen-of-kickstarter

## Summary

Kickstarter co-founder Perry Chen joins Guy Raz to advise three early-stage founders on scaling and exit strategies. Jesse Hodge of ModTub discusses whether to sell his profitable cold plunge business or hire a professional CEO to scale. Catherine Kurbis of HYCH seeks advice on expanding her hot sauce brand into national retail without significant outside investment. Joe Fontana of Fry the Coop explores financing options to grow his chicken sandwich chain from 10 to 75 locations.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-12-advice-line-with-perry-chen-of-kickstarter#t=0) Introduction and Perry Chen Update
- [5:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-12-advice-line-with-perry-chen-of-kickstarter#t=330) Jesse Hodge and ModTub: Sale vs. Scaling
- [19:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-12-advice-line-with-perry-chen-of-kickstarter#t=1145) Catherine Kurbis and HYCH: Retail Expansion Strategy
- [30:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-12-advice-line-with-perry-chen-of-kickstarter#t=1807) Joe Fontana and Fry the Coop: Financing Growth
- [44:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-12-advice-line-with-perry-chen-of-kickstarter#t=2670) Perry Chen on Entrepreneurial Delusion and Off-Ramps

## Topics

- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Kickstarter (company)
- ModTub (product)
- HYCH (product)
- Fry the Coop (product)
- Therabody (product)
- Solo Stove (product)
- Lululemon (company)
- Dave's Hot Chicken (product)
- Raising Cane's (product)
- Potbelly (product)
- In-N-Out (product)
- Crack Shack (product)
- U.S. Bank (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [From Hand Sanitizer to Tomato Sauce - How Sauz Went From 10 Doors to 3,500 in a Year](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-08-29-from-hand-sanitizer-to-tomato-sauce-how-sauz-went-from-10-doors-to-3-500-in-a-ye) (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)
- [92: We’ve Hit Our Ceiling](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2023-01-12-92-weve-hit-our-ceiling) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [#75 Behind the Scenes of Equity Crowdfunding with tbh (+ Popadelics)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-01-10-75-behind-the-scenes-of-equity-crowdfunding-with-tbh-popadelics) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [085: Scaling Your Product Up After Crowdfunding](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2021-07-21-085-scaling-your-product-up-after-crowdfunding) (Product Startup)

## Citing this page

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