# Advice Line with Eric Ryan of Method

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2025-06-26
- Length: 46m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-26-advice-line-with-eric-ryan-of-method

## Summary

Method co-founder Eric Ryan joins Guy Raz to answer questions from early-stage founders, sharing his strategy of identifying 'sea of sameness' categories and entering them with high design and sustainability. He discusses his current venture, Tandy, a functional candy brand available at Target and Amazon, and reflects on past failures like the Block personal care line. The episode features advice for Transparent Hospitality on scaling with mentorship, Props Luggage on balancing control with growth, and Flip Mits on retail positioning.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-26-advice-line-with-eric-ryan-of-method#t=0) Introduction: Eric Ryan and Method's Origin Story
- [3:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-26-advice-line-with-eric-ryan-of-method#t=206) Eric Ryan's Strategy: Finding 'Sea of Sameness' Categories
- [4:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-26-advice-line-with-eric-ryan-of-method#t=264) Tandy: Functional Candy and Branding Philosophy
- [10:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-26-advice-line-with-eric-ryan-of-method#t=608) Caller 1: Transparent Hospitality Scaling and Mentorship
- [23:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-26-advice-line-with-eric-ryan-of-method#t=1423) Caller 2: Props Luggage Growth and Investor Decisions
- [35:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-26-advice-line-with-eric-ryan-of-method#t=2149) Caller 3: Flip Mits Retail Positioning and Licensing
- [45:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-26-advice-line-with-eric-ryan-of-method#t=2721) Conclusion: Pacing and Patience in Entrepreneurship

## 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)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Method (company)
- Tandy (product)
- Target (company)
- Amazon (company)
- CVS (company)
- Ollie (company)
- Wellie (company)
- Block (product)
- Transparent Hospitality (company)
- Paren (product)
- Props Luggage (company)
- Flip Mits (company)
- QVC (company)
- Walmart (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [How to Ask Someone to Invest in Your CPG Brand, with Fave's Ryan Raish](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-10-10-how-to-ask-someone-to-invest-in-your-cpg-brand-with-faves-ryan-raish) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [087: Purpose is a Big Part of Consumer Product Success](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2021-08-04-087-purpose-is-a-big-part-of-consumer-product-success) (Product Startup)
- [Founder Fundraising Journey: Craig Dubitsky, Happy Products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-04-18-founder-fundraising-journey-craig-dubitsky-happy-products) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 9 - Rusty Meadows (10/21)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-11-05-afterschool-podcast-episode-9-rusty-meadows-10-21) (Core77 Podcast)
- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 1 - Rich Brilliant Willing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-08-19-afterschool-podcast-episode-1-rich-brilliant-willing) (Core77 Podcast)

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