# Advice Line with Isaac Larian of MGA Entertainment

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2025-07-31
- Length: 42m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-07-31-advice-line-with-isaac-larian-of-mga-entertainment

## Summary

Isaac Larian, founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment (Bratz, LOL Surprise), joins Guy Raz to advise three early-stage founders on marketing, growth, and branding. He advises Meghan Foster of T is for Todd to raise prices and target grandparents rather than moms, Libby Mochan of Fulton to avoid VC dilution and seek partners with retail connections for Target expansion, and Robin Hall of Town Hall Outdoor Co. to consider rebranding and using bank loans over private equity. Larian also discusses the impact of tariffs on the toy industry and the importance of embracing failure to achieve viral success.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-07-31-advice-line-with-isaac-larian-of-mga-entertainment#t=0) Introduction and Tariffs
- [5:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-07-31-advice-line-with-isaac-larian-of-mga-entertainment#t=348) Advice for T is for Todd: Marketing to Grandparents
- [16:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-07-31-advice-line-with-isaac-larian-of-mga-entertainment#t=989) Advice for Fulton: Growth, Capital, and Retail Strategy
- [27:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-07-31-advice-line-with-isaac-larian-of-mga-entertainment#t=1656) Advice for Town Hall Outdoor Co: Naming and Funding
- [40:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-07-31-advice-line-with-isaac-larian-of-mga-entertainment#t=2457) Larian's Advice to His Younger Self

## Topics

- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up, early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- MGA Entertainment (company)
- Bratz (product)
- LOL Surprise (product)
- T is for Todd (company)
- Fulton (company)
- Town Hall Outdoor Co. (company)
- Nickelodeon (other)
- YouTube (other)
- TikTok (other)
- Meta (other)
- Target (company)
- Walmart (company)
- REI (company)
- Title 9 (company)
- Smartwool (company)
- Dr. Scholl's (company)
- Birkenstock (product)
- Vjori (company)
- Aviator Nation (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [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)
- [#232 - 2026 Brand Resolutions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-01-20-232-2026-brand-resolutions) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [#83 Trade Spend & Retail Promotions 101 with Jake Huber (+ Niramaya)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-03-21-83-trade-spend-retail-promotions-101-with-jake-huber-niramaya) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Investor Spotlight: Hayden Williams, BrandProject](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-02-07-investor-spotlight-hayden-williams-brandproject) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Investor Spotlight: Liz Myslik of Loft Growth Partners](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-10-25-investor-spotlight-liz-myslik-of-loft-growth-partners) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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