# Advice Line with John Zimmer of Lyft

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2025-10-23
- Length: 50m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-10-23-advice-line-with-john-zimmer-of-lyft

## Summary

Lyft co-founder John Zimmer joins Guy Raz to discuss his recent departure from the company he built with Logan Green, his new venture Yes, and the mental health challenges of entrepreneurship. Zimmer provides advice to three early-stage founders: Alan Summerfield of ShowerSpaah on scaling a patented shower device to the US market; Terry Levy of RUKSTR on securing inventory financing for her weighted vests amidst tariff uncertainties; and Kobi of Slowcocoa on maintaining work-life balance and implementing employee ownership in his craft chocolate business.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-10-23-advice-line-with-john-zimmer-of-lyft#t=0) Introduction: John Zimmer on Leaving Lyft and New Venture
- [8:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-10-23-advice-line-with-john-zimmer-of-lyft#t=488) Advice for Alan Summerfield: Scaling ShowerSpaah to the US
- [21:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-10-23-advice-line-with-john-zimmer-of-lyft#t=1312) Advice for Terry Levy: RUKSTR Inventory Financing and Tariffs
- [33:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-10-23-advice-line-with-john-zimmer-of-lyft#t=1988) Advice for Kobi: Slowcocoa Work-Life Balance and Ownership
- [49:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-10-23-advice-line-with-john-zimmer-of-lyft#t=2952) Conclusion: John Zimmer's Advice to His Younger Self

## Topics

- [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises, founders before launch, early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Lyft (company)
- ShowerSpaah (product)
- RUKSTR (company)
- Slowcocoa (company)
- Yes (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- Shopify (company)
- Lightphone (product)
- Peloton (company)
- Warby Parker (company)
- Leatherman (product)
- New Belgium (company)
- Bob's Red Mill (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Founder Fundraising Journey: Victor Guardiola, Bawi](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-08-01-founder-fundraising-journey-victor-guardiola-bawi) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Kickstarter, Copycats, and Comebacks: RiutBag’s Rise](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/its-only-a-prototype/2025-07-01-kickstarter-copycats-and-comebacks-riutbags-rise) (It's Only a Prototype)
- [Founder + Funder: Fundraising, Founder-Investor Fit, and Building the Next Big Breakfast Brand with Emily Groden of Evergreen and Brian Bernstein of Rich Products Ventures](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-06-20-founder-funder-fundraising-founder-investor-fit-and-building-the-next-big-breakf) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [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)
- [Founder vs. Investor with Liz Zalman and Jerry Neumann](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2025-11-22-founder-vs-investor-with-liz-zalman-and-jerry-neumann) (Oxide and Friends)

## Citing this page

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