# Advice Line with Neil Blumenthal of Warby Parker

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2026-01-15
- Length: 45m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-01-15-advice-line-with-neil-blumenthal-of-warby-parker

## Summary

Warby Parker co-founder and co-CEO Neil Blumenthal joins Guy Raz to answer questions from three early-stage entrepreneurs. He advises Kimber Crandall of Pearl Pop on how to transition her non-fluoride chewable toothpaste from a niche product to mainstream adoption by leveraging specific customer tribes and sampling. He guides Brian Dement of Salt and Light Wellness on vetting franchisees for his light therapy studios, emphasizing cultural alignment and regional density. Finally, he counsels Tanner McCraney of Cowboy Country Club on delegating operational responsibilities to scale his lifestyle apparel brand.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-01-15-advice-line-with-neil-blumenthal-of-warby-parker#t=0) Introduction: Neil Blumenthal and AI Eyewear
- [5:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-01-15-advice-line-with-neil-blumenthal-of-warby-parker#t=301) Pearl Pop: Moving Chewable Toothpaste to Mainstream
- [20:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-01-15-advice-line-with-neil-blumenthal-of-warby-parker#t=1201) Salt and Light Wellness: Vetting Franchisees
- [32:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-01-15-advice-line-with-neil-blumenthal-of-warby-parker#t=1961) Cowboy Country Club: Delegating to Scale
- [44:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-01-15-advice-line-with-neil-blumenthal-of-warby-parker#t=2642) Advice for Young Founders

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Warby Parker (company)
- Pearl Pop (company)
- Salt and Light Wellness (company)
- Cowboy Country Club (company)
- Google (company)
- Meta (company)
- Harry's (company)
- Lumi Deodorant (product)
- RX Bar (company)
- Orange Theory (company)
- Stretch Lab (company)
- Bonobos (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#232 - 2026 Brand Resolutions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-01-20-232-2026-brand-resolutions) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [#169 - "How to Take Advice" with Nikhil Arora](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-11-12-169-how-to-take-advice-with-nikhil-arora) (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)
- [Founders Feature: Lucy Dana of One Trick Pony](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-11-21-founders-feature-lucy-dana-of-one-trick-pony) (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)

## Citing this page

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