# Advice Line with Hernan Lopez of Wondery

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2026-03-12
- Length: 44m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-03-12-advice-line-with-hernan-lopez-of-wondery

## Summary

Guy Raz and Hernan Lopez, co-founder of the podcast network Wondery, advise three early-stage founders on business challenges. Heather Sloan of Heali Medical discusses balancing DTC growth with retail presence for her magnesium-infused kinesiology tape. Nawal of Studyous Monday seeks advice on rebranding modest school uniforms for Muslim students due to pronunciation issues. Casey O'Leary of Snake River Seed Cooperative explores new revenue streams to overcome tight margins in the seed industry.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-03-12-advice-line-with-hernan-lopez-of-wondery#t=0) Introduction and Hernan Lopez's Vindication
- [7:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-03-12-advice-line-with-hernan-lopez-of-wondery#t=433) Heali Medical: Balancing DTC and Retail Strategy
- [20:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-03-12-advice-line-with-hernan-lopez-of-wondery#t=1243) Studyous Monday: Rebranding and Name Accessibility
- [32:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-03-12-advice-line-with-hernan-lopez-of-wondery#t=1951) Snake River Seed Cooperative: Leveraging Expertise for Revenue
- [42:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-03-12-advice-line-with-hernan-lopez-of-wondery#t=2537) Hernan Lopez's Advice for Founders

## Topics

- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Wondery (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Heali Medical (company)
- CVS (company)
- Vitamin Shoppe (company)
- Studyous Monday (company)
- Snake River Seed Cooperative (company)
- Hims & Hers (company)
- Rancho Gordo (company)
- Netflix (company)
- YouTube (company)
- U.S. Bank (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)
- [59: I’ve Always Wanted to Do a Bleep](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2020-05-20-59-ive-always-wanted-to-do-a-bleep) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [92: We’ve Hit Our Ceiling](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2023-01-12-92-weve-hit-our-ceiling) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [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)
- [078: Selling Products Direct to End-Users via Shopify](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2021-06-02-078-selling-products-direct-to-end-users-via-shopify) (Product Startup)

## Citing this page

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