# Advice Line with Eric Ryan of Method returns

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2026-04-23
- Length: 40m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-04-23-advice-line-with-eric-ryan-of-method-returns

## Summary

Eric Ryan, co-founder of Method and now a venture investor at Graycroft, joins Guy Raz to advise early-stage founders on branding, product differentiation, and fundraising. He discusses his new $15 million consumer fund and the current challenges of investing in CPG, noting that while starting is easier, scaling to $100M+ is harder. Ryan advises callers on building trust for an allergen-free fragrance brand, creating experiential marketing for customizable kids' flip-flops, and determining when to raise capital for a light-up jewelry startup.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-04-23-advice-line-with-eric-ryan-of-method-returns#t=0) Introduction: Eric Ryan's Move to Venture Investing
- [4:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-04-23-advice-line-with-eric-ryan-of-method-returns#t=298) Advice for Haven Beauty: Rebuilding Trust in Fragrance
- [16:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-04-23-advice-line-with-eric-ryan-of-method-returns#t=1012) Advice for Pigeon Toes: Experiential Marketing for Flip-Flops
- [27:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-04-23-advice-line-with-eric-ryan-of-method-returns#t=1635) Advice for Reserved for Humans: Raising Capital for Jewelry
- [39:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-04-23-advice-line-with-eric-ryan-of-method-returns#t=2344) Founder Mindset and Confidence

## Topics

- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Method (company)
- Graycroft (company)
- Haven Beauty (company)
- Anthropologie (company)
- Ulta (company)
- Pigeon Toes (company)
- Reserved for Humans (company)
- Goodles (company)
- Target (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)
- [Investor Spotlight: Brian Folmer, FirstLook Ventures](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-01-24-investor-spotlight-brian-folmer-firstlook-ventures) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [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)
- [#208 - Fundraising Reflections with David Fudge (Aplós) and Amanda Amos (Collaborative Fund)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-08-05-208-fundraising-reflections-with-david-fudge-aplos-and-amanda-amos-collaborative) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-04-23-advice-line-with-eric-ryan-of-method-returns. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to How I Built This.