# Advice Line with Curt Richardson of OtterBox

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2026-07-23
- Length: 41m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-07-23-advice-line-with-curt-richardson-of-otterbox

## Summary

OtterBox founder Kurt Richardson joins Guy Raz to advise early-stage founders on scaling, marketing, and product strategy. He discusses the importance of focus, having previously expanded OtterBox into coolers and clothing before narrowing back to phone cases. Richardson also reflects on his transition from CEO to Chief Visionary Officer and the operational challenges of scaling a hardware brand.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-07-23-advice-line-with-curt-richardson-of-otterbox#t=0) Introduction: Kurt Richardson and OtterBox's Evolution
- [6:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-07-23-advice-line-with-curt-richardson-of-otterbox#t=405) Advice for Mr. Game Show: Scaling a Service-Based Business
- [17:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-07-23-advice-line-with-curt-richardson-of-otterbox#t=1041) Advice for Gilded Coach Teas: Regaining Momentum and DTC Strategy
- [28:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-07-23-advice-line-with-curt-richardson-of-otterbox#t=1700) Advice for Everloop: Marketing Channels and the Buyback Model
- [40:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-07-23-advice-line-with-curt-richardson-of-otterbox#t=2400) Kurt Richardson's Advice to His Younger Self

## Topics

- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- OtterBox (company)
- Mr. Game Show (company)
- Gilded Coach Teas (company)
- Everloop (company)
- Blue Ocean Enterprise (company)
- Claude (product)
- Nordstrom (company)
- Target (company)
- Pottery Barn Kids (company)
- The E Myth (other)

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- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 1 - Rich Brilliant Willing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-08-19-afterschool-podcast-episode-1-rich-brilliant-willing) (Core77 Podcast)
- [087: Purpose is a Big Part of Consumer Product Success](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2021-08-04-087-purpose-is-a-big-part-of-consumer-product-success) (Product Startup)
- [#95 GT Dave - Founder & CEO of GT’s Living Foods: 25+ years of building the kombucha industry one batch at a time](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-06-20-95-gt-dave-founder-ceo-of-gts-living-foods-25-years-of-building-the-kombucha-ind) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Episode 129: Benjamin Buttoning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-08-04-episode-129-benjamin-buttoning) (Making It)
- [25: Q&A](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2017-03-30-25-q-a) (Thoroughly Considered)

## 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/2026-07-23-advice-line-with-curt-richardson-of-otterbox. 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.