
About this episode
In 1970, Tom Chappell took out a $5000 loan to launch a natural products company called Tom's of Maine. Working out of a warehouse in Kennebunk, Maine, he created soaps, shampoos, and toothpaste free from added chemicals, and sustainable for the environment. When he sold the company three decades later, Tom's of Maine had become one of the largest natural products brands in the world. PLUS for our postscript "How You Built That", we check back with Paul Kaster, who two years ago started a company that makes wooden bowties, and is now starting Carbon Cravat — which makes bowties out of carbon fiber.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Get every episode summarized
Each time How I Built This with Guy Raz publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from How I Built This with Guy Raz

Room & Board: John Gabbert. A Broken Deal, a Family Rift, and the Birth of a Fur...
How I Built This with Guy Raz
May 11, 20261:01:49pending

Advice Line with Jonah Peretti of Buzzfeed
How I Built This with Guy Raz
May 7, 202643:00pending

Beautycounter: Gregg Renfrew. She Built Beautycounter to $1B… Then Got Fired Fro...
How I Built This with Guy Raz
May 4, 20261:12:47pending

Advice Line with David Neeleman of JetBlue
How I Built This with Guy Raz
Apr 30, 202644:24completed