How I Built This with Guy Raz

Live Episode! Walker & Company: Tristan Walker

Sep 30, 2019
Tristan Walker, founder of Walker & Company and P&G’s first Black CEO, shares his journey from a painful first shave to innovating grooming products tailored for men of color. He discusses the struggles he faced while securing funding and creating Bevel, a subscription service designed to combat the challenges of coarse hair. Tristan highlights the importance of representation in the beauty industry and reflects on the transformative experiences that shaped his vision for success and inclusion.
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ANECDOTE

Wall Street Disillusionment

  • Walker worked on Wall Street for two years after graduating from Stony Brook University.
  • He found the work unfulfilling and the culture unappealing, even though he was laid off before the 2008 financial crisis.
ANECDOTE

Foursquare Internship

  • At Stanford, Walker discovered Silicon Valley and its potential to change the world.
  • He persistently emailed Foursquare's founder and secured an internship after signing up hundreds of merchants.
INSIGHT

Entrepreneur in Residence

  • Tristan Walker left Foursquare and joined Andreessen Horowitz as an Entrepreneur in Residence.
  • Ben Horowitz advised Walker to focus on problems he was uniquely positioned to solve.
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