How I Built This with Guy Raz Live Episode! OtterBox: Curt Richardson
8 snips
Dec 2, 2019 
Curt Richardson, the founder of OtterBox, shares his inspiring journey from crafting waterproof boxes in his garage to leading a billion-dollar tech accessory empire. He discusses the pivotal shift to smartphone protection and the challenges faced during rapid growth. Richardson reflects on the importance of adaptability and customer feedback in product innovation. He also delves into lessons learned from entrepreneurship, including the balance between hard work and luck, and emphasizes the significance of nurturing company culture as the brand expanded.
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Early Career
- Inspired by high school metal shop, Richardson pursued machining.
- A short-lived apprenticeship at Woodward Governor disillusioned him.
First Business Acquisition
- At 21, Richardson bought Genie Plastic Tooling after the owner was injured.
- This acquisition marked his first foray into owning a plastics business.
The Loosey-Goosey
- One of Richardson's early products was a toilet paper holder for camping.
- The product, while functional, failed to gain traction in the market.
