Todd Carmichael

Everything Todd Carmichael said on any show that made the record, most notable first. Each card names its show and opens the statement there.

HOW I BUILT THIS Assertion Not checkable as stated

Starbucks rejected Todd Carmichael as a barista before he founded La Colombe

“What I really wanted to do, and this probably exposes the kid in me, but I wanted to be a barista. I wanted to be the cool kid, right? And Starbucks wouldn't let me do it. You know, come on, I mean, I was a flannel-wearing farm boy, you know, I cut my own hair…”

Todd Carmichael Jan 12, 2026 ▶ 10:20 La Colombe Coffee Roasters: Todd Carmichael and J.P. Iberti. A Brotherhood Built on Coffee (2020)

HOW I BUILT THIS Disclosure

Carmichael needed to raise $95,000 to launch La Colombe with J.P. Iberti

“I knew I needed to put together 95,000 dollars so I could start this coffee company with my best friend.”

Todd Carmichael Jan 12, 2026 ▶ 18:14 La Colombe Coffee Roasters: Todd Carmichael and J.P. Iberti. A Brotherhood Built on Coffee (2020)

HOW I BUILT THIS Assertion Supported

Carmichael: Early 1980s Seattle had only around six cafes

“Because you gotta imagine that there's maybe six cafes in all of Seattle.”

Todd Carmichael Jul 20, 2020 ▶ 12:55 La Colombe Coffee Roasters: Todd Carmichael and J.P. Iberti

The other half of the tape: Todd Carmichael's own voice is left out of every number here. Other people bring the name up 1 time in 1 episode across the shows. 1 statement on the record names them. every mention, with the transcript →

Who brings them up most Guy Raz 1

Statements about Todd Carmichael, by other people (1)

HOW I BUILT THIS Assertion Supported

Carmichael once held the world speed record for unassisted South Pole treks

“By the way, in addition to founding La Cologne, Todd also once held the world's speed record for trekking to the South Pole on foot, unassisted.”

Guy Raz Jan 12, 2026 ▶ 1:02:15 La Colombe Coffee Roasters: Todd Carmichael and J.P. Iberti. A Brotherhood Built on Coffee (2020)

Every mention by year

One line per show, most statements first. The link opens Todd's full record on that show: the calibration, argument clarity, speaking style and every statement made there.

Show	Role there	Eps	Statements	Record
HOW I BUILT THISLEDGER	Founder & CEO, Loftiwater	2	27	57% 4/7	full record on How I Built This →