StarZero All shows Try the podcast clipper →

Oct 9, 2025 · 53m · how-i-built-this

Advice Line with Michael Dubin of Dollar Shave Club

Guy Raz · 17m spoken Michael Dubin · 17m spoken Brea Fleming · 5m spoken Benita Casbo · 4m spoken Brandon Davis · 3m spoken
0:00 / 0:00

gold bands on the timeline = statements, start to end. Hover to read, click to jump. CC turns on captions

In this 'Advice Line' episode of How I Built This Lab, host Guy Raz and Dollar Shave Club founder Michael Dubin offer strategic marketing, operational scaling, and manufacturing advice to three emerging entrepreneurs.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. Guy holds 37.8% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

Guy as informed peer 4.8 Guest teaching 2.2 Guest disagreement 0.5 Guy pushing back 0.8
05100:0015:0030:0045:001:35–7:31 · Guy as informed peer 4/10 Reintroducing Michael Dubin and the Dynamics of Virality Guy Raz explores modern digital virality and brand building compared to 2012. Michael Dubin explains why viral spikes are shorter-lived in today's saturated media environment in a friendly, peer-level exchange.7:31–20:13 · Guy as informed peer 6/10 Advising Benita Casbo on Marketing Syrian Cheese Benita Casbo pitches her Syrian cheese company Casbo's Middle Eastern Kitchen. Raz demonstrates domain knowledge of specialty food marketing and NYC food press, while Dubin offers creative marketing and mascot concepts in a purely collaborative session.20:14–23:55 · Guy as informed peer 3/10 Mid-Show Break Announcement Following the mid-show break, caller Brandon Davis introduces Pars Mobile Mini Golf. Raz conducts a friendly, purely informational diagnostic on business mechanics and revenue.23:56–33:03 · Guy as informed peer 7/10 Strategies for Scaling Culture and Customer Experience Raz demonstrates strong business knowledge by referencing Specialized Bikes founder Mike Sinyard and explaining customer service manifestos for experiential hospitality. Dubin provides operational advice regarding employee equity and professional development.33:03–49:07 · Guy as informed peer 6/10 Intermission Before Caller Three Brea Fleming explains wildland fire uniform specifications and NFPA wearing ease regulations. Raz pushes back constructively by urging her to expand her total addressable market beyond firefighting and explore overseas contract manufacturing to improve margins.49:08–52:44 · Guy as informed peer 3/10 Michael Dubin on Wildfire Advocacy and Founding Lessons Raz and Dubin conclude with a reflective discussion on Dubin's wildfire advocacy nonprofit Safewoods and the leadership lessons he learned while scaling and delegating at Dollar Shave Club.1:35–7:31 · Guest teaching 3/10 Reintroducing Michael Dubin and the Dynamics of Virality Guy Raz explores modern digital virality and brand building compared to 2012. Michael Dubin explains why viral spikes are shorter-lived in today's saturated media environment in a friendly, peer-level exchange.7:31–20:13 · Guest teaching 2/10 Advising Benita Casbo on Marketing Syrian Cheese Benita Casbo pitches her Syrian cheese company Casbo's Middle Eastern Kitchen. Raz demonstrates domain knowledge of specialty food marketing and NYC food press, while Dubin offers creative marketing and mascot concepts in a purely collaborative session.20:14–23:55 · Guest teaching 1/10 Mid-Show Break Announcement Following the mid-show break, caller Brandon Davis introduces Pars Mobile Mini Golf. Raz conducts a friendly, purely informational diagnostic on business mechanics and revenue.23:56–33:03 · Guest teaching 1/10 Strategies for Scaling Culture and Customer Experience Raz demonstrates strong business knowledge by referencing Specialized Bikes founder Mike Sinyard and explaining customer service manifestos for experiential hospitality. Dubin provides operational advice regarding employee equity and professional development.33:03–49:07 · Guest teaching 4/10 Intermission Before Caller Three Brea Fleming explains wildland fire uniform specifications and NFPA wearing ease regulations. Raz pushes back constructively by urging her to expand her total addressable market beyond firefighting and explore overseas contract manufacturing to improve margins.49:08–52:44 · Guest teaching 2/10 Michael Dubin on Wildfire Advocacy and Founding Lessons Raz and Dubin conclude with a reflective discussion on Dubin's wildfire advocacy nonprofit Safewoods and the leadership lessons he learned while scaling and delegating at Dollar Shave Club.1:35–7:31 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Reintroducing Michael Dubin and the Dynamics of Virality Guy Raz explores modern digital virality and brand building compared to 2012. Michael Dubin explains why viral spikes are shorter-lived in today's saturated media environment in a friendly, peer-level exchange.7:31–20:13 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Advising Benita Casbo on Marketing Syrian Cheese Benita Casbo pitches her Syrian cheese company Casbo's Middle Eastern Kitchen. Raz demonstrates domain knowledge of specialty food marketing and NYC food press, while Dubin offers creative marketing and mascot concepts in a purely collaborative session.20:14–23:55 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Mid-Show Break Announcement Following the mid-show break, caller Brandon Davis introduces Pars Mobile Mini Golf. Raz conducts a friendly, purely informational diagnostic on business mechanics and revenue.23:56–33:03 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Strategies for Scaling Culture and Customer Experience Raz demonstrates strong business knowledge by referencing Specialized Bikes founder Mike Sinyard and explaining customer service manifestos for experiential hospitality. Dubin provides operational advice regarding employee equity and professional development.33:03–49:07 · Guest disagreement 2/10 Intermission Before Caller Three Brea Fleming explains wildland fire uniform specifications and NFPA wearing ease regulations. Raz pushes back constructively by urging her to expand her total addressable market beyond firefighting and explore overseas contract manufacturing to improve margins.49:08–52:44 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Michael Dubin on Wildfire Advocacy and Founding Lessons Raz and Dubin conclude with a reflective discussion on Dubin's wildfire advocacy nonprofit Safewoods and the leadership lessons he learned while scaling and delegating at Dollar Shave Club.1:35–7:31 · Guy pushing back 1/10 Reintroducing Michael Dubin and the Dynamics of Virality Guy Raz explores modern digital virality and brand building compared to 2012. Michael Dubin explains why viral spikes are shorter-lived in today's saturated media environment in a friendly, peer-level exchange.7:31–20:13 · Guy pushing back 0/10 Advising Benita Casbo on Marketing Syrian Cheese Benita Casbo pitches her Syrian cheese company Casbo's Middle Eastern Kitchen. Raz demonstrates domain knowledge of specialty food marketing and NYC food press, while Dubin offers creative marketing and mascot concepts in a purely collaborative session.20:14–23:55 · Guy pushing back 0/10 Mid-Show Break Announcement Following the mid-show break, caller Brandon Davis introduces Pars Mobile Mini Golf. Raz conducts a friendly, purely informational diagnostic on business mechanics and revenue.23:56–33:03 · Guy pushing back 1/10 Strategies for Scaling Culture and Customer Experience Raz demonstrates strong business knowledge by referencing Specialized Bikes founder Mike Sinyard and explaining customer service manifestos for experiential hospitality. Dubin provides operational advice regarding employee equity and professional development.33:03–49:07 · Guy pushing back 3/10 Intermission Before Caller Three Brea Fleming explains wildland fire uniform specifications and NFPA wearing ease regulations. Raz pushes back constructively by urging her to expand her total addressable market beyond firefighting and explore overseas contract manufacturing to improve margins.49:08–52:44 · Guy pushing back 0/10 Michael Dubin on Wildfire Advocacy and Founding Lessons Raz and Dubin conclude with a reflective discussion on Dubin's wildfire advocacy nonprofit Safewoods and the leadership lessons he learned while scaling and delegating at Dollar Shave Club.

speaking balance: gold is Guy, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · Guy 91.5% · guest 8.5%0:00 · Guy 91.5% · guest 8.5%3:00 · Guy 28.1% · guest 71.9%3:00 · Guy 28.1% · guest 71.9%6:00 · Guy 33.8% · guest 66.2%6:00 · Guy 33.8% · guest 66.2%9:00 · Guy 16.5% · guest 83.5%9:00 · Guy 16.5% · guest 83.5%12:00 · Guy 8.3% · guest 91.7%12:00 · Guy 8.3% · guest 91.7%15:00 · Guy 49.7% · guest 50.3%15:00 · Guy 49.7% · guest 50.3%18:00 · Guy 35.7% · guest 64.3%18:00 · Guy 35.7% · guest 64.3%21:00 · Guy 28.4% · guest 71.6%21:00 · Guy 28.4% · guest 71.6%24:00 · Guy 28.1% · guest 71.9%24:00 · Guy 28.1% · guest 71.9%27:00 · Guy 74.5% · guest 25.5%27:00 · Guy 74.5% · guest 25.5%30:00 · Guy 37.3% · guest 62.7%30:00 · Guy 37.3% · guest 62.7%33:00 · Guy 50.7% · guest 49.3%33:00 · Guy 50.7% · guest 49.3%36:00 · Guy 29.4% · guest 70.6%36:00 · Guy 29.4% · guest 70.6%39:00 · Guy 27.5% · guest 72.5%39:00 · Guy 27.5% · guest 72.5%42:00 · Guy 21.2% · guest 78.8%42:00 · Guy 21.2% · guest 78.8%45:00 · Guy 42.2% · guest 57.8%45:00 · Guy 42.2% · guest 57.8%48:00 · Guy 28.5% · guest 71.5%48:00 · Guy 28.5% · guest 71.5%51:00 · Guy 47.3% · guest 52.7%51:00 · Guy 47.3% · guest 52.7%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 41:07 Brea resists raising prices and outsourcing manufacturing

Brea firmly pushes back on premium pricing assumptions, stating she refuses to make her protective gear unaffordable for frontline workers buying out of pocket.

 Hardest push from Guy ▶ 45:46 Raz questions the viability of pitching only wildland firefighting

Raz intervenes in Dubin's fundraising advice to argue that investors will require a broader TAM like industrial workwear before putting up capital.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 36:10 Brea explains technical fabric science and NFPA wearing ease rules

Brea educates Raz on Nomex thermal expansion, radiant heat protection, and the rigid NFPA wearing ease specifications that cause ill-fitting safety gear.

 Guy holds their own ▶ 26:16 Raz details Specialized Bikes turn-around strategy for customer experience

Raz draws deeply on his archive of entrepreneurial case studies, framing mobile mini-golf through the lens of hospitality brand manifestos and Mike Sinyard's playbook.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicGuy as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementGuy pushing backWhy
Reintroducing Michael Dubin and the Dynamics of Virality 4311 Guy Raz explores modern digital virality and brand building compared to 2012. Michael Dubin explains why viral spikes are shorter-lived in today's saturated media environment in a friendly, peer-level exchange.
Advising Benita Casbo on Marketing Syrian Cheese 6200 Benita Casbo pitches her Syrian cheese company Casbo's Middle Eastern Kitchen. Raz demonstrates domain knowledge of specialty food marketing and NYC food press, while Dubin offers creative marketing and mascot concepts in a purely collaborative session.
Mid-Show Break Announcement 3100 Following the mid-show break, caller Brandon Davis introduces Pars Mobile Mini Golf. Raz conducts a friendly, purely informational diagnostic on business mechanics and revenue.
Strategies for Scaling Culture and Customer Experience 7101 Raz demonstrates strong business knowledge by referencing Specialized Bikes founder Mike Sinyard and explaining customer service manifestos for experiential hospitality. Dubin provides operational advice regarding employee equity and professional development.
Intermission Before Caller Three 6423 Brea Fleming explains wildland fire uniform specifications and NFPA wearing ease regulations. Raz pushes back constructively by urging her to expand her total addressable market beyond firefighting and explore overseas contract manufacturing to improve margins.
Michael Dubin on Wildfire Advocacy and Founding Lessons 3200 Raz and Dubin conclude with a reflective discussion on Dubin's wildfire advocacy nonprofit Safewoods and the leadership lessons he learned while scaling and delegating at Dollar Shave Club.

Statements from this episode (8)

Disclosure
Dubin: Dollar Shave Club Founder Exploring Ideas for New Venture
“I'm starting to noodle a few new company ideas. You know, at this point, I am ready to jump back into something, but it has to be the right thing, and I'm excited to start building again.”
Michael Dubin Oct 9, 2025 ▶ 3:30
Insight
Dubin: Viral Marketing Waves Are Shorter Due to Ecosystem Saturation
“I think the biggest difference might be the wave doesn't last as long as it once did because there's just so much out there.”
Michael Dubin Oct 9, 2025 ▶ 5:06
Disclosure
Casbo: Syrian Cheese Brand Launching Across Major NYC Grocer in 2026
“My first product, Syrian cheese, is a traditional cheese that's eaten throughout the Middle East, is set to launch in 2026 across all New York City stores of a major grocery chain.”
Benita Casbo Oct 9, 2025 ▶ 7:56
Insight
Dubin: Founders Should Not Expect Lifelong Employee Loyalty
“Nobody comes to your company expecting it to be a lifelong relationship and you shouldn't expect that either, right? That's just not how it works. And then eventually they're going to move on and they're going to do something else. How can you play a role in t…”
Michael Dubin Oct 9, 2025 ▶ 25:49
Assertion Partly supported
Raz: Specialized Almost Went Bankrupt in 2001 Before Adidas-Inspired Turnaround
“Mike Sinyard who founded that company, was struggling in, like, 2002 1001, and almost went bankrupt. And he happened to read an article about Adidas and how Adidas really turned around their business in the United States in part because of a brand Bible.”
Guy Raz Oct 9, 2025 ▶ 26:30
Disclosure
Dubin: Founded a Wildfire Management Nonprofit During the Pandemic
“During the pandemic, I started a wildfire nonprofit, and we do some lobbying, we do some fuel mitigation work, and some forest management work as well.”
Michael Dubin Oct 9, 2025 ▶ 39:14
Insight
Dubin: Pitching Founders Must Detail Expansion Beyond Initial Category
“I think you always want to go if you're pitching short answer is it depends who you're pitching, but you can never go wrong with going out with a big vision for how you're going to grow beyond your initial category. So it's great advice and, you know, you shou…”
Michael Dubin Oct 9, 2025 ▶ 46:05
Assertion Supported
Dubin: Dollar Shave Club's First Check Was $100K From Science Inc.
“So our first investor was a company called Science throughout in Santa Monica. They gave us a 100,000 dollar check.”
Michael Dubin Oct 9, 2025 ▶ 52:25
Made with StarZero

Turn any episode into a week of clips.

This entire site, over 800 episodes transcribed, diarized, checked and made playable, runs on the StarZero media pipeline. Drop in your own episode and the podcast clipper finds the moments worth sharing, cuts them, captions them, and reframes them for every feed.

Try the podcast clipper Learn more