Shows
Ignite UR GlowGirl, It's Time To Get Up |S5 Ep.1Girl… it’s time to get up! 🙌 This season of Ignite UR Glow is all about grace, alignment, and overflow. Jessica M. Harris shares how to rise from stagnation, pivot in faith, and walk boldly in your purpose. If you’re ready to let go, trust God, and move forward—this is your word.Here's what we have for you:If you have been in a season of dimming your light, then our Mentorship Program is meant for you. It's for the woman who is realizing that there is a demand being placed on her greatne...
2025-10-1426 min
From Scratch with Jessica HarrisRobert StephensRobert Stephens started making computer tech-support house calls on his dirt bike while he was a college student at the University of Minnesota in 1994. He’d arrive to a customer’s house on time, take off his shoes, wear a clean uniform, and fix the problem. His cheeky “law enforcement” marketing theme caught people’s attention, and the company grew from one employee to now over 20,000. Geek Squad was acquired by Best Buy in 2002, and there are over 1,000 Geek Squad “precincts” across the United States, Canada and China. Robert tells Jessica Harris how he turned his tiny tech support business into...
2025-10-1031 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisMartine RothblattMartine is a pioneer in the satellite industry, launching companies including Geostar, PanAmSat, and Sirius Satellite Radio.
She also founded United Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical company focused on cardiopulmonary disorders. In 2013, she became the highest paid female CEO in America.
Martine is a helicopter pilot and a parent of four children. She also used to be a man named Martin.
Martine speaks with Jessica Harris about her experience transforming gender, satellites, and life duration, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-10-0331 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisAndrew RosenAndrew launched Theory, a contemporary clothing company, in 1997 with co-founder Eli Tahari. Theory used the stretchy fabric lycra to create a more modern, slender look initially for young professional women. Theory was sold in 2003 to the Japanese company Fast Retailing and IPO’ed in 2005. In addition to his role at Theory, Andrew has been an advisor and investor in several other clothing companies ranging from Rag & Bone to Alice and Olivia.
Andrew speaks with Jessica Harris about his family’s deep history in the fashion industry, and how he launched Theory, from scratch.
Listen to the...
2025-09-2631 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisJessamyn RodriguezHot Bread Kitchen is an organization that teaches immigrant women to bake artisanal breads from their home country. HBK provides culinary and management training and English classes to these women who have come to New York City from countries including Bangladesh, Mexico, and Morocco, among others. HBK’s breads are available at select grocery stores including Whole Foods and Dean & Deluca, farmer’s markets in the tri-state area, and at restaurants including Danny Meyer’s Gramercy Tavern, and The Modern at the Museum of Modern Art. Prior to HBK, Jessamyn worked in the bakery of Chef Daniel Boulud’s Michelin...
2025-09-1919 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisMark RamadanSir Kensington’s is a condiment company that sells ketchup, mayo, mustard, etc. Mark and his partner Scott tried to create a gourmet alternative to Heinz and started tinkering with recipes in their off-campus apartment while they were students at Brown University. Unilever acquired the company in April, 2017.
Mark speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched Sir Kensington’s, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-09-0519 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisFabrice PenotLe Labo is a perfume company that launched on Elizabeth Street in New York City in 2006. Le Labo perfumes are prepared on the spot for the client in each store, and the brand is appreciated for its minimalist peeled-back aesthetic. Le Labo was bought by Estee Lauder in 2010.
Fabrice speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched Le Labo, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-08-2931 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisScott MoodyAuthenTec makes fingerprint sensors that could unlock mobile phones and computers. AuthenTec was sold to Apple in 2012 for $356 million, and the fingerprint sensor first appeared on the iPhone 5s in 2013.
Scott speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched AuthenTec, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-08-2219 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisCoss MarteConBody is an exercise program that Coss developed while he was in prison for selling drugs. Coss lost 70 pounds in six months by working out in his 9’x6′ cell. Con body is located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and also offers classes online for those who want prison-style workouts from the solitary confinement of their own home.
Coss speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched ConBody, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-08-1519 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisJo MaloneJo Malone is a fragrance entrepreneur. She launched Jo Malone London in a retail shop in London in 1994. The company was bought by Estee Lauder in 1999.
Jo launched her next company, Jo Loves, in 2011 after a five year hiatus from the fragrance industry. Jo is the author of Jo Malone: My Story.
Jo speaks with Jessica Harris about how she launched her fragrance businesses, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-08-0831 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisDaniel LubetzkyKIND is a food company that produces sweet and savory bars with whole nuts, spices, and fruit, among other products. KIND is sold in a diverse array of locations including Whole Foods, Walmart, convenience stores and newspaper stands. Daniel launched KIND in 2003. Daniel is also the founder of PeaceWorks, which sells Mediterranean spreads. PeaceWorks aims to foster peaceful relationships among neighbors in the Middle East and other groups in conflict through joint business ventures.
Daniel speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched KIND, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-08-0130 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisDr. Robert LangerDr. Langer is a chemical engineer who has pioneered the fields of drug delivery and tissue engineering. His lab at MIT receives roughly $10 Million in annual grants and has 100 researchers. Dr. Langer has helped to launch close to 30 start-ups, and his lab’s innovations have been licensed or sublicensed by 250 companies. Dr. Langer is also a father of three children and a magician.
Dr. Langer speaks with Jessica Harris about how he has transformed the bio-materials landscape, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-07-1130 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisPhilip KrimCasper is a company focused on sleep. Casper’s leading product is its mattress, which can be ordered online and delivered in a box, sometimes within hours if you live in New York City. Casper makes one type of mattress for all consumers, believing that more choice does not mean more comfort.
Philip speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched Casper, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-07-0419 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisGary KremenGary is a serial entrepreneur who launched Match.com, the online dating service, in 1993. A host of other online matchmaking personals companies have hatched as a result of Gary’s innovation. Gary also registered a number of lucrative domain names in the early days of the internet including housing.com, jobs.com, and autos.com. He was also the early owner of sex.com, which was the subject of a legal dispute that was ultimately resolved in Gary’s favor. More recently, Gary has been involved in innovations in the clean tech and financial services industries.
Gary spea...
2025-06-2731 min
Ignite UR GlowStrengthen Your Mind & Refuse to Quit (S4E17)On 'Ignite Your Glow's episode we are empowering women to move forward with bold faith and unwavering strength. This episode is dedicated to those feeling weary, encouraging them not to give up but to harness their inner lion and finish strong. Discover the transformative power of the Glow Up Reset Bundle and Suite programs designed to offer coaching, structure, and accountability. Learn how to embody the resilience of a lion and walk securely in your purpose with faith and determination.Glow Up Reset Bundle: Glow Reset Bundle: Changing Habits | Jessica Harris90 Day Glow Up Reset...
2025-06-2611 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisBrian LiuLegalZoom is an online service that provides legal documents and solutions for consumers and small businesses. The company helps visitors form corporations, file patents, trademark a name, create a living trust, etc. without the fees associated with hiring a lawyer.
Brian speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched Legal Zoom, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-06-2519 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisJay KimmelmanBridge International Academies is a private network of nursery and primary schools educating the poorest students in developing countries including Kenya, Uganda and India. Bridge charges families roughly six dollars per month for a pupil to attend school and uses economies of scale to keep costs low across its more than 400 academies.
Jay speaks with Jessica Harris about how he and his wife Shannon are building their network of schools, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-06-2030 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisBertha González NievesCasa Dragones is a luxury sipping tequila, made from 100% blue agave. Bob Pittman, founder of MTV, is Bertha’s partner. Madonna, Martha Stewart, Oprah, and Le Bernadin Chef Eric Ripert are among Casa Dragones’ celebrity fans. The first batch of Casa Dragones, about 12,000 bottles, was launched in 2009.
Bertha speaks with Jessica Harris about how she launched Casa Dragones, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-06-1319 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisOrion HindawiTanium is a cybersecurity company that focuses on providing internet safety for the US government and Fortune 500 companies. Clients include Amazon, Target, Best Buy and the Department of Defense. Orion started Tanium with his father David.
Orion speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched Tanium, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-06-0619 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisLuis von AhnLuis is an inventor and computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon. He is one of the creators of CAPTCHA, a system that allows websites to determine whether you’re a human or a computer. CAPTCHAs are wavy, distorted words that people need to type out when they’re submitting a form to a website. Luis’ company ReCAPTCHA proved users were humans while also digitizing books. The company was sold to Google in 2009. He also founded the language learning app Duolingo, attracting over 150 million users in its first four years. Luis won a Macarthur Genius Grant in 2006.
Luis speaks...
2025-05-3030 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisMick MountzKiva Systems is a mobile robotics company that automates the warehouse fulfillment process. Kiva robots deliver inventory shelves to stationary human operators who then pick and pack the product. Mick started Kiva Systems in 2003, and the company was acquired by Amazon for $775 Million in Spring, 2012. Customers include Diapers.com and Zappos (both owned by Amazon), Saks Fifth Avenue, Staples, Toys ‘R Us, and the Gap, among others.
Mick speaks with Jessica Harris about how he has pioneered the transformation of the traditional warehouse, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-05-2330 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisMike KriegerInstagram is a photo sharing app that was released through the Apple App Store in October, 2010 and reached one million users in just three months. Facebook acquired Instagram in 2012 for one billion dollars. Mike and his partner, Kevin Systrom, are both graduates of Stanford University.
Mike speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched Instagram, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-05-1631 minIgnite UR GlowGod Did It: How My Son’s Health Scare Transformed My Prayer Life (S4E9)In this powerful episode of Redefining Moments, Jessica Harris shares a raw testimony about how a traumatic moment with her child that led to a transformation in her prayer life. Through every bitter “lemon” life handed her, God added the sweet “sugar” of hope, faith, and purpose.If you’ve ever wondered whether God is still working in your storm—this episode will stir your spirit.🔥 Scriptures: Romans 8:28, Romans 8:31, Romans 8:37–39💡 Takeaway: Setbacks aren’t punishment—they’re preparation.🎧 Listen, reflect, and redefine what’s possible when God is involved. Join the Redefine Her Academy: [insert link] Down...
2025-05-1532 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisAndrew CherngPanda Express is an American Chinese food chain with 2,000 restaurants located in airports, malls, universities, military bases, amusement parks, among other locations. Andrew started Panda Express with his wife Peggy in 1983. Panda’s first restaurant was located in a mall in Glendale, California.
Andrew speaks with Jessica Harris about how he built Panda Express, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-05-0919 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisJohn ZimmerLyft is a transportation network company with a peer-to-peer mobile app that enables passengers to request rides with their smartphones. Prior to starting Lyft, John co-founded Zimride in 2007, a carpooling ride-share company available predominantly in college communities. Zimride was sold to Enterprise Rent-A-Car in 2013. Lyft is available across the United States and through partnerships with ride-sharing companies throughout Asia.
John speaks with Jessica Harris about founding Lyft, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-05-0230 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisAyah BdeirlittleBits is a hardware company that aims to put the power of electronics in everyone’s hands. The company sells electronic modules that snap together with magnets, making them accessible to both adults and children. Ayah earned a degree in computer engineering from the American University in Beirut, Lebanon and has a Masters from the MIT Media Lab. She is also an interactive artist.
Ayah speaks with Jessica Harris about how she built littleBits, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-04-2519 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisUri LevineWaze is a crowd sourced traffic navigation app. Drivers share real-time traffic and road information to help other users on the same route. Uri founded Waze in Israel in 2007 and the company was sold to Google in 2013 for $1.1 Billion. Uri is also the founder of FeeX, which also uses crowd sourced information— this time to uncover hidden fees in people’s financial accounts.
Uri speaks with Jessica Harris about how the public is building maps around the world using Waze, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-04-1829 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisJason AckermanFresh Direct is an online grocer that disrupted the traditional food supply chain by sourcing food where it’s produced and delivering it to consumers without going through additional retailers. Fresh Direct launched in 2002 from its headquarters in a former paper plant in Long Island City, Queens.
Jason speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched Fresh Direct, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-04-1130 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisEssie WeingartenEssie started her eponymous brand in 1981 with $10,000 after working in the hosiery business. When Essie launched, there were very few companies making nail polish, and nail salons were rare. Essie nail polish is now available in roughly 25,000 salons in more than 100 countries. The company was bought by L’Oreal in 2010.
Essie speaks with Jessica Harris about how she launched Essie, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-03-2830 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisTristan WalkerWalker & Company makes beauty and health products for people of color. Prior, Tristan was the first African American entrepreneur in residence at the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. He is also the founder of Code2040, a program that connects Black and Latino coders with Silicon Valley startups for summer internships.
Tristan speaks with Jessica Harris about how he built Walker & Company, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2025-03-2130 minIgnite UR GlowYou Got Two Weeks Left! (S3 E11)What you do with your time right now is laying out a foundation for success? There are people who see time and choose to do what they want at a time that is more convenient for them. Maybe they see the last few weeks of this year and determine that they don't need to put the pedal on gas because they can just start at the top of the new year. Then there are those who see the last few weeks of this year and know that laying down this foundation while time is available will set them up...
2024-12-2414 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisMaguy Le CozeAs a teenager, Maguy Le Coze and her brother Gilbert were introduced to the culinary life while helping their parents in their hotel restaurant in Brittany, France. But staying in the French countryside was not for her. Maguy and Gilbert opened Le Bernardin first in Paris, and later in New York City in 1986. Le Bernardin is considered one of the finest restaurants in the world, earning three Michelin stars and four stars from The New York Times since it opened. Celebrity chef Eric Ripert is the restaurant’s co-owner and chef.
Maguy speaks to Jessica Harris about ho...
2024-07-1831 min
Ignite UR GlowPurpose is on the inside of you (Trailer)There are many visions that you have been called by God to build, but some of you have grown weary in the process. This podcast has been designed to encourage you and edify you on your journey with God as you build up what He has asked you to build. I'm Jessica Harris, your transformation coach, a motivational speaker and so much more. Look below for additional resources that are available for you.
Schedule a Consultation: https://www.igniteurglow.com/book-online
Shop my Store: https://www.igniteurglow.com/shop
Follow...
2022-07-2601 min
Living Simply with Jessica HarrisChoose Yourself... (ep#8)I have to choose me first. If I don't choose me first who will. If I don't fill up my tank how can I ever be expected to do the things that are needed? I can encourage others, but who is going to fill me up. Just like on a plane, I have to put my mask on first before I can help anyone else. I have to choose me first. Choosing me is vital and apart of the process.
My new book: Pain Tried To Bury Me Alive, But God Revived Me: https://p...
2022-02-1735 min
Living Simply with Jessica Harris#2 What's in your self-love toolbox?It's your host Jess of Living Simply with Jessica Harris. January is self-love month and I am providing moms with tips they need for their self-love toolbox. It's time to set the tone for the rest of the year by making yourself a priority.
Tune in to my blog: https://livingsimplyjess.blog/blog/
2022-01-0517 min
Living Simply with Jessica HarrisTrailer-Living Simply with Jessica HarrisLife has definitely thrown a fair share of curveballs my way and a little encouragement goes a long way. I'm here to give you a dose of tough love and tips to keep you chugging along the way.
Meet me here every Wednesday as we dive deeper into Faith, Love and Motherhood.
Follow my blog: https://livingsimplyjess.blog/
2021-12-3003 minLiving Simply with Jessica Harris#1 (It's the debut) Hard Lessons Learned in 2021This is the debut for Living Simply with Jessica Harris and I am excited for you to join me on this journey. On this show, I'll be recapping my top lessons learned while providing some helpful tips to navigate 2022.
Follow my blog: https://livingsimplyjess.blog/
"Live a Life of Gratitude Journal" available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Live-Life-Gratitude-Daily-Journal/dp/B09JY4P7BL/ref=sr_1_2?crid=JV51GHDWIBRQ&keywords=jessica+m+harris&qid=1640817953&sprefix=jessica+m+harris+%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-2
2021-12-3019 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisSam GoldmanOne third of the world population does not have access to reliable electricity. D.light sells solar lighting and power to consumers in developing countries. The company’s lamps are healthier, cleaner, and cheaper than the traditional kerosene lamp alternatives.
Sam speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched d.light, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2020-01-3119 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisGary GoldbergGary Goldberg was a producer and writer for television and film. His TV sitcoms included the 1982 hit show Family Ties, starring Michael Fox, as well as Brooklyn Bridge and Spin City. Gary was the author of the memoir Sit Ubu Sit. Ubu Productions, founded in 1981, was named after his black labrador retriever Ubu.
Gary spoke with Jessica Harris about how he launched his writing career, from scratch. He died shortly after this recording in June, 2013.
Listen to the interview
2020-01-2431 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisFadi GhandourFadi Ghandour is one of the leading entrepreneurs of the Middle East. Fadi and his family moved from Lebanon to Jordan where his father eventually became head of Royal Jordanian Airlines. Adopting his father’s business sense and knowledge of the aviation space, Fadi recognized and filled the need for dependable logistics transportation and delivery services in the Arab world. Aramex has been referred to as “the Fedex of the Middle East.”
Fadi speaks to Jessica Harris about how he grew Aramex from a scrappy startup to the first company from the Arab world to be listed on the...
2020-01-1731 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisMarc DaCostaEnigma is a company that uses the internet to make public data available and understandable to users. Enigma links across various databases to uncover relevant facts that a user might not notice by looking at a single data set. The universe of data sources to choose among includes SEC filings, public health records, government spending contracts, sales tax receipts , among several others.
Marc speaks with Jessica Harris about how Enigma is making public data more accessible, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2020-01-0819 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisPatrick CollisonStripe is a financial software company that helps businesses manage their online and mobile transactions. Patrick started Stripe in 2009 when he was 21 years old with his younger brother, John. He is originally from Dromineer, Ireland, which has a population of roughly 70 people.
Patrick speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched Stripe, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2020-01-0331 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisEthan BrownBeyond Meat makes meat using plant protein instead of animal protein. The goal is to make a healthier product that looks, tastes, feels, and smells like chicken or beef using fewer natural resources.
Ethan speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched Beyond Meat, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2019-12-2719 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisChris BartonShazam is an app that identifies the music or TV show around you simply by holding up your phone to the sound. Shazam was one of the first apps available in the Apple app store in 2008. Now, a hundred million people per month use the service.
Chris speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched Shazam, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2019-12-2019 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisJoan Ganz CooneySince the 1970s, The Children’s Television Workshop—now called the Sesame Workshop—intended to help low-income children become better prepared for school by using television as a tool. The Sesame Workshop’s shows—including Sesame Street, The Electric Company, 3-2-1 Contact—ended up being much more far reaching, teaching and entertaining children from all backgrounds, internationally.
Jessica Harris speaks with television producer Joan Ganz Cooney about the early days of educational programming, and how she helped to revolutionize children’s television, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2018-07-2630 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisJonathan CedarBiolite is a company that produces clean, portable stoves for cooking off the grid in developing countries as well as for camping. The stove reduces toxic smoke emissions by 90 percent by using its own heat waste to generate energy. Biolite is targeting a global public health challenge of smoke pollution caused by cooking over an open fire. According to the World Health Organization, more than seven million people die annually from smoke originating from open cooking fires. A USB port on the stove can also charge a cell phone or other portable device.
Jonathan speaks with Jessica...
2018-07-1919 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisNolan BushnellNolan is considered one of the pioneers of the video game industry. Nolan developed the first coin operated game (Computer Space), as well as Atari’s popular debut game, Pong. Nolan also founded Chuck E. Cheese’s, a game centric restaurant chain. He is the author of Finding the Next Steve Jobs. He and his partner Al Alcorn gave Steve his first job at Atari before Steve started Apple Inc. in 1976.
Nolan speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched Atari, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2018-07-0630 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisJonathan Bushathenahealth is helping to build the internet architecture for the healthcare industry. It is a cloud based software enabled company that helps physicians manage patients’ electronic medical records, among other services. The company was initially focused on childbirth services in San Diego before transitioning into a digital management company for the healthcare industry.
Jonathan speaks with Jessica Harris about how he built athenahealth, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2018-06-2931 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisCharles BestDonorsChoose is an online philanthropic marketplace that connects citizen philanthropists— members of the public– to public school teachers who request supplies for their classroom projects across the United States. Charles started DonorsChoose in 2000 while he was a public school teacher in the Bronx facing his own shortage of supplies for the projects he wanted to create with his students. The organization has raised over $300M, benefiting almost 15 million students.
Charles speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched DonorsChoose, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2018-06-2331 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisMichael DubinDollar Shave Club is a membership club for men’s grooming products. The company started delivering razors in 2011 for less than $10 per month. DSC now offers a range of bathroom products from hair gel to body cleanser.
Michael speaks with Jessica Harris about how he started DSC, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2018-05-0319 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisScott Harrisoncharity: water provides clean water to communities in developing countries. Scott launched charity: water in 2006 after raising $15,000 from his friends at his 31st birthday party. Prior to launching charity: water, Scott was a night club promoter, of course.
Scott speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched charity: water, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2018-03-3030 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisDavid KelleyIDEO is a global design firm that takes a human-centered approach to innovation. IDEO has helped to innovate products including Apple’s first computer mouse in 1980, the first stand-up toothpaste for Procter and Gamble, surgical tools for Medtronic, and furniture for Steelcase. The company also helps governments and social organizations innovate internationally.
David is the founder of the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford, also known as the Stanford d.school. He is the co-author with his brother Tom of Creative Confidence.
David speaks to Jessica Harris about how he pioneered design thinking, from sc...
2018-03-1630 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisRobert HammondFriends of the High Line is the organization that pioneered the transformation of an abandoned elevated train line into a public space about 1.5 miles long on Manhattan’s west side in New York City.
Robert and his Co-Founder Joshua David started the organization after attending a community board meeting to protest the High Line’s demolition in 1999. Robert and Joshua are the authors of the book High Line: The Inside Story of New York City’s Park in the Sky. Friends of the High Line receives support from members to fund the ongoing maintenance of the park, as wel...
2018-02-2232 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisEmily WeissGlossier is an online beauty company that launched on Instagram in 2014. Emily is also the founder of Into the Gloss, an online community dedicated to beauty. Visitors get tips on skin, hair, makeup, and learn the beauty routines of leading members of the cosmetic and fashion industries.
Emily speaks with Jessica Harris about how she launched her beauty blog and skin products company, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2018-02-2219 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisPeter ManningPeter Manning launched his eponymous clothing company to focus on men 5’8″ and under. Prior to starting the company in 2012, Peter was a Tony Award winning theatrical producer.
Peter speaks with Jessica Harris about his career shift– and the sartorial needs of this segment of the male population— from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2018-02-1519 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisJon OringerShutterstock is an online marketplace for photos, graphic images, video clips and music. The content is crowdsourced, with photographers, artists and other contributors uploading their content in exchange for a percent of revenue when their work is purchased. Jon started Shutterstock in 2003, and the company went public in 2012.
Jon speaks to Jessica Harris about how he built Shutterstock, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2018-01-2519 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisFred BassStrand Book Store in New York City was founded by Fred’s father Benjamin in 1927. Fred was born in 1928 and has been working in the family business since he was thirteen years old. The Strand has roughly 2.5 million used, rare, and new books—the equivalent of roughly 18 miles of books.
Fred spoke to Jessica Harris about how he and his father turned the Strand into one of New York’s literary landmarks, from scratch. Fred died in January, 2018 at 89 years old, a few months after celebrating the Strand’s 90th birthday.
Listen to the interview
2018-01-1132 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisMark MorrisMark started the Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) in 1980. Headquartered in Fort Green, Brooklyn, the company is on tour more than 20 weeks per year. MMDG collaborates with leading artists, including the cellist Yo Yo Ma, the pianist Emanuel Ax, the designer Isaac Mizrahi, and the dancer Baryshnikov.
Mark speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched his choreography career, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2017-12-2132 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisBrendan KennedyPrivateer is a private equity firm focused on making investments in the cannabis industry as the legalization of marijuana continues throughout the United States. Some of Privateer’s portfolio companies include Leafly, a user-generated reviews website for all things cannabis related; Tilray, a producer of medical cannabis in British Columbia, Canada; and Marley Natural, a global brand in partnership with the Bob Marley family.
Brendan speaks with Jessica Harris about how he built Privateer, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2017-11-1632 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisNeil BlumenthalWarby Parker is an online eyeglass retailer that sells low cost vintage inspired glasses. For each pair sold, Warby Parker provides a pair of glasses to low income people in more than 36 countries through non-profit partners like VisionSpring. VisionSpring trains female entrepreneurs to give eye exams and sell glasses in their communities. Neil co-founded Warby Parker with three classmates from Wharton Business School.
Neil speaks with Jessica Harris about how he is helping to change the optical industry landscape by making attractive glasses more affordable to everyone, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2017-10-0632 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisAB ShortMedShare is an organization that redistributes surplus medical equipment to hospitals in the developing world. These supplies include surgical instruments, gloves, stethoscopes, sutures, x-ray machines, wheelchairs, etc. AB started MedShare in 1998 in Atlanta, Georgia. He is originally from Mississippi.
AB speaks with Jessica Harris about how he built MedShare, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2017-09-1419 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisAndy DunnBonobos is an e-commerce company that sells men’s clothing. Bonobos started off with the goal of selling better fitting pants for men in 2007 and has expanded to include all type’s of men’s apparel. Bonobos was acquired by Walmart in 2017, after this interview was recorded.
Andy speaks with Jessica Harris about how he built Bonobos, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2017-06-2132 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisGreg LambrechtCoravin produces a device that accesses wine without removing the cork. Through a medical grade needle, the Coravin System extracts a portion of the wine and replaces it with argon gas.
Greg is also a medical device inventor who founded Intrinsic Therapeutics, a company focused on spinal disorders. Greg is a graduate of MIT and has degrees in nuclear and mechanical engineering.
Greg speaks with Jessica Harris about how he was able to repurpose his expertise in the medical world to create his wine access technology, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2017-06-0231 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisSkip BennettIsland Creek Oysters supplies oysters to more than 400 chefs across the United States. Restaurants that serve its oysters include Thomas Keller’s Per Se and French Laundry, the Eastern Standard in Boston, and the Oyster Bar in New York’s Grand Central Station. The company sells roughly 120,000 oysters per week, and close to 6 million oysters per year.
Skip speaks with Jessica Harris about how he helped to pioneer the rebirth of the oyster industry in the United States, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2017-05-0419 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisJake WoodTeam Rubicon is an organization comprised of former veterans who apply their military experience to emergency situations, working as first responders internationally. Jake served in the military, in Iraq and Afghanistan, before returning to civilian life. He started Team Rubicon initially in response to the earthquake in Haiti.
Jake speaks with Jessica Harris about how he repurposed his military skills to start Team Rubicon, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2017-04-2132 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisPeter DiamandisThe XPrize Foundation drives innovation through competitions with the hopes of improving the human experience. Its prizes are focused on bold yet achievable projects, ranging from space exploration to the human genome. The first prize of $10 Million was awarded in 2004 to creators of the first piloted space craft.
Peter is the co-author of the books Abundance: The Future is Better Than You Think and Bold: How to Go Big, Create Wealth and Impact the World.
Peter speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched the XPrize Foundation, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2017-03-0932 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisDrew HoustonDropbox is a file sharing and personal data storage company that allows users to access their content (Microsoft Word documents, photos, videos, etc.) from any of their devices.
Prior to starting Dropbox, Drew started an online SAT prep company called Accolade (and yes, he scored 1600 on his SAT). Drew speaks with Jessica Harris about how he built Dropbox, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2017-01-2632 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisMario SchlosserOscar Health is focused on keeping health insurance simple. The company helps users connect directly to doctors, get prescriptions, and find insurance plans that are easier to navigate.
Mario speaks with Jessica Harris about how he is bringing innovation to health insurance, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2017-01-1219 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisIan FalconerIan is the author and illustrator of Olivia, a children’s book series about a pig. His first book, initially a gift for his niece Olivia, was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 2000. Ian is a set and costumer designer for opera and dance, as well as the creator of more than 30 covers for The New Yorker Magazine.
Ian speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched his art career, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2016-09-1632 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisElizabeth Cutler and Julie RiceFrom joining gyms to taking Yoga classes, finding a workout that was both effective and satisfying did not come easily to Elizabeth and Julie. Unable to discover a cardio program that motivated and inspired (as well as burned calories), Julie and Elizabeth set out to create a new kind of routine. Fusing elements of indoor cycling with upper body workouts, the two opened a
small studio on the upper west side of Manhattan. They soon found themselves attracting media attention, serving celebrities, and opening multiple locations in New York City and the surrounding region.
Julie and...
2016-09-1519 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisDwight MerrimanMongoDB—an open source database company that focuses on helping companies manage their data—is just one of the several companies that Dwight has successfully launched. He is also the co-founder of Doubleclick, the ad serving platform (acquired by Google for $3.1Bn); Gilt Groupe, the online fashion company; Business Insider, the news web platform, among others.
Dwight speaks to Jessica Harris about his role in launching a number of successful New York City start-ups, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2016-08-2519 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisDaphne KollerCoursera offers online courses to the public through partnerships with leading universities internationally. Coursera was launched in 2012 and reached its first one million users faster than Facebook or Twitter. Coursera is one of a number of companies offering massive open online courses– or MOOCs– to address a growing global population and the rising costs of on-campus higher education.
Daphne speaks with Jessica Harris about Coursera’s role in pioneering the landscape of higher education, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2016-07-2232 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisArianna HuffingtonArianna launched the Huffington Post, the online media platform, in 2005. The company was acquired by AOL in 2011 and was the first online-only news organization to win the Pulitzer Prize for national reporting in 2012. Arianna has written more than a dozen books on topics including feminism, Maria Callas, Picasso, and Greek mythology. Her most recent book, Thrive, is about well-being.
Arianna speaks with Jessica Harris about how she helped legitimize the blogosphere by building the Huffington Post, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2016-07-1432 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisDan YatesOpower is a software company focused on energy efficiency. Opower works with utilities to monitor how much energy a consumer uses and gives households and businesses incentives to lower their consumption. The idea is that through the use of behavioral science techniques such as peer proof, people will feel compelled to consume energy more responsibly. Dan started Opower in 2007 with his Harvard classmate Alex Laskey. Opower went public in April, 2014. Prior, Dan launched Edusoft, a software company focused on public school assessments, which was sold to Houghton Mifflin in 2004.
Dan speaks with Jessica Harris about how he...
2016-06-3019 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisBunker RoyDespite his elite background in India, Bunker Roy chose an unconventional path dedicating his life to educating India’s impoverished population. Influenced by Ghandi’s approach toward self reliance at the village level, the Barefoot College is an organization that teaches practical skills including solar engineering, architecture and water purification, to mostly illiterate women and men. Upon completion of their six month education at the Barefoot College, students bring their newly
attained skills home to their villages, where they help to improve local living standards. The Barefoot College has expanded its reach beyond India, to Afghanistan, parts of Afri...
2016-06-0213 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisZainab SalbiZainab Salbi grew up in Iraq with close ties to Saddam Hussein. Her father was Saddam’s personal pilot, causing her family to be victims of psychological abuse by the dictator. When Zainab was living in the United States as a young adult, she was again involved in an abusive relationship. Her understanding of women in extremely harsh conditions eventually led her to start Women for Women International, an organization that provides support to women in war zones worldwide.
Zainab tells Jessica Harris about growing up in the shadow of Saddam Hussein, and how it empowered her to...
2016-05-2032 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisFred SwanikerAfrican Leadership Academy (ALA) is an institution focused on developing Africa’s next generation of leaders. ALA provides practical leadership education, networking and mentoring opportunities for its students, as well as financial incentives to remain on the African continent. Fred started ALA when he was 27 years old.
Fred speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched ALA, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2016-05-1219 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisJack DorseyJack is a serial entrepreneur who has started two companies — Twitter and Square — that, on the face of it, seem entirely different. Twitter is a social networking service; Square is a mobile payments company. But Jack believes that their shared purpose is to make each of their related tasks — communicating and transacting — easier. Twitter gets messages from point A to point B just as Square gets money from point A to point B.
Twitter has over 500 million users and gained global recognition when it facilitated the Iranian protests of the presidential election in 2009. Users type messages to follower...
2016-04-1532 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisTony FadellNest Labs is focused on helping to create the next-generation home by making energy-saving smart digital assistants. Tony calls Nest’s first product, the Nest Learning Thermostat, “a smartphone in disguise.” Prior to launching Nest, Tony worked at Apple where he led the team that developed the iPod and iPhone. He was a special advisor to Steve Jobs until late 2009. Nest was sold to Google in January, 2014 for $3.2 Billion.
Tony speaks with Jessica Harris about his leadership role at Apple, and his vision for Nest, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2016-03-3132 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisVinnie Bharara and Marc LoreMarc and Vinnie have been close friends since they were elementary school classmates in New Jersey. Mark and Vinnie spent their earlier careers in finance and law respectively, before becoming business partners in their late twenties. In addition to Diapers.com, the online retail site specializing in baby products, they have started a number of other e-commerce businesses including Soap.com, focused on cleaning supplies, Wag.com, focused on pet products, and Yoyo.com, specializing in toys. Amazon bought the parent company, Quidsi, for $540 Million in 2010. Quidsi is based in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Marc and Vinnie...
2016-03-0332 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisBrad KatsuyamaIEX is an alternate trading platform whose mission is to ensure fair trading in the US equity capital market system. IEX was launched specifically to counter the behavior of high frequency traders who take advantage of the information arbitrage made possible by electronic trading. Prior to starting IEX, Brad worked at Royal Bank of Canada where he first discovered the market imbalance generated by certain high frequency traders. Brad and IEX are featured in Michael Lewis’ book, Flash Boys, about high frequency trading.
Brad speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched IEX, from scratch.
Li...
2016-02-1132 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisThomas KellerChef and restaurateur Thomas Keller bought the French Laundry, a restaurant in Napa Valley California, and turned it into one of the leading fine dining establishments in the world. The French Laundry and Per Se, located in the Time Warner Center in New York City, have both been awarded three Michelin Stars. Thomas has won consecutive “Best Chef” awards from the James Beard Foundation and “Chef of the Year” award by the Culinary Institute of America, among other accolades. He is the author of multiple cookbooks, including The French Laundry, Bouchon, Under Pressure, and Ad Hoc at Home.
Thomas sp...
2016-01-2132 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisYancey StricklerHave you ever had a creative project you were eager to get off the ground but you didn’t have the funding to make it happen? Yancey Strickler, co-founder of Kickstarter, has helped to develop an online solution that involves the crowd’s participation. Kickstarter connects artists and innovators with potential funders who simply learn about projects by visiting the website.
Yancey, a former music critic, tells Jessica Harris the story of how he and a friend hatched their crowd-sourcing idea in a Brooklyn restaurant, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2015-11-0532 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisDevi Shetty“Hands which help are better than the lips that pray” are the words that hang in Dr. Devi Shetty’s office with a picture of Mother Theresa, a former patient of his. Dr. Shetty is a cardiac surgeon who pioneered low cost cardiac surgery for India’s poor population. Dr. Shetty founded the Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospital in Bangalore India in 2001. Doctors at Narayana Hrudayalaya perform over 7,000 heart surgeries per year without comprising quality. Through its scalable, low cost model, the hospital is able to treat patients who otherwise could not afford health care. Dr. Shetty is now expanding his vision g...
2015-08-1432 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisBre Pettis
Bre co-founded Makerbot Industries in 2009 after working as a public school teacher in Seattle, Washington. Makerbot makes 3-D printers that make actual objects. Instead of producing ink on paper, a Makerbot makes items ranging from bottle openers and toys to homes for hermit crabs(!).
Bre talks to Jessica Harris about how he launched Makerbot Industries, from scratch. After this interview was recorded, Makerbot was acquired by the 3D Printing company Stratasys in a stock deal worth approximately $400MM in Spring, 2012.
Listen to the interview
2015-07-1032 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisJeremy StoppelmanYelp provides user-generated reviews of local businesses through its website and mobile app. Its contributors provide their opinions on a variety of businesses, ranging from clothing stores to restaurants. Prior to launching Yelp, Jeremy worked at Paypal. Yelp went public in 2012.
Jeremy speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched Yelp, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2015-06-1932 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisRob KalinRob Kalin initially started Etsy—the online marketplace for handmade goods—as a way to sell his own furniture in 2005. The company has become a vehicle for more than one million artisans who sell their products—ranging from knit-wear to musical instruments to clocks—through the site.
Rob speaks with Jessica Harris about how he built Etsy, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2015-06-1232 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisDarrell CavensZulily is an e-commerce company focused on products for mothers and their children. The company offers daily flash sales of boutique and leading brands at discounted prices.
Darrell launched Zulily in 2009 with Mark Vadon, the founder of the online diamond merchant Blue Nile.
Darrell speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched Zulily, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2015-05-2819 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisDavid KarpDavid developed an interest in computer programming when he was 11 years old. Instead of finishing high school he started working, and innovating, in the online community. Tumblr is a leading micro blogging and social media tool where creators can upload images, video, audio clips and bursts of text. The site– with more than 50 million creators serving 140 million people monthly– was an outgrowth of David’s own interest in improving his personal online expression. The company was sold to Yahoo in May, 2013 for $1.1 Billion.
David speaks with Jessica Harris about how he built Tumblr, from scratch.
Listen...
2015-05-0832 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisJeffrey HollenderJeffrey Hollender set out to build a company that was both profitable and environmentally sustainable. Seventh Generation makes cleaning and sanitary products that focus on resource conservation and eco-friendly business practices. Jeffrey is the author of several books and an advocate of corporate and environmental responsibility.
Jeffrey discusses with Jessica Harris how he has helped to pioneer safer cleaning, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2015-02-0532 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisBertrand & Roy SosaNetspend was the first prepaid debit card company focused on the “underbanked” population in the United States. Launched in 1999, Netspend targets people who do not have access to credit cards or hold bank accounts. Bertrand and Roy started the company out of their one bedroom apartment in Austin, Texas with $750. They later raised almost $1.5 Billion in an IPO in 2010 and sold the company in early 2013 to Total System Services for approximately $1.4Bn.
Bertrand and Roy are also the co-founders of Mpower Labs, an investment fund focused on financial services for the underbanked. The brothers emigrated from Mexico with...
2014-06-1819 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisMichael BrownCity Year is an organization focused on addressing the national dropout rate; one million American students drop out of high school annually. City Year’s corps members serve as tutors, mentors, and role models in America’s most challenging schools. City Year also played a role in the national service movement, helping to establish youth service programs, such as Americorps. Prior to starting City Year in 1988, Michael clerked for then Judge, later Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.
Michael speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launched City Year, from scratch.
Jessica Harris interviews Michael Brown of C...
2014-05-2219 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisNandan NilekaniInfosys is a leading global information, technology and consulting company with more than 150,000 employees and $7 Billion in revenue. Nandan started Infosys in 1981 in Bangalore, India with 6 colleagues. Nandan then served as the Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which through its project Aadhaar is seeking to provide unique identification numbers to close to a billion Indian residents. This biometric ID system aims to revolutionize the distribution of social benefits and financial services. In March, 2014 Nandan resigned from UIDAI to join the Indian National Congress.
Nandan speaks with Jessica Harris about how he helped to...
2014-04-2713 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisLeah BusqueTaskRabbit is an online service that allows users to outsource small tasks to individuals known as TaskRabbits. These TaskRabbits are freelance workers who have been background checked, and they perform small jobs ranging from grocery shopping to furniture assembly. Leah started the company in 2008, and the service is available in leading cities including Boston, Seattle, New York and San Francisco. Leah is a software engineer who formerly worked at IBM.
Leah speaks with Jessica Harris about how she launched TaskRabbit, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2013-12-0532 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisCraig WeissNJOY is an electronic cigarette company that produces the flagship product NJOY King. E-cigarettes are non combustion cigarettes that contain nicotine and strive to have the look and feel and plume of a traditional cigarette. Craig’s brother Mark discovered ecigarettes in China, and the family started the company in 2006. Craig is a patent lawyer and graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.
Craig speaks with Jessica Harris about his family’s pioneering role in the e-cigarette industry, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2013-11-2032 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisGerald ChertavianYear Up provides a one year intensive job training and internship program to young urban adults, 18-24 years old. Year Up enrolls close to 2,000 students per year, and roughly 400 organizations have hired Year Up students as interns or permanent employees. Prior to launching Year Up in 2000, Gerald was an internet entrepreneur.
Gerald speaks with Jessica Harris about how he is helping to narrow the Opportunity Divide in the United States, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2013-04-2432 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisKevin RyanKevin is an internet entrepreneur who has led innovation in the online advertising and e-commerce space since the late 1990s. Kevin was the CEO of DoubleClick, the advertising serving company that was eventually sold to Google for $3.5 Billion. Kevin has since founded a number of internet companies including Gilt Groupe, a luxury e-commerce community, 10Gen, an open source database company, and Business Insider, an online news site for the technology and media industries.
Kevin speaks to Jessica Harris about how he has built a career around internet innovation, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2013-04-1932 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisPaul FarmerPaul has been committed to disease and poverty reduction since his early twenties. Partners in Health, started in Haiti in the 1980s, provides health care to the world’s poorest communities. Paul launched the organization while he was a student at Harvard Medical School.
Jessica Harris speaks with Paul about how he has helped to reshape the public health landscape, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2012-11-2232 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisBarry SilbertSecondMarket is a private market place for buying and selling alternative assets including private company stock, bankruptcy claims, and restricted public stock. If you are an investor in a startup or an employee who wants to sell your company’s stock before the IPO, SecondMarket facilities this transaction. Companies trading on the SecondMarket exchange have included Facebook, Twitter, and Linked In.
Barry became a registered trader at 17 years old. He speaks with Jessica Harris about the state of international capital markets, and how he launched SecondMarket, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2012-06-3032 minFrom Scratch with Jessica HarrisSarabeth LevinePastry chef and restaurateur Sarabeth Levine started her business by first selling marmalade, a family recipe, in a small cafe on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Prior to life in the culinary world, Sarabeth was a substitute teacher, a dental assistant, and sold health insurance.
Sarabeth speaks to Jessica Harris about how she pioneered “brunch” in New York City, from scratch.
Listen to the interview
2011-12-2332 min