From Scratch with Jessica Harris

By Jessica HarrisBusiness Entrepreneurship Marketing Careers

From Scratch with Jessica Harris episodes

April 05, 2018 Luis von Ahn
Luis 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 […]
31 min
March 29, 2018 Scott Harrison
charity: 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.
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31 min
March 22, 2018 Essie Weingarten
Essie 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 […]
31 min
March 16, 2018 David Kelley
IDEO 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 scratch.
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31 min
March 08, 2018 Dr. Robert Langer
Dr. 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. […]
32 min
March 01, 2018 Mick Mountz
Kiva 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 […]
32 min
February 22, 2018 Robert Hammond
Friends 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 well as the expansion of its third section, to be completed in 2014.
Robert speaks with Jessica Harris about how he overcame fierce opposition to develop an unlikely public space, from scratch.
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32 min
February 22, 2018 Emily Weiss
Glossier 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.
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19 min
February 15, 2018 Peter Manning
Peter 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.
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19 min
February 08, 2018 Jason Ackerman
Fresh 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 […]
32 min