Business on the Brink

The Old Spice brand was in danger of forever being associated with the idea of smelling like your grandpa. So how did an innovative ad campaign turn things around? I'm on a horse! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hospitality industry hasn't exactly been hospitable toward the upstart AirBnB, which aims to disrupt the hotel industry. This is the story of how the business went from concept to worldwide phenomenon.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before there were motion pictures, video games and countless licensed minifigs populating shelves across the world, there was a little toy company and a little wooden duck. We explore how Lego built a business brick by brick. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oracle was founded by three people but most of us only know about Larry Ellison. How did this college dropout become a billionaire while taking aim at the largest software company in the world? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Jeff Bezos launched Amazon, one thing was certain: there was no way that business was going to make it. Now he's the richest man on Earth. How did that happen? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From crop dusting to first class, we look at how a little company out of Macon, Georgia became one of the largest airlines in the world. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Macy's and Christmas go together like Santa and the end of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. But about 20 years ago, the company was in danger of falling apart. How did Macy's recover? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We don't want to grow up, but when Toys R Us declared bankruptcy we matured really quickly. How did this company synonymous with toy stores lose its way? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A geeky smart watch company launched three of the five most successful Kickstarter campaigns in crowdfunding history. So how did Pebble lose its way to go out of business? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a controversial decision, the CEO of Apple forced Steve Jobs out of the company he founded. Then everything fell apart. How did Jobs make a triumphant return to the company that had pushed him away? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did a refugee build up a condiment empire? We explore the spicy story behind one of the most popular sauces on tabletops across the US. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the early 1900s, a dozen or so motorcycle companies popped up in the United States. By the end of World War II, only two remained. How did Harley Davidson survive? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many companies, there’s a definitive moment that could determine success or failure. What do you do when you find yourself at The Brink? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.