The Empire Builders Podcast

The Empire Builders Podcast

Reverse engineering the success of established business empires.

#280: UGG – From Australia To California
The Empire Builders Podcast
#280: UGG – From Australia To California

Recent Episodes

280
Nov. 4, 2026

#280: UGG – From Australia To California

Brian sees his opportunity when notices Americans wearing sheep skin boots and thinks we have lots of sheep… Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Before we get into today’s episode, a word from our sponsor, which is, well, it’s us, bu
279
Oct. 28, 2026

#279: Square – Thinking Inside The Box

Jim McKelvey looks at his iPhone and thinks this is a phone, a camera, a map, a music player and a camera… Why not a credit card machine? Audio: Dave Young: Welcome to The Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Before we get into today’s episode, word from our sp
278
Oct. 21, 2026

#278: Down Dating – Part 2 – Doubling Down and Getting Focused

Colin understood that being an entrepreneur meant developing muscles you don’t have as an “employee”. Focus, commitment, resilience… Dave Young: Welcome to The Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Before we get into today’s episode, word from our sponsor, whic
277
Oct. 7, 2026

#277: Down Dating – Part 1 – Created, Sold and Bought Back Again

Colin Hodge created a dating app the took off and got a lot of attention. He just did expect to buy it back after he sold it. Dave Young: Welcome to The Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Before we get into today’s episode, a word from our sponsor, which is,
276
Sept. 30, 2026

#276: General Mills Fruit Roll-Up – Good Food Marketed as FUN!

First they tried to make a cake filling product, but figured out that healthier foods need to be fun for kids to eat them. Dave Young: Welcome to The Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Before we get into today’s episode, a word from our sponsor, which is, well
275
Sept. 23, 2026

#275: Joray Fruit Roll-Up – Yup, They Invented It!

Have you ever heard of fruit leather? You know, that famous Syrian treat. Well, let’s learn how that became the iconic Fruit Roll-Up. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Before we get into today’s episode, word from our sponsor, which