Advice Line with Carlton Calvin of Razor

In this episode of How I Built This, host Guy Raz speaks with Carlton Calvin, the founder and CEO of Razor USA, known for its iconic scooters. He shares insights into maintaining relevance in a changing market, and the importance of recognizing trends early. Carlton reflects on the explosive success of Razor in the early 2000s, where they sold millions of scooters a month, and addresses how business has evolved with new competitors and trends.

The episode features multiple callers seeking advice on diverse business challenges. A caller named Sean discusses a party game he created, 'Eulogy', and seeks tips on how to scale it into a household name. Carlton advises focusing on brand presence through trade shows and building an online following, while Guy encourages engagement with the community.

Another caller, Shereen, runs a stationery business and grapples with attracting customers away from Etsy to her own website. Carlton suggests she use her personality in marketing videos to connect deeply with potential customers. Finally, Mark, a distillery owner, seeks advice on standing out in a crowded spirits market and managing a diverse product line. Both guests stress the importance of streamlining products and focusing on what resonates with consumers, while also considering market trends in packaging.