Podcasts / How I Built This with Guy Raz

Build-A-Bear: Maxine Clark. A Former Shoe Executive Launches a Stuffed Animal Empire

Jun 15, 2026 · 1h 4m · YouTube

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EP · How I Built This with Guy Raz · Build-A-Bear: Maxine Clark. A Former Shoe Executive Launches a Stuffed Animal Empire1:04:04

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0:06I have to imagine there were some people, maybe they didn't say it to you, who thought this was so weird.

0:11Maxine Clark, the lady who ran payless, like, is starting a stuffed animal thing?

0:17Like, what is she thinking?

0:19Is she nuts?

0:20Like, I just have to imagine people were saying that, maybe behind your back.

0:25No, they said it to me.

0:27They weren't shy.

0:35Welcome to How I Built This, a show about innovators, entrepreneurs, idealists, and the stories behind the movements they built.

0:46I'm Guy Ross, and on the show today, how a fruitless search for a beanie baby inspired Maxine Clark to start Build-A-Bear, a make-your-own stuffed animal store that grew into a global phenomenon.

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