Brian Chesky

Date of Birth: August 29, 1981

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Biography

Brian Chesky is an American businessman and the co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, an online marketplace for lodging, primarily homestays for vacation rentals, and tourism activities. Born in Niskayuna, New York, Chesky developed an early interest in art and design, eventually pursuing a degree in industrial design at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). It was at RISD that Chesky met Joe Gebbia, with whom he would later co-found Airbnb. The idea for Airbnb came about in 2007 when Chesky and Gebbia were struggling to pay rent in San Francisco. They decided to rent out air mattresses in their apartment to attendees of a design conference, providing breakfast and local hospitality. The concept quickly gained traction, and along with third co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk, they launched the website in 2008. Despite initial skepticism from investors, Airbnb grew rapidly and expanded globally, revolutionizing the travel and hospitality industry. Under Chesky’s leadership, Airbnb has not only become a major player in the travel industry but also a cultural phenomenon. The company went public in December 2020, with its IPO being one of the biggest and most anticipated of the year. Chesky is known for his innovative thinking, commitment to a strong company culture, and focus on community.

5 Interesting Facts about Brian Chesky

1. Brian Chesky was named one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People” in 2015.

2. He initially wanted to be a hockey player before discovering his passion for art and design.

3. Chesky and his co-founders famously maxed out their credit cards and sold cereal boxes to fund Airbnb during its early days.

4. He has pledged to donate the majority of his wealth to charitable causes as part of the Giving Pledge.

5. Chesky lived in Airbnb properties for several years to better understand the user experience.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Brian Chesky

1. “Build something 100 people love, not something 1 million people kind of like.”

2. “The best way to learn is to do. The best way to build trust is to stand behind your product.”

3. “When you start a company, it’s like jumping off a cliff and assembling the airplane on the way down.”

4. “If we tried to think of a good idea, we wouldn’t have been able to think of a good idea. You just have to find the solution for a problem in your own life.”

5. “Culture is a thousand things, a thousand times.”