Brian Chesky
Fine arts, breakfast cereals, and Airbnb
Brian Chesky is co-founder and CEO of Airbnb. He grew up in New York, and as a child was interested in art, drawing replicas of paintings, and design, redesigning shoes and toys. He later became interested in landscape architecture and design. he studied at Rhode Island School of Design, gaining a Fine Arts degree in industrial design in 2004. He started his business career as an industrial designer and strategist at 3DID.
Back in 2007, Chesky and his roommates, Joe Gebbia and Nathan Blecharczyk, were living in San Francisco. They were struggling to pay rent, and with a design conference in town and hotels fully booked, they saw an opportunity. They decided to rent out three air mattresses in their living room, providing guests with a place to crash and breakfast in the morning.
That makeshift bed-and-breakfast was the starting point of Airbnb. Seeing the potential, the trio launched a website called “AirBed & Breakfast” in 2008. The idea was to connect people looking for a place to stay with those willing to open up their homes. They even famously created special edition cereal boxes called “Obama O’s” and “Cap’n McCain’s” to fund their startup.
The platform grew rapidly, attracting both hosts and travelers. Over the years, Airbnb expanded its offerings to include a wide range of accommodations, from apartments and houses to unique stays like treehouses and castles. The company disrupted the traditional hospitality industry and became a global phenomenon, changing the way people travel and experience new places.
Brian Chesky’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach played a significant role in shaping Airbnb into the household name it is today. The company has faced its share of challenges and controversies, but there’s no denying the impact it has had on the way we think about travel and lodging.