Who is Brian Chesky? - FourWeekMBA

Brian Chesky is an industrial designer and businessman who is also the co-founder and current CEO of Airbnb. Since the company was founded in 2007, Chesky has grown Airbnb to a community of over 4 million hosts that have collectively hosted more than 1 billion guests.

Table of Contents

Education and early career

Chesky had an interest in design from an early age and would often draw imaginary versions of Nike sneakers. He later attended the Rhode Island School of Design and received a bachelor in fine arts in 2004. Whilst there, he met Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia.

Before the pair graduated, Gebbia is reported to have told Chesky that they were going to start a company one day and that books would be written about it.

Chesky’s first job out of college was as an industrial designer and strategist at Los Angeles firm 3DID, Inc. He then quit, moved to San Francisco, and shared an apartment with Gebbia, and it was there that the idea for Airbnb was born.

Airbnb

Both unemployed, Chesky and Gebbia found it difficult to pay the rent on their apartment. On September 22, 2007, Gebbia sent the now oft-quoted email to Chesky with an idea to turn their place into a “designers bed and breakfast” replete with “wireless internet, a small desk space, sleeping mat, and breakfast each morning.”

The pair hosted three people that weekend after a designer’s conference in San Francisco meant hotel accommodation was in short supply. A few months later, the pair recruited engineer Nathan Blecharczyk and the site Airbedandbreakfast.com was launched in August 2008.

Today, Chesky’s creative roots have found their way into Airbnb’s culture, product, and community. This has resulted in a design-driven approach that increased trust between Airbnb hosts and the strangers staying in their homes.

Pandemic management and IPO

Chesky remains Airbnb CEO, he relinquished control of daily operations to Blecharczyk in 2014. Across the pandemic, Chesky was instrumental in managing the company as it burned through its cash reserves and was forced into mass layoffs.

While around 25% of all employees were terminated, Chesky was also praised for his generous severance packages and offer to help individuals find employment elsewhere

Most recently, he oversaw Airbnb’s successful IPO in December 2020 which valued it at $86.5 billion on the NASDAQ.

Philanthropy

Chesky is also a philanthropist who, with fellow billionaires such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, has committed to donating the majority of his wealth to charity as part of The Giving Pledge campaign.

In 2022, he then announced a $100 million donation to The Obama Foundation to support students in pursuit of careers in public service. As part of the initiative, individuals would receive free Airbnb accommodation during their summer work-travel experiences.

Key takeaways

Brian Chesky is an industrial designer and businessman who is also the co-founder and current CEO of Airbnb. Chesky met Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia whilst studying design at the Rhode Island School of Design.
Chesky’s first job out of college was as an industrial designer and strategist at Los Angeles firm 3DID, Inc. He then quit, moved to San Francisco, and shared an apartment with Gebbia who suggested they offer accommodation to designs to help pay the rent.
While Chesky remains Airbnb CEO, he relinquished control of daily operations to Blecharczyk in 2014. Across the pandemic, he was instrumental in managing the company as it burned through its cash reserves and was forced into mass layoffs.

Key Highlights

Early Interest in Design: Brian Chesky had a passion for design from a young age, often sketching imaginative versions of Nike sneakers. He pursued his interest in design and attended the Rhode Island School of Design, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2004. It was during this time that he met Joe Gebbia, his future co-founder at Airbnb.
Birth of Airbnb Idea: After college, Chesky worked as an industrial designer and strategist in Los Angeles. He later moved to San Francisco and shared an apartment with Joe Gebbia. Facing difficulties paying rent, they came up with the idea to turn their apartment into a “designer’s bed and breakfast” to accommodate guests attending a conference in the area.
Founding Airbnb: Chesky and Gebbia hosted their first guests in September 2007, marking the beginning of Airbnb. The concept of providing unique accommodations and experiences quickly gained traction. They soon teamed up with engineer Nathan Blecharczyk, and in August 2008, they launched the website Airbedandbreakfast.com, which would later become Airbnb.
Design-Driven Approach: Chesky’s background in design played a crucial role in shaping Airbnb’s culture and product. The company’s focus on design contributed to building trust between hosts and guests and creating a unique user experience that set Airbnb apart.
Pandemic Management and IPO: While relinquishing daily operational control to Blecharczyk in 2014, Chesky remained CEO of Airbnb. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he played a pivotal role in managing the company through financial challenges, including significant layoffs. Despite the difficulties, Airbnb successfully went public with an IPO in December 2020, reaching a valuation of $86.5 billion.
Philanthropic Efforts: Chesky is known for his philanthropic initiatives. He joined The Giving Pledge campaign alongside notable billionaires like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, committing to donate the majority of his wealth to charitable causes. In 2022, he announced a $100 million donation to The Obama Foundation to support students pursuing careers in public service.