In the world of startups, there are few names as well-known as Brian Chesky. As the co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, Chesky has helped turn his company into a global powerhouse valued at $31 billion. But what is it that makes Chesky so successful? And what can other entrepreneurs learn from him? In this article, we will take lessons from Brian Chesky on building a successful startup.
1. Get started immediately
When Chesky and his co-founder, Joe Gebbia, first came up with the idea for Airbnb, they didn’t wait around to get started. “We basically said, ‘The rent is due in five days, we don’t have money, what do we do?'” Chesky told Forbes. “So we just went out and did it.” They quickly put together a website and started offering their apartment as a place for people to stay during a conference in San Francisco. From there, Airbnb took off.
2. Don’t be afraid of change
Since its inception, Airbnb has gone through several major changes. In the early days, the company focused on providing a platform for people to list and find rooms to rent. But as the business grew, Airbnb changed its focus to become a provider of vacation rentals. More recently, the company has expanded into offering experiences, such as tours and activities, and its traditional accommodation offerings. Chesky says that this willingness to change has been key to Airbnb’s success. “If we had just stayed focused on being a room rental company, we would have missed out on all these other opportunities,” he told Forbes.
3. Build a strong team
One of the keys to Chesky’s success has been his ability to build a strong team at Airbnb. Chesky looks for three things: intelligence, energy, and integrity when looking for new employees. He also looks for passionate people about travel and has a strong desire to change the world. With a team of like-minded individuals, Chesky has been able to turn Airbnb into the juggernaut it is today.
4. Focus on the customer
Throughout its history, Airbnb has always put the customer first. Chesky has said that one of his primary goals is to ensure that every customer has a great experience with Airbnb. To do this, the company goes above and beyond to ensure that each listing is of high quality and that every guest feels welcome and comfortable. This focus on the customer has helped Airbnb become one of the most trusted brands in the sharing economy.
5. Think long term
When building a startup, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and lose sight of the bigger picture. But Chesky has always been focused on the long term. He wants Airbnb to be a company that lasts, and he’s building it accordingly. “Our goal is to create a timeless brand and a very durable business,” Chesky told Forbes. “It’s not about hitting some number for Wall Street next quarter.”
Dil Bole Oberoi
