Early Life
Brian Joseph Chesky was born on August 29, 1981, in Niskayuna, New York. His parents, Deborah and Robert Chesky, were both social workers. As a child, Chesky was passionate about art and design, drawing replicas of paintings and redesigning toys and shoes. He graduated from Niskayuna High School in 1999 and went on to study industrial design at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), graduating in 2004.
Rise to Success
After graduating from RISD, Chesky moved to Los Angeles and worked as an industrial designer at 3DID, Inc.. In 2007, he moved to San Francisco, where he and Joe Gebbia, a former classmate, co-founded Airbnb. The idea for Airbnb came about when they were unable to afford their rent and decided to rent out air mattresses in their apartment to attendees of a design conference. Nathan Blecharczyk joined the team as the third co-founder. Initially named AirBed & Breakfast, the company officially launched in August 2008 and has since transformed the hospitality industry. Airbnb went public in December 2020.
Key Business Strategies
Airbnb's success can be attributed to its innovative business model and design-driven approach. The platform connects hosts with guests, offering unique accommodations and experiences globally. Chesky's leadership has focused on community building and fostering trust within the Airbnb ecosystem. The company's growth strategy included expanding its offerings beyond rooms to include entire homes and vacation rentals.
Philanthropy
Chesky is involved in philanthropy and signed The Giving Pledge in 2016, committing to donate a majority of his wealth to charitable causes. In May 2022, he donated $100 million to the Obama Foundation to fund a scholarship program for students pursuing careers in public service.