2015
Johannesburg, South Africa
Brian Chesky, chief executive officer of Airbnb Inc., pauses during an interview at a media event in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Monday, July 27, 2015. Airbnb is hoping to spread its unique brand of hospitality throughout Africa. Photographer: Waldo Swiegers
2015
San Francisco, California, USA
Brian Chesky speaks during the Fortune Global Forum on November 4, 2015, in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan)
2016
Cannes, France
Brian Chesky attends The Cannes Lions 2016 on June 20, 2016, in Cannes, France. (Photo by Richard Bord)
2016
Los Angeles, California, USA
(L-R) Airbnb Founders CTO Nathan Blecharczyk, Chief Product Officer Joe Gebbia, and CEO Brian Chesky speak onstage during the "Introducing Trips" Reveal at Airbnb Open LA on November 17, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mike Windle)
2016
Los Angeles, California, USA
Brian Chesky speaks onstage during "Introducing Trips" Reveal at Airbnb Open LA on November 17, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mike Windle)
2016
Los Angeles, California, USA
Brian Chesky speaks onstage during "Introducing Trips" Reveal at Airbnb Open LA on November 17, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mike Windle)
2016
Los Angeles, California, USA
Brian Chesky speaks onstage during "Introducing Trips" Reveal at Airbnb Open LA on November 17, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mike Windle)
2016
615 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014, United States
Brian Chesky, co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Airbnb and Gwyneth Paltrow, actress & founder of goop pose backstage at Cultivating the Art of Taste & Style at the Los Angeles Theatre during Airbnb Open LA - Day 3 on November 19, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mike Windle)
2016
615 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014, United States
Brian Chesky, co-founder & Chief Executive Officer, Airbnb speaks onstage at Cultivating the Art of Taste & Style at the Los Angeles Theatre during Airbnb Open LA - Day 3 on November 19, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mike Windle)
2016
615 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014, United States
Ashton Kutcher (L) and Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Airbnb, Brian Chesky attend The Game Plan: Strategies for Entrepreneurs at The Orpheum Theatre during Airbnb Open - Day 3 on November 19, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan)
2016
Los Angeles, California, USA
Brian Chesky appears on stage during the 'The Game Plan: Strategies for Entrepreneurs' Airbnb Open 2016 on November 19, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kurt Krieger)
2017
11 Wall St, New York, NY 10005, United States
Brian Chesky, chief executive officer and co-founder of Airbnb Inc., speaks during an Economic Club of New York luncheon at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, the U.S., on Monday, March 13, 2017. Airbnb is about halfway through a 2-year process of preparing to be ready to go public, Chesky said. Photographer: Michael Nagle
2017
New York City, NY, USA
Brian Chesky speaks at Experience Harlem hosted by Airbnb and Ghetto Gastro on March 14, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder)
2017
New York City, NY, USA
Brian Chesky (L) and Trevor Noah attend Experience Harlem hosted by Airbnb and Ghetto Gastro on March 14, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder)
2017
New York City, NY, USA
Brian Chesky (L) and Doug E. Fresh speak at Experience Harlem hosted by Airbnb and Ghetto Gastro on March 14, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder)
2017
New York City, NY, USA
Brian Chesky (L) and Elissa Patel attend Experience Harlem hosted by Airbnb and Ghetto Gastro on March 14, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder)
2017
New York City, NY, USA
Brian Chesky and Elissa Patel attend Airbnb presents: True York on September 26, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski)
2017
747 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Brian Chesky, chief operating officer of Airbnb Inc., speaks during the BoxWorks 2017 Conference at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. Photographer: Michael Short
2019
6 St Johns Ln, New York, NY 10013, United States
Brian Chesky attends the "Gay Chorus Deep South" screening during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studios on April 29, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil)
2019
6 St Johns Ln, New York, NY 10013, United States
Allison Chesky (L) and Brian Chesky attend the "Gay Chorus Deep South" screening during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studios on April 29, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil)
2019
172 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002, United States
Brian Chesky attends Airbnb's Exclusive After Party at The Angel Orensanz Foundation, Celebrating The World Premiere Of 'Gay Chorus Deep South' Documentary on April 30, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Ben Gabbe)
2019
6 St Johns Ln, New York, NY 10013, United States
Brian Chesky special guest of 'Gay Chorus Deep South' poses for a portrait during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studio on April 29, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Corey Nickols)
2019
New York City, NY, USA
Andrew Ross Sorkin, Editor at Large, Columnist and Founder, DealBook, The New York Times speaks with Brian Chesky, Co-Founder, Head of Community, and C.E.O., Airbnb onstage at 2019 New York Times Dealbook on November 06, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Mike Cohen)
2019
New York City, NY, USA
Andrew Ross Sorkin, Editor at Large, Columnist and Founder, DealBook, The New York Times speaks with Brian Chesky, Co-Founder, Head of Community, and C.E.O., Airbnb onstage at 2019 New York Times Dealbook on November 06, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Mike Cohen)
2015
Johannesburg, South Africa
Brian Chesky, chief executive officer of Airbnb Inc., pauses during an interview at a media event in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Monday, July 27, 2015. Airbnb is hoping to spread its unique brand of hospitality throughout Africa. Photographer: Waldo Swiegers
2015
San Francisco, California, USA
Brian Chesky speaks during the Fortune Global Forum on November 4, 2015, in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan)
2016
Cannes, France
Brian Chesky attends The Cannes Lions 2016 on June 20, 2016, in Cannes, France. (Photo by Richard Bord)
2016
Los Angeles, California, USA
(L-R) Airbnb Founders CTO Nathan Blecharczyk, Chief Product Officer Joe Gebbia, and CEO Brian Chesky speak onstage during the "Introducing Trips" Reveal at Airbnb Open LA on November 17, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mike Windle)
2016
Los Angeles, California, USA
Brian Chesky speaks onstage during "Introducing Trips" Reveal at Airbnb Open LA on November 17, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mike Windle)
2016
Los Angeles, California, USA
Brian Chesky speaks onstage during "Introducing Trips" Reveal at Airbnb Open LA on November 17, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mike Windle)
2016
Los Angeles, California, USA
Brian Chesky speaks onstage during "Introducing Trips" Reveal at Airbnb Open LA on November 17, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mike Windle)
2016
615 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014, United States
Brian Chesky, co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Airbnb and Gwyneth Paltrow, actress & founder of goop pose backstage at Cultivating the Art of Taste & Style at the Los Angeles Theatre during Airbnb Open LA - Day 3 on November 19, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mike Windle)
2016
615 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014, United States
Brian Chesky, co-founder & Chief Executive Officer, Airbnb speaks onstage at Cultivating the Art of Taste & Style at the Los Angeles Theatre during Airbnb Open LA - Day 3 on November 19, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mike Windle)
2016
615 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014, United States
Ashton Kutcher (L) and Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Airbnb, Brian Chesky attend The Game Plan: Strategies for Entrepreneurs at The Orpheum Theatre during Airbnb Open - Day 3 on November 19, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan)
2016
Los Angeles, California, USA
Brian Chesky appears on stage during the 'The Game Plan: Strategies for Entrepreneurs' Airbnb Open 2016 on November 19, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kurt Krieger)
2017
11 Wall St, New York, NY 10005, United States
Brian Chesky, chief executive officer and co-founder of Airbnb Inc., speaks during an Economic Club of New York luncheon at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, the U.S., on Monday, March 13, 2017. Airbnb is about halfway through a 2-year process of preparing to be ready to go public, Chesky said. Photographer: Michael Nagle
2017
New York City, NY, USA
Brian Chesky speaks at Experience Harlem hosted by Airbnb and Ghetto Gastro on March 14, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder)
2017
New York City, NY, USA
Brian Chesky (L) and Trevor Noah attend Experience Harlem hosted by Airbnb and Ghetto Gastro on March 14, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder)
2017
New York City, NY, USA
Brian Chesky (L) and Doug E. Fresh speak at Experience Harlem hosted by Airbnb and Ghetto Gastro on March 14, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder)
2017
New York City, NY, USA
Brian Chesky (L) and Elissa Patel attend Experience Harlem hosted by Airbnb and Ghetto Gastro on March 14, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder)
2017
New York City, NY, USA
Brian Chesky and Elissa Patel attend Airbnb presents: True York on September 26, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski)
2017
747 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Brian Chesky, chief operating officer of Airbnb Inc., speaks during the BoxWorks 2017 Conference at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. Photographer: Michael Short
2019
6 St Johns Ln, New York, NY 10013, United States
Brian Chesky attends the "Gay Chorus Deep South" screening during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studios on April 29, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil)
2019
6 St Johns Ln, New York, NY 10013, United States
Allison Chesky (L) and Brian Chesky attend the "Gay Chorus Deep South" screening during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studios on April 29, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil)
2019
172 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002, United States
Brian Chesky attends Airbnb's Exclusive After Party at The Angel Orensanz Foundation, Celebrating The World Premiere Of 'Gay Chorus Deep South' Documentary on April 30, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Ben Gabbe)
2019
6 St Johns Ln, New York, NY 10013, United States
Brian Chesky special guest of 'Gay Chorus Deep South' poses for a portrait during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studio on April 29, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Corey Nickols)
2019
New York City, NY, USA
Andrew Ross Sorkin, Editor at Large, Columnist and Founder, DealBook, The New York Times speaks with Brian Chesky, Co-Founder, Head of Community, and C.E.O., Airbnb onstage at 2019 New York Times Dealbook on November 06, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Mike Cohen)
2019
New York City, NY, USA
Andrew Ross Sorkin, Editor at Large, Columnist and Founder, DealBook, The New York Times speaks with Brian Chesky, Co-Founder, Head of Community, and C.E.O., Airbnb onstage at 2019 New York Times Dealbook on November 06, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Mike Cohen)
Young Brian Chesky
Brian Chesky, childhood photo
Ethnicity:
Brian Chesky's father is of Polish and Ukrainian descent. His mother is of Italian ancestry.
Brian Chesky was born on August 29, 1981, in Niskayuna, New York, the United States, to Deborah and Robert H. Chesky. Both of Brian's parents were social workers. He has a younger sister, Allison.
Ever since he was a kid, Chesky was into the design. He set about creating redesigns of everything from videogame consoles to sneakers to outdoor decks. After graduation from the Niskayuna High School, Chesky studied industrial design at the Rhode Island School of Design. He earned his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in 2004 with an emphasis on Industrial design. It was there that he met his future business partner Joe Gebbia, who would co-found Airbnb with him.
After completing college, Brian Chesky was working in Los Angeles at 3DID as an industrial designer and strategist. Later, he moved to San Francisco and started sharing an apartment with his friend Gebbia. It was in the year 2007 that the whole idea of Airbnb came to Chesky. He was sharing his apartment with Gebbia when the Industrial Designers Society of America was hosting its conference in San Francisco. During this conference, all the hotel rooms were booked. As the duo was finding it difficult to pay their rent, they decided to rent their apartment for money to the guests of the conference. They came up with the idea of Airbed and Breakfast and bought three air mattresses for the three guests who stayed at their place the first night.
Harvard graduate and technical architect, Nathan Blecharczyk joined as the third co-founder of Airbnb in February 2008. Each co-founder took over unique roles and Chesky became the leader and chief executive officer. To invite funds for their business, Chesky and his co-founders came up with an innovative idea and made special-edition cereals called Obama O’s and Cap’n McCains based on presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain. The special edition cereals impressed the seed accelerator company Y Combinator and they accepted Airbnb into a seed funding program.
Soon the company opened many offices in Europe. In 2011, Chesky announced that a 24-hour hotline service would be made available to handle complaints from residents and that additional staff support would be given in case of theft or vandalism. During the 2014 FIFA World Cup, more than 120,000 people were accommodated in Airbnb homes. By March 2015, Airbnb had a $20 billion valuation. In 2015, Airbnb became an official sponsor of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In 2015, Chesky was named in Forbes list of America’s Richest Entrepreneurs Under 40. He was also seen on TIME’s 100 Most Influential People for 2015. In May 2015, the then President of United States Barack Obama named him an Ambassador of Global Entrepreneurship.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, Airbnb was estimated to be worth about $38 billion. The company has more than seven million listings in more than 100,000 cities worldwide and had planned to go public in 2020. Now, Airbnb is being battered by the coronavirus crisis and is on track for revenues of less than half the $4.8 billion it reportedly earned in 2019, Chesky said in a recent letter to staff.
Now, as the company takes a beating due to the pandemic, it has let go 25% of its workforce. The nearly 1,900 laid off Airbnb employees will each receive a severance package that includes several months' pay, a year of healthcare, and help from Airbnb finding a new job.
Brian Chesky was inducted into the Forbes America’s Richest Entrepreneurs Under 40 list. He was awarded this distinction in 2015 after enjoying immense success with Airbnb. This is a far cry from the time that he was forced to rent out his apartment so he could afford to pay the rent. This is the second such award that has highlighted the lightning speed of his successful hospitality program that has gone global.
Despite being worth more than $4 billion, the Airbnb co-founder has maintained a relatively modest lifestyle. In 2015, Chesky told People that he still lived in the apartment where he and Gebbia started the company.
In the summer of 2016, he joined these multi-billionaires, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, in making a pledge to give away the majority of their wealth. He commented on his decision by saying: "With this pledge, I want to help more kids realize the kind of journey I have had. I want to show them that their dreams are not bounded by what they can see in front of them. Their limits are not so limited. Walt Disney once said, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” I would like to help them dream."
Quotations:
"As children, we have vivid imaginations. We stay up late waiting for Santa Claus, dream of becoming president, and have ideas that defy physics. Then something happens. As we grow older, we start editing our imagination."
"Belonging has always been a fundamental driver of humankind."
"Our perception of time is really driven by our perception of the unfamiliar, vivid, and new."
"Think of the imagination as a giant stone from which we carve out new ideas. As we chip away, our new ideas become more polished and refined. But if you start by editing your imagination, you start with a tiny stone."
"The American dream, what we were taught was, grow up, own a car, own a house. I think that dream’s completely changing. We were taught to keep up with the Joneses. Now we’re sharing with the Joneses."
"Repetition doesn’t create memories. New experiences do."
"Travel is a new experience that can transport you out of your everyday routine to create memories with the ones you love."
Chesky’s first passion was hockey. After he got a full set of gear for Christmas one year, he insisted on sleeping in it - pads, skates, stick, and helmet. Later a hobby of drawing and redesigning Nike sneakers grew into a passion for art. He would disappear to the local museum for hours to draw replicas of the paintings.
Chesky attends Burning Man, the nine-day arts event in the Nevada desert that's frequented by celebrities and tech moguls. After he attended Burning Man for the first time in 2013 on the invitation of Burning Man board member Chip Conley, Chesky reportedly said: "Burning Man is what life would be like if artists ruled the world."
Chesky started dating artist Elissa Patel sometime in 2013. The couple met on Tinder, Chesky told Fortune magazine in a 2015 interview.
Brian met Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia at the Rhode Island School of Design where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design.
