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Building Airbnb wasn’t just about a big idea—it was a journey of relentless hustle, risk, and a whole lot of creativity. Founders Brian Chesky and his co-founders were in credit card debt and struggling to find investors. The problem? Travelers wouldn’t book without listed homes, and homeowners wouldn’t list without bookings. This chicken-and-egg dilemma kept them at a standstill, until one unique opportunity presented itself: the Democratic National Convention in 2008.
Photo: Getty Images
A Bold Move with the DNC
As the Democratic National Convention announced Barack Obama’s historic speech would be moved to an 80,000-seat stadium, Chesky saw a golden opportunity. Denver was about to welcome 60,000 visitors in need of lodging, and Airbnb was there to fill the gap. The team hustled to reach local Denverites and promote listings for the convention. Chesky and his team tirelessly pitched their idea to bloggers, gaining coverage from local media outlets like The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News. Over three weeks, they managed to get featured in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and eventually, CNN.
From Struggling Startup to Media Splash
This PR wave didn’t just bring exposure; it created a buzz. Suddenly, Airbnb had press attention, a budding user base, and a renewed drive, even though they were still financially struggling. Yet, those initial sparks of growth helped Airbnb catch the attention of a few hundred users. As Chesky recalls, they obsessively met every user, gaining insights that would shape the business and set the foundation for the platform we know today.
The Lesson: Find Creative Inroads and Don’t Give Up
Chesky’s journey with Airbnb in those early days is a testament to scrappy problem-solving. When conventional methods failed, he and his team found an unconventional inroad, proving that sometimes, it takes a daring leap to get your startup off the ground. Today, Airbnb is a billion-dollar company—but back then, it was three guys, a credit card debt, and a dream. This story reminds us that with enough drive, the right opportunity, and a little ingenuity, the impossible becomes possible.
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