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The Airbnb Story: How Three Guys Disrupted an Industry, Made Billions of Dollars ... and Plenty of Enemies
This is the inside, behind-the-scenes story of airbnb -- the company reshaping how we travel. Two broke art school graduates set up a platform that – in six short years – became the largest provider of accommodation in the world. Now valued at $25.5 billion, it is in the very top tier of Silicon Valley ‘unicorn’ startups.
Yet Airbnb has been controversial – disrupting a $500 billion hotel industry makes you a few enemies – and many regulators and politicians want to shut it down. Hotel owners don’t know whether to copy it or kill it, neighbours of Airbnb rentals complain about transient visitors, hosts report increases of damaged property, and some tech industry analysts think it’s grossly overvalued. Beyond the headlines and the horror stories, Airbnb has changed the terms of travel for a whole generation. People who care more about finding like-minded locals than hotel breakfasts, and which has found a platform to build trust between hosts and guests in a way that hotels have struggled to replicate.
This is the first, definitive book to tell the remarkable story behind Airbnb in all its forms–cultural zeitgeist, hotel disruptor, enemy to regulators–and the first in-depth character study of its leader Brian Chesky, the thoughtful, curious 34-year old founder and CEO, by the journalist who knows him best. On the way we’ll discover why their business idea took root, the mistakes they made and how they learned from them, how they have grown surrounded by controversy, the parallels with Uber, and where they are going next.
Yet Airbnb has been controversial – disrupting a $500 billion hotel industry makes you a few enemies – and many regulators and politicians want to shut it down. Hotel owners don’t know whether to copy it or kill it, neighbours of Airbnb rentals complain about transient visitors, hosts report increases of damaged property, and some tech industry analysts think it’s grossly overvalued. Beyond the headlines and the horror stories, Airbnb has changed the terms of travel for a whole generation. People who care more about finding like-minded locals than hotel breakfasts, and which has found a platform to build trust between hosts and guests in a way that hotels have struggled to replicate.
This is the first, definitive book to tell the remarkable story behind Airbnb in all its forms–cultural zeitgeist, hotel disruptor, enemy to regulators–and the first in-depth character study of its leader Brian Chesky, the thoughtful, curious 34-year old founder and CEO, by the journalist who knows him best. On the way we’ll discover why their business idea took root, the mistakes they made and how they learned from them, how they have grown surrounded by controversy, the parallels with Uber, and where they are going next.
320 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2017
752 people are currently reading
5130 people want to read
About the author
Leigh Gallagher
59 books31 followersLeigh Gallagher is an assistant managing editor at Fortune and cochair of the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit. She is a frequent guest on MSNBC's Morning Joe and public radio's Marketplace; appears frequently on CNN, CNBC, and other outlets; and speaks regularly on business and economic issues. The End of the Suburbs is her first book.
(Biographical blurb from the back of The End of the Suburbs.)
(Biographical blurb from the back of The End of the Suburbs.)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 346 reviews
April 2, 2017
Nothing new. Absolutely insincere. IPO advertising book. Short version of book: AirBNB is friendly and disruptive, hotel lobby is eval, founders are genius, everybody loves Airbnb, nothing bad should happen.
I don't hate the company, no bad feelings about it. But the book has nothing intereating.
If you'd love to read really engaging story about tech in travel company, read "Truck full of money" about Kayak's founder Paul English
I don't hate the company, no bad feelings about it. But the book has nothing intereating.
If you'd love to read really engaging story about tech in travel company, read "Truck full of money" about Kayak's founder Paul English
January 25, 2018
Having just stayed at a Airbnb and running a Airbnb home, I was very curious how the American business model got started. Interesting book mixed with some dry statistics. Obviously a lot of research went it to it! The three men who started it, Joe Gebbia, Nathan Blecharczyk and Brian Chesky, have changed the travel and hotel business forever.
November 25, 2024
From couch surfers to industry shakers, Airbnb's tale is proof that a wild idea and a little hustle can turn the hotel world upside down.
An insightful look into the rise of one of the most disruptive companies of our time. The book does a great job of detailing the journey of Airbnb from a quirky startup to a global giant, highlighting the challenges and triumphs faced by its founders. Gallagher's writing is engaging and well-researched, making it an informative read for those interested in entrepreneurship and the sharing economy.
However, the book sometimes feels a bit too focused on the positive aspects of Airbnb's growth, glossing over some of the more controversial issues and criticisms the company has faced. While it provides a good overview, it lacks the depth and critical analysis that would make it a truly comprehensive account. Overall, it's a decent read for anyone curious about the story behind Airbnb, but it may leave some readers wanting more in terms of balanced coverage.
An insightful look into the rise of one of the most disruptive companies of our time. The book does a great job of detailing the journey of Airbnb from a quirky startup to a global giant, highlighting the challenges and triumphs faced by its founders. Gallagher's writing is engaging and well-researched, making it an informative read for those interested in entrepreneurship and the sharing economy.
However, the book sometimes feels a bit too focused on the positive aspects of Airbnb's growth, glossing over some of the more controversial issues and criticisms the company has faced. While it provides a good overview, it lacks the depth and critical analysis that would make it a truly comprehensive account. Overall, it's a decent read for anyone curious about the story behind Airbnb, but it may leave some readers wanting more in terms of balanced coverage.
October 19, 2018
A wonderful story about three guys who just blew up the tourism industry with their start-up Airbnb. They had a very difficult path, but their passion for their work was stronger. Now it is a multi-billion dollar business. An interesting story about one of the most successful "unicorns" of Silicon Valley.
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Замечательная история о трех парнях, которые просто взорвали туристическую индустрию своим стартапом Airbnb. У них был путь очень сложным, но их страсть к своему делу была сильнее. Сейчас это многомиллиардный бизнесс. Интересная история про одного из самых успешных "единорогов" Силиконовой долины.
I read this book on Google Books by
Readlax Chrome Extension. Train your reading speed and read more than 10 books per month.
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Замечательная история о трех парнях, которые просто взорвали туристическую индустрию своим стартапом Airbnb. У них был путь очень сложным, но их страсть к своему делу была сильнее. Сейчас это многомиллиардный бизнесс. Интересная история про одного из самых успешных "единорогов" Силиконовой долины.
I read this book on Google Books by
Readlax Chrome Extension. Train your reading speed and read more than 10 books per month.
May 13, 2017
There's an incredible amount of research gone into this book with plenty of data, statistics, quotes, details of local laws, etc. Personally I found it all made for a dull story wtih too much minutia. I enjoyed the chapters about people's personal experience of renting out their homes but most were dramatically bad so it made me wonder why people do it.
There was a lot of detail about the company's conflict in big cities like New York where renting out your home, or part if it, seems to be in conflict with many local laws. I found all the legal stuff very tedious, not helped by the fact I am not a US citizen so the many different laws and regulations meant nothing, nor the politians and local people in government that were quoted.
It took me weeks to read and even then I have skimmed much of it.
With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK, Ebury Publishing for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There was a lot of detail about the company's conflict in big cities like New York where renting out your home, or part if it, seems to be in conflict with many local laws. I found all the legal stuff very tedious, not helped by the fact I am not a US citizen so the many different laws and regulations meant nothing, nor the politians and local people in government that were quoted.
It took me weeks to read and even then I have skimmed much of it.
With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK, Ebury Publishing for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 26, 2017
PERFECT TRIANGLE AND CEREAL BOXES -- STORIES BEHIND THAT BEAUTIFUL BELO
The story started from a room where two design school graduates, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, lived. They pursue an idea to connect room and house owners to random travelers or ordinary people. The idea sounds weird and crazy, but nowadays the startup has a US$31 billion valuation.
However, it's not an easy way to crossed for Airbnb's founders. They have to asked their mate Nathan Blecharczyk to leave his fiancee and join them through Y Combinator, they had to sell a gigantic amount of cereal to stay alive, and they also had to face a big wall of regulation that was created by government.
Airbnb's key of success is laid inside their founders' mind. Chesky is a natural leader and learning enthusiast, while Gebbia is a perfectionist that can handle the company's operation and new innovations really well. Blecharczyk, is not only an ordinary CTO. He has a great business mind that inspired him to create growth hacking tools, such as integration to Craiglist and legendary payment system.
And now, Airbnb had evolved and become a community. However, there are still lot of hurdles that wait for them in the future, while they also have plan for IPO next year. If you want to learn practical ways to follow Airbnb's success, this book is a perfect thing to read.
The story started from a room where two design school graduates, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, lived. They pursue an idea to connect room and house owners to random travelers or ordinary people. The idea sounds weird and crazy, but nowadays the startup has a US$31 billion valuation.
However, it's not an easy way to crossed for Airbnb's founders. They have to asked their mate Nathan Blecharczyk to leave his fiancee and join them through Y Combinator, they had to sell a gigantic amount of cereal to stay alive, and they also had to face a big wall of regulation that was created by government.
Airbnb's key of success is laid inside their founders' mind. Chesky is a natural leader and learning enthusiast, while Gebbia is a perfectionist that can handle the company's operation and new innovations really well. Blecharczyk, is not only an ordinary CTO. He has a great business mind that inspired him to create growth hacking tools, such as integration to Craiglist and legendary payment system.
And now, Airbnb had evolved and become a community. However, there are still lot of hurdles that wait for them in the future, while they also have plan for IPO next year. If you want to learn practical ways to follow Airbnb's success, this book is a perfect thing to read.
November 2, 2025
Every once in a while, you come across a business story that feels eerily familiar — not because you’ve lived the same scale of success, but because you’ve seen the same sparks of ambition, the same scrappy energy, and the same fear of failure. Leigh Gallagher’s The Airbnb Story is one such book — an inspiring chronicle of how three young founders turned an absurdly simple idea (“renting out an air mattress to strangers”) into a global movement that redefined travel, hospitality, and trust itself.
Having worked closely with two startups that were trying to truly disrupt their markets, I found myself nodding along at every twist and turn in Airbnb’s journey — the awkward pitches, the near-bankruptcy moments, the “what are we even doing?” self-doubts and the all too familiar "pivots". Gallagher captures this chaos beautifully, not just as a business case study but as a deeply human narrative. She doesn’t gloss over the messiness — the founders’ missteps, the regulatory battles, the ethical tightropes — instead, she lets us feel the grit that powered Airbnb’s evolution from a wild idea to a global platform.
Reading about Airbnb’s relentless improvisation and courage made me realize what the “safe” companies lacked: the conviction to stay uncomfortable. As Gallagher shows, disruption isn’t born in boardrooms; it’s forged in persistence and faith when logic says you should quit.
The highlight for me, though, was the section “Learning to Lead”. The way Gallagher dissects the growth of Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk as leaders is worth underlining, maybe even taking notes on. Their learning curve is both inspiring and instructive. Each founder’s character sketch is vivid: Chesky’s obsessive drive, Gebbia’s design empathy (Loved the elephant/dead fish/vomit framework), and Blecharczyk’s analytical calm. Together, they form a compelling study in complementary leadership.
Gallagher’s prose is crisp and journalistic, yet empathetic. She gives us the full picture — the vision, the backlash, the luck, and the learning. For anyone who has ever tried to build something new, The Airbnb Story is a mirror and a manual — a reminder that disruption requires not just innovation, but endurance. And if you are working in one such org - an understanding into the structured chaos.
Having worked closely with two startups that were trying to truly disrupt their markets, I found myself nodding along at every twist and turn in Airbnb’s journey — the awkward pitches, the near-bankruptcy moments, the “what are we even doing?” self-doubts and the all too familiar "pivots". Gallagher captures this chaos beautifully, not just as a business case study but as a deeply human narrative. She doesn’t gloss over the messiness — the founders’ missteps, the regulatory battles, the ethical tightropes — instead, she lets us feel the grit that powered Airbnb’s evolution from a wild idea to a global platform.
Reading about Airbnb’s relentless improvisation and courage made me realize what the “safe” companies lacked: the conviction to stay uncomfortable. As Gallagher shows, disruption isn’t born in boardrooms; it’s forged in persistence and faith when logic says you should quit.
The highlight for me, though, was the section “Learning to Lead”. The way Gallagher dissects the growth of Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk as leaders is worth underlining, maybe even taking notes on. Their learning curve is both inspiring and instructive. Each founder’s character sketch is vivid: Chesky’s obsessive drive, Gebbia’s design empathy (Loved the elephant/dead fish/vomit framework), and Blecharczyk’s analytical calm. Together, they form a compelling study in complementary leadership.
Gallagher’s prose is crisp and journalistic, yet empathetic. She gives us the full picture — the vision, the backlash, the luck, and the learning. For anyone who has ever tried to build something new, The Airbnb Story is a mirror and a manual — a reminder that disruption requires not just innovation, but endurance. And if you are working in one such org - an understanding into the structured chaos.
May 5, 2022
Livros técnicos são difíceis de avaliar, os critérios são diferentes dos que utilizo para avaliar ficções Aqui, por exemplo, li pelo mesmo motivo que li biografias do Bezos, Musk, Federer, Da Vinci e histórias de empresas como Uber, Disney, Theranos, Netflix; pessoas e empresas interessantes que tenho curiosidade em entender como pensam e como surgiram.
Óbvio que existe um padrão de avaliação. Ser bem escrito, imparcial, que traga coisas novas (a do Uber por exemplo parece um grande mash-up de notícias divulgadas) e que tenha um olhar analítico sobre os principais acontecimentos ao longo de uma determinada linha do tempo. A história do Airbnb tem um pouco de tudo aí, mas ao final da leitura, saí com a sensação de que a autora podia ter ido mais fundo na obra.
De fato, as entrevistas feitas com os fundadores parecem trazer traços de suas personalidades que realmente fogem do perfil dos empreendedores de tecnologia (um afago no ego dos designers, já que a maioria dos motivos do sucesso creditado à empresa é colocado na conta da visão mais criativa e empática dos dois designers-sócios) e há uma crítica transversal as contradições da pegada social expressa na missão da empresa ("pertencimento") versus a forma tradicional de como a empresa foi alavancada por rodadas de investimentos de Venture Capitals. E também imagino que os problemas mais famosos ocorridos nos 9 anos que o livro percorre, colocam luz nos riscos que um modelo de negócio como esse pode trazer para o ecossistema de seus usuários (anfitriões, hóspedes, reguladores e moradores).
Talvez tenha faltado uma contextualização maior sobre economia circular/shared-economy, limites dos modelos de negócios baseados nisso, futuro do setor hoteleiro, enfim acho que o livro peca ao passar rápido sobre fatos que poderiam gerar maiores reflexões sobre um mercado que virou de cabeça pra baixo com a entrada deles...
Óbvio que existe um padrão de avaliação. Ser bem escrito, imparcial, que traga coisas novas (a do Uber por exemplo parece um grande mash-up de notícias divulgadas) e que tenha um olhar analítico sobre os principais acontecimentos ao longo de uma determinada linha do tempo. A história do Airbnb tem um pouco de tudo aí, mas ao final da leitura, saí com a sensação de que a autora podia ter ido mais fundo na obra.
De fato, as entrevistas feitas com os fundadores parecem trazer traços de suas personalidades que realmente fogem do perfil dos empreendedores de tecnologia (um afago no ego dos designers, já que a maioria dos motivos do sucesso creditado à empresa é colocado na conta da visão mais criativa e empática dos dois designers-sócios) e há uma crítica transversal as contradições da pegada social expressa na missão da empresa ("pertencimento") versus a forma tradicional de como a empresa foi alavancada por rodadas de investimentos de Venture Capitals. E também imagino que os problemas mais famosos ocorridos nos 9 anos que o livro percorre, colocam luz nos riscos que um modelo de negócio como esse pode trazer para o ecossistema de seus usuários (anfitriões, hóspedes, reguladores e moradores).
Talvez tenha faltado uma contextualização maior sobre economia circular/shared-economy, limites dos modelos de negócios baseados nisso, futuro do setor hoteleiro, enfim acho que o livro peca ao passar rápido sobre fatos que poderiam gerar maiores reflexões sobre um mercado que virou de cabeça pra baixo com a entrada deles...
February 11, 2021
By all accounts, Airbnb should not have become this big! The very idea of letting strangers into your home raises eyebrows, but the way they executed it with belongingness at the core is amazing.
January 31, 2019
What an interesting and inspiring story. Definitely have to recommend this to a few friends.
February 28, 2017
Fascinating story of how Airbnb began incidentally by two art majors and a computer person and grew so fast. The company was brought to my attention by a daughter several years ago and now in 2017, I will soon stay at one of these online booked BnBs. This perhaps repeats their corporate beliefs more often than I would like to hear them, but a corporate entity with beliefs seems unusual in today's crass commercial world.
What is fascinating is how each potential setback was dealt with to improve the company. Also interesting is the three founders emphasis on future diversification to add more value to peoples travel experience throughout the world.
What is fascinating is how each potential setback was dealt with to improve the company. Also interesting is the three founders emphasis on future diversification to add more value to peoples travel experience throughout the world.
May 31, 2019
Not the most unbiased version of the story, but it's well-written, fast paced and inspiring. It gives a peak into the journey of Airbnb's co-founders, delves into the issues that their model poses to the traditional hospitality businesses, and where the company is headed (as of early 2017).
August 13, 2017
it is very repetitive and not the keast a journalist's work but rather a long fan letter
April 26, 2018
(English version below)
"The Airbnb Story" pretende contar a fascinante história de como uma ideia simples se tornou num enorme fenómeno mundial. Toda a gente sabe o que é o Airbnb e toda a gente já teve alguma experiência, directa ou indirecta, com a plataforma. E foi por isso que decidi ler este livro e saber mais sobre o seu passado.
A jornalista Leigh Gallagher mostrou ser uma excelente narradora, tentando mostrar tanto as falhas como os sucessos da plataforma e dos seus fundadores. Para além disso, Gallagher explora o possível futuro da indústria de viagens, uma abordagem que enriquece bastante o livro.
Recomendo este livro quer para os que querem saber mais sobre a história do Airbnb como entrepreneurs e interessados em start-ups. "The Airbnb Story" serve como uma ferramenta interessante de motivação e informação!
"The Airbnb Story" aims to tell the fascinating story of how a simple idea became a massive global phenomenon. Nowadays, everyone knows what Airbnb is and everyone has had direct or indirect contact with it. And that is why I decided to read this book and get to know about its past.
Journalist Leigh Gallagher is an excellent narrator, trying to explore the failures and successes of the platform and its founders. Moreover, Gallagher explores the possible future of the travel industry, an approach that enriches the book.
I recommend this book to those who want to know more about the origins of Airbnb and entrepreneurs and start-up enthusiasts. "The Airbnb Story" is an interesting tool for motivation and information!
"The Airbnb Story" pretende contar a fascinante história de como uma ideia simples se tornou num enorme fenómeno mundial. Toda a gente sabe o que é o Airbnb e toda a gente já teve alguma experiência, directa ou indirecta, com a plataforma. E foi por isso que decidi ler este livro e saber mais sobre o seu passado.
A jornalista Leigh Gallagher mostrou ser uma excelente narradora, tentando mostrar tanto as falhas como os sucessos da plataforma e dos seus fundadores. Para além disso, Gallagher explora o possível futuro da indústria de viagens, uma abordagem que enriquece bastante o livro.
Recomendo este livro quer para os que querem saber mais sobre a história do Airbnb como entrepreneurs e interessados em start-ups. "The Airbnb Story" serve como uma ferramenta interessante de motivação e informação!
"The Airbnb Story" aims to tell the fascinating story of how a simple idea became a massive global phenomenon. Nowadays, everyone knows what Airbnb is and everyone has had direct or indirect contact with it. And that is why I decided to read this book and get to know about its past.
Journalist Leigh Gallagher is an excellent narrator, trying to explore the failures and successes of the platform and its founders. Moreover, Gallagher explores the possible future of the travel industry, an approach that enriches the book.
I recommend this book to those who want to know more about the origins of Airbnb and entrepreneurs and start-up enthusiasts. "The Airbnb Story" is an interesting tool for motivation and information!
January 4, 2019
Не дочитав! Книга дуже банальна. Краплинка цікавої інформації і відро води. Написано для тих хто любить читати заради читання.
April 3, 2018
Super interesting when going through the Founders' struggles to get traction; classic case of startup hustling and insightful info that they had no money so had to eat cereal but couldn't afford milk #commitment
Struggled to hold my attention after that.
Struggled to hold my attention after that.
June 2, 2017
Last year at this time , we were living in Nicholas's flat. A living room full of books, with Victor Hugo in French. Pencil sketches of cats and horses on the walls. A kitchen and dining room with a polished mahogany table. Even our hard- to- please three teenage daughters were totally charmed. And this sprawling apartment , next to the Jardin Trocadero, for much less than the price of two Parisian hotel rooms . Such is the power of the famous 6 letter word in today's holiday and hospitality world - Airbnb.
If you, like me, and a million other people world wide, have stayed in an Airbnb apartment , you'd probably want to know how it all began. Leigh Gallagher's book is a good place to start. Like most people, I’d heard the story of how Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia began renting out their living-room airbed, to make money for rent. But the details of how this happened and how this venture grew and grew is a Silicon Valley fairy tale I didn’t fully know. Like all fairy tales, this one bears retelling, something Leigh Gallagher, assistant editor at Fortune magazine, does engagingly in this well-researched book.
Would-be entrepreneurs can take heart from all the struggle (eating dry leftover cereal for every meal) and the scorn from investors (the idea of renting out space to strangers was considered weird and unbelievably risky) chronicled in this book. Airbnb went through many iterations, from being a company that insisted hosts supply only airbeds and be there to offer breakfast, to its present-day avatar. It failed many times, launching and relaunching in different cities, trying to capitalize on the extra demand for hotel rooms during conventions. Then there were the lucky breaks, most of which came from dogged persistence, like becoming part of the Y Combinator accelerator, a mentoring programme for start-ups. This gave the young start-up credibility, funding from private equity firm Sequoia, and mentorship. Gallagher tells this story fluently. The first few chapters are eventful and racy, and then the book settles down to a comfortable mix of events and analysis.
Chief executive Chesky is the public face of Airbnb, so it’s understandable that much of the book focuses on him. The other two founders, Gebbia and Blecharczyk, get a chapter each, but team Airbnb never comes to life. If the book has a flaw, it’s this.
Gossipy titbits, like Chesky’s relationship with Indian-American girlfriend Elissa Patel, are conspicuously missing. Gallagher focuses only on the business of Airbnb. “Airbnb tapped into something greater than low prices and an abundance of available inventory. It offered an experience that was special and different. Even its imperfections fed into a growing desire for a travel experience that felt a little smaller-scale and more ‘artisanal’ than staying at a standard hotel,” she writes. “It also opened up access to different kinds of neighbourhoods than traditional tourist zones, so you could have an experience that felt more local. These elements were particularly powerful for millennials, who have exhibited a growing dissatisfaction with big brands and a greater sense of adventure, and those who grew up so accustomed to digital-only interactions that venturing into the home of someone they’d connected with online wasn’t much of a stretch,” she tells us.
The explosive popularity of Airbnb has inevitably brought it into conflict with its biggest competitor—the hotel industry. Hoteliers complain that Airbnb has an unfair competitive advantage—it is not subject to the regulations and taxes that the holiday industry is. Hotel industry lobbyists have enlisted the help of the law effectively in cities like San Francisco and New York.The story of this upstart digital industry battling with its traditional model is fascinating for anyone following the disruptive nature of today’s world. And Gallagher tells it well. Even though she is obviously partial to the magic of the Airbnb proposition (as is this writer!). She also tackles the crises in Airbnb, including the much reported ransacking of hosts’ houses and the media outrage over them.
Great reading for anyone who has ever stayed in an Airbnb or is considering staying in one, for all entrepreneurs everywhere, and for anybody interested in seeing up close what “disruption” is really all about.
If you, like me, and a million other people world wide, have stayed in an Airbnb apartment , you'd probably want to know how it all began. Leigh Gallagher's book is a good place to start. Like most people, I’d heard the story of how Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia began renting out their living-room airbed, to make money for rent. But the details of how this happened and how this venture grew and grew is a Silicon Valley fairy tale I didn’t fully know. Like all fairy tales, this one bears retelling, something Leigh Gallagher, assistant editor at Fortune magazine, does engagingly in this well-researched book.
Would-be entrepreneurs can take heart from all the struggle (eating dry leftover cereal for every meal) and the scorn from investors (the idea of renting out space to strangers was considered weird and unbelievably risky) chronicled in this book. Airbnb went through many iterations, from being a company that insisted hosts supply only airbeds and be there to offer breakfast, to its present-day avatar. It failed many times, launching and relaunching in different cities, trying to capitalize on the extra demand for hotel rooms during conventions. Then there were the lucky breaks, most of which came from dogged persistence, like becoming part of the Y Combinator accelerator, a mentoring programme for start-ups. This gave the young start-up credibility, funding from private equity firm Sequoia, and mentorship. Gallagher tells this story fluently. The first few chapters are eventful and racy, and then the book settles down to a comfortable mix of events and analysis.
Chief executive Chesky is the public face of Airbnb, so it’s understandable that much of the book focuses on him. The other two founders, Gebbia and Blecharczyk, get a chapter each, but team Airbnb never comes to life. If the book has a flaw, it’s this.
Gossipy titbits, like Chesky’s relationship with Indian-American girlfriend Elissa Patel, are conspicuously missing. Gallagher focuses only on the business of Airbnb. “Airbnb tapped into something greater than low prices and an abundance of available inventory. It offered an experience that was special and different. Even its imperfections fed into a growing desire for a travel experience that felt a little smaller-scale and more ‘artisanal’ than staying at a standard hotel,” she writes. “It also opened up access to different kinds of neighbourhoods than traditional tourist zones, so you could have an experience that felt more local. These elements were particularly powerful for millennials, who have exhibited a growing dissatisfaction with big brands and a greater sense of adventure, and those who grew up so accustomed to digital-only interactions that venturing into the home of someone they’d connected with online wasn’t much of a stretch,” she tells us.
The explosive popularity of Airbnb has inevitably brought it into conflict with its biggest competitor—the hotel industry. Hoteliers complain that Airbnb has an unfair competitive advantage—it is not subject to the regulations and taxes that the holiday industry is. Hotel industry lobbyists have enlisted the help of the law effectively in cities like San Francisco and New York.The story of this upstart digital industry battling with its traditional model is fascinating for anyone following the disruptive nature of today’s world. And Gallagher tells it well. Even though she is obviously partial to the magic of the Airbnb proposition (as is this writer!). She also tackles the crises in Airbnb, including the much reported ransacking of hosts’ houses and the media outrage over them.
Great reading for anyone who has ever stayed in an Airbnb or is considering staying in one, for all entrepreneurs everywhere, and for anybody interested in seeing up close what “disruption” is really all about.
January 20, 2018
Interesting book about how Airbnb got started. The author also delves into the reasons the company is successful as well as a broad discussion of the evolving travel industry. Recommended reading!
March 3, 2017
Leigh does a fantastic job of telling the story of the sheer innovation and resilience Joe Gebbia, Brian Chesky and Nathan Blecharczyk had when airbnb was in seed form.
She doesn't tell this story as a fairytale with a happy ending. She goes the extra mile by fishing out details otherwise not known and expressing struggles that are either relatable or hard to fathom.
One key lesson that stood out for me was that a broad vision does not come in one sitting. Iterations are required to capture and bring visions to reality.
Rating: 4/5
Favourite quote: "We just showed up before everyone else and stayed after everyone else. We were more shameless than other people, and we were more curious."
She doesn't tell this story as a fairytale with a happy ending. She goes the extra mile by fishing out details otherwise not known and expressing struggles that are either relatable or hard to fathom.
One key lesson that stood out for me was that a broad vision does not come in one sitting. Iterations are required to capture and bring visions to reality.
Rating: 4/5
Favourite quote: "We just showed up before everyone else and stayed after everyone else. We were more shameless than other people, and we were more curious."
August 20, 2021
This felt like a startup story that has been written too early. The founders seem like really nice people but although they made a remarkable company, the story itself is quite meh.
Also, it didn't have much personal touch and felt like most of it had been written on public records and not actual insight of people who were there from the beginning.
Most of the book wasn't even about AirBnB story, but very long chapters on some specific cases when something went wrong with a rental and what happened. I think it was obvious to expect that something would go wrong, but this was too much focus on those parts.
I'm not giving it a lower mark but there are so many other startup stories that are written better and have some valuable insights that you can learn from. Read those instead.
Also, it didn't have much personal touch and felt like most of it had been written on public records and not actual insight of people who were there from the beginning.
Most of the book wasn't even about AirBnB story, but very long chapters on some specific cases when something went wrong with a rental and what happened. I think it was obvious to expect that something would go wrong, but this was too much focus on those parts.
I'm not giving it a lower mark but there are so many other startup stories that are written better and have some valuable insights that you can learn from. Read those instead.
October 25, 2017
A very well-told account of the Airbnb story. It's more personal than what's discussed in Upstarts. There's a portion in the middle related to the regulation that's a bit dry (but necessary, I suppose, given all of Airbnb's controversy there).
April 2, 2017
Excellent book on creative disruption from start-up giant Airbnb. Well worth the read!
May 11, 2018
“Does a disruption has more chance of becoming more successful if it is accidental rather than strategic”
This book narrates the story of a company born out of a small inconvenience, founded by people who had little knowledge of running the company and with only one out of the three founders having technical expertise to make and run a website. It takes you on a rollercoster ride which is funny, inspiring and unconventional. It is the story of two “design” who take on the hotel industry in the most blasphemous manner and make them rethink their whole business model. Had it not been for “Airbnb”, people would have never thought of renting an unused room in their apartment that too to complete strangers. The complete idea was scampering on the host’s privacy but with their conviction and vision, they made it through and the company is being touted as the next Google or Facebook. We have heard a story like this many times before but there are subtle nuances that makes the story a must read.
This book narrates the story of a company born out of a small inconvenience, founded by people who had little knowledge of running the company and with only one out of the three founders having technical expertise to make and run a website. It takes you on a rollercoster ride which is funny, inspiring and unconventional. It is the story of two “design” who take on the hotel industry in the most blasphemous manner and make them rethink their whole business model. Had it not been for “Airbnb”, people would have never thought of renting an unused room in their apartment that too to complete strangers. The complete idea was scampering on the host’s privacy but with their conviction and vision, they made it through and the company is being touted as the next Google or Facebook. We have heard a story like this many times before but there are subtle nuances that makes the story a must read.
October 21, 2024
Airbnb didn't just change travel—it reshaped societal norms and sparked a cultural shift by allowing strangers to share our homes.
Gallagher, while celebrating Airbnb’s success, also sheds light on the controversies and challenges the company encountered along the way—from regulatory battles to the far-reaching effects it had on housing markets.
It’s clear that Chesky, a designer and artist at heart, brought a creative and unorthodox approach to problem-solving, which played a key role in transforming Airbnb into the multi-billion-dollar disruptor it is today.
Gallagher, while celebrating Airbnb’s success, also sheds light on the controversies and challenges the company encountered along the way—from regulatory battles to the far-reaching effects it had on housing markets.
It’s clear that Chesky, a designer and artist at heart, brought a creative and unorthodox approach to problem-solving, which played a key role in transforming Airbnb into the multi-billion-dollar disruptor it is today.
December 6, 2021
The 'right' does meet the 'left'
One of the challenges - not quite unlike the startups themselves - that books like this face - the startup story is excellent and flows like a dream. The non startup story of growing up with challenges does not have the same flow.
The book is spectacular in the first few chapters. The later chapters come alive when describing the founders or a specific project but lack the energy when describing open questions.
It is still a good book. I'd recommend this over Twitter threads easily. Gives you back more and tells you building an enduring company is still a tail event.
One of the challenges - not quite unlike the startups themselves - that books like this face - the startup story is excellent and flows like a dream. The non startup story of growing up with challenges does not have the same flow.
The book is spectacular in the first few chapters. The later chapters come alive when describing the founders or a specific project but lack the energy when describing open questions.
It is still a good book. I'd recommend this over Twitter threads easily. Gives you back more and tells you building an enduring company is still a tail event.
October 14, 2024
Decidi ler este livro porque sou um admirador distante do CEO da empresa! O modo como a ideia e a empresa surgiram é algo realmente fascinante!
Quanto ao livro em si vou dar 3 estrelas pelo fato de que cada capítulo parece uma bíblia de tão grande! Mas tirando isto, é realmente interessante para quem pretende criar algo!
Recomendo ouvir o Jay Shetty Podcast no episódio com o CEO da Airbnb!
7/10
Quanto ao livro em si vou dar 3 estrelas pelo fato de que cada capítulo parece uma bíblia de tão grande! Mas tirando isto, é realmente interessante para quem pretende criar algo!
Recomendo ouvir o Jay Shetty Podcast no episódio com o CEO da Airbnb!
7/10
August 23, 2017
Leigh Gallagher tells the sweat-driven story of the founders of the billion dollar company, Airbnb. Themes taken away from the novel are: never giving up, always refining, and always be the hardest working man in the room. Gallagher uses Pathos to appeal to the emotions of the reader throughout the novel. The Airbnb story is truly inspiring, as we learn of the founders struggle to succeed. Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk show that no matter how significant the odds against them are, they will not stop until they succeed.
The Airbnb story, begins with 2 Rhode Island School of Design graduates, Gebbia and Chesky. Gebbia and Chesky were living in a San Francisco and needed to think of a way to make money to pay their rent. They had this brilliant idea to rent out air mattresses in their apartment while a major design festivity was in town. With their newly sparked interest to turn this idea into a business they needed someone to design, refine, and establish the more technical aspects of this future business. Blecharczyk, a self taught coder with a computer science degree from Harvard had been Gebbia's roommate at one point. They wouldn't be able to do it without him.
They focused on creating a website that targeted sold out conferences, selling space for people to stay. They had the vision to launch Airbedandbreakfast.com at a technology gathering in Austin, TX. At the convention Chesky met Michael Seibel. Seibel is described in the story as, "The Godfounder". In my opinion it’s a miracle this happened because without his knowledge and connections I don’t believe the company would have stayed in business. After refining and refining they came up with the idea of the same version of Airbnb that exists today. I was not aware of Airbnb until I read this book.
After meeting with seven angel investors, the author describes their company as, "radioactive". I was kind of shocked that not even one person wanted to take a risk on the company. They launched their site for the third time on August 11, 2008 before the Democratic National Convention in Denver. The main issue from this launching was that no one wanted to list their home if no one was going to book it. They pitched their ideas to small blogs which turned into a snowball effect: The Denver Post, the New York Daily News, and the New York times featured stories. I can’t imagine how many people would have viewed their story today with social media. With this exposure, over eight hundred people listed their rooms, and eighty guests booked. PayPal froze their payment account after the spike in activity. As soon as the convention was over, they were back to square one. Their traffic had crashed. Yet, once again, I admire their perseverance to not give up.
Desperate, out of money, and in debt, they resorted back to an idea where they would ship their hosts free breakfast, who could then give that to their guests. They decided on cereal and created Obama O’s and Cap’n McCain’s. In my opinion, it was very clever to keep the menu very simple not to complicate their situation worse. They had amassed a huge debt of over $20,000. With their backs against the wall once again, they decided to pitch the boxes as a collector’s item, selling them for forty dollars each. And we all know more often than not, when you market something as a one time exclusive, it will sell. The cereal was a massive success. They were able to pay off their debt. Once again they were back at square one, with no money and out of food.
One night at dinner, Seibel suggested that they apply to Y Combinator. Chesky felt insulted by this suggestion, as Y Combinator was for prelaunch companies. Paul Graham founded Y Combinator, and it is known as the most powerful startup supply for seed funding. Seibel suggested that this was their last chance to stay afloat. Once again Seibel is saving the day. They applied, got an interview, and convinced Blecharczyk to come back to San Francisco for it. After preparing for hours for their interview, Gebbia grabbed their boxes of cereal and headed to the car. Chesky and Blecharczyk did not agree with this and told him to leave the cereal at home. I can understand their frustration, the cereal seemed very unnecessary in the moment. The interview did not go well, as Graham questioned what was wrong with people, and why are they actually doing this. In my opinion Graham seems like a very intimidating man. Before they were about to leave, Gebbia pulled the cereal boxes out, and told Graham the story behind them. Graham replied, “You guys are like cockroaches. You just won’t die.” I personally think this quote really embraces the mindsets of the three co-founders.
I would recommend this story to individuals who enjoy an inspiring story about sweat equity. I found this book challenging to read as it referenced many business terms and numbers as their story unfolded. But it absolutely was engaging from the beginning of their journey and kept me silently rooting for their ultimate success.The amount of work and time that went into creating Airbnb is truly eye opening. Leigh Gallagher tells the story in great detail, creating the themes of: never giving up, working hard, and always refining to create the best product. The struggle to succeed gave them all of the reasons to quit, but they didn’t. 4.5 - 5 stars.
The Airbnb story, begins with 2 Rhode Island School of Design graduates, Gebbia and Chesky. Gebbia and Chesky were living in a San Francisco and needed to think of a way to make money to pay their rent. They had this brilliant idea to rent out air mattresses in their apartment while a major design festivity was in town. With their newly sparked interest to turn this idea into a business they needed someone to design, refine, and establish the more technical aspects of this future business. Blecharczyk, a self taught coder with a computer science degree from Harvard had been Gebbia's roommate at one point. They wouldn't be able to do it without him.
They focused on creating a website that targeted sold out conferences, selling space for people to stay. They had the vision to launch Airbedandbreakfast.com at a technology gathering in Austin, TX. At the convention Chesky met Michael Seibel. Seibel is described in the story as, "The Godfounder". In my opinion it’s a miracle this happened because without his knowledge and connections I don’t believe the company would have stayed in business. After refining and refining they came up with the idea of the same version of Airbnb that exists today. I was not aware of Airbnb until I read this book.
After meeting with seven angel investors, the author describes their company as, "radioactive". I was kind of shocked that not even one person wanted to take a risk on the company. They launched their site for the third time on August 11, 2008 before the Democratic National Convention in Denver. The main issue from this launching was that no one wanted to list their home if no one was going to book it. They pitched their ideas to small blogs which turned into a snowball effect: The Denver Post, the New York Daily News, and the New York times featured stories. I can’t imagine how many people would have viewed their story today with social media. With this exposure, over eight hundred people listed their rooms, and eighty guests booked. PayPal froze their payment account after the spike in activity. As soon as the convention was over, they were back to square one. Their traffic had crashed. Yet, once again, I admire their perseverance to not give up.
Desperate, out of money, and in debt, they resorted back to an idea where they would ship their hosts free breakfast, who could then give that to their guests. They decided on cereal and created Obama O’s and Cap’n McCain’s. In my opinion, it was very clever to keep the menu very simple not to complicate their situation worse. They had amassed a huge debt of over $20,000. With their backs against the wall once again, they decided to pitch the boxes as a collector’s item, selling them for forty dollars each. And we all know more often than not, when you market something as a one time exclusive, it will sell. The cereal was a massive success. They were able to pay off their debt. Once again they were back at square one, with no money and out of food.
One night at dinner, Seibel suggested that they apply to Y Combinator. Chesky felt insulted by this suggestion, as Y Combinator was for prelaunch companies. Paul Graham founded Y Combinator, and it is known as the most powerful startup supply for seed funding. Seibel suggested that this was their last chance to stay afloat. Once again Seibel is saving the day. They applied, got an interview, and convinced Blecharczyk to come back to San Francisco for it. After preparing for hours for their interview, Gebbia grabbed their boxes of cereal and headed to the car. Chesky and Blecharczyk did not agree with this and told him to leave the cereal at home. I can understand their frustration, the cereal seemed very unnecessary in the moment. The interview did not go well, as Graham questioned what was wrong with people, and why are they actually doing this. In my opinion Graham seems like a very intimidating man. Before they were about to leave, Gebbia pulled the cereal boxes out, and told Graham the story behind them. Graham replied, “You guys are like cockroaches. You just won’t die.” I personally think this quote really embraces the mindsets of the three co-founders.
I would recommend this story to individuals who enjoy an inspiring story about sweat equity. I found this book challenging to read as it referenced many business terms and numbers as their story unfolded. But it absolutely was engaging from the beginning of their journey and kept me silently rooting for their ultimate success.The amount of work and time that went into creating Airbnb is truly eye opening. Leigh Gallagher tells the story in great detail, creating the themes of: never giving up, working hard, and always refining to create the best product. The struggle to succeed gave them all of the reasons to quit, but they didn’t. 4.5 - 5 stars.
May 20, 2018
4/5: I think that nine years is still a relatively small amount of time to be put into a book. The book does have plenty of exciting details, but I felt that about half of it is more about "hotels vs. home-sharing" discussion than about the Airbnb as a company itself. I mean, the book is cool, but I feel that it will be much more to the story in 5-10 years. Worth reading though.
November 8, 2019
A very interesting story on Airbnb. Starting with a startup story, then a story of growth, then it was about Airbnb influencing market and market influencing back Airbnb. Lots about the networking effect and its impact to business. Good stories on founders and how they grew personally with help of Silicon Valley investor advisory. The book is good, though could be a bit shorter sometimes.
February 25, 2019
Leigh Gallagher in The Airbnb Story: How Three Ordinary Guys Disrupted an Industry, Made Billions . . . and Created Plenty of Controversy takes you on a rollercoaster journey which is unconventional, funny and inspiring. My favourite aspect was that she doesn't paint it as a perfect fairytale. Instead, she goes the extra mile by fishing out details otherwise not known and expressing struggles that are either relatable or hard to fathom.
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