Scaling Airbnb, Founder Mode, and What’s Next for Travel — With Brian Chesky

Scott Galloway
Some sort of Airbnb plus community offering?
Brian Chesky
I think it’s incredibly compelling. I think you’ve sold me. I’m in. Listen, 18 months ago, I was in when you told me. And the only reason we haven’t done it is because we had really foundational things. People were complaining about Airbnb’s aren’t affordable. They were complaining about our customer service. They were complaining about like there were a lot of things. There were a lot of complaints. And so I felt like, well, we got we got to get our house in order. We still have to grow into this valuation. We have to generate a real consistent profit on a free cash flow basis. And we have to address a lot of these issues that customers are brought up. And over the last two years, made 430 upgrades and improvements. So yes, we are now looking for this expansion. I’ve always believed that there was some type of Airbnb membership model, not necessarily a points program, but where you get access. And I guess my only question back to you is, are you available as an advisor?
Scott Galloway
Oh, Jesus Christ, Brian.
Brian Chesky
You’re so full of shit. I’m always available. I love this company. We’re going to talk privately after this. But I think it’s a great idea. And I generally do see Airbnb as a community. I mean, like in Berlin tonight, there are tens of thousands of Airbnb people that are staying there. We can match them together. They can do a variety of things. Those local businesses would love to have specific travelers, and they could tell us which travelers they want, and we could target just those travelers.
Scott Galloway
I think there’s a social overlay here, and that is I think that there’s a crisis or an epidemic in loneliness. A hundred percent. And

Scott Galloway
They aren’t participating in organized athletics as much. And I think that you guys are in a position to provide third spaces on a pretty big scale. Look, now I’m going to sound like your mother here. Last time you were on the show, you spoke about feeling like a 61-year and you were 41 there, so a 43-year body, working 18 hours a day, essentially living like a monk during the pandemic To scale Airbnb from 18 to 85 billion. So over a year later, have you been able to make strides in reconnecting with the personal side of your life? Do you found as if you found more balance or is this still kind of an ongoing journey?
Brian Chesky
No, it’s been a major change for me. Kind of three changes. The first change is I’ve gotten much healthier. I was always into exercise, but I think a lot of entrepreneurs, we glamorize sleep deprivation. And I think until recently, no one was talking about the benefits of sleep. But I think only like five last five or 10 years. But in the truth, when I started, like it was a badge of honor to never sleep. And I do that for years. And, you know, we didn’t really like we weren’t that healthy.

Brian Chesky
It’s been a major change for me. Kind of three changes. The first change is I’ve gotten much healthier. I was always into exercise, but I think a lot of entrepreneurs, we glamorize sleep deprivation. And I think until recently, no one was talking about the benefits of sleep. But I think only like five last five or 10 years. But in the truth, when I started, like it was a badge of honor to never sleep. And I do that for years. And, you know, we didn’t really like we weren’t that healthy. And I’m much more healthy now. I’m sleeping more exercising. And I think I think that’s a good trend in Silicon Valley that like people seem to be much more mindful of health and fitness. That’s the first thing. Second thing is I’m spending a lot more time with friends. And one of the things I do with friends is I travel. You and I talked about one of the great ways to have a shared experience is to travel with people. And that’s a great form of memories. And I do that. And then I’ve started to the third category is like I’m single and I’m 43. And I’ve waited longer than I ever thought I would to meet someone and have a family. But I do desire to have a family. And so I’ve been dating a little bit and hopefully I meet someone.
Scott Galloway
And you also said on the professional front, you talked about your desire for Airbnb to have a next act, your Disneyland, your AWS, your iPhone moment.