At Home With the Billionaire CEO Behind Airbnb | The Circuit

On this episode of The Circuit, Emily Chang visits Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky while he plays host in his San Francisco home. Chesky shares how he went from gluing cereal boxes to pay off his startup’s debt to running a multibillion-dollar business. Along the way, he says Airbnb’s darkest moment may be what saved the company-and him.
--------
Like this video? Subscribe: kzbin.info?sub_...
Become a Quicktake Member for exclusive perks: kzbin.infojoin
Bloomberg Originals offers bold takes for curious minds on today’s biggest topics. Hosted by experts covering stories you haven’t seen and viewpoints you haven’t heard, you’ll discover cinematic, data-led shows that investigate the intersection of business and culture. Exploring every angle of climate change, technology, finance, sports and beyond, Bloomberg Originals is business as you’ve never seen it.
Subscribe for business news, but not as you've known it: exclusive interviews, fascinating profiles, data-driven analysis, and the latest in tech innovation from around the world.
Visit our partner channel Bloomberg Quicktake for global news and insight in an instant.

[@TheGreatOne428]

One of the few CEO’s who still talk like a human

[@drunkntigr]

Literally. Zuch is a full on android. Elon is a martian.

[@hopefullrideon]

This one just has a better writer. How y'all fooled so easily? 😢

[@notapplicable7810]

It's by design. He's hitting a bunch of buzz words to show that he connects with people, while completely hiding the fact that his company is partly responsible for a lot of issues in current American real estate. Toms of livable houses have been converted to now empty air bnb housing. In New York it's become a huge issue that completely inflated the market for people who just want a place to live. On top of that it's a bubble.

[@mika_chu]

@@notapplicable7810 but when he was making a company, it wasn't by design, right ? it was a though about novelty and new opportunities. You can't predict the outcomes, repercussions ... what do you think

[@notapplicable7810]

@@mika_chu he's a billionaire, his entire public personality is curated by a PR team. He knows what he's doing and wants to be looked at favorably.

[@alexeponon3250]

"You have to grow faster than your company..." That's really deep

[@GeneDexter]

Based on Airbnb’s stock price, he’s accomplished that. 🤮

[@muringosubliminals]

I've read your comment just as he said it 👌🏾

[@mikemuponda1781]

Man for a ceo that’s young and not married you would think he would be in some empty all white glass floors mansion and yet he is just in some cozy house that actually feels lived in and like a home. That’s dope af

[@chintanjani]

He’s a designer at heart

[@BauldyBoys]

Art grad not a CS grad so it's not surprising he has taste.

[@MikeOnTheInterwebs]

Looks cozy but in SF that’s a multi-million dollar house

[@DJ0305]

This is one of the best interviews I’ve ever seen. Thank you Emily for asking such great questions! And just wow to Brian, such a humble & inspiring guy!

[@boohere2]

I actually rented Air bnb during covid lock down. I didn't care. I wiped everything down Clorox wipies. I was fine. That was the first time I used Air bnb. I liked it. I find too that it's not people renting out homes they live in. Sometimes they just buy homes and rent it out for an income.

[@whitehh15]

@@freaqu1377 You're confused or inept if you don't see value in this conversation.

[@FreeAndRadical]

lol it's a total puff piece.

[@parassavnani8734]

He works out at my gym and very pleasant guy to talk to, can't believe this guy's almost worth 10 billion $ !!

[@user-xk8pb7jz4v]

what this guy goes to your gym brother

[@TamilDhevadhaiTharunya]

He comes to my Coffee shop as well such a great Guy to talk to!

[@nivita9830]

I think Brian's greatest accomplishment is he is a good human being. His sincerity has a "little boy" quality which I find refreshingly absent in CEOs who have reached the level of success he has...can't put my finger on what it is exactly, but it shines through when he talks. Makes me so happy when people who sincerely want the best for humanity get the means to make it all happen. More success to more people like this and we're all in good hands.

[@Hillmanwinning]

Brian is one of the best and most rounded Founder/CEO's in history...it just comes so naturally to him.

[@GarryTan]

Amazing work Emily! Brian is a tremendous leader and visionary.

[@shabbir4540]

Brian's clarity shows his thorough depth of understanding and kudos to Emily to have created this engaging conversation.

[@Oijimakinde]

This was such a beautiful and inspiring interview. Felt so genuine and wholesome. Thank you Emily and Brian.

[@brianmayero4934]

you are welcome

[@HimanshuSharma-oy9ss]

I liked the complexity of his worldview. He's really a thinker. Great personality

[@AestheticsbyAnnie]

I loved what he said about how once he was bossy and clear, he was actually more effective. I see a lot of managers give off the impression that their employees have more agency and decision making control but then the manager/exec ultimately wants a certain outcome.

[@BenShutUp]

Ok, wow, this style of journalism was so chill and interesting. I feel like I was with y’all and learning, walking and baking. Great work Emily Chang!

[@joshuroy]

Such a well produced series. I love that they go where they are comfortable and get to know the surroundings that reveal more

[@suri4Musiq]

What a beautiful interview, thanks for doing this! Hearing from someone who has done it and be so humble and excited about the future is very promising :) Great job Emily!

[@nicolem5626]

It’s unbelievable how impactful this one person is. It’s utterly amazing.

[@nicothinksdifferent4715]

It's incredible to see how a Billionaire businessman can be so humble. I wish every CEO was like that

[@TheyCallMePDub]

Really great interview. Brian comes off very down to earth, a deep thinker and philosopher, and clearly a talented business manager. Emily did a great job with this one.

[@TobinOsusky]

I can relate so deeply with his mindset and needing to be the leader and trust intuition despite what others had to say. Brilliant and humble guy who is a business role model of mine for sure. Very validating. Thank you

[@namanjindal1399]

Absolutely amazing conversation!!

[@pennanthills]

"How can you believe greatness unless you see it" -- great quote!! Absolutely loved this interview. Great leader with a beautiful mind.

[@Calvbread]

Absolutely amazing interview, Chesky is definitely one of the most admirable CEOs

[@sandeepneutron471]

I absolutely loved every second of this interview; 'details aren't the details, they make the product', 'simplifying is not removing things but understanding something so deeply and to apply the essence of it', 'best time to start a company is when you are ready', 'baking is like drawing and cooking is like painting'💯💯❤👌🤘🙏🙏🙏🙏 and 'how can you believe greatness until you see it '🤩!

[@mfarshidfar]

Awesome show! I really dig how artists can bring that human touch to their work, and you can totally see that in Airbnb. Big shoutout to Emily for being an awesome host, asking cool questions, and keeping the vibe friendly.

[@ronanchia]

By far one of my favorite CEOs

[@sachinknight19]

It's a so amazing conversation ... that type of content for me like a movie... I always watching everyday ❤❤

[@WilfulAlmond6]

Interesting interview. He definitely reads a lot; most notably he highlights a lot of the wartime CEO concepts from The Hard Thing About Hard Things. Almost word for word. It says a lot about the value of reading about other people's successes and challenges.

[@rsKayiira]

Loving these interviews. You should do one on Meta, Apple, Google, Amazon, the CTO, CEO,

[@flourishwithMJ]

Great interview! Brilliant and relatable Brian. Very sensible. Thank you, Emily and Brian!

[@KhoiNguyens]

loved the interview. so insightful.

[@germanvillegas4539]

Que hermosa entrevista!!! Genial ver una persona que creció con su idea de Empresa y sigue pensando el bien común de todos

[@mcleodesc]

Increíble!! Excelente entrevista y un enorme entrevistado.

[@bwnaylor]

I hate what Airbnb has done to my community.

[@TheThomasmbajjwe]

What has it done to your community?

[@camuchanomellini903]

@@TheThomasmbajjwe I want to know as well

[@alexisgomezsalinas3560]

@@TheThomasmbajjwe prolly gentrification

[@economicintuition]

What an AMAZING interview! WOW!! I am absolutely blown away. Thank you for this!

[@AndriyDenysovPersonal]

Wow, amazing interview and human CEO

[@janecarolbaldivia1430]

This is my BEST CEO so far! Now I wanna be VP of this human being!

[@depaindersinghxll-a4048]

He just felt like so true and complete

[@brandonhopkins3438]

Brian is a really great role model for aspiring founders.

[@garrisgz]

Great interview

[@ajinkyathakare204]

Man, I love watching Emily. Great questions and great flow. And Brain. I have so much respect for this man for what he did with Airbnb.

[@zb2747]

Brian is one of my favorite CEOs. Very relatable and incredibly intuitive human

[@Skillseboy1]

Very inspiring and down to Earth person.

[@tammiesspark]

I'm 50% in to to this interview and had to pause to praise the content of this conversation. Great job to the CEOs openness. Great job for the interviewer asking relevant questions and making it all sound like a conversation.

[@smoothgroovessa]

This is a brilliant interview. 🙌

[@ggg1815]

This is literally one of the best interviews I've ever watched in my life OMG and I have no idea how I even chanced upon this video but I'm glad I did :')

[@IronFudge]

Amazing interview! Very humanizing!

[@techwithtolu]

One of my favourite CEOs. Top guy!

[@sozbeyli9427]

Manny thanks both of you for all info

[@BransTiong]

This is such a great interview. Very well done with thorough research.

[@CEOLife]

So great!

[@dsuthapong]

Perfectly produced interview! Thank you so much Emily and Bryan, and the whole production team for this wonderful and informative interview!!!

[@PagadalaVijayKumar]

Understanding the necessity and requirement, balancing the technologies with the time, besides respecting Countries, Communities, trusting and human values is Great. I love Brian's idea of business with Trust, Love and Prosperity.

[@aaronbazil]

Unreal! Super inspiring!

[@internetandlifehacks]

Really interesting, thanks for sharing!👏

[@franklinhopkinsjr1065]

Love the interviews that Emily does. Very cool insights here.

[@lisaemmajones7655]

She isn't doing much and her face is off-putting.

[@christopheragboro2170]

"How can you believe greatness until you see it " 🔥🙌🙌

[@user-rn9le5mz9g]

Thx!!

[@amyfriedlander7850]

This is a fantastic interview. I have to send it too a lot of friends.

[@aGuyNamedJonas]

Absolutely loved this interview - thank you! ❤️

[@jamestownsend8002]

Very inspiring guy. Thanks

[@xanderryan]

wow, what a seriously phenomenal interview. the atmosphere, the filmmaking, the music, the questions, and scenery, fantastic thank you for your effort *clap emoji*

[@amyamnguyen]

Brilliant questions and Brian clearly felt really relaxed around Emily.

[@munaykiperutour]

Wonderful guy! and wonderful Sophie!

[@stevensamuel4634]

Great interview, but I feel like she missed the mark to ask about the negative impacts Airbnb has had on communities, particularly housing prices and the cost of living in cities

[@scottf1000]

I was looking for the first comment of this nature. Air B and B has had such a negative effect on housing stock in many countries and there is a human impact to that.

[@fabdan5745]

She actually did. Replay the interview starting at 19:20 and you'll see Brian answering that very question.

[@arun2789]

Such a wholesome interview. Covered so much of business, and so much of the human behind, all in a way that was such fantastic storytelling. Absolutely loved it - More of these please.

[@carbonwarrior]

Increasing the rent prices for once-affordable housing everywhere? I don't see a lot of humanity behind this.

[@Andre-mi6fk]

I could literally listen to every interview with Chesky (I am doing that). He is a true product leader.

[@IAbdullah.888]

Just amazing 👏❤

[@marilizabasso6493]

She seems super into him.

[@edit-retouch-photo]

I think that too

[@naraendrareddy273]

Maybe she's in awe

[@JohnDoe-fk6uu]

the commection between these two! I can feel some spark!!!!

[@nzenguemayombogolden2660]

"How can you believe greatness until you see it" spontaneously said 😂

[@briseries]

Thank you Emily for another great interview!🍪

[@prakash_77]

Loved this interview. It flowed so naturally.

[@timothyfaniyi]

this is soo good!

[@javi_park]

one of the great entrepreneurs of the 21st century. great chat.

[@linhvu-lp6pu]

the best interview

[@NishantBhaskar]

Between 17:24 and 17:50, Brian very clearly gives away where Airbnb is headed, and it is a great direction! ;)

[@felixmacharia164]

So well done. Great interview Emily

[@khunopie9159]

She has a boyfriend, guy. Keep it in your shorts.

[@vimalcurio]

​@@khunopie9159what

[@Simpooooo]

How can you believe greatness until you see it.. best way to end the interview 😇😅

[@MlorL]

Super entrevista, me encanto el saber lo que hace y piensa un fundador de una empresa como esta, desde su punto de vista personal. Como empezó su proyecto. Buen canal y buen video👌☺️

[@sakurachristineito6428]

Thank you, Bloomberg for this kinda raw yet inspiring interview!!!

[@pepthelad]

Love this, so inspiring! And very impressive artworks too

[@kanishksharma3158]

Never thought an interview can be done this way, vibe of this video is so warming

[@Kellastico]

"The details aren't just the details, they [the details] make the product" 🔥

[@creg67]

So we are going to ignore how approximately 25% of the housing market is taken up by a combination of individuals and big business (Wall Street) that purchase homes to be rented? Thus driving up prices and making it harder for individuals to buy a new home. I believe places like Florida are notoriously difficult for first time buyers as this is what is known as a "hot" commodity for rentals.

[@christinacatalano]

Thank you.

[@pialimanosdemexico668]

WHAT A SAMRT AND BEATIFUL MAN

[@Am-yo4hx]

Nice interview

[@siddhantsingh3411]

Emily Chang is brilliant! ❤🎉

[@user-rk9li2uz6x]

This is so helpful!!❤ thanks for amazing contents!

[@jxrdxn2611]

wow he seems like a genuine, down-to-earth guy, very knowledgeable, well-spoken, charismatic

[@guitarsz]

What a lovely human. Really loved this interview.

[@pautroncoso]

ame la inteligencia de Brian espero encuentre una esposa tan humana como el, y que puedan seguir haciendo cosas buenas por la humanidad.

[@elpablitorodriguezharrera]

He's awesome.

[@jsteeew]

incredible interview. thank you

[@user-xo3nj9wf2k]

Seems like a great guy!

[@edgar8018]

bro the sofa is just the most cozy sofa ever i seen

[@TimZaman]

What a nice guy

[@mohammedessam6346]

Inspiring ❤

[@johnvonleibniz]

How is Brian C, so RIDICULOUSLY lovable?

[@worldconstruction8693]

Great show! Interview at the real place.

[@jayhawk09]

A really likable guy. Glad he was humble too. We have enough egomaniac Fortune 500 CEOs. Good job to Bloomberg too!