This Week in Startups

Airbnb Co-Founder Joe Gebbia on early “a-ha” moments, elite design + his new startup Samara | E1675

Feb 8, 2023

Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb and design visionary, talks about the early challenges of establishing Airbnb and the pivotal moments that led to its success. He shares insights on gaining customer trust, the company's impressive recovery during COVID, and the importance of functional design. Joe also introduces his innovative new venture, Samara, which focuses on modular housing solutions, aiming to address the housing crisis with sustainable and customizable living options.

58:54

Creator website

Episode guests

Joe Gebbia

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Building Rapport with Customers

01:28

The Formula for Good Design

01:12

Help People Get Re-Employed

00:48

Intro

2min

From Impossible Ideas to Startup Success: The Genesis of Airbnb

3min

Navigating Early Challenges and Media Strategies for Growth

3min

From Customer Service Calls to Compliance: A Startup's Journey

3min

Navigating Fundraising and Design in Startups

9min

Reviving the Show Us Your Space Competition and a Pivotal Y Combinator Moment

4min

Learning from Hosts: A Turning Point

7min

Navigating Startup Challenges with Innovative Hiring Solutions

3min

Adapting to Change: Airbnb's Pandemic Response

15min

10.

Innovations in Modular Housing and ADUs

9min

11.

Innovative Housing Solutions and Job Opportunities

2min

Joe Gebbia joins Jason to discuss the early days of Airbnb, gaining traction, persevering through the “no’s,” and functional design. (2:09) They also discuss gaining customer trust and Airbnb’s incredible COVID turnaround. (21:17) Joe wraps the show by breaking down his new venture, Samara. (45:05)

(0:00) Jason kicks off the show

(2:09) Airbnb’s first sign of traction

(9:05) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist

(10:04) Persevering through the “no’s,” and functional design

(19:48) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST

(21:17) Gaining customer trust

(30:46) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

(32:17) Airbnb’s incredible COVID turnaround

(45:05) Joe’s new startup Samara

Check out: https://www.samara.com/backyard

FOLLOW Joe: https://twitter.com/jgebbia

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis

FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

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