How I Built This with Guy Raz
KAYAK: Paul English (2021)
Jul 15, 2024
Paul English, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Kayak, shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings to building a billion-dollar travel platform. He discusses how chaotic early life experiences fueled his entrepreneurial spirit and the innovative strategies that positioned Kayak against competitors. Paul also delves into the creative process behind the company's name and reflects on personal challenges, including mental health, that shaped his career. Excitingly, he hints at his future endeavors, including a new dating app!
01:10:34
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Quick takeaways
- Successful partnerships can be formed unexpectedly, leading to groundbreaking ventures.
- Innovative business models can disrupt industries and drive rapid growth and profitability.
Deep dives
Meeting Paul English on a Chance Encounter
In a chance meeting at a restaurant, Paul English met Steve Hafner, one of the co-founders of Orbitz, who was looking to start a new travel company. Steve proposed the idea of creating a search engine for travel that aggregated information from various travel websites. Despite having no prior experience in the travel industry, Paul was intrigued by the concept and quickly formed a partnership with Steve, transitioning from an initial CTO recruitment pitch to becoming 50-50 co-founders, with both committing financially to the venture.
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