Brian Chesky

4 notes in the collection. Writes at medium.com/@bchesky (opens in a new tab)

First saved 7 Rejections on August 22, 2026.

Don’t Edit Your Imagination(favorite) Aug 22 1 min
Brian Chesky on how adults stop imagining things they can't yet see how to build, and why starting from an unedited imagination leads to bigger ideas.
Related
- 7 RejectionsBrian Chesky
- Do Too MuchAlexandr Wang
- Optimism Shapes RealityAlexandr Wang
- Just keep goingWill Ahmed
Read the original of Don’t Edit Your Imagination (opens in a new tab)
7 Rejections Aug 22 1 min
Brian Chesky shares the rejection emails Airbnb got from investors when it tried to raise $150,000 at a $1.5M valuation.
Related
- Don’t Edit Your ImaginationBrian Chesky
- Do Too MuchAlexandr Wang
- Optimism Shapes RealityAlexandr Wang
- Just keep goingWill Ahmed
Read the original of 7 Rejections (opens in a new tab)
Don’t Fuck Up the Culture Aug 22 3 min
Chesky's 2013 letter to the Airbnb team on why culture comes first, prompted by Peter Thiel's one piece of advice after investing.
Related
- Employee RetentionSam Altman
- Greg BrockmanSam Altman
- Hire people who give a shit.Alexandr Wang
- Lieutenants are the limiting reagentSebastian Bensusan
Read the original of Don’t Fuck Up the Culture (opens in a new tab)
How to Time Travel Aug 22 2 min
Chesky argues that repetition blurs memory while new experiences stretch it, which is why he remembers every childhood family trip but none of his 2,000 bus rides, so travel makes life feel longer.
Related
- Dogs Don't Understand Basic Concepts Like MovingAllie Brosh
- Rick and Morty and the Meaning of LifeDaniel Jeffries
- Sometimes the reason you can’t find people you resonate with is because you misread the ones you meetHenrik Karlsson
- A Message From the Past (Thoughts on Nostalgia)Morgan Housel
Read the original of How to Time Travel (opens in a new tab)

If you like Brian Chesky, try

Sam Altman26 notes · also on startups and agency
Alexandr Wang4 notes · also on startups and hiring
Abraham Thomas3 notes · also on startups and agency

Brian Chesky

If you like Brian Chesky, try

Keyboard shortcuts

Everywhere

Note lists

Collections

Shuffle deck