{
  "id": 18732988,
  "title": "Billionaire Brian Chesky’s social-worker parents told him to pick a high-paying career. He went to art school—and started Airbnb with 3 air beds",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/billionaire-brian-cheskys-social-worker-parents-told-him-to-pick-a",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-11-07T14:30:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fortune",
    "slug": "fortune",
    "url": "https://fortune.com/article/why-did-airbnb-ceo-brian-cheskys-mom-worry-he-would-have-only-job-pays-less-social-worker/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Brian Chesky, the billionaire founder of Airbnb, had a humble beginning with three inflatable air beds in his San Francisco home. The idea was born while he was making a cross-country move and couldn't afford rent. He noticed nearby hotels were booked due to an industrial design conference, and the concept of an \"air-bed-and-breakfast\" was conceived. Chesky and his co-founder Joe Gebbia were determined to expand this idea, launching Airbnb in 2008 with the help of Nathan Blecharczyk. However, his social-worker parents in upstate New York had hoped for a higher-paying career from him, but Chesky followed his passion for art and studied at Rhode Island School of Design. Despite the initial skepticism from investors due to his design background, Airbnb eventually gained traction and became a $112 billion company. Chesky's creativity, originally seen as a hindrance, proved to be a valuable asset for the business.",
  "summary": "Chesky’s mother, herself a social worker, was worried when he became an art student. He started Airbnb when he was barely making rent.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}