New offering for Airbnb
Hi, thanks for taking the time. I sent a package right before the holidays to Airbnb's founders. Anyone work there who remembers seeing a couple large manila envelopes with a couple stickers and a quote on them? Have since sent two postcards, just to be different. I just need to get in the proverbial door, don't have the necessary 10 + years corporate experience so tried to come up with something creative to get their attention. Came up with a new idea that i think could be the next big offering. Ive developed branding, messaging, some web design and a storyboard. Does anyone know with whom i could speak about this? Just need 10 min to share this idea with someone. Thanks in advance for taking a chance!
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Rookie here, what does the popcorn thing mean?
It means what you posted is entertaining
Are you Indian?
Not Indian, but thanks for asking?
Indians donโt have that kind of creativity lmao
Not sure if they still do it, but they still used to rent their couch out on Airbnb up until a few years ago Why go to Airbnb? Could your idea not be validated by joining an accelerator or by pitching to investors?
Hi, thanks for the reply. I thought about that. Honestly, I really want to work for them, and I don't have the time or resources to go the start up route. Just need someone to take a chance at Airbnb and listen to my idea. I am fairly confident they will be impressed.
Ideas rarely impress, especially depending on your method and quality of communication. Let's pretend you just sent them the thing to 100X their revenue in the next 3 years. Why would they not just take your idea and run with it?
Hi! That's great that you want to work here, and that you took the initiative like that. Entrepreneurialism is one of Airbnb's core values. And I can confirm it's a great place to work. There are are lot of creative people generating new product ideas at the company so it's hard to get the attention of the top brass in that way. I'd recommend you look at the open job postings and see what might be a good fit then reach out to a recruiter on linkedin. 10 years of corporate experience is certainly not required for most roles. I'm sure the materials you prepared would make a good impression and might help you get an interview. Bear in mind it'a a very mission driven company, so people care at least as much about how your ideas would further that mission as how profitable they might be.
One of the reasons I like this company
I think the package will be thrown away unless you write something special on it
Ok thanks foe the response, so if addressed to Joe and Brian, the envelopes wouldn't even get to them? Someone just automatically throws it away?
OP, just think how many of these they probably get on a daily/weekly basis
What you did is impressive - kudos! Which roles at Airbnb are you interested in? I'm happy to refer your profile to my connections at the company if it's in their fields.
"Anyone work there who remembers seeing a couple large manila envelopes with a couple stickers and a quote on them? Have since sent two postcards, just to be different." I think you don't have a sense of the scope of how large Airbnb is. There are 4k+ employees in SF alone. Mail processing is a well-oiled machine. No one outside the mailroom staff and the EA team would see your packages. It's great to use entrepreneurial thinking, but back that up by doing your homework on the company. Gotta ask - why are you convinced you want to work for Airbnb? When someone asked why you're not validating your idea in the market instead, you explained you needed resources but shared nothing else about why Airbnb is that crucial partner. There are other ways to get resources (businesses, VC, etc), why *specifically* Airbnb?
Thanks for the response. I have my reasons for why I want to work for Airbnb, believe strongly in the mission, share the values, have worked in travel and hospitality all my life and I want to change the world through travel. I also believe Airbnb is the proper and perhaps only vehicle for the change I believe this offering can bring. I appreciate your feedback and agree I misjudged the scope. Really, I'm just new to the corporate world, trying to break in as a creative. I know it isn't likely, but going to try anyway. If you have any more advice or know of anyone specifically I should speak with, I would be very grateful. Thanks, happy sunday.
Why not pitch this to a relevant PM at Airbnb? Founders are way too high up and have already delegated product decisions way down the chain.
Hi there, yes I realize now that might be the way to go. I don't have any connections with PM's. Would you be able to help me out there?
Have you tried LinkedIn?
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