I got my first job by offering to work for free at a startup, which was my entry point into the tech industry.

When I started my company, I wanted to begin with open source foundations, focusing on real-time web applications and making things fast.

My first startup aimed to solve the problem I faced as a backpacker by creating a mobile app to book hostels and bed-and-breakfasts.

During the early days, I had to prove my concept without a website, relying on initial sales and mock-ups to validate my business idea.

I decided to pursue my startup idea because it kept gaining momentum, despite the challenges I faced. I set up my startup as a four-week test to validate my idea without high expectations.

The business started as a simple solution to my own problem, using email and PayPal, and it organically grew into a functioning business.

The key to my startup's success was consistent growth, where users were pulling me to provide more services instead of me pushing them to try my product.

I ran Airbnb like a hardware startup, focusing on efficiency and discipline. This approach has proven beneficial for software development, as it encourages thoughtful decision-making and accountability.

Working at a small startup helped me discover my passion for software, as I found it rewarding to build something that could change how people work.