Vol.10 What Airbnb taught us about drinking less 🥂

It’s 2008. The U.S. economy is in freefall.
Banks are collapsing. Unemployment is rising.
People are tightening their wallets and canceling vacations.
It’s literally the worst time to launch a new travel-related business.

And yet, in the middle of all that chaos…

Two broke roommates in San Francisco — Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia — can’t pay their rent.
A big design conference is coming to town, and hotels are fully booked.
So they throw together a janky website offering “air mattresses on the floor and homemade breakfast.”

They call it Air Bed & Breakfast.

They’re embarrassed. It feels scrappy, weird, and like a last resort.

Instead of it being a bust, people actually book it. Then the media writes about it. Then more travelers and hosts start to join.

The recession had made people hungry for alternative ways to save money and earn money.

• Travelers needed cheaper lodging.

• Homeowners needed income.

• Traditional models were breaking…
  …and Airbnb fit the cracks perfectly.
  
  

What seemed like terrible timing — a global financial meltdown —
It was the exact pressure that created a whole new behavior: trusting strangers and opening your home.

Why am I sharing an anecdote about Airbnb in a Sober Curious newsletter? 

Because the same goes with changing your relationship with alcohol: When it seems to be the worst time, it might turn out to be your best opportunity. 

Summer might seem like bad timing to explore sobriety — all the parties, the travel, the rosé memes.

But it’s actually a perfect time.

Because summer breaks our routines, boosts our mood naturally, and is filled with alcohol-free fun activities. 

An ideal time to shake things up.

If Airbnb could start a global movement from air mattresses in a recession…
you can start a personal transformation from your favorite beach towel.”

Jeanette