Get All Access for $5/mo

LinkedIn's Reid Hoffman: To Scale, Do Things That Don't Scale To kick-off the new podcast, 'Masters of Scale,' Reid Hoffman chats with the co-founder of Airbnb, Brian Chesky, on creating the perfect experience for a handful of customers.

By Andrea Huspeni

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Jacqui Ipp

Editor's Note: In the new podcast Masters of Scale, LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock partner Reid Hoffman explores his philosophy on how to scale a business -- and at Entrepreneur.com, entrepreneurs are responding with their own ideas and experiences in our hub. This week, we're discussing Hoffman's theory: the only way to scale is to do things that don't scale.

Before Airbnb had hosted more than 150 million guests in 65,000 cities it understood a simple idea: To scale, you need to do things that don't scale.

This theory kicks off Masters of Scale, a 10-episode podcast series hosted by Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn and partner of Greylock. Known as the "Startup Whisperer," Hoffman will explore counterintuitive theories for growing business through conversations with top leaders such as Mark Zuckerberg, Reed Hastings and Sheryl Sandberg.

Related: Check Out a New Podcast Hosted by Reid Hoffman -- And Join the Conversation on Entrepreneur.com

In this episode, Brian Chesky explains how Airbnb struggled for traction, booking just 10 to 20 guests in its early days and forcing its founders to rack up thousands in credit card debt. In one shaky moment, the duo even made and sold their own breakfast cereal. The company's turning point came when the founders traveled to New York to talk to hosts in person. The two went door-to-door, staying with hosts, asking questions, gathering insights and listening to feedback.

Image credit: Jacqui Ipp

Related: Reid Hoffman: To Successfully Grow A Business, You Must 'Expect Chaos'

Steps like these are time consuming but powerful. "Over the last 20 years, I've worked on or invested in many companies that scaled to 100 million users or more," says Hoffman. "But here's the thing: You don't start with 100 million users. You start with a few. So, stop thinking big, and start thinking small."

Adds Chesky, "It's really hard to get even 10 people to love anything but it's not hard if you spend a ton of time with them."

For more anecdotes and lessons from Airbnb's surprising journey, listen to the debut episode of this new series. Listeners can also access new episodes on Apple, Google, Stitcher and other streaming platforms.

Andrea Huspeni

Founder of This Dog's Life

Andrea Huspeni is the former special projects director at Entrepreneur.com and the founder of This Dog's Life.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Science & Technology

5 Rule-Bending AI Hacks to Make Your Mornings More Productive and Profitable

By 2025, AI will transform productivity by streamlining workflows and cutting costs. Major companies like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are leading the way, advancing AI into "Phase 3," where tools act as digital assistants. Discover 5 AI hacks to boost efficiency and redefine your daily routine.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Science & Technology

5 Automation Strategies Every Small Business Should Follow

It's time we make IT automation work for us: streamline processes, boost efficiency and drive growth with the right tools and strategy.

Business News

Former Steve Jobs Intern Says This Is How He Would Have Approached AI

The former intern is now the CEO of AI and data company DataStax.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.