When you start a company, it's more an art than a science because

"When you start a company, it's more an art than a science because it's totally unknown. Instead of solving high-profile problems, try to solve something that's deeply personal to you. Ideally, if you're an ordinary person and you've just solved your problem, you might have solved the problem for millions of people." These words from Brian Chesky carry profound wisdom, for they speak not only to the process of creating a company, but to the very nature of innovation itself. Chesky highlights the uncertainty and creativity inherent in entrepreneurship, urging those who embark on this path to recognize that, in its beginnings, the journey of building something new is more artistic than scientific. It is filled with unknowns, risks, and a certain freedom—a freedom to innovate based not on what is already established, but on what is deeply personal, a solution to a problem felt deeply by the creator. The true genius of entrepreneurship lies not in high-profile problems but in the personal, those moments of individual frustration or need that, when solved, can resonate on a grand scale.

In the ancient world, the act of creation was often seen as a blend of inspiration and intuition, grounded in the mystical and the practical. Daedalus, the great Greek inventor and craftsman, embodied this duality. While his creations were marvels of engineering—the labyrinth of King Minos, the wings that flew him and his son Icarus—they were also driven by a deep personal need: to escape, to overcome the limitations placed upon him by others. Daedalus did not set out to solve problems for kings or nations; he solved problems that were deeply personal, such as the need for freedom and the desire to innovate under oppressive circumstances. His ingenuity was not in solving the grand challenges of society, but in responding to his own circumstances. Chesky’s words echo this ancient understanding: the personal is where true innovation begins, for it is when we create from within ourselves that we tap into solutions that may, indeed, resonate with the broader world.

Consider Archimedes, the ancient mathematician and inventor, who is said to have shouted “Eureka!” after discovering the principle of buoyancy while stepping into his bath. His discovery, sparked by a deeply personal curiosity—how to determine the purity of the gold crown—led to one of the most significant contributions to science. Archimedes’ solution began with the personal and transformed into a universal truth that has influenced countless fields, from physics to engineering. In this way, Chesky’s advice rings true: when you solve a problem that touches you deeply, you may find that it is a problem shared by many, even millions. It is this deep connection to the personal that often drives the most universal solutions.

Chesky’s insight is also grounded in the reality of entrepreneurship today. The most transformative ideas in modern business often come from addressing ordinary struggles. Consider Steve Jobs and his creation of Apple. Jobs did not start by attempting to revolutionize the tech industry or create something for the masses. He set out to make a computer that was user-friendly, intuitive, and aesthetically beautiful—solutions to his own frustrations with the complex, unwieldy machines of his time. Jobs, in essence, solved a deeply personal problem: how to make technology accessible and appealing to the individual. In doing so, he transformed the way we interact with technology, reaching millions of people along the way. Chesky’s words remind us that, in the beginning, great ideas do not necessarily come from solving global problems—they come from addressing the small, personal challenges that each of us faces.

Even in the humble origins of Airbnb, where Chesky and his co-founders rented out air mattresses in their own apartment to solve a financial need, the personal nature of the problem led to a world-changing solution. They solved the problem of affordable accommodation for travelers, a problem that was very real to them at that moment. By addressing their own needs, they inadvertently created a solution that connected millions of people around the world, turning Airbnb into the giant it is today. The lesson here is clear: the personal and the universal are often deeply intertwined, and when we create from a place of personal necessity, we might unlock solutions that are meaningful to millions.

The lesson, dear ones, is that innovation begins with personal insight. Whether you are an artist, a scientist, or an entrepreneur, seek not just to solve the problems that seem important to the world at large, but to address the problems that touch your own life. Chesky calls us to recognize the value of personal experience in the creative process. The most powerful solutions often arise not from grand societal aspirations, but from simple, deeply felt needs. Look to your own life for the problems that require solutions—whether they are as mundane as a place to sleep or as profound as a way to bring people together—and see if the answers you create do not have the power to reach beyond yourself.

As you pursue your own ventures, remember that greatness often begins with something small, something personal. Whether you are solving a problem that affects you directly or addressing a challenge you see in your community, recognize that your insights may be the very thing that moves the world forward. Let your creativity be guided by your personal experiences, for it is in these moments of need, of frustration, and of longing that the seeds of the greatest ideas are sown. Just as the ancients sought to understand and create from their own lives, so too must you listen to the needs around you, and in doing so, transform the personal into the universal.