Airbnb, founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk, has transformed the hospitality industry with technology to create a peer-to-peer platform that brings together property owners and travelers. What was originally a small idea to rent out air mattresses in their San Francisco apartment to visitors of a design conference has evolved into an international phenomenon. As of 2024, Airbnb is valued at over $100 billion and expanded to over 220 countries and regions worldwide. This success is reflected in Airbnb’s financial performance, with Q4 2024 revenue reaching $2.5 billion, marking a 12% year-over-year increase ( Airbnb Q4 2024 Earnings ). Airbnb y/y Q4 revenue from 2022 - 2024 Brian Chesky, Airbnb’s co-founder and CEO, emphasized the emotional connection that sets the company apart, stating, “Our shared vision of belonging is the thread that weaves through every touchpoint on Airbnb” ( BrainyQuote ). Chesky’s quote highlights Airbnb’s differentiat...
Investing in the stock market is one of the smartest financial decisions you can make, and the earlier you start, the better. While it might seem like something only adults do, teens under 18 can absolutely get involved in investing and start building wealth for the future. By investing at a young age, you benefit from compound interest, gain financial literacy, and set yourself up for long-term success. (S&P 500 stock market index growth over the last year) Why start investing as a teen? Well, the earlier you invest, the more time your money has to grow. Due to compounded growth, even small investments can turn into significant sums over time. A Finance and Investing teacher and sponsor of the Investing Club at my high school said his biggest piece of advice to students is, “Teens have time on their side. The more time you give investments, the higher the likelihood that you will profit. While you might not see benefits at 16 or 17 years old, by your 20s or 30s you will ...