The article discusses the conflict between creating soulful products and succeeding in the public market, using Uber and Airbnb as examples. Uber initially focused on delivering a premium ride experience but compromised its original vision for growth and profitability post-IPO, transforming its app filled with ads and offers. In contrast, Airbnb retains its local living narrative, but faces challenges as commercial hosts dominate, diluting user experience. While Uber adapts well to market expectations, Airbnb struggles to pivot, focusing on innovation while failing to meet evolving customer demands.
Building a soulful product and building a company that wins in the public market are not the same thing. One is about making something people deeply care about.
Uber is the clearest example of a company that let go of the original story and embraced what the market wanted. It started out as a premium ride experience.
Airbnb, on the other hand, is still holding on to the original vision. It continues to sell the story of living like a local, but the reality is different.
The market has shifted, but Airbnb still seems stuck between trying to be an innovative alternative and a full-blown travel platform.
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