An Unlikely Beginning for a Future Hotel Leader
Before Chip Conley became a celebrated hotelier and best-selling author, he experienced something most successful entrepreneurs rarely talk about: he was homeless. In his early twenties, just after college, Chip was full of ambition but had no clear path. He couch-surfed, slept in his car, and scraped together gigs while trying to find his purpose. The world of business seemed far away—but he had a spark. He wanted to do work that felt human, meaningful, and creative.
Seeing Something Others Missed
In the late 1980s, while San Francisco was focused on high-tech innovation, Chip turned his attention to something much older: the hospitality industry. He noticed that most hotels were either too cold and corporate or run-down and forgettable. He saw an opportunity to create something different—boutique hotels that felt personal, artistic, and welcoming. With borrowed money and almost no hotel experience, he bought a broken-down motel and gave it a second life.
Building Joie de Vivre Hospitality
What started as one hotel quickly turned into a vision. Chip founded Joie de Vivre Hospitality, a company focused on creating unique, emotionally rich hotel experiences. He believed hotels should reflect the soul of a city, not just provide a bed. He gave each property a theme, a personality, and a story. From rock ’n’ roll to Zen retreats, his hotels didn’t just serve travelers—they connected with them. Over time, Joie de Vivre became the second-largest boutique hotel brand in America.
Struggles, Burnout, and a Turning Point
Success came, but not without cost. In the early 2000s, after growing the business to dozens of hotels, Chip hit a wall. He was burned out, emotionally drained, and unsure of what came next. A near-death health scare forced him to pause. He began asking deeper questions: What does success really mean? What do people truly need—not just as customers, but as human beings? That moment of crisis became the start of something new.
Reimagining Purpose at Airbnb
Just when Chip thought his time in hospitality might be winding down, a surprising call came. In 2013, the founders of Airbnb asked him to join the team as a mentor and advisor. The company was growing fast, but they lacked deep knowledge of the hotel world. Chip brought his experience—and his heart. He helped Airbnb connect with older travelers, improve their service culture, and grow into a more trusted brand. At age 52, he became one of the oldest employees at a startup filled with twenty-somethings—and thrived.
Sharing Wisdom Through Modern Elder Academy
Chip’s second act became just as powerful as his first. Inspired by his time at Airbnb and his personal transformation, he launched the Modern Elder Academy, a learning center that helps people in midlife find new purpose. He wrote books like Wisdom@Work and began speaking globally about the value of emotional intelligence, intergenerational learning, and mindful leadership. He had once been homeless. Now, he was helping others find home within themselves.
A Life Built on Meaningful Service
Chip Conley’s journey proves that business doesn’t have to be cold or transactional. It can be soulful, thoughtful, and human-centered. From sleeping in his car to reshaping two industries—hospitality and modern aging—he built a legacy not just of success, but of service, insight, and heart. His story is a reminder that some of the most powerful transformations begin in life’s lowest places—and that opportunity often hides in the overlooked corners of the world.
