It’s been well documented that the most successful entrepreneurs are those eager to find novel solutions to their most nagging problems. In 2007, when Joe Gebbia and Brian Chesky needed extra cash, they came up with the idea of renting out three airbeds on their living-room floor for an upcoming design conference in San Francisco. Less than a year later, they were joined by Nathan Blecharczyk and Airbnb, as we know it, was born. To date, it has served more than 11 million guests in 192 countries, and has a current market valuation in excess of $1.3 billion. In 1999, when then web designers Jason Fried, Carlos Segura, and Ernest Kim couldn’t find a multi-purpose project management software to manage their projects and communicate with their clients, they elected to build their own. Today their web based application, Basecamp is being used by 321 of the Fortune 500.
Growing up without a father figure, Tristan Walker never learned how to shave; as such, he struggled with acne, irritated skin and razor bumps. So in December, 2013 he set out to build a health and beauty company that will serve the unique needs of colored individuals. His first product, Bevel – a first of its kind solution to solve the razor bumps for men. In addition to his Stanford pedigree, Walker honed his entrepreneurial chops at Foursquare, Twitter and during his tenure as the Entrepreneur in Residence at Andreessen Horowitz – ask him the key to a successful launch, and here’s what you’ll hear —–