How I Built This with Guy Raz Resy and Eater: Ben Leventhal
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Jan 20, 2025 Ben Leventhal, founder of Blackbird Labs and co-founder of Eater and Resy, dives into his journey from blogging about NYC restaurants to launching impactful ventures. He shares how Eater became a significant voice in dining and the challenges faced while co-founding Resy. Discover how they pivoted their initial model to enhance restaurant profitability through innovative reservation solutions and partnerships, including a notable acquisition by American Express. Leventhal's insights highlight the dynamic relationship between technology and the culinary world.
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Resy's Genesis
- Ben Leventhal discussed restaurant challenges with Gary Vaynerchuk, noting their difficulty despite making people happy.
- This conversation, coupled with Vaynerchuk's new venture fund, sparked the idea for Resy.
Identifying the Opportunity
- Ben Leventhal and Gary Vaynerchuk identified the lack of variable pricing in restaurants as a key opportunity.
- They questioned why seat prices remained static despite fluctuating demand, leading to the initial concept of Resy.
Resy's Initial Model
- Resy's initial model involved paid reservations with prices varying by demand, similar to surge pricing.
- Ben Leventhal leveraged his Eater network to pitch this model to restaurants, focusing on revenue generation.