This "How I Built This" episode features an interview with Ben Leventhal, founder of Blackbird Labs and co-founder of Eater and Resy. The podcast traces Leventhal's career journey, starting with his early blogging about New York City restaurants which evolved into Eater, then pivoting to Resy, a restaurant reservation app initially using a surge-pricing model that later shifted to a subscription-based service for restaurants. After Resy's acquisition by American Express, Leventhal launched Blackbird Labs, a restaurant loyalty program using a points-based system. A key takeaway is the evolution of Resy's business model, highlighting the importance of adapting to customer (restaurant) needs and market realities. The episode concludes with a discussion of Blackbird Labs and its potential to revolutionize the restaurant industry's reward systems.
