Robert Kalin

Robert Kalin is an American entrepreneur best known as the founder and former CEO of Etsy, Inc., a popular online marketplace focused on handmade and vintage items. Born in Boston in 1980, Kalin had a challenging upbringing and attended multiple colleges, ultimately graduating from NYU with a degree in Individualized Study in 2004.

Founding of Etsy

In 2005, Kalin, alongside co-founders Haim Schoppik and Chris Maguire, launched Etsy from his Brooklyn apartment. The idea stemmed from their work on an online bulletin board for crafters, which revealed a need for a dedicated platform where artisans could sell their products. They created Etsy within ten weeks, and it quickly gained traction through word of mouth, growing into one of the largest e-commerce platforms globally, with millions of active buyers and sellers.12

Leadership Journey

Kalin served as CEO from the company's inception until August 2008, then returned to the role from December 2009 until July 2011. His leadership style was characterized by a strong focus on community and craftsmanship, often prioritizing these values over traditional business metrics like shareholder value.34 However, as Etsy expanded, Kalin faced challenges related to management and scaling the company effectively. His tenure included attempts to introduce social networking features to enhance community engagement among users.24

Post-Etsy Ventures

After stepping down as CEO for the second time in 2011, Kalin continued to be involved in various entrepreneurial ventures. He has been recognized for his innovative approach to e-commerce and received accolades such as the Marketplace Operator Excellence Award for his contributions to creating an inclusive marketplace for artisans.1

Kalin's journey reflects the complexities faced by founders of rapidly growing companies, balancing vision with operational demands.34