TEN THINGS ABOUT ME
17 Things About Nirav Tolia
As the product of a small town — Odessa, Texas, which was immortalized in Buzz Bissinger’s “Friday Night Lights” — Nextdoor co-founder Nirav Tolia knows the benefits of a hyperlocal community. The early Yahoo veteran (and Epinions co-founder) launched Nextdoor in October 2011, and more than 6,000 local social networks are currently sprinkled throughout the country.
He recently answered a few of our questions:
What was your favorite TV show as a kid?
“Sesame Street” — wasn’t that every kid’s favorite show?
What qualities do you like in a person?
Warmth, intelligence, passion.
What qualities do you dislike?
Insincerity, laziness, ambivalence.
Name one thing you will regret never having done (if you never do it).
Attending a Super Bowl the Dallas Cowboys win.
Do you still buy CDs or rent DVDs?
I’m all digital; I haven’t bought a CD or DVD in years.
What would you be doing if you were not in your current job?
I’d aspire to be a doctor (like my parents and sibling) but I couldn’t hack it.
What is your greatest achievement to date?
Having a great relationship with my wife — she’s my inspiration, soulmate and best friend.
iPhone, Android or BlackBerry?
iPhone. I am intensely loyal to Apple.
If you could meet any historical or fictional person, who would it be?
Mahatma Gandhi.
What site/app do you check first when you wake up?
Email, Twitter, New York Times, Nextdoor, ESPN.
What was the last thing you fixed?
A Wi-Fi baby monitor for my newborn son, Deven.
What was your first computer?
Apple 2E.
Do you have a dog or cat or other pet?
No, but does a four-month-old son count? He has similar capabilities.
What’s your favorite mode of transportation?
Uber.
What was the last book you read?
“Brain Rules for Baby,” but my all-time favorite book is “The Count of Monte Cristo.”
Name your favorite guilty pleasure.
A huge Tex-Mex or BBQ meal in my native state of Texas.
Who was your biggest influence growing up?
My parents.