Andy’s story starts far from the normal path. Four high schools across France, Boston, and Chicago. A childhood shaped by change. A competitive athletic background. Then a shift into entrepreneurship that eventually led him through Jimmy John’s, Bar Louie, commercial real estate, franchise growth, site selection, and building serious authority in the business world.

Shaun and Andy talk through the moments that shaped him, how he learned to bet on himself, and why networking is still one of the most powerful tools in business. They also get into storytelling, personal brand, content creation, and why the people who are willing to share their real story often create the most trust.

This conversation is for entrepreneurs, operators, franchise owners, commercial real estate leaders, and anyone who knows they have a story but has been waiting too long to tell it.

Key Topics:
Andy’s early life and moving through four high schools
How instability and change shaped his business mindset
The move from athletics into entrepreneurship
Building through Jimmy John’s, Bar Louie, and franchise growth
Why networking still creates real business leverage
Commercial real estate, site selection, and smart growth strategy
The value of being underfunded and learning through pressure
How storytelling builds authority
Why content creation is becoming a business advantage
Taking the first step before you feel ready

Guest: Andy Knapick

Host: Shaun Coe

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and guest background
02:03 Andy’s foundation years and early career
04:13 Moving through four high schools
06:21 Formative years across France, Boston, and Chicago
10:14 Early business ventures with Jimmy John’s and Dunkin’ Donuts
11:28 Realizing business had no ceiling
12:18 Leadership, ownership, and building a legacy
13:53 Growing while underfunded
15:09 Andy’s current business portfolio
20:19 Real estate, site selection, and franchise strategy
28:33 Content strategy and personal branding
34:06 Speech pattern recognition and authentic storytelling
39:10 Authority, trust, and telling your story
40:18 Future plans and final thoughts

SEO Keywords:
entrepreneurship, networking, personal branding, restaurant growth, franchise growth, commercial real estate, site selection, business leadership, storytelling, content creation, Taking Chances, Shaun Coe, Andy Knapick

Bob shares how relationship-building and mentorship helped shape his path, from early business ventures to building Cirrus Consulting into a trusted partner for operators navigating finance, systems, and growth. Shaun and Bob also get into the realities of innovation in hospitality, including how COVID accelerated digital adoption, why operational transparency matters, and where cloud, automation, and AI are taking the industry next.

This episode is a strong listen for operators, founders, and hospitality leaders looking to scale with better systems, stronger leadership, and a clearer view of what is coming.

In this episode, Shaun and Bob cover:

• How relationships and networking opened doors early in Bob’s career
• The role mentorship played in shaping his entrepreneurial path
• Bob’s move from early ventures into cloud technology and automation
• The evolution of Cirrus Consulting and the problems they solve for clients
• How COVID accelerated digital transformation across hospitality
• Why financial visibility, metrics, and SOPs are critical for scaling
• The future of private, on-premise, and public cloud solutions in the industry
• How leadership development and continuous learning support long-term growth
• Where hospitality technology is headed next, including innovation in inventory and accounting systems

Connect with Bob Frankis:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-frankis-87392319b/

Connect with Shaun Coe:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-coe/

Jen grew up around the restaurant business, even though it was not the path she originally thought she would take. What started with early jobs and a strong work ethic turned into a career built on leadership, resilience, people skills, and a deep understanding of what makes hospitality work from the ground up.

Shaun and Jen talk through her upbringing, the influence of family, her early experiences in the industry, and how those moments helped shape the way she leads teams today. They also get into the transition from frontline roles into management, the lessons learned along the way, and why strong culture, accountability, and connection still matter in a business that moves fast.

This episode is about more than hospitality. It is about growth, perspective, and how the right experiences can prepare you for bigger leadership moments later on.

If you are a hospitality leader, operator, entrepreneur, or someone building a career through hard-earned experience, this conversation will hit home.

In This Episode

• Jen Harb’s background and early life
• Growing up around hospitality
• The early jobs that shaped her work ethic
• How she found her way into restaurant leadership
• Her transition from service roles into management
• Lessons from Bar Louie and early leadership experiences
• The role culture plays in building strong teams
• How family, values, and background shaped her leadership style
• What operators need to understand about people, service, and growth

Why This Episode Matters

Jen’s story is a reminder that leadership is not built overnight. It is built through pressure, consistency, and learning how to lead people the right way. Her journey shows how powerful early life experiences can be when they are matched with discipline, humility, and the willingness to keep growing.

Matvey breaks down why networking is still the fastest path to opportunity, and why storytelling is the skill that separates forgettable brands from brands people actually trust. We talk about how his love for film shaped the way he approaches marketing strategy, pacing, emotion, and audience retention, and how those same principles apply to B2B marketing just as much as consumer.

You’ll also hear Matvey’s take on AI in marketing: where it can speed up content creation and execution, and where it can quietly kill authenticity if leaders rely on it as a replacement for real thinking. We get into executive personal branding for C-level leaders, what’s changing in demand gen, why community matters more than followers, and what Matvey is seeing in the European market as it catches up to modern content and positioning.

If you’re a founder, operator, marketer, or sales leader trying to build pipeline, build trust, and build a brand that lasts, this episode is for you.

What we cover

• Networking strategies that create real leverage (not fake “connections”)
• Storytelling for marketing, sales, and brand positioning
• Film influence in marketing: pacing, emotion, retention, and framing
• Personal branding for founders and C-level executives
• B2B marketing that earns attention and builds credibility
• AI tools in marketing: how to use them without losing the human edge
• Omnichannel content creation and distribution that does not feel spammy
• Building community around a brand and turning it into momentum
• Lessons from building Nevermind Media and growing in a fast market
• The future of marketing in Europe and where the opportunity is opening up

Sound bites
“The power of networking is immense.”
“We had to come up with a product.”
“We want to do it with omnichannel.”

Chapters
00:00 The Power of Networking
00:26 Building a Community: The Ring of Grimm

If you drop me 6–10 more timestamp markers (even rough ones), I’ll format a full chapter list that looks clean on both platforms.

Cosmin shares his journey from Alaska fishing to working across multiple countries, and how those experiences shaped his confidence, leadership, and recruiting mindset. Shaun and Cosmin also break down the real-world impact of automation inside HC-Resource, why the market is shifting fast, and what the next two years could look like as AI and integrated workflows disrupt traditional recruiting models.

They close with a practical conversation on partnerships, global talent pipelines, and the realities of immigration and visa complexity for operators trying to staff at scale.

What You’ll Learn

• How cross-cultural work experience builds recruiting instincts and entrepreneurial confidence
• Why hourly and hospitality recruiting is being rebuilt around automation and workflow design
• What’s changing now in recruiting tech, and what’s coming next
• How strategic networking and partnerships accelerate growth in talent acquisition
• The basics of global talent pipelines, plus visa and immigration realities for employers

Key Topics Covered

• Cosmin’s international background and how it shaped his approach to recruiting
• The shift from sourcing to end-to-end recruitment enabled by automation
• Building hourly staffing solutions with innovative tools and integrated systems
• Immigration and visa complexity for global hiring strategies
• Forecasting the next two years: disruption, platforms, and the tech stack operators will need

Timestamps / Chapters (Spotify-friendly)

00:00 — Intro: Shaun and Cosmin’s background and friendship
01:24 — Cosmin’s journey: Alaska fishing to global recruitment
02:53 — The Uber meeting story and the power of networking
04:58 — Working across countries: perspective, confidence, and growth
06:21 — Working conditions: Europe vs. the U.S.
07:56 — Visa challenges and international work realities
08:47 — Early recruitment lessons and skill-building in Europe
10:23 — Automation at HC-Resource: the shift from sourcing to full-cycle recruiting
12:34 — Building hourly staffing solutions with tech
14:29 — The future: AI, automation, integration, and market trends
16:42 — Inside the tech build process and workflow optimization
19:09 — Predictions: the next two years of transformation
22:00 — Final thoughts: partnerships, innovation, and staying ahead

Resources & Links

• HC-Resource: https://www.hc-resource.com/
• Cosmin Stoica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosmin-stoica-3a100419a/
• Topics referenced: automation in recruitment, ATS/HRIS integrations, workflow optimization
• Upcoming platform launch (Ascendium) mentioned in the episode

They unpack the realities of HR in resource-constrained environments, why data ownership is becoming a critical issue, and how technology should support people instead of adding complexity.

Dan shares how climbing shaped his approach to risk, leadership, and decision-making, and why building work around life matters more than ever. The conversation also explores the challenges of staffing and retention in rural healthcare, the evolving role of automation in HR, and the fear and uncertainty that come with entrepreneurship.

This episode offers a grounded, practical look at HR leadership from someone who has lived it in the field — not just studied it.

Key Topics Covered:

• Transitioning from teaching to HR leadership
• HR challenges in nonprofits and healthcare
• Data ownership and HR technology
• Automation vs. human decision-making
• Launching an HR consulting business
• Risk, fear, and entrepreneurship

Notable Quotes:

• “I want to build my work around my life.”
• “I want to help organizations get compliance right without overwhelming them.”
• “I’m terrified… but I know this is the right move.”

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction to Dan Kuglin
02:51 – Moving to Colorado and the Role of Climbing
05:31 – Transitioning from Teaching into HR
08:25 – Building an HR Career Through Training
10:55 – Technology’s Role in Modern HR
13:46 – HR Challenges in Nonprofits and Healthcare
16:26 – Why Data Ownership Matters
19:13 – The Future of HR and Automation
21:49 – Launching Compass HR
24:33 – Fear, Risk, and Entrepreneurship
45:16 – Closing Thoughts

Keywords:
HR leadership, HR technology, nonprofit HR, healthcare HR, data ownership, entrepreneurship, career transition, compliance, workforce strategy, small business HR

Jerry’s story starts early. His first real job was in hospitality at just 15 years old, long before he understood what the industry would give him or demand from him. From those early days, through bartending years, and eventually into opening Laurel, Jerry walks through the moments that quietly shaped his path.

What stands out is not a master plan, but a series of conversations, opportunities, and decisions that only make sense looking backward. The episode explores how hospitality teaches resilience, confidence, and adaptability, often before you realize you are learning those lessons.

This is a grounded conversation about growth, timing, and the compounding impact of showing up consistently in an industry that rewards presence.

Key Themes

Taking Chances
Hospitality careers
Personal growth through work
Bartending and leadership
Career-defining moments
Opening a restaurant
Unexpected opportunities

Key Takeaways

• Early exposure to hospitality builds confidence faster than most industries
• Small moments, like the first big tip night, shape long-term perspective
• Bartending teaches communication, pressure management, and ownership
• Career breakthroughs often start with a single conversation
• Growth in hospitality rarely follows a straight line
• Returning to familiar ground often reveals how much you have changed

Notable Quotes

• “I grew up here.”
• “My first real job was in hospitality. I was 15.”
• “I’ll never forget the first Friday I made a hundred dollars in tips.”
• “I didn’t know that conversation was going to lead to that.”
• “We started in Laurel. We opened Laurel.”

Chapter Breakdown

00:00 – Welcome back and setting the context
01:19 – Early roots and growing up around hospitality
03:22 – First job at 15 and early lessons learned
05:50 – Memorable moments that hooked him into the industry
10:06 – Why hospitality pulled him in immediately
12:12 – Bartending years and finding confidence
13:44 – The road to opening Laurel

In this episode, Shaun Coe sits down with Robert Jamieson, founder of CSM International, for a conversation that connects military discipline, critical thinking, and modern business ownership.

Robert’s path into IT did not start in Silicon Valley. It started in the Marine Corps, where technology is tested under pressure, decisions matter immediately, and failure is not theoretical. That foundation shaped how he approaches systems, troubleshooting, leadership, and ultimately entrepreneurship.

Together, Shaun and Robert unpack the transition from military tech to civilian enterprise, what it really takes to launch a business during the pandemic, and why adaptability has become the most important trait in both hiring and leadership.

They also dig into the uncomfortable but necessary conversations business owners need to be having right now about cloud dependency, data ownership, AI hype versus reality, and why intuitive, operator-friendly systems win in the long run.

They cover:

• How military technology often outpaces civilian systems by years
• Why critical thinking matters more than certifications in IT
• The reality of launching and scaling a business during the pandemic
• Hiring for adaptability in fast-changing technical environments
• Why data ownership is becoming a defining issue for modern businesses
• Where AI actually adds value and where it is being oversold
• The role of intuitive software in hospitality and ops-heavy industries
• Why “technology is the business,” not just a support function

This episode is for founders, operators, and leaders who want a clearer understanding of how technology should support growth without creating fragility.

Less hype. More signal.

Follow Taking Chances and stay close as we continue breaking down how real businesses are navigating technology, ownership, and change in real time.

In this episode, Shaun Coe sits down with Sebastian Fleischmann, his co-founder at Ascendium Tech, to unpack the journey that led them to build together.

Sebastian’s story is not a straight line. Raised around a legacy family business, he was exposed early to how companies actually run, where they break, and what leadership really looks like under pressure. That foundation pushed him into entrepreneurship at a young age, then into consulting, leadership roles, and eventually deep work in AI and systems design.

What emerges is a builder who understands both sides of the table: operators who need things to work today, and technologists who are designing what work looks like tomorrow.

Together, Shaun and Sebastian explore how that background shaped the creation of Ascendium, why enterprise clients are now demanding smarter systems instead of more headcount, and how AI is quietly reshaping organizational structures across hospitality, staffing, and ops-heavy industries.

They dive into:

• How early exposure to real businesses builds entrepreneurial instincts
• The role of confidence, ownership, and accountability in scaling companies
• Sebastian’s transition from consulting into AI-driven problem solving
• Why most organizations are not “behind,” they are just overloaded
• How AI is changing operations without replacing the human layer
• What hospitality teaches us about speed, margin, and systems under stress
• Why adaptability matters more than tools in the AI era
• The real risks and realities around data, infrastructure, and cyber threats

This episode is less about hype and more about how builders actually think when they’re designing systems meant to survive real-world pressure.

If you’re a founder, operator, or leader navigating growth, tech adoption, or the collision between legacy business and AI, this conversation will feel familiar in the best way.

Follow Taking Chances, share this episode with someone building alongside you, and stay close. These conversations are just getting started.

In its first run, the show highlighted people willing to bet on themselves.

From here on out, Taking Chances is a show about entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs — the builders and operators reshaping how we work.

In this first episode back, host Shaun Coe sets the stage with his own journey: relocating from Europe back to the U.S., getting married, living through two hurricanes and four moves, and stepping into his role as CEO and founder of HC-Resource and Ascendium Tech. That chaos, resilience, and reinvention frame a new, sharper focus on entrepreneurship, staffing, AI, and the labor market.

To bridge the past and the future of the show, Shaun brings back Jeremy Friedman of Instawork — a leading tech-based staffing marketplace — for a candid conversation on how recruitment and hourly work are being rebuilt in real time.

They dive into:

• How Instawork built a tech-first staffing marketplace and workforce solution
• Where AI, automation, and smarter vetting are changing recruitment speed and quality
• Why “the system is broken” for both workers and employers — and what it looks like to fix it
• The role of feedback loops in improving the experience for workers, operators, and platforms
• The rise of flexible scheduling and what today’s workforce is really asking for
• How Ascendium Tech is designing tools to automate hourly recruiting at scale
• Why informed consent and transparency will define the future of recruitment

If you’re an entrepreneur, founder, or operator in staffing, HR tech, or workforce solutions, this episode is your on-ramp into the new era of Taking Chances — and a preview of where the labor market is headed.

Follow the show, share this episode with a fellow builder, and tap into the community we’re creating to fix what’s broken in work.

From pumping iron in his native Europe to scaling new heights in North America, Nick's journey is nothing short of inspiring. In today's episode, Shaun and Nick discuss the ins and outs of fitness, exploring how Nick sculpted not only his body but also his life through bodybuilding.

They delve into Nick's personal story, tracing his path from a fitness enthusiast to a celebrated bodybuilder and now a certified trainer. Get ready to learn about the grit, determination, and passion that propelled Nick to the forefront of the fitness industry.

And that's not all - they also discuss Nick's exciting new online platform just released for fitness enthusiasts in North America and Europe. Whether you're a novice looking for guidance or a seasoned athlete seeking fresh insights, this platform promises to redefine your fitness journey.

So, prepare your protein shakes and prepare to be inspired as Shaun Coe takes us on another adventure of Taking Chances. Stay tuned!

Shaun and August began their journey into content creation around the same time and for a shared reason: to address the information arbitrage that resulted in a wave of misinformation. Their combined effort to bring clarity and expertise to a platform flooded with content speaks volumes about their dedication and authenticity.

Discover more about August's freshly launched podcast, "Recorrelated," which offers insights into the nuances of Cyber Security leadership. While neither Shaun nor August would label themselves as influencers, their foray into this digital space was born out of sheer necessity, aiming to provide accurate, valuable information to their followers.

This episode is a testament to modern networking: two professionals connecting online, supporting each other's business endeavors, and conversing live for the first time on "Taking Chances." Experience the dynamism of virtual relationships turning real, the dedication to dispelling misinformation, and the significance of taking chances in the digital age.

Shaun and Clark take you behind the scenes of their challenges when starting their respective businesses, offering invaluable lessons that shaped them into the successful entrepreneurs they are today. Clark recently launched his podcast, "The Digital Recruiter," and shares how he found his niche by marrying LinkedIn marketing with recruitment strategies in the United States.

This episode is an essential guide for anyone in the recruitment industry and those aspiring to build a brand. Shaun and Clark delve into the nuances of the American recruitment cycle, demystifying its complexities and offering actionable insights for success.

Don't miss this enlightening conversation that explores the cutting edge of recruitment, the power of LinkedIn marketing, and the transformative journeys of two industry leaders. If you want to take a chance on yourself and your brand, this is the episode you've been waiting for.