In this episode of Taking Chances with Shaun Coe, Shaun sits down with Jen Harb for a real conversation about where her story started, how she found her way into hospitality, and what shaped her into the operator and leader she is today.
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.