Harder Than Rocket Science, but More Fulfilling: Hospitality Lessons from My Journey to CEO - Agnelo Fernandes, Cote Hospitality episode artwork

EPISODE · Dec 15, 2025 · 16 MIN

Harder Than Rocket Science, but More Fulfilling: Hospitality Lessons from My Journey to CEO - Agnelo Fernandes, Cote Hospitality

from Hospitality Daily Podcast

Agnelo Fernandes wanted to work in hospitality so badly that he removed his MBA from his resume just to land an entry-level job in the industry.Today, he's the CEO of Cote Hospitality, and his path there was anything but traditional. In this episode, Agnelo shares the moments that pulled him away from investment banking, why he believes hospitality is actually harder than rocket science or brain surgery ("you're dealing with all senses at their highest alert level"), and the leadership philosophy that's guided his rise to the CEO role.We explore his concept of "leading from any seat," why he's never followed just one mentor, and the practical habits that helped him stay relevant as technology transformed the industry. Whether you're early in your career or eyeing the top job yourself, there's something here for you.Want more? Read Agnelo's profile on hertelierWatch Agnelo's story on It's Personal Stories A few more resources:If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestionsIf you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together.If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve!Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

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Agnelo Fernandes wanted to work in hospitality so badly that he removed his MBA from his resume just to land an entry-level job in the industry. Today, he's the CEO of Cote Hospitality, and his path there was anything but traditional. In this episode, Agnelo shares the moments that pulled him away from investment banking, why he believes hospitality is actually harder than rocket science or brain surgery ("you're dealing with all senses at their highest alert level"), and the leadership philo...

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Harder Than Rocket Science, but More Fulfilling: Hospitality Lessons from My Journey to CEO - Agnelo Fernandes, Cote Hospitality

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