In this episode of Iron Range Adventures, we sit down with Sean, CEO and owner of the Red Rock Hotel in Hibbing, Minnesota, for an honest and inspiring conversation about vision, perseverance, and community.

We start by celebrating a big milestone — 24 years of marriage — and Sean shares his belief that lasting success, both in life and business, comes from partnership, understanding, and friendship.

Sean opens up about his journey into hospitality, which was anything but easy. Coming from humble beginnings, he describes himself as a natural problem solver — someone willing to take on challenges head-on and learn from the experiences of others. That mindset eventually led him to step away from his traditional career and search for a project that could truly make a difference.

After traveling across multiple states in search of the right opportunity, Sean found something special on the Iron Range. Not just a building — but a region full of untapped potential. His goal wasn’t to simply open another hotel, but to restore, rebuild, and create a destination that could serve the community for the next 100 years.

The journey hasn’t been easy. The project took far longer than expected and required major personal sacrifices, including time, finances, and comfort. Through it all, Sean credits his family’s unwavering support for keeping him going during the hardest moments — when the lights were cut off, setbacks piled up, and quitting would’ve been easier.

This episode is about more than business. It’s about belief, resilience, community support, and the idea that it’s not over until you win.