2020-02-21 - Two CEOs Chat

It's a chilly February day at Addington Park, and there aren't a lot of people out and about, but there are a few here and there. Justin Cooper is one of them. Bundled in a warm sweater, jeans and hiking boots, with a leather jacket over it all for warmth, he walks along the paths of the park with a large Doberman/English Mastiff mix puppy on a leash, letting the dog pause to sniff at things and wander a bit before continuing on. He doesn't seem to mind the cold all that much, and the dog seems happy to be outside.

The chilly days are well known to Stefhan too it seems. While jeans rarely suit him, he does wear dark pants and a coat as he walks into the park. The coat doesn't show much of what he wears underneath, but one could easily guess it's nothing too lightweight due to this time of year. With a bit of a half smile, he looks around at those who may come and go in the famous park. For now, not too many familiar faces are seen but spotting Justin he offers a bit of a friendly nod and wave. Then, he watches the dog and he can't help but remark, "Not that's completely adorable. I imagine he'll break some serious hearts when he's older."

Justin grins at the wave and nods in greeting, slowing his steps and coming to a stop as Caleb, the pup, snuffles about nearby. "Oh, he's already breaking hearts. Aren't you, Caleb?" The pup whuffs and looks up then trots over, wagging his tail and getting scritches behind his ears for it before he walks over to Stefhan and sniffs at him as well. Justin may or may not be recognizable to Stefhan. He's got some fame for being the CEO of a well-known gaming company with a popular MMO, and the son of an Oscar winning actress who has done some acting of his own in the past. But here, in Gray Harbor, he's mostly just one of those "summer kids" whose folks came up every year, rented a summer home, and left by Labor Day.

Stefhan doesn't have much of a claim to fame either, and certainly not to Justin's level. Some word around town may be that he's opened up a new computer business but his parents definitely never graced the silver screen. "Lovely name." He says and he chuckles a little as the dog goes over to sniff him. "I don't have any pets myself but I can see how they are good company. He certainly tolerates the cold better than those like us who walks on two legs." But, now that the dog has greeted him, he goes over to extend a hand, "Stefhan Rosenberg, and your name may be?"

"Someone in town rescued a half dozen or so puppies that had been abandoned out by Firefly Forest," Justin explains. "I hadn't actually planned on getting a puppy, but when they needed homes, it just seemed like the right time." He grins down at the pup affectionately and says, "He's a good boy." Caleb moves away when Stefhan moves, going back to sniffing around and minding his own business, for the most part. Justin turns his attention back to Stefhan and takes the offered hand, giving it a shake in greeting. "I think it's the fur coat. It helps. Justin Cooper, nice to meet you. Rosenberg.. oh, you own The Hub, don't you? What do you do there? Is it mostly hardware? Or is it more of a support and consulting sort of business? I haven't been by yet."

Stefhan hears the name and finally begins to make some connections, "Ah yes, something about you seemed familiar to me. I think you may be, into technology a bit yourself, maybe? It's hard to keep up with everything. But yes, that is correct. The Hub actually does both, setting up networks, repairing computers, and consulting is a part of that too. I don't do much web work as I try to farm that out and I don't work on game programming, though I do try to build the machines that can be perfect for gamers. You should come by sometime. I finally got my building setup and it's open to the public."

"I am," Justin agrees with a little smile. "I do a bit of programming, myself. They can't quite keep me from poking my fingers into things," he admits, even if he's supposed to be spending time running the company. But he's the sort of person who wants to actually get his hands into the project rather than just observing. "Hardware isn't really my forte. But I do like a good gaming rig, for obvious reasons." He smiles. "I'll definitely have to stop by and see what you've got set up here. How's business doing?"

Stefhan smiles as well in return and says, "I'd like that. It's well, going. Some have stopped by for computer repairs and that's profitable and others have stopped in for general help. It's not expanding as quickly as I would like but, that's just how businesses often are at the start. I'm still fortunate in many ways though. Hopefully, good word gets around town and things will continue to thrive. I'm sure you know how those things go."

"And it's a small town, so sometimes it takes a little longer in a small town for things to get going. But if the service is good and people like it, word of mouth also spreads fast," Justin says with a nod. "I'm sure that it will turn out well. Just might take a little patience at the beginning." Caleb wanders back and sits down next to Justin's heel, leaning against his leg a bit and panting. "I know there are a bunch of students from Hoquiam around here. Advertising at the college might be a good idea, too."

Stefhan hears the suggestion and nods, "Well, that might not be a bad idea there. I am ready to have patience though. If it takes time, so be it. The markets will be different and if I need to change things a little, no harm and no shame in that. I would hope to think that the service is good, especially since I am behind it. So" the casual conversation continuing, "Gaming you said? The typical games through apps or other means? You have to be careful with that field but, it is quite interesting."

Justin nods and says, "Nope, no harm in that at all." Then he smiles and says, "PC Gaming, yes, though there are apps connected to the game for communication and various other things." He doesn't dwell on it very much, though. "It's an interesting industry. It can be challenging, but then half of the fun is the challenge." He nods to the place in general and says "What brings you to Gray Harbor? Or are you from here, originally?"

Stefhan smirks a little and says, "Actually, not from here originally. I actually come from the famous Windy City. Nice family but, I got a bit distracted when I shouldn't have." he sighs and remarks, "Women will do that to you, get you off track. So, before things got too bad my family ushered me off to my aunt in Seattle where I went to college and focused on that. Then after getting my MS more family members thought I should try to small town atmosphere for a while and so." he shrugs, "Here I am."

"I liked Chicago when I visited, though I haven't been there in a while. It always seemed like a cool city. Took an architecture tour while there, and of course hit up the Spy bar," Justin says, slipping his hands into his pockets for warmth. The mention of Stefhan's distractions brings a wry smile to his lips. "I'm always told that I work too much and could use more distractions instead of the other way around. Sounds like you and your family are very close?" It seems to intrigue him that Stefhan goes wherever his family seems to suggest.

Stefhan nods to that and says, "Yes, definitely. I am very close to my mother especially. I would never do many things to disapoint her. I think she's dealt with enough from my father but I try to keep quiet about that. I guess we all have our inner demons. Sometimes, I find myself working more than I think I should. I guess work keeps me focused though, and that's a good thing. Hopefully all of this work will invest more into the community?"

"My folks and I are close as well, though I've tended to try to go my own way, for the most part. But mom likes that I do some things with her, so I'm not entirely failing to follow in the family footsteps," Justin smiles wryly. "I can understand wanting to make them happy." He nods in agreement. "Focus isn't a bad thing, no. And working so that you can be comfortable to do other things that you want to do isn't a bad thing, either." He nods then, in agreement. "I'm sure that it will."

Stefhan looks down to watch the dog for a moment and then turns back to Justin to continue the conversation, "That's good to be, close to family. Some people come and go throughout life, but family will always be there. I do appreciate your warm wishes on the matter. Part of me is starting to enjoy the city, so, in the long term, we will see. Though I still am not too familiar with all places for diversions. What do people do besides going to bars and parks around here?"

"There's not a whole lot, to be honest. If you want city entertainment you'll have to drive into Seattle. There's a theatre and drive in that recently opened, and mostly it's outdoor activities -- hiking, fishing, boating when the weather is nice. There's a reason that there's a kind of mild tourist season and then the rest of the year, a whole lot of nothing," Justin says with a faintly wry smile. "Until I moved here recently, I haven't actually been here in the off season."

Stefhan scratches his chin as he notes what the fellow gentleman has said, "Ah, I see then. I'm not a hunter, though I wouldn't mind trying that here or there. I'm not into boating though I admit, it would be nice to take a ride on one but, the theatre, that could be interesting. Is it a typical movie theater or something else?"

"Movie theatre, though there is a stage theatre here as well, but from what I've heard, the last performance there didn't do so well. I"m not sure that it's still in active use. I haven't looked in a while," Justin admits. Caleb starts to bump against his leg, having run out of patience for standing still. Justin chuckles and says, "I should finish up his walk and head back. It was nice to meet you, though." He offers his hand once more. "Good luck with your business, and I will drop in sometime soon."

Stefhan waves as Justin begins to head off to 'pet parent' duty. "I'd enjoy that." he says, "And certainly, quite nice to meet you. I wish you the same as well. Try to stay warm in this rather, sharp weather." A little grin is given to the adorable puppy and the blonde businessman begins to head on his own way.