Biography & Background
The life experiences that shaped Frank Besednjak's perspective
To fully appreciate the depth and authenticity of Frank Besednjak's teachings, it is essential to understand the life experiences that have shaped his perspective. His journey is one of immigration, military service, corporate success, entrepreneurial spirit, and profound personal resilience. This background provides the context for his raw, down-to-earth style and his unwavering focus on practical, actionable solutions.
Early Life and Military Service
Frank Besednjak was born in Salerno, Italy, and immigrated to the United States as a legal immigrant at the age of one in 1956. He grew up on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio, where his work ethic was forged early. At the age of 16, he began working as an electrician's helper.
Following high school, he chose to serve his new country, enlisting in the United States Navy. He served for four years as an Interior Communications Technician 2nd Class Petty Officer aboard the USS Iwo Jima, a role that involved him in military exercises with the US Marines in the Middle East. This period of service instilled a discipline and a global perspective that would influence his later career.
Corporate Career and Success
After his military service, Besednjak embarked on a distinguished corporate career, holding a series of progressively responsible positions at several Fortune 500 companies. He worked as an electrician before moving into technical and managerial roles, including Technical Support Specialist at Sony Business Products and Service Manager for RCA Service Company.
His tenure at General Electric was particularly notable. He served as an Area Manager for GE Consumer Service before being promoted to the global role of Manager of Service Training and Field Support Operations for GE Appliances. During his time at GE, he was recognized with multiple awards for designing and implementing performance improvement programs that saved the company millions of dollars while significantly enhancing employee training, customer engagement, and morale.
Some of the business processes he developed are reportedly still in use at GE today, a testament to their enduring effectiveness. His corporate education was further solidified at the prestigious John F. Welch Executive Development Institute in Crotonville, New York. Demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning, he earned a Bachelor of Business Degree in Marketing and Business Administration from McKendree University at the age of 40.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
For the past quarter-century, Besednjak has channeled this vast experience into his own ventures as a business coach, consultant, and entrepreneur. He is the President and CEO of The Training Source, Inc., a Louisville, Kentucky-based company he founded in 1994, which operates under the well-known brand "The Real Frank."
Through this company, he has coached and trained thousands of business and service professionals, conducting 30 to 40 business improvement and leadership workshops annually across a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, distribution, retail, hospitality, and home services. His impact was formally recognized in 2014 when he was named Business Consultant of the Year.
Beyond coaching, Besednjak is an entrepreneur who has founded and successfully sold several small businesses. He is also the founder of Customer Care Plus, an innovative customer feedback system designed specifically for HVAC contractors.
Personal Challenges and Resilience
His personal life has been marked by significant challenges that have further shaped his philosophy on resilience and overcoming adversity. He is a two-time cancer survivor, having undergone extensive treatment for prostate cancer and a major surgery for the other. He has also spoken openly about dealing with a seven year opioid addiction, PTSD from his military service, financial hardships, and other personal struggles.
As a single father, he raised two children, Rocco and Brianne, who have both gone on to achieve success in their respective fields. Rocco is a medically retired police officer who founded Camp Hero, Kentucky, a non-profit organization for wounded first responders and veterans, while Brianne holds an executive position at a major global insurance company.