👤 About the Founder

Jakob Harnesk, Founder & CEO of Hells Devil Estate LLC

Since the age of six, Jakob Harnesk has lived and breathed the haunted house industry. What began as a childhood thrill quickly evolved into a deep passion — spending over 10 years as a scare actor across Chicagoland-area haunted attractions. From startling guests in fog-filled mazes to unleashing screams in tight corridors, Jakob knows what makes fear fun — and how to make grown adults run into walls and lose control in laughter and terror.

“I fell in love with the industry because it gave me a place to be myself — and to make other people scream,” Jakob says. “There’s nothing like seeing a grown adult drop to the floor in fear while your entire team celebrates behind the scenes.”

🎬 Past Experience

Before launching Hells Devil Estate, Jakob worked in several well-known haunted attractions throughout the Chicagoland area, bringing intense energy, creativity, and consistency to every role he played.

In addition to his haunt work, Jakob has management and leadership experience in fast-paced, high-volume industries:

  • Portillo’s – Restaurant leadership & shift supervision

  • Colonial Café – Front-of-house service and team support

  • United States Postal Service – City carrier

These real-world roles taught Jakob how to lead a team, manage operations, and stay calm under pressure — skills he’s now using to build and run HDE.

Jakob would also like to give special thanks to Angelo Spano, his mentor and a major influence on his journey.

“Angelo believed in me and showed me what real leadership looks like. I’ll always be grateful for everything he’s done to help me grow.”

🎯 Why Hells Devil Estate?

Jakob launched Hells Devil Estate LLC in 2025 with one bold goal:

To build the first real, year-round haunted house in America — and one day, the world.

He believes the haunted attraction industry is just getting started. With public demand rising for immersive, fear-based entertainment all year long, he sees a 50% growth opportunity in the next few years — and plans to lead the charge.

🧠 What Makes HDE Different?

HDE is more than a haunt. It’s a movement. A place built by fans, for fans — powered by passion, driven by quality, and run by people who live and breathe the industry. With a dedicated leadership team and a strong creative vision, HDE is built to scale — while always staying true to its roots.

❤️ A Family-Built Dream

Jakob’s not doing it alone. With help from his grandma (who will be running concessions) and support from close friends and mentors, Hells Devil Estate is a dream built from love, fear, and a little bit of madness.

🔥 Jakob’s Message:

“Be proud of who you are. Be weird. Be passionate. Grow into something great. That’s what Hells Devil Estate is all about — fear, family, and finding your place in the dark.”