When it comes to the intersection of hospitality and technology, my dear friend Christopher Sebes—or “Squire,” as I affectionately call him—is not just a legend. He’s a living, breathing metronome of opportunity, a human sundial whose shadow always seems to point toward the next big thing. Christopher has this saying, “Tick Tock,” and believe me, it’s not just a catchy phrase. It’s his mantra—a gentle reminder (or occasionally a not-so-gentle shove) that time waits for no one, that opportunities have expiration dates, and that life is best lived in full color.
In fact, Christopher was doing “Tick Tock” before it was cool—long before the platform existed and certainly before teenagers started lip-syncing to it. The original “Tick Tock” wasn’t a dance challenge; it was a life challenge. Sebes’ version is more of a countdown to opportunity, where the clock is always ticking, and the window of possibility is just a crack away from closing. His is a kind of motivational metronome, a subtle but persistent beat urging you to make your move before time decides to make it for you.
Christopher’s professional journey is nothing short of remarkable. He started at Portsmouth University School of Hotel Management and soon traded textbooks for managing 5-star hotels in South Africa, Morocco, and Kenya. His real legacy began when he created Twenty20 Visual Systems, the first-ever Microsoft Windows POS company. Radiant Systems snapped it up in 1998, and like a true pioneer, Christopher was already halfway out the door, scouting his next opportunity.
He founded Xpient Solutions, and under his leadership, the company thrived until its acquisition by Heartland Payments in 2014. Then, at Xenial, he led the development of a cross-platform cloud solution that still serves more than half of the top 50 brands in the QSR and Fast-Casual segments. The man doesn’t just seize opportunities—he creates them, often while wearing something so vibrant it practically has its own gravitational field.
Beyond his professional feats, Christopher is a wine connoisseur, a dedicated foodie, and a man madly in love with his significant other, Dr. Melissa Hughes. Honestly, if you don’t see Sebes savoring a vintage red or sharing a perfectly plated meal, you might want to check if you’re at the right event. His joy for life is infectious, but beneath that joie de vivre is a deep understanding of life’s finite nature. Tick Tock.
When I first met Christopher, I have to admit I was a bit intimidated. It wasn’t because he wasn’t welcoming—quite the opposite. Sebes went out of his way to make me feel included, even inviting me to the business-adjacent Bonefish Grill for some Bang Bang Shrimp with the crew. But the truth is, Christopher is kind of a big deal—a “Major Dude,” if you will. In the right lighting, he even bears a resemblance to Sir Charles Laughton, channeling just a hint of Captain Bligh from Mutiny on the Bounty. Not the tyrant part, of course—more like the captain who always knows exactly where the ship is headed, even if the rest of us are still fiddling with the map.
One of my favorite stories about Sebes comes from my days as an account executive at Xpient Solutions in 2014. I was a product of the “IBM Blue Suit” theory—a concept born from a 1999 study suggesting salespeople in blue suits statistically close more deals. My mindset was corporate, my approach methodical, and my wardrobe… well, blue.
Then came our big pitch to Habit Burger. I was suited up and ready to play the part. But Sebes? He walked in looking like he had just sailed in from Studio 54. He wore a vibrant purple paisley shirt with eye-catching cuffs, canary yellow trousers, and slip-on loafers that may or may not have had socks. His ensemble was more disco captain than corporate commander. My sales brain short-circuited. I thought, “We are so doomed.”
But, as usual, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Sebes’ sense of timing was impeccable. He knew that the window of opportunity wasn’t just about closing the deal—it was about making a genuine connection. His authenticity and confidence turned what I thought was a risky move into a masterstroke.
And here was the lesson: It wasn’t just a corporate awakening—it was my first real taste of the unique power of owning who you are. The "IBM Blue Suit" theory had nothing on the "Be Yourself" method. Sebes showed me that success isn't about blending in—it's about showing up as the most genuine, vibrant version of yourself. He proved that authenticity isn't just a strategy; it's a superpower. Tick Tock.
Christopher means so much to so many people. On behalf of myself and including our mutual friends and partners at Branded Hospitality, (Jimmy, Schatzie & Julie), Full On Strategy (Seth Temko), Results Thru Strategy (Fred LeFranc), and of course good ole Bob Thomas I want to say this: Congratulations, Christopher.
The world is a better place because you are in it, we are thankful for the being a part of your story and consider it our genuine honor and privilege to call you friend.
Thank you, Squire, for blazing the trail, for being exactly who you are, and for sharing your wisdom, your friendship, and yes, your incredible taste in shirts. Here's to a well-deserved lifetime achievement award at MURTEC and to many more colorful, inspiring chapters ahead.
Tick Tock, my friend. Tick Tock.