Zakk Cook

AI Automation and Marketing Technology Specialist

Toledo, OH 43614 (open to remote)
(419) 482-8535
zakkofalltradesllc@gmail.com
zakkofalltrades.com · linkedin.com/in/zakkofalltrades

Summary

Self-taught builder who designs, ships and runs AI automations, voice agents and web systems for real businesses, from the first idea to production. I've built a full-stack lead-generation platform, an AI phone agent and the entire digital front office of a multi-location pet care company, and co-built an AI content system that cut a marketing agency's blog production from 15–20 minutes to 30 seconds. Ten years of running operations, including up to 20 staff across 3 locations, means I build for how a business actually works. Looking for a remote role in marketing technology, automation or digital operations.

Experience

Owner & AI Automation Builder · Zakk of All Trades LLC, Toledo, OHMay 2023–Present

Designed, built and run a full-stack lead-generation and outreach platform (Python/FastAPI on a self-managed Linux server). It finds and enriches local business leads, scores them, drafts personalized emails with AI, routes each through human approval, and tracks opens and replies. 1,075 businesses researched and 131 contacted to date
Built an AI phone agent on VAPI that answers a contractor's missed calls, captures the job details and books the appointment; a live demo line handles inbound and outbound calls
Designed outreach rules around FCC/TCPA limits on AI voice calls, plus one-click unsubscribe, daily send caps and automatic bounce protection
Built Talk to Play, browser games that a child's AAC device controls by voice, for a Toledo speech therapy practice. Speech recognition runs entirely in the browser, and nothing is recorded or sent
Built and sold through e-commerce and print-on-demand stores on Shopify, Square and Squarespace for my own art and merchandise; deliver design, hand lettering, photo/video and web work for local clients

Marketing Assistant · Stark Create, Toledo, OHAug 2025–Present

Co-designed the agency's AI content system, building my version alongside my manager's: 10 specialized AI agents that research a client's site, pick topics, write, generate images, write metadata and draft social posts, with a human check at every step or full autopilot. Built first in n8n, then as a full web app with Claude Code; it published real client blogs for six weeks, and nearly all of its ideas now run in the live system, which cuts each post from 15–20 minutes to under 30 seconds for 7 clients publishing daily
Built a reusable prompt library so new content types are added by writing a prompt, not rebuilding the workflow
Connected the system to Google Drive, Docs, Gmail, Calendar and Sheets through MCP servers, routing to n8n before paid tools to keep costs down

Customer Service Specialist · Vinyl Design Corporation, Holland, OHNov 2025–Present

Built a warranty intake system that diagnoses the customer's issue and creates review cards for production. It has processed 100+ claims and turned 175+ real job-site issues into production training sessions
Built web tools for automatic quote follow-ups, lead qualification, delivery route planning and a digital corkboard that tracks orders waiting on someone
Built an automated contractor review tool (AI agent in n8n) that verifies each business online, scores the opportunity 1–5 on volume and fit, logs it to a Google Sheet and emails the team a summary memo

District Manager · A Doggie Do (formerly Toledo Pet Farm), Toledo, OHOct 2022–Nov 2025

Built and ran the company's entire digital front office: website, online booking, phone system, text line, automated replies and card processing, handling thousands of client interactions
Managed and scheduled up to 20 employees across 3 locations caring for 200+ animals; owned inventory, supply ordering and all customer relations
Earlier roles with the company: Facility Manager (Oct 2018–Aug 2019), Front Desk (Aug 2016–Sep 2017)

Board Member · Operation Saves (nonprofit animal rescue), Toledo, OH2022–Present

Built the rescue's original website and automated its adoption application and approval process, which has handled hundreds of applicants; designed its logo system and print materials

Skills

AI & automation: n8n, Claude & Claude Code, AI agents & MCP servers, prompt engineering, VAPI voice agents, Zapier, Make
Development: Python (FastAPI), PostgreSQL, Docker, Linux servers, nginx, APIs & webhooks, web scraping & data enrichment
Marketing: Content strategy, SEO, email marketing, social media, copywriting, branding
Web & e-commerce: Website builds, online booking, payments, Shopify, Square, Squarespace, print-on-demand
Creative: Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, photography & video, graphic design, hand lettering & calligraphy
Operations: Team leadership & scheduling, payroll, budgeting & P&L, inventory, customer service

Earlier Experience

Overnight Baker, Panera Bread · 2019–2022: ran the overnight bake alone, holding consistent quality every shift
Production Operator & Backup Team Lead, Fiat Chrysler, Toledo Jeep plant · 2017–2018: tracked defect data and presented it to management and auditors
Certified Custom Framing Manager, Michaels · 2014–2017 · Podcast Producer (remote) · 2015 · Bicycle Technician, Chicago · 2013–2014

Education

Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Professional Certificate · 2023
Loyola University Chicago · 2012–2014 · Coursework in Cultural & Religious Anthropology and English, Journalism minor
St. John's Jesuit High School · Diploma with Honors, 2012