Hospitality is undeniably one of the toughest industries out there—long hours, high stakes, relentless demands. Yet, so many of us are irresistibly drawn to it. Why?
For many, it’s because hospitality is where we first learned to be an adult. It’s where, despite having no prior experience or skills, we were immediately valued as part of a complex team. During a busy service—whether in a bustling restaurant, a packed bar, or a major event—every single role is critical. Everyone, from the newest team member to the most seasoned manager, plays an equally important part in ensuring a flawless customer experience.
A Place to Belong
For young people, especially those who didn’t fit in at school or struggled to achieve academically, hospitality offers something rare: a place to belong. It’s a home, a family, where older, more experienced peers recognise and appreciate your effort and hard work. For someone who has never felt valued before, that feeling is life-changing.
In hospitality, you quickly learn responsibility. You realise your actions—or inaction—have consequences. You’re forced to think under pressure, make decisions, and balance structure with the agility to adapt in real time. The environment demands discipline, but it also teaches you how to flex and mould yourself to the team around you.
Discovering Your Purpose
Hospitality also teaches you that serving others can be your purpose. It doesn’t take long to learn how to communicate effectively—not just with your team but with complete strangers. You get to wow people every day with your dedication to their experience. Even if you’re working back of house, your efforts contribute to making every guest’s visit memorable.
If you’re front of house, you have the privilege of seeing your impact directly. A smile, a thoughtful interaction, or a genuine moment of care can transform someone’s day. You quickly realise that you have the ability to take an ordinary moment in someone’s life and make it exceptional.
And no, we don’t do it for the tips—nice though they are. We do it because it becomes our purpose. Knowing that what might seem like an unimportant moment in someone’s day could actually have a huge impact—and that we play a small but meaningful part in that—is incredibly fulfilling.
In all my years in the industry, and in speaking to countless others who have chosen this career, I have yet to meet anyone who doesn’t deeply care about other people. The sense of belonging that customers feel when they visit a venue or attend an event is rooted in the sense of belonging felt by those working and serving.
Thriving Under Pressure
The high-energy, high-stakes environment of hospitality isn’t for everyone. For some, the stress can feel overwhelming. But for those of us who love the industry, that’s exactly where we thrive. There’s a buzz, a sense of purpose, and an addictive energy that makes every shift unique and rewarding.
Finding Your Hospitality Family
Hospitality isn’t just a job—it’s like finding a family. It’s about striving for excellence, coming to work every day with the ambition to be better than yesterday, both as an individual and as a team. It’s a collective pursuit of being the best, driven by passion and pride.
It’s no wonder so many of us caught the bug.
A Privileged Career
I feel so privileged to have spent my career in hospitality, to have experienced the joy of serving others, and to call so many talented and caring professionals my friends.
Yes, hospitality is challenging, but the rewards are worth it. It’s a career where you grow, connect, and thrive. For those of us who’ve been drawn in, there’s no place we’d rather be.
