business resilience

Why Hospitality Matters: Stories of Courage, Connection, and Growth

In Episode 21 of the Kith & Kin podcast episode, Gareth Hazard and Alex Munford share their journeys through the hospitality industry, highlighting themes of courage, growth, and connection. Gareth reflects on the bravery of walking away from misaligned ventures, while Alex explores how chasing titles led him to rethink leadership. Together, they’ve founded Why Hospitality, a business dedicated to supporting the industry through training, resources, and community. Their stories remind us that hospitality thrives on nurturing teams, learning from mistakes, and creating meaningful connections. It’s a call to embrace resilience, lead with heart, and build a stronger future for hospitality.

Stop Underestimating Small Businesses: What Really Makes My Blood Boil

Stop Underestimating Small Businesses: What Really Makes My Blood Boil

As a small business owner in the hospitality industry for over 25 years, there's one thing that still makes my blood boil—the assumption that small businesses need the expertise of big corporate CEOs to succeed. While larger companies have their strengths, small business owners are constantly innovating, learning on the job, and building deep customer relationships. We don’t have vast resources or teams of specialists, but we do have creativity, resilience, and a sense of purpose that drives us forward. Small business entrepreneurs are scrappy because we have to be, finding solutions with limited resources and pushing boundaries through experimentation. It’s time to recognize that the real innovation and exciting talent in the hospitality industry often come from these small operators, not the corporate boardroom. At Kith & Kin, we celebrate this scrappiness and provide a space where hospitality professionals can come together, share ideas, and support each other.