Hospitality marketing, Social media in hospitali, Word-of-mouth marketing
Cassie Davison
Why Your Social Media Strategy Isn't Working ...

Social media was once a game-changer for hospitality businesses, but today it’s noisy, crowded, and exhausting. Chasing likes, shares, and followers has replaced real connection with customers. Algorithms decide who sees your posts, while businesses compete against global brands and endless content. The solution? Go back to basics. Focus on your purpose, serve your community, and deliver exceptional experiences worth talking about. Word of mouth is still the most powerful marketing tool—when customers feel valued and cared for, they’ll spread the word. Stop chasing trends and start building a purpose-driven business that people love, remember, and choose every time.

Why Your Social Media Strategy Isn't Working and Won't Work
Cassie Davison
Hospitality Business Made Easy

Hospitality Business Made Easy

Most of us started in this industry young, learning from the ground up. The formula for success used to be simple: deliver five-star service, train your staff, and stay one step ahead of the competition. But today, the industry is tougher than ever—rising costs, shrinking markets, and increasing competition are relentless.

What if there was an easier way? By ignoring your competition, rediscovering your purpose, and aligning everything—your team, customers, and operations—to serve that purpose, you can simplify your business, build a high-performing team, and attract loyal customers who market your business for you.

Join us for the Hospitality Made Easy Masterclass, where we’ll help you reconnect with your purpose and unlock the next breakthrough for your business. This proven approach will transform how you work, freeing you from overwhelm and reigniting your passion for hospitality.

Purpose makes hospitality easy. Hospitality Made Easy Masterclass.

Hospitality Business Made Easy
Cassie Davison
Why Hospitality Feels Like Home

Hospitality is more than just an industry; it’s where many of us first learned to thrive. It’s a place where every role matters, from entry-level to leadership, and where teamwork is key to delivering exceptional customer experiences. For young people, it’s often the first taste of belonging—a family that values effort and care. It teaches responsibility, discipline, and the joy of serving others. Hospitality gives us purpose: knowing a simple act, like a smile or kind word, can transform someone’s day. Yes, it’s challenging, but for those who love it, the rewards—connection, growth, and purpose—make it all worthwhile.

Why Hospitality Feels Like Home
Cassie Davison
The Reality of COVID’s Impact on Pubs and the ...

The COVID-19 pandemic hit the pub industry with unprecedented force, turning once-thriving community hubs into shuttered spaces and leaving publicans scrambling to survive. The sudden closures left many with significant overheads, from rent to perishable stock, and limited cash reserves. Even as pubs reopened, they faced a different world, contending with limited capacities, health restrictions, and shifting customer habits.

The impact didn’t end with lockdowns. The energy crisis sent bills skyrocketing, while inflation made everyday operations increasingly expensive. Combined with severe staff shortages, the challenges for pubs remain steep. Yet, the industry has shown resilience, pivoting to new services and strengthening ties with their communities. Pubs now stand at a crucial juncture, needing continued support from patrons, government aid, and industry collaboration to fully recover. Their survival underscores a legacy of resilience, community, and tradition that remains integral to British culture.

The Reality of COVID’s Impact on Pubs and the Ongoing Struggle for Survival
Cassie Davison
Stop Underestimating Small Businesses: What ...

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.

Stop Underestimating Small Businesses: What Really Makes My Blood Boil

hospitality challenges

“More ‘Karen's’ Since Lockdown”: Are Customers Really More Demanding These Days?

“More ‘Karen's’ Since Lockdown”: Are Customers Really More Demanding These Days?

An operator mentioned to me recently that, since lockdown, there seem to be far more 'Karens'. While this might surprise some customers, there’s a valid point—not about complaints themselves, but about how much more demanding customers have become. Back in 2000, when I opened my first bar, we stood out with premium products and exceptional service. Simple actions like clearing ashtrays, quick service, and genuine smiles created unforgettable experiences, turning guests into a loyal community. Today, customers are savvier, expectations are higher, and competition is tougher. But true hospitality isn’t just about food and drink—it’s about creating a sense of belonging. Independent businesses succeed when they forge meaningful connections that no home setup or discount can replicate.

Crabs in a Bucket: Why the Hospitality Industry Is Stuck and How to Break Free

Crabs in a Bucket: Why the Hospitality Industry Is Stuck and How to Break Free

Why Hospitality Businesses Are Stuck in a Crab Bucket

The hospitality industry is overcrowded, competitive, and facing rising costs. Many businesses, afraid to stand out, fall into the trap of copying what others are doing—offering identical menus, services, and experiences. This creates a sea of sameness, where customers see no reason to choose one venue over another.

The opportunity lies in being purpose-driven. Customers today crave unique, meaningful experiences and spaces where they feel a sense of belonging. By reconnecting with your purpose and offering something different, you can break free from the crab bucket, stand out, and become the place customers truly love. Is your business purpose-driven? Take our quiz to find out.

Why Hospitality Feels Like Home

Why Hospitality Feels Like Home

Hospitality is more than just an industry; it’s where many of us first learned to thrive. It’s a place where every role matters, from entry-level to leadership, and where teamwork is key to delivering exceptional customer experiences. For young people, it’s often the first taste of belonging—a family that values effort and care. It teaches responsibility, discipline, and the joy of serving others. Hospitality gives us purpose: knowing a simple act, like a smile or kind word, can transform someone’s day. Yes, it’s challenging, but for those who love it, the rewards—connection, growth, and purpose—make it all worthwhile.

The Pub Tie: A Double-Edged Sword and J Mark Dodds’ Fight for Change

The Pub Tie: A Double-Edged Sword and J Mark Dodds’ Fight for Change

The pub tie is both a cornerstone and a challenge in the British pub industry. For some publicans, it offers support, resources, and a stepping stone into the trade. For others, it becomes a financial burden, with high rents and inflated supply costs making profitability almost impossible. J Mark Dodds, a long-time advocate for publicans, knows this struggle all too well. Despite running The Sun and Doves, an award-winning pub in London, Mark faced immense pressure under his tied lease, culminating in eviction. Determined to make a difference, he co-founded the Fair Pint Campaign, which contributed to the 2016 Pub Code. While the code introduced protections, it left many systemic issues unresolved. Now, through the People’s Pub Partnership, Mark envisions a fairer, sustainable future for pubs—one where investment in communities and local sourcing restores pubs to their rightful place at the heart of British life.