Stop Underestimating Small Businesses: What Really Makes My Blood Boil

Do you know what still makes my blood boil when I visit events for the hospitality industry? The recurring suggestion that to support smaller hospitality businesses, we need the expertise of CEOs from larger companies. I understand the intention, but it frustrates me because it overlooks the fact that small business owners have a wealth of knowledge and skills that come from a very different, yet equally valuable, place.

I’ve been a small business operator for over 25 years, and during that time, I’ve sat in many rooms listening to leaders from large companies share their strategies and insights for the industry. While their perspective can be useful, it’s not always where the true innovation is happening, nor is it necessarily where the most exciting talent can be found.

As small operators, we don’t have the luxury of extensive resources, teams of specialists, or regular strategy meetings. Instead, we learn on the job—directly from our customers. We build our marketing plans from conversations with guests and through trial and error. Leadership for us is learned by working alongside our teams, understanding their needs through shared experience. We master the art of business by facing everyday challenges head-on, finding better ways to serve, communicate, and connect with our communities.

More than that, we find our purpose through our work. It’s not just about running a business; it’s about creating spaces that people love, providing experiences that bring joy, and building connections with our customers and teams. Purpose is what drives us to keep going, especially when resources are tight and challenges seem overwhelming. We’re not following a corporate playbook—our purpose is lived and felt in every decision we make and every interaction we have.

And let’s be honest: as small business entrepreneurs, we are scrappy. We have to be. Without the deep pockets and vast teams of large companies, we figure things out as we go. We stretch every resource, solve problems creatively, and find ways to succeed against the odds. That scrappiness isn’t just a survival tool—it’s where our innovation and resilience come from. It’s what allows us to adapt quickly, experiment, and push boundaries that bigger companies might hesitate to cross.

We are entrepreneurs who wear every hat in the business—IT, marketing, sales, human resources, operations, finance, and more. Running a small hospitality business requires immense creativity, problem-solving, and grit. The resourcefulness and adaptability of smaller operators are what drive innovation and growth in the industry.

This is what Kith & Kin is all about—a space for the hospitality industry to come together with like-minded people who understand the unique complexities of running a small business. It’s a place to share ideas, challenges, and support, and to remind each other that, despite the ups and downs, you’re doing an amazing job. Most importantly, it’s a place where your sense of purpose and your scrappiness are celebrated and understood.