Your Journey in Hospitality: Navigating the Joys and Struggles

The hospitality industry has been my life for over 25 years now. I’ve experienced the highest and some brutal lows, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. This wild ride has taken me around the world, allowed me to meet amazing people, and given me memories I’ll cherish forever.

How It All Began

I stumbled into the hospitality world entirely by accident. While attending university, I was looking for a part-time job. I ended up getting hired as a server at a local restaurant and bar. I really enjoyed the fast-paced environment and interacting with customers. I liked it so much that I decided to pursue a full-time career in the industry after graduating.

Looking back, it’s amazing how that one part-time job led to a lifetime of adventures. Over the past 25+ years, I’ve worked in every capacity imaginable in hospitality – bartender, hotel manager, event coordinator – just to name a few. The industry truly becomes a part of who you are.

The Good: Traveling the World

One of the most thrilling aspects of working in hospitality is the chance to live and work in diverse destinations around the world. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to call 15 different countries my home, each offering unique experiences and cultural insights.

Some of my favourite locations include:

• The Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey – living on these tiny islands off the coast of France felt like being in an entirely different world.
• New York City’s energy and excitement are electrifying. I loved helping run bars and restaurants in this world-famous city.
• Cornwall, England – managing a boutique hotel in this quaint seaside destination was idyllic.

Beyond the locations, the best part of working internationally has been meeting people from all walks of life. I’ve worked with individuals from dozens of countries and cultures, and it has been incredibly enriching to learn about different perspectives and ways of life.

The Good: Long-Lasting Friendships

The bonds you forge in the hospitality industry are truly exceptional. The long hours and demanding work create a strong sense of camaraderie and teamwork. Some of my closest friends are people I worked with over 20 years ago, a testament to the enduring relationships this career can foster.

Some of my favourite memories include:

• I pulled all-nighters with the bar staff in my early days in Jersey. We worked hard but also played hard, usually ending our nights with a bonfire on the beach.
• I was reconnecting with my university pal, who became a chef. We worked together for a season in Cornwall and shared laughter-filled nights trading stories and listening to music.
• Meeting my best friend for life, Glen, He helped me open my first bar, and we’ve been as close as can be ever since.

The list goes on and on. The friendships formed have been one of the greatest gifts of this career.

The Good: Unforgettable Moments

When you manage restaurants, bars and hotels for a living, you will encounter some wild stories and remarkable moments. Looking back, some of my fondest memories include:

• The spontaneous wedding ceremony we hosted in a bar in Denver – we transformed the space in an hour for two regular customers to get married on the spot!
• Jam sessions and impromptu concerts with the eccentric local musicians in my little French village – you never knew what would happen when they took the stage.
• Closing the bar in Jersey early one night to carry a disabled customer between the restaurant and bar so she could enjoy a meal with her husband – we didn’t think much of it at the time but received a heartfelt thank you letter from the husband after she sadly passed away.

I could go on and on, recalling unforgettable moments and experiences over the years. It’s been a nonstop rollercoaster ride—exhausting at times but so rewarding and fun.

The Bad: Hospitality Can Take a Toll

As wonderful as working in hospitality can be, it also has some pretty major downsides. Long, physically demanding hours with little sleep can really damage your health, both physical and mental.

I’ve learned this the hard way over the years. The most challenging period was when I overworked myself to exhaustion running a busy bar in France. I ended up in the hospital with pneumonia for three months!

It was a wake-up call. After so many years in the industry, it’s sometimes easy to keep pushing yourself to the limit out of habit. But it’s just not sustainable.

Since then, I’ve made a conscious effort to prioritize self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance. I’ve learned that it’s crucial to take time for myself, delegate tasks to my team, and not overextend. I’m fortunate to be in a position now where I can work reasonable hours and enjoy my personal time.

But burnout is all too common in this line of work. You have to take steps to prevent it actively. Even now, I always carve out time for exercise, quiet mornings, and taking full weekends off. It’s essential.

Key Lessons and Advice

Looking back over the past 25+ years since that first part-time serving job, I’ve learned and grown more than I could have imagined. Here are some critical pieces of wisdom I would pass on to anyone pursuing a career in hospitality:

• Find good mentors – Experienced veterans in the industry have so much to teach you. Seek them out early and learn from them.
• Take care of your staff. At the end of the day, it’s people who make a hospitality business succeed. Treat them well.
• Don’t neglect your health—make sleep, diet, and renewal a priority. Otherwise, the long hours will crush you.
• Appreciate the special moments—not every shift will be perfect. But focus on the magic in between to keep your spirits up.
• Build real relationships—Get to know your staff and community. Fostering meaningful connections is one of the best parts of the job.

5 Key Questions About the Hospitality Industry

For those considering a career in hospitality or just curious to learn more, here are answers to 5 common FAQs:

1. What are the leading hospitality job roles?

The most common hospitality positions include front desk staff, servers, bartenders, chefs, housekeeping, maintenance, management, event coordinators, and more. The options are vast!

2. What skills are most important for hospitality jobs?

Customer service, communication, organization, attention to detail, stamina, teamwork, and flexibility are key skills that apply to all hospitality roles.

3. What is the work/life balance like?

The hours can be long, and late nights and weekends are expected. It’s an extremely fast-paced environment. But it’s a rewarding lifestyle for many who thrive on the excitement. Setting boundaries is essential.

4. What is the career advancement like?

With hard work and experience, advancing from entry-level roles to management and executive positions is very achievable in hospitality. Specialised training and education can accelerate progression.

5. How can you get started?

To gain experience, look for entry-level jobs at local restaurants, bars, hotels, etc. Completing hospitality training programs or getting a related degree can kickstart your career.

My Final Thoughts

My journey through the hospitality world has been a wild, exhausting, thrilling and rewarding adventure. It’s brought me lifelong friends, unforgettable memories, and much personal growth.

Would I recommend it as a career? Absolutely – if you are passionate about it, you won’t regret diving in. Just go into it with eyes open about the commitment it requires. The hospitality lifestyle certainly isn’t for everyone, but it’s been incredibly fulfilling for me.

Here’s to many more years of making drinks, serving meals, and creating memorable experiences! This industry always keeps you on your toes, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Cheers!