Hospitality has always been a way of life.

The Beginning

Hospitality has always been more than something we do—it is a way of seeing and engaging the world.

Cari Jenkins is our founder. She was raised in the Midwest, where hospitality was not reserved for special occasions—it was a rhythm of everyday life. Neighbors, teachers, and college students gathered regularly around the table. Meals were shared, stories were told, and people were welcomed as they were.

This early formation became a lifelong practice.

For over twenty years, Cari has opened her home to hundreds each year—welcoming more than 500 people annually around her table. Alongside this, she has designed immersive experiences for gatherings both large and small, hosted teams, and partnered with organizations to bring thoughtful, strategic attention to how people connect. Through this work, she has developed an approach to hospitality that is both intuitive and deeply studied—one that leads to meaningful change and the cultivation of lasting good.

As this practice moved into professional spaces, something began to shift. When teams stepped out of boardrooms and into more intentional, human-centered environments, conversations opened. People relaxed. They engaged differently. The environment itself began to shape what was possible—fostering clarity, connection, and trust.

It became clear: hospitality is not an accessory to an experience—it is what makes an experience matter.

The Host and The Guest was formed from this conviction—rooted in a lifetime of practice, years of study, and a depth of lived experience.

We partner with you to bring hospitality to life where it matters most.