Anne Elizabeth McIntosh: Building Success Through Service

• Anne Elizabeth grew up in Nashville, influenced by her mother’s southern hospitality and strong family ties.
• She juggled being a single mom, overcame imposter syndrome, and discovered her strengths.
• She successfully filled a gap in Nashville’s event and travel market, with services like catering and trip planning.
• Anne Elizabeth focuses on serving others, community involvement, and maintaining balance through faith and family.

1. Can you tell us more about your childhood and how it may have shaped the person you are today?

I grew up here in Nashville, and I’m what a lot of people call a ‘unicorn’—meaning I was born and raised here. Nashville has become such a popular city lately, and with so many people moving here, you don’t meet as many locals as you used to. I’m a fourth-generation native Nashvillian—both of my parents were born and raised here. I have two younger brothers who are my best friends, and we’re really close. I went to a local school called Oak Hill School, and my son ended up following in my footsteps and going there too. I then attended an all-girls high school, Harper Hall. If you’re familiar with Reese Witherspoon, we actually went to school at the same time. As far as my childhood goes, it was pretty fantastic, and I learned a lot from it. One of the things that stands out, especially in the role I’m in now, is the influence of my mom. She was the epitome of southern hospitality—always hosting dinner parties, getting together with friends, and organizing big Christmas gatherings for family and loved ones. I think one of the hallmarks of my childhood was how she always opened our home to so many people.

2. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced while climbing the ladder in your career, and how did you overcome them?

Some of the biggest challenges in growing my career came early on. I was a very young mom, and I think a lot of people expect you to build your career before having a family. I didn’t have that luxury. From the start, I was a single mom, so I felt like I had to balance two worlds that maybe my peers didn’t have to manage. That was definitely the first major challenge, and I’m really proud of how I handled it. Going from an 8 to 5 job—though let’s be honest, is any job really 8 to 5?—rushing home to get dinner on the table, or racing to the baseball field to make sure I didn’t miss my son’s game, was a huge challenge. As my career progressed, one thing I witnessed – and I have to emphasize this because I’m so passionate about it – was the importance of creating your own power circle of amazing women. When you’re surrounded by strong, supportive women, they lift you up instead of tearing you down. That’s been crucial to my career, whether in my personal life with friends or in my professional setting. It truly makes all the difference. Now, as an entrepreneur, the challenges in business are a whole different ballgame compared to those in the corporate world. There are many to name, but the biggest one for me has been overcoming imposter syndrome and the fear that comes with it. I’m naturally fairly risk-averse, which is a bit unusual for entrepreneurs, since most are comfortable with taking risks. For me, each next big step is a challenge, and taking them has been the toughest part.

A piece of advice I received that has been incredibly valuable is this: ‘Just make the decision and move forward. You can always course-correct, but indecision will lead to inactivity. When nothing’s happening, you’re not moving forward.’ So, I remind myself of that every day.

3. If you could go back and change one thing in your career, what would it be and why?

If I could go back and do one thing differently in my career, it would be to have learned earlier about the intersection of my passions and strengths. I think I took positions where I was wanted , rather than focusing on what I truly wanted. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of being wanted by a company, especially when they’re pursuing you to be part of their team. But for me, I should have worked with a mentor or coach earlier on to better understand where my passions and strengths intersect. That way, I could have been more intentional in choosing roles that aligned with those strengths. Instead, I spent some time on a meandering path. While it got me to where I am today, some of those steps were not fully aligned with my true passions and strengths.

4. Can you take us back to the moment when the idea for Host & Toast first came to you? What gap or need did you notice in the market that inspired you to create something new?

The first time I really thought about this need was when I started to understand the gap in the market. Let me explain my business. We have three main streams of revenue, or arms to our business. The first is our specialty catering, where we focus on cheese and charcuterie boards, brunch boards, and big grazing tables. We don’t do full-service catering, but we specialize in those unique offerings.

The second arm is working with visitors who come to Nashville—whether they’re here for leisure, business, or a special event like an awards show. We help them plan their trips, from stocking their Airbnb before they arrive to creating full itineraries and making dinner reservations.

The third arm is working with locals on their events, like graduation parties, Christmas gatherings, and rehearsal dinners. We handle everything except weddings.

The idea first came to me during a trip I took with girlfriends  to Austin, Texas, in 2019. We stayed in a great rental home, and when we arrived, everything was stocked and ready. The hosts even came in the mornings, laid out breakfast for us, set up a mimosa bar, and helped us plan our days. At that time, Nashville didn’t really have anyone catering to this kind of market—or at least, I wasn’t aware of it. With my background in hospitality, I saw an opportunity. 

I can be a little slow to pull the trigger sometimes, so while that sparked the idea, it wasn’t until 2020, during the pandemic, that things really came together. I had just gotten married and left my job in February. Two weeks later, the pandemic hit, and I decided to take a little time to figure out what was next. By August, with a lot of encouragement from friends and family, I decided to start Host & Toast. 

In the beginning, Airbnbs weren’t as busy due to the pandemic, but Nashville was still pretty open—more so than the East and West Coasts—and people were still visiting. So, we started with cheese and charcuterie boards. I began making them for my family, then took them to friends’ houses. That’s how we got started. As travel picked up again, the Airbnb part of the business grew, and that naturally led to event planning, now the third arm of our business.

5. After years of leading in marketing, community investment, and hospitality, what key leadership lessons do you believe are essential for anyone aiming to succeed in their own ventures?

I think there’s a popular opinion these days about what success looks like, but for me, I truly believe that success is about serving others. This has been my mantra since my mid-20s. I believe that if you’re serving your team, your staff, and your clients, success will naturally follow. Sometimes, that means I’m not the best at maintaining clear professional and personal boundaries, something that’s widely discussed in today’s workplace culture. But for me, the role is about going above and beyond for our clients. If we can serve them well, and I can serve my team well, I truly believe that will lead to success.

6. What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs regarding community development practices, and how can these practices be effectively integrated into their businesses?

I think business has become a lot more insular since 2020, with so much of it now conducted from home via Zoom. But I still believe you can’t replace the value of good old-fashioned face-to-face networking. If you get involved in your community, both from a business networking standpoint and a more personal one, it can make a big difference. Early in my career, I heard a successful entrepreneur share a piece of advice that has stuck with me ever since: ‘Find three places to serve in your community—whether that’s a medical cause, your church, or your children’s school.’ The key is to find three causes you can devote your time to. Nonprofits, in particular, really need your support, and it’s a great way to meet people in the community, including business leaders. People who serve on boards are often very active in the community, so that’s an excellent avenue to connect with others. 

For younger entrepreneurs, I think getting involved in your community is absolutely essential. Attending networking events—both business-related and in the nonprofit world—can do wonders for helping you understand the landscape of the city you’re working in. In a city like Nashville, which is small and very connected, spending time getting to know people can lead to real success. You never know where a simple connection might take you.

7. Are there any tools or frameworks you rely on when making strategic decisions around community development—something you consistently refer back to that you could share to help guide our readers in shaping their own strategies?

I wouldn’t say there’s always been  a well-thought-out strategy behind everything I’ve been involved in, especially on the nonprofit side. I’ve let my heart guide me when choosing where to invest my time. Over the years, I’ve participated in many different nonprofits, whether by chairing events, serving on boards, or being part of development or marketing committees to help raise funds.

That said, the framework for deciding where to get involved really comes down to what you’re passionate about. Whether it’s business or volunteer work, the intersection of your strengths and passions is where you’ll find the most fulfillment. I discovered my love for events through chairing them for various nonprofits and helping to raise money. So my advice would be: do your due diligence and find where your strengths and passions overlap. That’s where you’ll find the connection and the purpose you’re looking for.

8. Can you share some wellness tips or practices that have personally helped you lead a more balanced and meaningful life?

Wellness isn’t really my forte, but the most important thing for me is my faith. I’m a Christian and have a deeply personal relationship with Christ, my savior. That faith grounds me and directs all of my intentions and actions. 

When it comes to wellness, I love walking and hiking. I’m not really into intense workouts like boot camps, but I do value downtime, something I didn’t fully embrace early in my career. There were times I really burned myself out because I did not prioritize rest. Learning to embrace what recharges you is important. 

I’m a big-time extrovert, so I don’t need much alone time to recharge. In fact, being by myself for too long can actually drain me. I find that spending time with friends, family, and my little dog Minnie Pearl—along with taking walks—helps me reset and feel ready for whatever comes next. Of course, if you’re an introvert, you might need more solo time, so it’s really about listening to yourself and finding what works for you. For me, that’s time with the people I care about who fill me up.

9. What advice would you give to your younger self, and why?

If I could give advice to my younger self, it would be not to be so scared of failure. I spent so much time trying to please everyone around me that I didn’t take the time to focus on what truly worked for me. Looking back, I should have spent more time figuring out where my talents and interests came together. That’s really where you’ll find your sweet spot.

If there’s one piece of advice I could give to young people in the corporate world or young entrepreneurs, it’s this: take the time to figure that out. I really wish I had done that earlier in my career.

10. What aspects of your work energize you the most, and what are some of your hobbies or interests outside of work?

What energizes me at work is definitely helping people who come to Nashville and showcasing the finer side of our city. Nashville is a fantastic place, and while many associate it with live music, eating, and drinking, there’s so much more it has to offer. Yes, we’re ‘Music City,’ but we also have a thriving arts scene, beautiful parks, and plenty of attractions that go beyond the typical Broadway experience. I love surprising and delighting clients by showing them a side of Nashville they weren’t expecting. Outside of work, I enjoy trying out new restaurants and hiking in our local parks. I’m also a big reader, although don’t ask me the name of the book I’m reading because I probably won’t remember! I’m always reading something, and that’s something I truly enjoy.

11. Is there a book that’s especially close to your heart—something that’s stayed with you or influenced you in a meaningful way?

I’m always reading a business book and a personal book at the same time, so let me think. One book that’s really close to my heart is The Five Love Languages. They have different versions for relationships, for kids, and even for the workplace. It really resonates with me because it ties back to what I said about serving others. If you understand how the people around you need their ‘love bucket’ filled, they’re going to feel supported and be more motivated to do the same for you. It’s such a powerful concept, and I reread it every few years—it never gets old.

12. Do you have a favorite quote or mantra, aside from the one you mentioned earlier, that inspires or motivates you?

I have two mantras that are very close to my heart. The first is, ‘On this day and in this moment, I am exactly in the middle of God’s perfect plan.’ This reminds me that I am exactly where I’m meant to be, whether I’m ahead or behind where I thought I would be. It’s a reminder that even in uncharted territories, God’s got me. My second mantra is, ‘Success is serving others.’ It’s been my guiding principle, especially in my professional journey, and it’s all about putting others first to achieve success.

Anne Elizabeth McIntosh’s story is a beautiful blend of faith, purpose, and dedication. Anne Elizabeth’s journey proves that success isn’t just about what you achieve, but how you uplift those around you. Her path is a reminder that when you align your passions with your values, you create something truly impactful—both for yourself and your community.