Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kyra Green and Mariah Harbert. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kyra and Mariah, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Setting the table was both a privilege and a chore in our family – rarely anything in between. As kids, we either begrudgingly placed butter, glasses of milk, plates and silverware, or we fought to unpack the holiday Rubbermaids with Thanksgiving pilgrims and pumpkins, bright Easter decor or crystal nativity sets and Christmas china.
As we got older, and especially as we began hosting gatherings in our own homes, an appreciation for a well set table grew. What was a chore, evolved into a fun creative exercise. At the end of the day, it’s the people around the table that matter most, yet intentional little touches can make these memories even more magical. We realized setting the table can transport you through time and help you revisit old experiences while creating new memories. This idea has fallen by the wayside in some regard, and Table Set was a way to bring back that specialness.
We were taught early on how to do the basics right, but delighted in going a little extra. And when we did, people noticed or commented on the unique details we’d literally bring to the table. Many people want to achieve a certain look and feel, but lack the resources or items to make it happen how they envision. As party planners, we were able to help bring visions to life, but we saw a way to reach more people, while giving them the autonomy and tools to be their own planner.
There was a gap between expensive planning services and traditional rental companies. Hosts felt equal parts overwhelmed and inspired by Pinterest and wanted to pick and choose which parts of the party they hired out or tackled DIY. We wanted to empower people with access to tablescapes they could use for one event without over-investing. For one, who wants to store a funky pitcher you pull out once a year? Or pay for high-end wine glasses you’re only using for that one 50th birthday dinner?
Shoppers have become more comfortable with rental models for clothes, or jewelry, even furniture, but the concept hadn’t fully translated into our dining rooms. Not in a way we could have seen ourselves taking advantage of yet. We were very intentional about building something that allowed users to experiment with aspirational items, pull in their own sentimental details and elevate whatever space they were in or occasion they were celebrating – even the everyday meals.
For us, it was also important to incorporate brands we respect and adore into the experience. Our tablescape box rentals and online store feature items from a number of female makers, many of whom are sisters, expert craftspeople, moms, founders and wonderful human beings. It’s a privilege to box up beautiful things and bring them to more people, while at the same time offering more sustainable, affordable and efficient options for entertaining.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?
Our motivation for Table Set is actually quite simple. We want hosts to get to their party faster, not have to run around looking for a vase or dashing out to get enough napkins. Too often the host is frazzled and burned out, not able to be fully present with their guests by the time the party starts. We hate that!
Our heart for Table Set is to help facilitate gatherings. We want to make it easy – and fun – to be a host. We want people to step outside their comfort zone a little and feel like they can try something different. And when the party is over, hosts simply pack up the dirty dishes, attach the shipping label and send back the mess. No storage, no hassle and access to pieces you may not ordinarily buy.
We launched with our Legacy Capsule, which is made up of four unique collections, each inspired by real people in our lives who influenced our appreciation for design, philosophy on hospitality and approach to business. In particular, our mother first taught us how to set the table and she continues to teach us lessons in what it means to be a gracious host and to chase after our goals with integrity and hard work.
The Phyllis is inspired by our grandmother and her home in Phoenix, Arizona where we spent many mornings drinking fresh squeezed orange juice and evenings setting the table with natural fiber placemats and the full nine yards. Much like the woman herself, this collection is understated but perfectly polished and undeniably coordinated, yet effortlessly fresh.
The James, our more masculine collection, is inspired by our dad and the men in our lives. Whether it’s caviar and potato chips or pie filling and coconut (as “salad” for dinner), the male hosts we know believe a meal can go against the rules and surprise you in the most memorable ways. Take a few risks and don’t take yourself too seriously. Do take the people around your table and in your kitchen seriously.
The Kenna is one of our most vibrant and bright collections, much like the muse behind it. Our sister is playful but polished, colorful and cute but all grown up. Perhaps a little young to install in the Legacy Capsule, we still felt it was a must launch for just about any occasion.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
When we first launched our business, we took a much more hands on approach. We launched into the party planning business providing services for high-end intimate events, larger scale weddings, corporate events and trade shows and experiential expos.
I still can’t believe Mariah did our first bridal shower event while pregnant and before she told me that weekend! Or that we executed on the most magical winter wonderland birthday parties (cocktails in globes and Indian food by a 2X Food Network Champion), while we alternated breaks to pump for our then 5 and 4 month olds. That might have been the moment that drove us to think inside the box instead. Literally.
It can be quite expensive and time-consuming to go out and piece together an entire tablescape for a single night. So that’s where Table Set comes in. We make it easy for a host or hostess to look good, and make looking good incredibly easy and straightforward. You book your tablescape online, choosing your look, your date, and your guest count. It’s delivered 2-3 days before your event. The box includes our Hostess How-To Guide that maps out how to set the table, add your own personal touch and turn up the dedicated Collection playlist.
Table Set is designed to elevate the special day and the everyday. It is about anchoring you to your most cherished family and friend moments, while setting the table for new ones.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
We started an event-centric business at what may seem like an in-opportune time… during the pandemic. Everything became difficult for just about everyone “during COVID,” we all know that. Despite the challenges with shipping and supply, it actually reinforced the whole idea of Table Set. People were going out to large gatherings and restaurants less, and re-experiencing the beauty of hosting someone in your own home and the intimacy and connection that creates. Table Set can be shipped anywhere in the continental US and used wherever your hosting heart desires, but we find that many like to use the settings in their own homes. For that reason, it is a perfect solution for intimate gatherings in this new age of hosting, but can scale to larger gatherings as well.
The idea that constraints are good for innovation is remarkably true and we experience it first hand over and over in our business. Not only did COVID impact our early inspiration, but we had to be ruthlessly picky about our launch capsule and every item in every collection because we were operating on a budget and a timeline we put in place. The result? Our Legacy Capsule, which offers renters some of the most exquisite and unique pieces, all dynamic enough to serve a variety of occasions.
Contact Info:
- Website: tableset.us
- Instagram: @its_TableSet
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itstableset
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/table-set/
Image Credits
Kelli Cyphers