Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Smith.
Hi Hannah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My work background up to this point has been in caregiving and applied health sciences. I have a degree in Public Health and a Physical Therapist Assistant license. I have worked in group homes for adults with disabilities, treatment facilities for teenagers struggling with mental health and substance abuse, as a behavioral therapist for children on the autism spectrum, and as a PTA in an outpatient orthopedic clinic. I have been a private elder caregiver, nanny, and respite care provider. I have taught courses on addiction, abuse prevention, and Narcan administration.
I have seen people in nearly every type of pain you can imagine, emotional and physical, throughout my life. I see how the system fails them, how government programs allow them to slip through the cracks, and how even their own community often abandons them. This drives my commitment to serving my community without bureaucracy or red tape. I want to have a village and be a villager.
In November 2024, I was happily working in a Physical Therapy clinic. I thought it was my dream job. I spent my days treating patients and my nights researching how to improve their treatment. In January 2025, I sustained a concussion and brain injury. Suddenly, I couldn’t exercise, control my sleep-wake cycles, or work a consistently physical job. But my mind was active, perhaps even more active than it was. And I don’t know if it was the sudden health crisis or a change associated with the brain injury, but I suddenly felt like I didn’t have much to lose anymore so I might as well go for it. I had a lot more audacity.
After a brief pity party for my health, I took that opportunity to read and research everything I could find about nonprofit structures, IRS regulations, and legal processes to establishing a nonprofit. I had always wanted to do this, and though not in the way I would have expected, I suddenly had ample time to work on it.
After seeing where some nonprofits get stuck, I founded Once Upon A Table, a nonprofit social enterprise that funds basic needs assistance through rentals of affordable, ethically sourced décor and tableware. By creating a nonprofit that includes a sustainable revenue stream outside the nonprofit sector, we can cover operational expenses, redirect profits, and use 100% of donations to address essential needs like food, shelter, and transportation.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In many ways, I’m pleasantly surprised by how smoothly the journey has unfolded so far. Within our first year, we formed a Board of Directors, completed all necessary incorporation paperwork, secured a trademark for our name, obtained our 501(c)(3) designation, successfully executed 55 events, and distributed over $16,000 in direct community assistance, all without debt or grants.
However, both the wedding industry and the nonprofit sector come with challenges, particularly due to the low barrier to entry that breeds competition (in both sectors). There’s a constant need to differentiate ourselves and prove our value. Though we reject the capitalist mindset and believe in community over competition, securing paying clients is still integral to our success.
On a personal level, I face physical limitations that affect my work. I have to adapt and accomodate (sometimes daily) to manage my health and maintain my capacity to serve.
Additionally, our commitment to a low-barrier, radical trust-centered approach often means challenging traditional systems. Convincing others of the value in rapid, flexible assistance without eligibility requirements can be difficult. Yet, these challenges reinforce our dedication to dignity and accessibility for those we serve.
While our model aims to merge mutual aid with the structure of diversified revenue, the complexity of this approach can make it challenging to gain broad understanding and support.
We’ve been impressed with Once Upon A Table, Inc. , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Once Upon A Table, Inc. Core Values
1. Inclusivity: Everyone is welcome at our table, provided they offer that same welcome to others. While many faith-based organizations do important work, we are not religiously affiliated, ensuring no one is limited by beliefs or backgrounds to participate in our programs.
2. Accessibility: We believe basic needs like food, housing, and healthcare should never depend on income. Joy, celebration, beauty, and belonging are also fundamental needs that should be accessible to all.
3. Dignity: We meet needs in ways that respect and uplift. We minimize barriers to support and avoid burdensome documentation, we uphold the belief that no one should have to prove their pain to receive care.
4. Sustainability: Our choices promote self-sufficiency, responsible stewardship of resources, and reduced waste, ultimately supporting long-term community and environmental wellbeing.
What Sets Us Apart: Once Upon A Table specializes in sustainable, unique event décor rentals and personalized, colorful tablescapes made from secondhand vintage items. We intentionally integrate sustainability, creativity, and celebration alongside our commitment to social justice, believing that joy and creative expression are acts of resilience against systemic oppression.
The name itself carries intention and meaning:
“Once Upon A” evokes stories of the past, the histories imbued in our vintage and thrifted inventory, the lives these items have already touched. It also speaks to the larger work: changing the stories of our neighbors through mutual aid.
“Table” holds deep symbolism. Tables are where we gather, share food, share stories and perspectives, hold meetings, make decisions, and build community. And then there’s the literal meaning: this tableware was *once upon a table* (someone else’s table) and now it becomes part of your story.
We offer:
– Tableware (place settings, centerpieces, and glassware)
– Servingware
– Table linens
– Decorative accents
– Vintage brass, pewter, gold, and silver-plated décor and statement pieces
– Backdrops, mirrors, and custom signage
– Yard games
At Once Upon A Table, we’re not just providing rentals; we’re fostering community connection through creativity and care. Our aim is to show that beauty and support can coexist, transforming both events and lives.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I find immense value in connecting with individuals and organizations that advocate for social justice and sustainable practices. Books on mutual aid, social equity, and nonprofit management inspire me and fuel my commitment to innovative solutions. Engaging with creators and educators that share our values keeps me motivated and informed.
However, the most vital resource is the community we serve. They know their needs best, and no amount of theoretical or philosophical knowledge can replace the essential act of listening without judgment to determine how we can genuinely help.
In our desire to assist others, it’s easy to want to impose our perceptions of what they need or what they’re allowed to ask for. At Once Upon A Table, we prioritize authentic dialogue and collaboration to avoid making those assumptions.
This approach extends to the nearlyweds and event hosts we serve; their design vision is paramount, and we want them to feel represented in our décor. Through this commitment to community engagement, we strive to create meaningful experiences that truly reflect the stories and dreams of those we work with.
Pricing:
- Tablecloths: $12.00 – $22.00 each depending on material
- Plates: $0.50 – $1.50 each depending on material/style
- Glassware: $0.50 – $4.00 each depending on materal/style/size
- Flatware: $0.50 per 5-piece set
- We also offer all-inclusive table décor packages for $25/guest, including place settings, centerpieces, candles, and table florals, for clients who want a seamless, one-stop experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.onceuponatable.rentals
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onceuponatablesc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onceuponatablesc/
