We had the good fortune of connecting with Emma McCallie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emma, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
It was 2021, I’d been in Nashville a couple of years, and I wasn’t feeling fulfilled socially, almost to the point where I was ready to leave town. It felt hard to scratch the itch of a meaningful conversation beyond work, weather, and “what’s up?,” and that made it even harder to really form a connection with anyone I met.

By day, I was working in public service, helping reimagine how we recruit and retain Tennessee teachers. In the same way I looked at education or transportation, I started to think connection should be just as accessible. It’s that vital; research on research proves when we experience connection, we stay happier, we live longer, we look out for our neighbor, and our city gets stronger. I was keen to make that shift in my own life, in Nashville, and beyond.

So, it started with parties in my attic! I invited some friends, and I told them to invite their friends. It was a small space, and we played by my silly rules. That started with “no work, no weather” talk, and instead, I came up with conversation-provoking questions for the table. Those were the humble beginnings of all the spontaneous, delightful, authentic interactions between the 300-some-odd people who came through. So many connections started in that attic— by talking to strangers— and Folx Table was born.

What should our readers know about your business? WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM OTHERS? 

Folx Table is a platform for social connection through in-person experiences. It’s pretty simple: pull up a chair, talk to strangers, connect to something.

First, you “pull up a chair”: You buy a ticket to join a table of six people—who you don’t know—at restaurants, coffee shops, and bars around Nashville. Next, you “talk to strangers”: You and your tablemates cut through the small talk with question prompts from silly to vulnerable, like “what do you think the status of my ‘junk drawer’ is?” or “What’s the greatest lesson you’ve never learned?” And through it all, you “connect to something”: You make friends, open up like never before, and learn something about yourself. (Then you come back anytime.)

What sets us apart? We’re not a members club, or a dinner club, or a dating app.

Nobody has really solved connection for everybody; Folx isn’t about an exclusive membership or an endless stream of digital chances at connection. We believe people meet better in person, we set a clear expectation of finding friends first, and we believe people can form connections across all kinds of differences. Sure, Folx Table creates a fun atmosphere and a reason to get a little dressed up. Maybe it spares you the effort of joining a kickball league. But more than anything, it’s a way to help everyone experience a more connected life. That’s why we call it “The Sit Down Social Network.”

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF OR EXCITED ABOUT? 

1) Folx Table has set the new standard for connection and conversation. We’re constantly amazed by how quickly strangers open up about breakups, daydreams, and the real stuff in life when you give them a mic. We’ve built a brand and a program that allows folx to show up with the intention of bringing their full selves – expecting unique interactions in a way they wouldn’t have otherwise been able to access. Those high-quality encounters lead us all to more encouraged, rewarding lives.

2) I’m already proud of our year ahead! We’ve got a lineup of great events, strong partners, loads of tables, countless strangers, and a world of possibility for folx to experience connection. We can’t wait to meet you!

WAS IT EASY? IF NOT, HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES? 

No, it hasn’t been easy. But isn’t that the fun of being a founder?

The early challenge was getting restaurants on board. An entrepreneur knocking on the door requesting tables, dietary accommodations, and the willingness to host strangers asking oddball questions rightfully raised eyebrows. That being said, our partners to date have been nothing short of phenomenal. They’re community builders themselves and fully understand the power a delicious meal and profound conversation can have. Those partners have helped Folx Table avoid being pigeonholed as a supper club, and instead showcase the impact our tables and connections offer both the industry and city.

Now, we’re moving thoughtfully to scale, offering more Nashvillians the opportunity on any given night to talk to strangers. We’re moving quickly towards a Fall launch, staying focused on pulling up more chairs for folx to connect.

WHAT ARE THE LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNED ALONG THE WAY? 

It’s a long list, but I’ll choose two: (1) Talking to strangers presents a world of possibilities. Rare can we predict the outcome of such a conversation, (2) Ask for feedback, and ask for help. Continual improvement requires we let our guard down and remain open to others’ support. We’re not meant to take ourselves too seriously, nor go it alone.

WHAT DO YOU WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW ABOUT YOU OR YOUR BRAND AND STORY? 

“Talk to strangers” is our “Just do it.” It’s who we are, and it’s what our folx do.

For us, “talk to strangers” represents the spirit of Folx Table, because talking to strangers shouldn’t just happen at dinner parties. It’s a new posture toward connection in your life, wherever you are in the world. That’s how big we think this message is, and that’s why it drives everything we do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

A week! Buckle up! (Or rather, prepare to loosen that belt buckle). Let me first say, there are some all-star friends leading the charge of recommendations for where and what to eat around here, like Anas @nashvillehiddengems, Jenn @thehungryloner, Sara Beth @thetipjarnash, and Nicolette @nicolettethayer for The Nudge. But here’s my Emma list of neighborhood watering holes and Folx Table favorites:

COFFEE SHOPS – If we’re going to sit for a bit, we’d grab a cuppa from my neighbors, Retrograde or All People Coffee. Right down the road, we’ll go say hello to Mario and Alex at No Free Coffee for you to appreciate their drinks, space, and concept. Realistically, though, most of my caffeine intake these days comes from Switchyards. Their Humphrey’s and Crema roasts hit the spot.

BREAKFAST & LUNCH – I’m a frequent flier at Flora & Fauna. Their breakfast wrap and Morning Glory Cold Brew are my go-to’s. The team is delightful (even recently saved me from a cicada-encounter) and have created a space to linger longer in. Otherwise, you can find me at Ladybird Tacos. They draw doodles on my coffee cups and ask me about recent stranger moments. There is social serendipity from becoming a regular. Lastly, I could eat All Nothing Bagels (run by leading ladies Kathleen Sharpe and Kaye Whitacre) and sip on Weak Coffee until the cows come home.

DINNER – I love frequenting our Folx Table go-to’s for tasty pizza (Dicey’s, Frankies), Two Hands for healthy, filling fare, or Otaku Ramen for cozy nights. For neighborhood favorites, I’m a sucker for Folk. Their clam pizza, tiramisu, and Jordan’s cocktails have cured all ailes. Next door, Xiao Bao’s anything – but particularly the London Flower and okonomiyaki – will also take good care of you. Thank you, Chef Vann! Lastly, Mat Rice’s Pink Door cookies should land somewhere on our itinerary.

BARS – Depending on drink preferences, we can easily pick up some booze-free beverages from Killjoy. I’d be sure we enjoy patio time at Urban Cowboy (wave to Carly Summers in the Parlor Bar), stop in Schulman’s for their Table Side Spaghett, or visit Golden Pony for their agua frescas and friendly faces in Sam Graham and Liz Komoromi. Last but not least, we’ll head to Dino’s for late night eats and essential debriefs.

PEOPLE & ACTIVITIES – Let’s be sure to see Pink Pizza (otherwise known as Ellie Caudill) for a portrait to commemorate the trip. We’ll browse the aisles of Parnassus Bookstore, dance at Flamingo’s Flamboyance Fridays with Josh Owen, or run some miles with community-builders at 6Run5 Club. We’ll check out the Frist Art Museum before talking to more strangers and listening to jazz at Americano Lounge to round out the trip.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shout out?

In my daily orbit, our lean mean machine of three makes the Folx Table world go round. Dallas (Chief Operations Officer) and Garrett (Chief Marketing Officer) are my mission-oriented, laser-focused, whip-smart counterparts and such a tonic. Even more, it’s so much fun to build something real and lasting with your friends.

In the community, I’ve got such admiration for the hearts and effort behind 6Run5. We kick off each Tuesday from The Exchange Running Collective, and the business was founded to use running as a platform to cultivate meaningful change in lifestyle and culture. Together, they are building a diverse coalition, centering the experiences of people of color in the collective, creative, and community impact. So many strangers-now-friends were quick to welcome this extravert-now-2-mile-runner. Shoutout to Lauren and James Osborne, Stephen Love-Wade, Alison Templeman, Julian Curry, Rachel Koons, Trennie Williams, Joe McMahan, Pam Bedrock, Riley Collins, and Shawna McIntosh – among others!

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Nominate Someone: ShoutoutTennessee is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.