Spotlighting Hugs Cafe: Inclusive Employment & Community—A Conversation with Lauren Smith and Kit Marchal | The Jennifer Hargrave Show (Dallas Divorce Attorney)
On this episode of The Jennifer Hargrave Show, Dallas divorce attorney Jennifer Hargrave sits down with Lauren Smith, Executive Director of Hugs Cafe, and Kit Marchal, Administrative Coordinator, to explore how this North Texas nonprofit builds inclusive workplaces for adults with disabilities. From their beloved Hugs Cafe in downtown McKinney to a new Dallas location, Lauren and Kit share how job carving, hands-on training, and supportive culture open doors for team members with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, TBI, and other diverse abilities.
Listeners will hear about Hugs’ four programs (Cafe, Greenhouse, Training Academy, and social programs), employer partnerships with brands like Raising Cane’s and Marriott, and the real cost—and robust scholarships—behind a 120-hour training that leads to meaningful jobs. Whether you’re navigating family transitions, co-parenting, or looking to strengthen your business culture, this conversation is a powerful reminder that dignity, opportunity, and community can thrive together.
Transcript:
Jennifer Hargrave:
If you’re lucky enough to love or know someone with a disability, you’re not going to want to miss today’s show. We’re interviewing Hugs Cafe about the amazing work they’re doing to provide hope and success for the wonderful, diverse community they serve.
Also—fun news—the first 100 people who leave a comment on this video will be entered to win a $100 gift certificate to Hugs Cafe. Hugs is located in McKinney, and they’re about to open a location in Dallas as well!
My guests today are Lauren Smith, Executive Director of Hugs Cafe, and Kit Marshall, who sounds like the administrative guru of all things. I’m so excited to have you both here to talk about your mission and the impact you’re making. Lauren, I’ll let you start.
Lauren Smith:
Thank you so much for having us. Kit and I are thrilled to be here. We appreciate the opportunity to share our mission, our expansion, and what happens when you believe in incredibly talented people.
Jennifer:
I love that. So, what is the mission?
Lauren:
HUGS stands for Hope, Understanding, Grace, and Success. We employ and empower individuals with disabilities—including people with autism, traumatic brain injuries, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other diverse talents. If you’re a diversely talented team member, you’re part of the family at Hugs.
Jennifer:
What does that look like in practice?
Lauren:
We have four programs focused on individuals with disabilities: our Cafe social enterprise, our Greenhouse social enterprise, our Training Academy, and a handful of social programs that support continued growth.
Jennifer:
If I’m in the neighborhood and want to support—or I just want a tasty meal—what’s my first entrée into Hugs?
Kit Marchal:
The Shaky HUG—our classic chicken salad sandwich. It’s perfect. And don’t skip the wedding cake cookies. Seriously—just go! We’re in downtown McKinney. It’s so cute—people say it feels like Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls. Cutest place, best meal.
Jennifer:
Are people coming from all over to dine at Hugs Cafe?
Kit:
We actually have a guest book. The last signature I saw was from Taiwan! You can flip through and see visitors from all over—not just DFW or Texas. The mission has touched people around the world.
Jennifer (laughing):
So, Hugs Cafe International—coming soon?
Kit (smiling):
We do have volunteers who’ve said, “If you open Hugs Cafe Fiji, I’ll go train there. Don’t worry about it!”
Jennifer:
What’s unique about the cafe—beyond the amazing food? Tell me about the day-to-day.
Kit:
You’ll meet the happiest people coming to work. You’ll be greeted with a hug—often by someone who just can’t wait to welcome you. Ricky, our front-of-house lead, will offer you a Hugs mug—he can sell those like nothing else! The service, the food, the interactions—you’ll see how much the job means to our employees and how much they enjoy being there.
Jennifer:
So the employees doing the cooking, serving, and selling are people across a spectrum of disabilities?
Lauren:
Yes. The Cafe was our flagship program—born from a dream. Our founder, Ruth Thompson, and her husband felt called—by faith and belief in people—to build something bigger than themselves. No nonprofit or restaurant background—just conviction. Today, around 80% of our staff represents our mission. You’ll see dozens of individuals with disabilities doing every job in the cafe. That model became the seed for replication.
Jennifer:
The “S” in HUGS is Success. What does personal success look like for your team?
Kit:
Success looks different for everyone. For some, it’s a first job—no one’s ever taken a chance on them. We do the opposite: we see unique talent and find the fit. We practice job carving—instead of forcing someone into a role, we meet them and create responsibilities that match their strengths.
Sometimes success is a predictable, twice-a-week schedule and friendship. Sometimes it’s starting at Hugs and then trying something new in life. There’s room to move and grow—no one is “stuck” in a role. Whatever you want to explore, we find space so you feel fulfilled at work and in life.
Jennifer:
Amazing. What does the training look like? Many candidates may have little or no prior work experience.
Lauren:
Our Training Academy serves those we don’t directly employ (or who need introductory experience). Trainees earn food handler certifications, fire extinguisher training, and complete a six-module National Restaurant certification—over 120 hours of in-person instruction.
We keep a waitlist for direct employment in our Cafe and Greenhouse. When opportunities open, we begin job carving. We’ve also expanded to employment partners—like Raising Cane’s and Marriott Hotels—who hire our graduates as permanent employees. We act as a liaison and provide ongoing support. If we can employ 100 people with disabilities, every employer can employ one.
Jennifer:
What’s the cost for the training?
Lauren:
The 120-hour in-person program is $3,200—all-inclusive. There are no extra job-placement fees. If $3,200 doesn’t fit your budget, we offer scholarships. I’m proud to say no one has been turned away due to lack of funds. We meet everyone where they are.
Jennifer:
Do you offer education for employers who hire your graduates?
Kit:
Definitely. Many start as mock diner partners—they come to the Training Academy and enjoy a full-service meal prepared and served by trainees (greeting, cooking, two-minute checks—the works). After seeing it, a lot of partners say, “We’re in.”
When a graduate interviews, we send their job coach to communicate any needed accommodations and to help the employee self-advocate. Once accommodations are in place, these hires are often among the best employees you’ll ever have. It’s not hard—it’s just about learning how to welcome talent you might have overlooked.
Jennifer:
And in a tight labor market, that’s a win-win. You’re also growing—new headquarters and expanding cafes?
Lauren:
We’ve been fortunate. Year over year, our Cafe revenue has grown; we’re busier, we cater, and we do holiday pies—check online for those! Our team keeps advancing, and we knew our proof-of-concept needed replication.
As a nonprofit that prioritizes people over profits, replication has to make sense. Our new headquarters will be a forever home we own. For a second cafe, we needed similar support. The Meadows Foundation became an incredible partner: in a 32-minute conversation, they offered us a 3,200-sq-ft building with a $0 agreement—forever. They also funded significant infrastructure. Thanks to that generosity, we went from dream to reality in under a year. Our grand opening is this December.
Jennifer:
That’s so exciting. You also license your model, right? How can others connect?
Lauren:
Yes—we license our Training Academy curriculum (currently in five—almost six—states) and mentor people launching their own social enterprises. Some are families with loved ones in the disability community; others are day programs or nonprofits seeking sustainability. Our model taps local communities to reduce vulnerability to changing federal funding.
Jennifer:
Kit, how did you get involved with Hugs Cafe?
Kit:
It’s a winding story! In 2022, I was graduating college with little work experience. I’d been a tutor in high school, lived at home, and—mid-COVID—I didn’t like leaving the house or interacting with people. I knew about Hugs from my mom, a donor who loved visiting. I applied to volunteer and saw a question: “Do you have experience working with adults with disabilities?” I answered, “I am one.”
A day later, Hugs called: “Were you looking to volunteer—or for a job?” I said, “I could take a job.” Within a week I was onboarding at Hugs Greenhouse. It was a small, kind, patient environment—about ten employees—and I grew so much. If you’d met me in 2020 versus 2022, you wouldn’t believe I’m the same person. I barely spoke then.
After about a year and a half, I applied to my dream Disney College Program—and got in! It was amazing but intense. I came home in January and messaged Lauren: “Do you have room for me anywhere?” I started as an unpaid intern for three weeks, then became Marketing Associate for six months, and now I’m Administrative Coordinator—coordinating tasks, events, documents—so much more than I ever imagined.
Lauren (to Jennifer):
She just listed a hundred jobs! Until opportunities were presented in a culture of self-empowerment, “volunteer” was the mindset that society had set for her. Now we’re talking about bigger roles for her. I’m so proud—she’s crushing it.
Kit:
It meant everything to get the job. I’d applied for internships in college and never got one—lack of experience, tough market. I felt like I had nothing to show. Hugs became a pipeline I couldn’t have imagined. Now I can list hard skills and soft skills—interpersonal skills I didn’t have before. It’s life-changing.
Jennifer:
Kit, you’re a shining light—and not available for hire!
Lauren (laughing):
Correct—not available. But she will come speak at your business about culture and opportunity.
Jennifer:
We’ve just opened a new office in McKinney, so we’ll be by often—both to dine and to cater events. You’re doing such good work, and it’s a joy to spotlight it.
Lauren:
What’s special about Hugs is that people find us by accident or exactly on purpose. You learn about a diversely talented team over a cup of coffee or a turkey sandwich. We place our cafes where those conversations happen organically. You don’t have to decide that today’s the day you’ll change the world—we’re doing that every day people walk through our doors. Everyone is accepted. It will lift your week.
Jennifer:
Make sure you check out Hugs Cafe—we’ll include a link. We’re excited to hear about the new Dallas cafe (and, I have a feeling, many more to come).
Lauren:
You might see us on the road across the U.S.—and definitely keep an eye out for Kit’s next adventure after Dallas.
Jennifer:
Be sure to leave a comment below to enter the $100 Hugs Cafe gift certificate giveaway—perfect for lunch, coffee, pies, and of course, those cookies. If you don’t want the pressure of holiday baking, Hugs has you covered. Or just come by for breakfast or lunch.
Thank you both for being here!
