How Our Journey Began

Meet Our Founder

Karen Haley

Up to Par Tea was born from a deep love of elegance, fantasy, and the belief that every person — regardless of age or background — deserves to feel royally refined. Founder, Karen Haley, has dedicated her craft to creating immersive etiquette experiences that are as magical as they are meaning.

With a passion for fine dining, fairytale aesthetics, and the art of gracious living, Karen, personally trains each client — from the youngest princess to the seasoned corporate professional — in the world of social dining etiquette. Her mission is simple: to prepare every guest for the par-tea of life. Our Founder: Karen Haley has developed a model of transforming her life, and that of others after experiencing loss in understanding the necessity of how to exist in certain rooms by exemplifying class, grace and etiquette. This social acumen has allowed her to climb the corporate ladder in the accounting field to become an Accounting Manager, Senior Property Management Accountant and interim Controller positions with multiple investment companies- within large-scale corporations. She has been selected to represent brands, the company image and requested to represent corporate entities in dining in social circuits. While turning her calling to ministry into a passion of helping others to heal through service, counseling, modeling elegance and making things beautiful, Karen Haley has decided to turn such understanding of social dining etiquette into a business enterprise to help others exist in social circles.

Whether it's a whimsical princess tea party, a mother-daughter etiquette session, or a corporate dining workshop, Karen brings warmth, expertise, and a touch of royal magic to every table she graces. To add to this, Karen Haley is a certified etiquette consultant, event and party planner.

Karen Haley has a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling, and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a history of being employed by some of the most elite brands in service, and other businesses. Through her interests, and history in fine dining and social settings, she understands how the inability to engage within social constructs impacts the mental health of members of different environments. It is her desire to share the impact of social dining experiences in etiquette to continue to open doors to all groups in an effort to advance a more cultured society. Karen Haley has taught Business Fundamentals  to children via The Business Center, and Sunday School teachings at prominent mega-churches within Philadelphia, PA. She has been fortunate to learn fine dining experiences, and service through a position at the Union League of Philadelphia, engaging her knowledge of class, and service. As well as, in working for restaurateurs, such as the Bynum Brothers in Philadelphia, PA. In further developing honor, and service to the community, Karen, has volunteered as a member of the Honor Guard building trust and integrity with the community, and families when she served with the City of Philadelphia Police Department. Karen Haley wants to bring her knowledge of social dining to her passion for girls (and little gents, too) to servicing youth through etiquette training to bring them up to par with society by preparing each client to exist in the room with their peers. To add to her sense of tableware knowledge, and service, Karen employs her experience in working for Bloomingdales, Cache, and MAC Cosmetics in sharing her knowledge of taste and aesthetic. It is her desire to share the impact of social etiquette through a course of etiquette training to support everyone’s ability to engage socially in celebrating diversity.

Our Mission

Where Etiquette Meets Enchantment

At Up to Par Tea, we believe that knowing how to carry yourself at the table is one of the most powerful gifts you can give yourself or your child. Social dining etiquette opens doors, builds confidence, and creates connections that last a lifetime.

We weave that education into experiences that feel less like lessons and more like living inside a fairytale — because learning should be as beautiful as the world you're being prepared to enter.

From intimate one-on-one sessions to grand princess-themed celebrations, every Up to Par Tea experience is thoughtfully curated to leave each guest feeling polished, confident, and ready for any table they're invited to.