,When you first walk into UP Inspired Kitchen, it feels like a ray of sunshine or a breath of fresh air and that is exactly what it feels like when you meet the creator, Rae. She beams a light in all that she does and cares deeply about her business, her family and the people she surrounds herself with. Megan was lucky enough to work with Rae and her husband, Mike through Favor Delivery, and more recently they have been so sweet in offering support and guidance on our Frisco Area Mom’s journey and we are so grateful! We are honored to get to know her a little bit more through the interview below and if you haven’t visited UP yet, you are missing out!
XO – M&M
Tell us a little bit about you!
Brand strategist, entrepreneur, visionary, CMO and mom are all titles familiar to Rachel Phillips-Luther. As the Founder of UP Inspired Kitchen, founder of RaeBeam and seasoned CMO, Rae has lived each day with a desire to make the biggest impact possible in the lives of others.
During her tenure as a CMO, she led Jamba Juice through a comprehensive brand reposition, Zoes Kitchen through a record setting IPO in 2014; after repositioning Zoës as a fast casual Mediterranean lifestyle brand. She began her career at global PR agency Fleishman-Hillard, where she recognized the importance of creating emotional equity with consumers by bringing a brand’s story to life. She’s successfully operationalized the approach and delivered positive top line revenue growth for every brand she’s managed.
Regarded as an inspirational leader and marketing visionary, she has been awarded DMN’s 40 Under 40, multiple Stevie Awards and D Magazine’s Dallas 500 (a list of the most powerful business leaders in DFW). Rae is an Advisory Board member of MILE and makes it a priority to give back to the community by working with high school boys through the Young Men’s Service League and through her work with UP and Frisco Family Services. Rae also mentors aspiring business leaders through the business leadership program for Frisco Independent School District and by mentoring young female entrepreneurs.
Her one word of advice to those who ask? Believe. Believe in you.
How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
4 boys, Garrett is 21, Ryan is 19, Chase is 11 and Jack Jack is 8
What’s your favorite thing about being a mom?
Everything! I love watching each of them grow into the men God intends and the hugs are also beyond compare!
How did you end up in Frisco?
We thought the Frisco area could benefit from a place perfect for families to feel their best, but yummy too!
What do you love about Frisco?
The people! We are overwhelmed by the love of people in the area
What’s your favorite restaurant in Frisco?
Well… UP of course!
What’s your favorite place to shop in Frisco?
We love all the boutiques in our center… from home décor at Oasis and Panache, to awesome outfits at Mainstream and gifting at Paper Affair, we don’t really have to leave the center to get what we need!
What’s your favorite thing to do when you need some “me time”?
Spa day with some of my close friends or a book on my front porch with a hot cup of coffee.
Tell us about your career.
I’ve been a corporate CMO for many years and then founded my own business nearly 3 years ago. I help organizations articulate culture and core values and then apply those to their business. It’s crazy rewarding and I absolutely love the work I do!
What do you love about your career?
I truly get to make work a place were people feel valued and create a sense of belonging!
What is one thing you look forward to every year?
My anniversary trip with my husband… my kids birthdays and Christmas… the whole season!
How do you juggle your career with being a mom and wife?
I give myself grace. I can’t be 100% in both, at the same time. So when I’m in work mode, I’m all in. When I’m with my kids, I’m all in. It allows me to give the most of myself and to ensure every minute is meaningful!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
Hmmm… probably the amazing benefit of dry shampoo. That was a game changer for me!
What’s one fun fact about you?
I like to make our car “dance” whenever Madonna comes on… and it scares my kids to death!
