$50K to secure the space and build it out. We need $100K total—but we're starting here, with you.

This Started With a Dream on Scraps of Paper

For more than a decade, Jules and Oakley carried an idea with them. Kitchen table conversations. Notebooks. Late-night talks about the kind of world they wished existed.

Three years ago, they stopped dreaming and started building.

With $2,700 and a handful of people who believed in them, they painted walls, bought supplies, and created something that didn't exist before: a place where their community could actually connect.

No investors. No business plan written by consultants. Just a mom, her daughter, and the people around them saying: "We need this. We need you."

What Happens When You Actually Listen to Your Community

Jules and Oakley didn't decide what Wicked Rae's should be. Their community did.

They asked for a place to bring their kids. ✅ Done.

They asked for workshops that felt safe and creative. ✅ Done.

They asked for a space where families could reconnect. ✅ Done.

They asked for team-building that actually builds teams. ✅ Done.

They asked for a place where artists could afford to work. ✅ Done.

They asked for wellness programming. ✅ Done.

3,000+ people have walked through their door. Not because of marketing. Because word spread. Because it works. Because Jules and Oakley actually see people.

The demand keeps growing. The current space can't keep up.

The Gilmore Girls Energy Is Real

If you've ever watched Gilmore Girls, you know the vibe: fast-talking, witty, deeply connected, finishing each other's sentences, and absolutely committed to their people.

That's Jules and Oakley.

They know their regulars by name. They remember what your kid is working on. They ask about your week. They celebrate your wins. They show up.

That's not a business model. That's love.

And it's exactly why their community is asking them to stay and grow.

They've Bootstrapped Everything. Now They're Ready to Scale.

Jules and Oakley have done the impossible with almost nothing:

But they've outgrown their space. The demand is real. Families want more. The community is asking them to expand.

They found the perfect location. It's bigger. It's permanent. It's in the heart of the community.

Now comes the hard part: making it real.

Total Costs: $100K

This is the full picture. The real cost of doing it right.

Securing the space:

First month's rent, security deposit, and lease setup: ~$15K

Legal and administrative costs: ~$5K

Building it out (so it actually works):

Professional-grade art studios and workshop areas: ~$25K

Café equipment and setup: ~$15K

Furniture, storage, and accessibility upgrades: ~$15K

Technology, sound system, and lighting: ~$10K

Signage, branding, and wayfinding: ~$5K

Getting it open and running:

Insurance, permits, and licensing: ~$5K

Initial staffing and training: ~$5K

Serving the community from day one:

Programming supplies and materials: ~$5K

Total: $100K to do this right.

But We're Not Asking for Everything. We're Asking for $50K.

Here's why we're being honest about the full number:

We want you to know the real cost. We want you to understand that this isn't a quick fix or a Band-Aid solution. This is a permanent investment in our community.

With your $50K, we can:

✅ Secure the lease and get the keys

✅ Build out professional art studios and workshop spaces

✅ Install café equipment so people have a place to linger

✅ Make the space accessible and welcoming

✅ Get permits and insurance in place

✅ Open the doors

That's the foundation. That's the proof of concept. That's us saying: "We're doing this."

The remaining $50K will come from:

Ongoing community support and donations

Corporate partnerships and sponsorships

Grant funding we're pursuing

Revenue from programming and café operations

People like you who believe in what we're building

We're not asking you to fund the entire dream. We're asking you to fund the first step. And we're being transparent about what comes next.

What This Space Will Be

Not just bigger. Better.

☕ A café where people linger and connect

Professional art studios with room for multiple workshops

‍‍‍ Family programming areas designed for real connection

Affordable workspace for local artists and facilitators

Event space for community gatherings and partnerships

♿ Fully accessible facilities

A permanent home for what Jules and Oakley have built

This is the space their community asked for.

Why This Matters

Jules and Oakley didn't start Wicked Rae's to build a business. They started it because their community needed a place to belong.

Every dollar you donate says: "We see what you've built. We believe in you. We want you to stay and grow."

It says: "Keep doing this. Expand it. Serve more people."

It says: "You matter to us."

How You Can Help

Donate: Every contribution funds their next chapter

Share: Tell your network about Jules, Oakley, and what they're building

Participate: Attend an experience and become part of the community

Partner: Connect them with collaborators, sponsors, or investors

Advocate: Tell others why this matters

About Jules & Oakley

Founded: Wicked Rae's in 2023

Background: A mother and daughter with a dream and a $2,700 budget

What they've built: A thriving creative community that's served 3,000+ people in three years

What they're known for: Showing up. Listening. Seeing people. Making magic happen.

The secret weapon: Bones-Fish, their English Foxhound and self-appointed Director of Morale

The Ask

We're $50K away from opening the permanent space our community has been asking for.

Will you help Jules and Oakley move into a bigger location? Will you help them build it out right? Will you help them serve the community that's been asking them to grow?

Donate today. Share their story. Be part of what they're building.

With gratitude,

Jules McVey & Oakley Rae & Bones-Fish

Co-Founders, Wicked Rae's

P.S. Bones-Fish fully supports this project and will happily accept payment in treats.

No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or promotions are offered in exchange for any donations made to your GoFundMe.