We recently connected with Rachel Phillips and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea for my business was derived from the death of my first love, Tyrone Arnold. He was murdered shortly after graduating high school. Over the years of enduring so much heartache and pain, I decided to encourage young people to make the right decisions in regards to their academics and in life, because I knew what could happen when they sway away from their journey in life. We both had been given college basketball scholarships, then Tyrone made a really bad decision that ended his life. I was devastated. The idea was created over time, years to be exact. Things began as I watched friends become incarcerated, and then being there for them. I thought my love was enough, but learned that when someone doesn’t love and respect themselves, then how can I expect them to love and respect others? This is part of how, Educated Souls, LLC was created. Then things took a turn as my children were going through life, and I started substitute teaching where they attended school, and seeing the struggles of the youth. This is when I chose to engage with the youth, in hopes that they would choose to do the right thing, so that they were less likely to be incarcerated or experience an early death. The population that my youth organization serves reside in South Phoenix. My goal and idea has always been to own a horse ranch where men who get out of prison have a place to live and work, while mentoring the youth that resemble them, because I can do a lot, but I don’t look like the population I serve. And the youth could come to the ranch before and after getting into trouble. Come before in hopes of keeping them out of the system, but after if need be. The excitement is from my passion for horses and education, and in having the opportunity to show young men how great they are in hopes that they will love and respect themselves no matter what life throws their way!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

For a few years of my childhood, I was raised in a ministry titled, The Bible Tabernacle, in Venice, California. The church would pick children up in the neighborhood and take them camping for a week at a time, all summer, for free! The goal was to lead their hearts to the Lord. The Bible Tabernacle is still in operation to this day, I visit often, but they don’t have the camp anymore. This place instilled such greatness in me and my life. I believe the foundation from living here helped me get through life’s challenges along the way.. I had three dreams that Tyrone was going to die, so I took him the the Bible Tabernacle to get saved, I still remember that day, his smile was so impactful to my heart. I didn’t know at the time, but later felt like I did what I was supposed to do in regards to when you love someone with all your heart and soul. It was like I was given a chance to lead someone to the Lord, but didn’t realize this until later on down the line of experiencing life. I am most proud of all of my degrees and my children being great, having endured life with me through all the ups and downs. My goal is to write a book and a movie script; I have ten pages written already! Educated Souls, LLC mentors and tutors youth under eighteen and provides services that may or may not be obtainable by the youth. I have been doing this on my own for more than thirty years, spending money out of my pockets. My goal is to become a 501c3 in hopes of receiving donations, so the horse ranch can become a reality.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I’ve made a lot of things happen for the youth without money, by asking people to assist. Example; asking a local barber to cut their hair until I was able to pay. I took children to Sedona Slide Rock Lodge for the weekend, no charge. We also were provided a van from A-1 Vans for transportation services. The only thing I paid for was gas, and at the time, I barely had enough money to get us there and back. I also received gift cards from Fry’s and Safeway to provide nutrition for the trip. This was our first annual trip, eleven years ago. My grandmother taught me that it’s ok to ask, but I never asked for help for myself or my children, but I sure did when it came time to help children who weren’t my own. The resilience stems mostly from not having any money, but also from surviving life and always bouncing back from hard times.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of clients has been from the classrooms that I’ve subbed and taught at. My students have been my clients. I build rapports with parents and get permission to take students on field trips and what not, parents, siblings, and family members are always welcome.

Contact Info:

• Other: Cell phone number (602)575-3090 Call/text anytime