Recalling her childhood, she said, "I grew up in Cleveland going to jazz clubs. My mom was a dancer in front of big bands my dad was a jazz musician. I spent a lot of time in that environment."

Upon arriving in Orlando in the late 80s, she was drawn to the emerging downtown scene. Her early experiences working at the Beacham Theater, then a jazz and blues club, shaped her practical approach to event production and artist relations. Those skills would come in handy.

Rae longed for a space that could seamlessly integrate the elegance of a supper club with the raw energy of alternative acts. This desire resonated with Jim Faherty, a fellow music aficionado, who would later become her business partner. They established the Sapphire Supper Club on Orange Ave. in 1994. The club quickly became known for its eclectic music programming, blending alternative rock with touches of jazz, blues, and industrial, all served alongside a menu boasting 22 martinis.

“I wanted to present things that were fun and interesting for everybody,” she said.

Rae aspired to craft a sense of community where artists and patrons alike felt appreciated and respected. This ethos permeated every aspect of the club, she says, from the meticulous selection of music played between live sets to the emphasis on top-notch customer service that extended to taking her staff on field trips to upscale establishments to observe and learn.

Rae understood that creating a welcoming atmosphere was crucial. She emphasized the importance of "making sure that the artists and the people behind the scenes are just as excited as the audience."

This meticulous attention to detail included carefully chosen playlists on the club's six-CD changer and ensuring that the bar staff was knowledgeable about the artists performing, fostering a sense of shared enthusiasm and engagement.

In the pre-social media age, promoting shows and building an audience required a resourceful and hands-on approach. Word-of-mouth was critical, along with eye-catching flyers and posters by designers such as Klaus Heesch and Thomas Scott.