About Ray Keilman

Greetings fellow corporate burnouts!

My father worked at the same company for 43 years to the day, and earned himself a pension in the process.

Assuming I was designed to do the same, I tried over and over to live the 9-5 life, but found it a constant struggle deep in my soul. I gave years of my life, received no loyalty in return, and the thought of a pension was laughable.

Then I would come home every night and work on my own myriad creative projects waiting for the day that one of them took off.

In the meantime, my career meandered from graphic design to brand management. I began to see the real power and purpose of branding, at the intersection of design, psychology, storytelling and self-expression.

I found that getting a handle on those aspects of myself provided a clarity of mind that was like the lifting of a veil.

Further, it became clear that providing that sort of peace of mind to other creative entrepreneurs was the most powerful thing I could offer the world.

So let’s work together to see your business blossom into its full potential. Let’s build a legacy out of that which you already are. Let’s UPyours!

Why “UPyours”?

I enjoy naming things. It usually involves a long period of brainstorming, experimenting and general agonizing. But when I decided to start a business, the phrase “up yours” emerged and I immediately embraced it without considering anything else.

It was a clear message to that corporate machine that chews people and spits them out, thoughtlessly wrecking lives, plans and dreams.

But I also saw a message of inspiration.

If I were to be happy with myself as a business owner, it would have be a business that applied my knowledge to the service of others, helping them see their potential and understand that the life they dream of is genuinely possible.

That’s why my logo has a star inside the U.

It represents the spark that’s inside you.

“You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.”

Robin Williams