Sarah Grace Little

Consultant & Founder of Musician Nonprofit

As a consultant for Inn Cahoots—a unique hybrid of an Airbnb, bespoke hotel, and a large music venue with three stages—I was tasked with not only elevating the property’s operations but also spearheading the creation of a nonprofit organization to support local musicians.

• Community Engagement & Business Development: From the ground up, I worked closely with the existing team to enhance the venue’s operations, ensuring it met the high standards of hospitality and community engagement set by the owner. My efforts contributed to a stronger, more cohesive experience for both guests and artists.
• Nonprofit Creation & Membership Program: Currently leading the process of filing for 501(c)(3) status and building the framework for a membership-based nonprofit dedicated to benefiting local musicians. This initiative is designed to foster community growth and create long-term support for Austin’s vibrant music scene, aligning with my passion for giving back through hospitality and business-driven solutions.
• Hospitality & Venue Operations: Collaborated across departments to ensure the ventures progress while blending hospitality with a deep commitment to community building. My focus on high-quality experiences for guests and musicians alike helped foster a welcoming environment that supports local culture. By spearheading innovative approaches to resource allocation and strategic planning I implemented innovative programs to increase engagement.

As the manager of the Family Network membership program at the University’s College of Communications, I have honed skills essential to successful sales roles, including relationship-building, communication, and stakeholder management. I oversee a portfolio of potential and current donors, developing personalized engagement strategies to foster lasting partnerships. My responsibilities include organizing high-impact events, crafting targeted communication through newsletters, and cultivating connections that align donor interests with our philanthropic goals. By leveraging these relationships, I’ve driven increased participation and investment in our programs, ensuring long-term support and growth.

In my role as a consultant, I led the creation and execution of the business development strategy for Austin's exclusive new private social club, The Green Room, which caters to 100 elite members by invitation only. I was responsible for building the club’s foundation from the ground up, including:

• Sales Strategy & Member Acquisition: Developed and implemented a targeted sales strategy to engage Austin's most influential individuals, growing interest and securing membership through relationship-building and personalized outreach. Spearheaded all member recruitment and retention efforts, ensuring a highly selective, invitation-only process.
• Project Management: Directed all aspects of the club’s launch, including project management for software selection, staffing (recruitment and training), event coordination, and menu curation. Led cross-functional teams to ensure a seamless and timely opening.
• Event Planning & Revenue Growth: Organized high-profile opening events and member-exclusive experiences designed to build community and foster long-term engagement, driving event-related revenue and upselling additional services.
• Relationship Management: Maintained direct communication with members, acting as the primary contact for all member relations, ensuring exceptional service, satisfaction, and retention.

As one of the founding directors of Pershing, Austin’s premier bespoke members-only venue, I played a pivotal role in shaping the club’s identity and growth. Pershing distinguishes itself from traditional country or dinner clubs by focusing on immersive experiences in live music, art, and community. My role spanned multiple leadership functions, but my core contribution was in business development, sales, and high-end client management.

• High-End Membership Sales & Client Acquisition: Spearheaded membership sales for Austin’s elite, achieving an average of 25 new members per month, with an 80% retention rate of resigning members. My efforts generated several million USD in new revenue annually, personally securing around 300 new memberships each year. I led high-touch interactions with potential members, crafting tailored experiences that aligned with their expectations of exclusivity and luxury.
• Client Relationship Management: Acted as the primary point of contact for all prospective and current members, ensuring personalized service and fostering long-term relationships. I developed and implemented strategies to enhance member satisfaction, leading to high retention and sustained membership growth year over year.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Managed both front-of-house and back-of-house operations before transitioning into a fully client-facing role. Collaborated with the operations team to ensure smooth execution of high-profile private events and curated member programming, always ensuring that the experience exceeded expectations.
• Team Leadership & Event Execution: Led hiring, training, and internal staff development to ensure service excellence. I organized and executed exclusive events that enhanced the club’s reputation as Austin’s go-to destination for curated experiences, further solidifying the value proposition to high-end clients.

The Supper Club is a global, members-only network that creates exclusive, high-end social events in unique locations worldwide. When approached by founder Tamsin Lonsdale, I launched and developed the Austin chapter, driving business growth through strategic partnerships and membership acquisition.

• B2B Sales & Strategic Partnerships: Led the acquisition of high-profile corporate sponsors and forged strategic partnerships with luxury brands to elevate the club’s exclusive events. Closed deals that provided significant revenue streams and enhanced member experiences by aligning with brand sponsors catering to the sophisticated lifestyle of our clientele.
• Membership Sales & Growth: Curated a select group of high-net-worth individuals, conducting thorough vetting processes and closing membership deals. I was responsible for onboarding and nurturing relationships with new members, ensuring a seamless transition into the club’s exclusive network.
• Event Planning & Client Relations: Orchestrated bi-monthly events, including dinners, soirées, and private parties, catering to both members and corporate partners. Oversaw everything from vendor selection to seating arrangements, ensuring events not only exceeded expectations but also strengthened relationships between members and sponsors

While studying under Dr. Betsy Berry, a senior lecturer, and the late Dr. Don Graham, a renowned Texas literary figure, I had the unique opportunity to assist with a variety of academic and literary projects. This role allowed me to immerse myself in the world of creative writing, literary research, and academia.

• Creative Writing & Editing: Assisted with drafting, editing, and refining both academic manuscripts and creative works, gaining valuable experience in high-level writing and editorial processes. Contributed to literary projects that explored Texas culture, history, and storytelling.
• Research & Academic Support: Conducted in-depth research to support lectures and publications, focusing on literary analysis, historical context, and contemporary perspectives. Managed course materials, coordinated lectures, and facilitated student engagement in large, high-demand classes.
• Intellectual Collaboration: Engaged in meaningful discussions on literature, writing, and cultural studies with faculty, contributing to an academic environment that fostered creative thinking and scholarly growth. This experience continues to shape my personal development and academic pursuits.

Here’s a revised version that reflects your experience attending classes and studying alongside Jenna Luzzo during her time in the Social Work master’s program:

Academic Assistant & Peer Support
University of Texas at Austin, School of Social Work
20XX – 20XX

I had the unique opportunity to assist Jenna Luzzo, a graduate student in the School of Social Work at UT Austin, throughout her master’s program. As Jenna was quadriplegic, my role involved providing both academic and personal support, enabling her to fully engage in her studies and university life.

• Classroom Support & Note-Taking: Attended graduate-level social work classes alongside Jenna, taking comprehensive lecture notes and assisting with academic tasks. This experience deepened my understanding of social work principles and theories while sharpening my research and communication skills.
• Administrative & Academic Coordination: Managed email correspondence, appointment scheduling, and academic-related logistics, ensuring Jenna’s successful navigation through the program’s requirements. Collaborated with faculty and staff to facilitate accessible learning environments.
• Personal Growth & Academic Enrichment: This role allowed me to gain firsthand insight into the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in academic settings while broadening my own academic and personal development. It was an invaluable experience that strengthened my empathy, organizational skills, and understanding of social justice issues.