I don't just market technology. I build it.

Founder of The Penny Lane Project—a portfolio of AI-native platforms solving systemic gaps in career equity, creator autonomy, and workflow automation. 10+ years of digital strategy + full-stack development, shipping solutions 6-12 months ahead of market demand.

131K+ Content Views
218% Social Growth
300% Over-Goal Delivery
Sarah Sahl

The Story

From early adopter to builder

I'm a justice-sensitive continuous learner who identifies systemic gaps and builds the tools to solve them. That's what The Penny Lane Project is—a portfolio of AI-native platforms designed with intention, not accident.

My autism gives me a unique advantage: my mind is a pattern recognition operations machine. I've spent 10+ years in digital marketing strategy, but I've always been building—integrating technologies before they hit mainstream, architecting systems, solving problems with code.

While driving 218% Instagram reach growth and managing six-figure advertising budgets, I was simultaneously teaching myself full-stack development, integrating LLM APIs (Gemini, Claude, ChatGPT), and deploying production applications. I didn't transition into tech—I've been here all along, just on the strategic side.

The Penny Lane Project ships three core products: relevnt (AI-powered career equity), embr (creator-owned social infrastructure), and codra (visual AI workflow studio). Each solves a distinct problem. All are actively in development. Because I don't just see problems—I ship solutions.

Featured Projects

Mission-driven technical solutions

relevnt project

relevnt

AI-Powered Career Equity

Democratizing access to ATS optimization and job search technology for individual job seekers. Levels the playing field against corporate recruitment systems by bringing enterprise-grade tools to everyone.

AI/LLM Claude API GitHub Real-Time Data
embr project

embr

Creator-Owned Social Infrastructure

A creator-owned social media platform featuring mutual aid networks, gig work connections, indie music streaming, and creator-controlled monetization. Built to preserve freedom of speech and creator autonomy in an algorithm-controlled landscape.

LLM APIs Full-Stack Cloudinary Netlify
codra project

codra

AI Workflow Automation Studio

Visual AI workflow builder for non-technical teams—"Figma for AI Workflows." Orchestrates multi-agent LLM systems, custom integrations, and data pipelines without requiring code.

LLM Orchestration Multi-Agent React TypeScript

Case Studies

Proven impact across industries

HealthTech Associates

Project Manager (Contract) | May 2024 – Jul 2024

The Challenge

Build a scalable B2B CRM infrastructure for 1,390 senior-care facilities with executive-level contacts and execute a systematic enrollment campaign.

The Solution

Architected and deployed a Monday.com CRM system with custom pipelines, implemented GA4 and Tag Manager event tracking for funnel optimization, and executed multi-touchpoint campaigns combining cold outreach with targeted content.

The Results

1,390 Facilities Integrated
300% Over-Goal Recruitment
241% Instagram Growth

PCI Academy

Director of Marketing | Oct 2010 – Jun 2021

The Challenge

Drive consistent lead growth across three multi-state campuses while managing a fluctuating six-figure advertising budget and maintaining brand consistency.

The Solution

Developed and executed integrated omni-channel campaigns spanning website SEO, PPC advertising (Google Ads, Meta Ads), email marketing, and social media. Optimized spend allocation across digital and print channels for maximum ROI.

The Results

15-22% YoY Lead Growth
6-Figure Budget Managed
3 Campuses Directed

Aveda Institute Des Moines

Content Manager & Educator | Jan 2024 – Nov 2024

The Challenge

Increase social media performance and engagement while training 90+ student creators on brand voice and content creation.

The Solution

Implemented strategic content calendar, introduced AI-powered lesson planning (ChatGPT), established systematic Google Drive content collection, and created viral ASMR content demonstrating trend identification expertise.

The Results

218% Instagram Reach Increase
22K Top Video Views
80% Non-Follower Discovery

Content Portfolio

131K+ views, 2.4K+ likes across 28 videos

Technology & Tools

Early adopter across the full stack

LLM & Development

Gemini API Claude API ChatGPT API GitHub Netlify Cloudinary Full-Stack

MarTech & Analytics

Google Analytics 4 Tag Manager SEMrush Monday.com HubSpot

Advertising & Content

Google Ads Meta Ads LinkedIn Ads Canva CapCut WordPress

AI Tools

Midjourney Flux CinemaFlow Synthesia

Building The Penny Lane Project Actively Seeking Partners & Collaborators

I'm actively shipping The Penny Lane Project—a portfolio of AI-native platforms designed to solve systemic gaps. If you're interested in venture partnerships, strategic collaborations, investment conversations, or building together, let's talk. Always open to connecting with mission-aligned collaborators, advisors, and early believers.

Ankeny, IA
Download Resume