Hello!

I’m Sarah, the woman behind Lift Off, and I’m so glad you’re here. I’m passionate about helping creative professionals like you take control of your finances so you can focus on what you love most. Let me tell you a little bit about why!

Born to two full-time musicians, I grew up in a home that celebrated creativity and community. Immersed in the arts from a young age, I attended the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists and earned my BA in Theater from the University of Minnesota. I also danced with a semi-professional rhythm dance group, performing at international festivals in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and the Canary Islands. I’ve taught dance classes in Minneapolis and Duluth and have been an active musician for most of my adult life, traveling wherever music and opportunity have taken me. Whether it’s performing, teaching, or learning, music and dance have always been at the heart of my life.

My love for the creative community is what introduced me to the world of accounting. As a board member of the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association, I served on their finance committee and discovered how rewarding it is to help artists and organizations manage their finances. After leaving the board, they became my first client, and my passion for bookkeeping and supporting creatives grew from there.

Since then, I’ve become a QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor, taken accounting courses at the University of Minnesota, and built Lift Off, LLC into a bookkeeping and consulting practice tailored specifically to creative professionals, nonprofits, and small business owners. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible musicians, photographers, filmmakers, and entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the numbers so they can focus on what inspires them.

For me, bookkeeping is more than just balancing numbers—it’s about empowering people to achieve their dreams. As someone who’s spent years balancing creativity and business myself, I understand how overwhelming the financial side of things can feel. But I also know how transformational it is to have a solid foundation, clear records, and a partner who’s genuinely invested in your success.

When I’m not diving into QuickBooks, you’ll find me exploring—recent highlights include Colombia, the Bavarian Alps, Puerto Rico, and the Olympic Peninsula—or soaking up inspiration from music and dance, and sometimes all three at once!

So, what’s your next big dream? Let’s grab a cup of coffee—virtually or in person—and talk about how we can achieve lift-off together. I’d love to hear your story and explore how I can support your journey.

Warmly,

Sarah Cagley
Founder & Lead Bookkeeper
Lift Off, LLC