OUR TEAM
FORM, FUNCTION, & FAMILY
Olio is proud to be led by a dynamic mother-daughter duo with decades of event planning and business experience.
Sarah had been running her event planning company for several years when she recognized a significant gap in the market; clients were looking for a non-traditional event venue flexible enough to accommodate all kinds of functions and professionally operated and equipped with modern amenities. Sarah recruited Ellen to join her in this new venture as a partner, and they began a three-year journey of searching for the right commercial real estate investment, securing all of the necessary permits and loans, and building out the space of their dreams.
The result is Olio: a modern, industrial event venue.
Meet the team that makes it possible...
Sarah is proud to serve as a founding board member of the Andrew Graham Semper Fi Fund, overseeing the event planning for their annual fundraiser, the Boston River Run, since its start in 2013. Each year, the Boston River Run raises over $25,000 and hosts more than 500 participants.
SARAH NARCUS
Owner
Sarah, a Boston native, has been planning events of all sizes for more than 15 years. She is the owner and founder of Without A Hitch, a premier New England event planning company focusing on day-of coordination. Since starting the company in 2013, Sarah has worked with more than 400 brides, grooms, celebrants, and their families.
Her background in planning events started in the nonprofit industry in 2004, when she was responsible for coordinating the annual Shake it for Shelter fundraising event at COMPASS for Kids for several years. At Cradles to Crayons for over three years, Sarah oversaw all of the organization's signature events, including the 700-person annual Backpack-a-thon and the largest fundraiser of the year, the "Un-Gala". Sarah also worked at Facing History and Ourselves, where she planned their annual 900-person benefit dinner and advised their ten company offices on event strategy and execution.
Ellen is thrilled to be working closely with Sarah at this very special event venue. Their combined backgrounds and experience are a perfect match for those looking for a unique place to hold an event.
ELLEN BASCH
Owner
Ellen spent over 20 years in product development in the tech industry contributing to all phases of strategic planning and implementation. After leaving the business world, Ellen used her organizational and budgeting skills to get involved in her hometown of Lexington's town government. She served her precinct as a Town Meeting member as well as being a member of the town's Appropriation Committee. She also served on the Lexington Center Committee which focuses on commercial diversity, social and cultural activity, enhanced aesthetics, improved traffic flow, and increased parking in Lexington Center.
Most recently Ellen owned and operated a small retail shop in historic downtown Lexington, a shop that offered beads and materials for jewelry making, repairs, lessons and hosted events such as birthday parties, bachelorette parties, and bridal showers.
Kara spent a semester learning about customer service as a cast member at the Most Magical Place on Earth: Walt Disney World!
KARA FRIEDMAN
Venue Manager
Kara is so excited to be back at Olio and rejoin the team after her internship in Spring 2021! During her time as the Events and Outreach Intern, she worked on a number of projects, most notably a styled shoot that was featured in the blog
Wedding Chicks. Now, having recently graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Kara is back at Olio full-time as the Venue Manager. She is looking forward to getting started and making magic during events!
JOIN OUR TEAM
We are thrilled to offer several opportunities to join our growing team.
Olio is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply.
