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September 6, 2007

Newsmaker: Allen brings touch of Purple to city

Cara Spilsbury

All children have a favorite color in their box of Crayolas, but Amy Allen’s hue of choice must have been purple.

She is the owner of Purple Crayon Studios, a design firm on Phoenix Row in downtown Haverhill. The business was started as a home-based venture three years ago, but Allen moved the operation to its location in April.

The company is actually named for one of Allen’s favorite books as a child, “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” a tale about a young boy who draws his own adventures with his magical art supply. She thought the crayon in the book symbolized her vision for her new company.

“He drew his imagination and I get to do the same type of thing,” the 26-year-old entrepreneur said.

Purple Crayon Studios’ primary business is Web design, but Allen also offers customized logos, letterheads, fliers, business cards, newsletters and more for businesses big and small. The firm helped create a corporate identity for such companies as the Keds Corp., Andover Public Safety and Pro-Turf Landscaping.

Allen had always been fond of computers, learning while playing with the programs and features, but she never thought of making that passion a career. She went to college to study environmental sciences before transferring to the University of Massachusetts Lowell and changing her major to information systems.

Her goal is to cater to small businesses in the city she has called home for two years.

In addition to her quick two-block commute to work each morning, she loves living in Haverhill because of the great restaurants and the close-knit community downtown.

And despite the challenges of owning a small business, Allen wouldn’t change this opportunity for anything. After getting her start doing Web design for Clear Channel, she finally has the chance to create her own masterpieces.

“I love the flexibility,” she said, “and I enjoy the wide variety of clients I have. I get to meet new people all the time.”

But the fact still remains that her venture with Purple Crayon Studios is time-consuming — to say the least.

“It doesn’t stop,” Allen said with a smile.

Age: 26

Birthplace: Knoxville, Tenn., but grew up in Dracut.

Hobbies: I love to travel, scrapbook and dine out, especially downtown.

What do you like most about your job? Getting to be creative, and actually seeing something out there that I created that is really helping a company.

What do you find most challenging? The inconsistent paycheck and the fact that you’re on all the time. My husband and I both own our own businesses, so even when we’re on vacation we have our laptops and we’re always on the phone.

What do you hope to accomplish? I’d love the studio to grow into a full studio with many employees with different specialties. That way, it could be a one-stop shop.

Why did you choose your career path? I have always been into computers, but learning that you could use the computer to design made me realize you could make a career out of it.

Best thing about Haverhill? Since I live downtown, the whole walking feature is great. I love how everything is so close, especially the restaurants. We are regulars at Pedro’s every Wednesday night. And I love that there are so many small businesses. Corporate America hasn’t infiltrated downtown yet.

Worst thing? All the empty storefronts downtown. I would love to see some new businesses come into the area.

Alternate career choice: Interior design.

Family? I’m married, and his name is Stewart. We just had our first anniversary. I have an older sister who lives in Philadelphia and is a food critic for Philadelphia Magazine, and my parents live in Hudson, N.H., but have a summer home in Kingston.

Do you have pets? Two cats.

Type of entertainment preferred: Live theater and musical theater. We always go to shows in the city — New York, London, everywhere we travel to.

Favorite entertainer: Amy Grant

Favorite actress: Jennifer Garner

Favorite TV personality: Tim Gunn

Favorite film: “Garden State”

Favorite song: “When I Fall in Love,” by Nat King Cole. It was the first song I danced to with my husband at our wedding.

Favorite magazines: I’ve been addicted to Real Simple, a magazine with decorative ideas and stories about real people and how they can organize their busy lives.

Favorite books: I just finished the Harry Potter series.

Favorite TV shows: I’m a big “Grey’s Anatomy” fan, and “Project Runway,” because I love Tim Gunn.

Favorite quote: “It is never too late to be what you might have been.”

Proudest accomplishment: This business. Being able to have my older sister ask how I did it, and having my parents so proud of me is really rewarding for me. I’m also proud that I was able to buy this space and move the business out of the house.

Pet peeve: Disorganization and clutter.

Which person, living or dead, would you want to join for dinner and why? Audrey Hepburn. She had such a classic sense of style and grace that I hope one day to possess.

For more information on Amy Allen’s company, visit www.purplecrayonstudios.com.

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