Amy has healthy designs on business and childcare
A Northumberland graphic designer who was made redundant during her maternity leave has dusted herself down and set up her own business at the same time as successfully bridging the gap between child care and her career.
Amy Purdie (25), from Morpeth was the victim of circumstances when her previous employerclosed down the company for pastures new. Undaunted, after the birth of her now 6 month old daughter Lyra, Amy has formed her own new business; Whiteacres Design which she runs jointly from her home and on a part time basis from Ashington’s Enterprise Centre. The dual location is perfect for Amy as when she works from home, she can look after her daughter’s needs minimising on child care costs and when she arranges to see clients or simply needs to give herself some essential business thinking time she migrates to the Enterprise Centre.
“I really do have the best of both worlds,” said Northumbria University graduate Amy.” The birth of Lyra coincided with the loss of my job and things have been quite stressful and challenging. Now however, business is picking up and I’ve found the perfect solution for my business accommodation right on my own doorstep.”
Many other people would have been completely fazed by the situation that Amy found herself in but perseverance and the fact that every one of her old customers has remained loyal to her creative flair has given a positive boost to the business. Indeed, Amy has recently completed a rebrand for a public relations company and a major project for Northumbria Health Care Trust where she designed a series of colourful information booklets and leaflets on health related matters such as giving up smoking, mental health, diabetes and sexuality.
Amy has set herself a number of business milestones which will help her to build her brand and move the business in a positive direction. “I’m right on target after just two months with the new office and my own Whiteacres branding,”she said. “Having my daughter has not only been the best thing that’s happened to my husband Darren and I but it’s also heralded a new start in the business too.”
