About Us

The Purple Crayon. Inspiring change. . .

Nurturing Ambition

The Purple Crayon is a catalyst for local professionals, businesses and entrepreneurs. Again and again, by walking through the doors and entering an environment where change is the goal and action is the norm, individuals find an opening to take the next step in their work, whether that means turning a long-held idea into a reality, or to seeing clearly possibilities that had previously been obstructed, or gaining the tools to increase their success in a current endeavor. The Inc. goes beyond the typical co-working environment to offer intentional, mission-driven programming that maximizes the impact of the shared environment. We utilize both our staff’s educational and business development expertise and the organization’s reach to resources to drive the advancement of our members.

"I happened to run into Sarah Hinawi just a week or so after Anne Marie and I birthed the idea for Warrior Rising. She loved the idea and through her initial support and feedback, made it seem not only possible, but a given that we could put our plan into action. As we worked our way through the process of creating the first iteration of Warrior Rising, Sarah and Adel were right there beside us, acting as a solid sounding board even as they were hard at work getting ready to open The Purple Crayon. In many ways, our growth has been supported by our affiliation with The Purple Crayon. Even now, when new students step into the Sanctuary for the first time, they never fail to comment on the beauty, serenity, and inspiration the space provides. And through TPC's model of risk-sharing, Warrior Rising has continued to grow and evolve into a viable business!" -Sarah Rubin, founder, Warrior Rising

Cultivating Reflection

A common thread among our programming is to bring the discussion to the next level. In You U. we change the conversation from “What do you want to major in?” and “What schools can you get into?” to “What kind of community do you want to be a part of?” and “What does success mean to you?” In LunchPad, we create discussions to give “launchers” the opportunity to step back and examine their successes and their challenges, find inspiration, and go beyond networking to joining a community of support and accountability. This level of reflection, when skillfully designed and facilitated and purposefully wrought, is the key to real and effective change and engagement.

"After only one session, I felt more motivated and directed in my work. Sarah Hinwai is a creative and engaging facilitator and led us through exercises that felt relevant and inspirational. I really appreciated the openness and support of the other participants around the table and made a couple new connections in just one hour. I can't wait for the next one!" -Lisa Sacks, LunchPad participant 

Advancing Artistry

Creativity is the first step to productivity, and so we support creative endeavors in many forms. Our Live! series offers curated events designed to transcend and inspire. By offering opportunities for new and emerging artists through our monthly Open Mic nights, annual Battle of the Teen Bands, and as opening acts for more established artists, new artists can experiment for the first time in a safe and constructive environment, while others who might have moved away from their creativity are inspired and encouraged to reclaim it. Programs like Open Canvas open doors and minimize roadblocks for individuals whose artistry is their work.

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Our Philosophy
Why The Purple Crayon?
Founders & Staff

Site Photography by Jim Metzger, Leslie Kahan, and Alison Sheehy.