Meet Allison (Allie) Rowden | Owner of Allie Allure & Chief of Adult Perfusion at the University of Florida hospital

We had the good fortune of connecting with Allison (Allie) Rowden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Allison (Allie), what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have always wanted to own something and be able to say, I did this! I come from a big family and family means everything to me. Being one of seven kids growing up, you learn to help your siblings, share, and do everything together. I wanted to be able to do something as a family that we could all work together as adults!

The whole idea started Labor Day weekend in 2020! I reached out to my sisters via text saying “I have a crazy idea, let’s open a boutique”. I immediately started YouTubing and googling what I needed in order to make this happen. Made a list of things to do and slowly started checking the boxes.

Money is always a BIG necessity and I knew going in what it was going to take. I work as the Chief of Perfusion at the University of Florida and for those that don’t know Perfusionist run the heart/lung machine for cardiac surgery. (We keep the body alive so the surgeon can operate)

The pandemic hit and I was able to make extra money traveling and sitting ECMO around the country for COVID patients. I saved everything I made and put it all into opening this business. Like I always say, if you want something to succeed you have to devote as much time and energy into it as possible. If you treat something as a hobby, it will be just that. I am happy to say I did not take out any loans or ask for assistance to start, I worked hard and made it happen!


Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I graduated from Queens University of Charlotte in 2014 with a major in Biology. I then went on to Perfusion school and graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2017. I started working at The University of Florida in Gainesville May 2017 as a staff Perfusionist. I was promoted to chief of Adult Perfusion in 2021.

I absolutely love my job! However, a little piece was missing from my life and that’s why I started Allie Allure!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Gainesville, FL is honestly a town you grow to love! I told myself I’d give it a year and if I wasn’t happy I’d leave. Five years later, I’m still here. The community, the staff at UF, everyone is so welcoming…besides who doesn’t love Florida?

I’d say an epic place to visit would be the Football stadium. It’s one of the only stadiums open to the public outside of games days. People go to work out from sun up to sun down, run stadiums, use the field for photo ops, ride bikes, etc.

Floating down the springs is also another must! Genie springs is probably one of my favorites. It’s an easy 20 minute drive and a fun outing with friends on a sunny day.

Next, I’d definitely say walking Payne’s Prairie. The wildlife in Gainesville is great and of course there are GATORS!

Top food joints: Spurriers, Embers steak house, dragonfly sushi, The top

Drinks: Visors, social, cry baby’s, The dime, arcade bar

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family!

Every single person devoted their time to helping make this dream a reality!

My parents for always supporting and backing my decisions. My sisters (Rachel &Anna) for dropping everything to help manage the store and work pop ups. My brother (Eli) for building racks/tables/etc. My grandparents (Connie & John) for re labeling all of my clothes! My uncle (Chuck) for making my dressing rooms.

Everyone. This wouldn’t have been possible without the Rowden/Barbee family.

Website: Allieallure.com

Instagram: Allieallureboutique

Linkedin: Allison Rowden

Facebook: Allieallureboutique

Image Credits
Brookelyn Riley Photography