Amy Clarke: A Rebel for all

With her infectious laughter, bubbling enthusiasm and nobullshit honesty Amy lives up to the title of “the antidepressant ray of sunshine on the ‘gram”.

What is Confetti Rebels and how did you come up with the epic name?

Confetti Rebels is a female empowerment apparel brand. If you look at my fashion, sometimes it’s quite questionable, but I wanted to have an apparel brand that stood out from the crowd and made a difference. So the word confetti, bright and vibrant. And I suppose you could say I’m a bit of a rebel.

What advice do you have for people wanting to build a successful space on Instagram?

Be authentic. That’s what people want to see. No one wants to see bullshit.

I’ll put a picture up of a t-shirt. “Yeah, look, brand new t-shirt out. Go buy it.” I get 100, 200 likes. But if I do a post with me in it and put a t-shirt on that I’m selling, (so there’s a little bit of marketing in there), posts with me in it skyrocket 700, 800 likes. It’s crazy, comments through the roof. As I said, people want to see authenticity.

What advice do you have for those who are scared or hesitant to step up as themselves?

If you’re passionate about what you’re doing or what you’re selling, then other people are going to be passionate about it as well. You’ve got to put a story towards it and put that passion into it, and bring out your personality, your memories. That’s golden content right there. It’s something that takes time. It’s something you don’t go all guns blazing into it. Warm into it. Do a couple of little posts first. Do a couple of little stories of yourself, and I can guarantee you’ll get positive feedback and really good reactions.

You’re vocal about your stance around inclusivity. It has a different meaning for everyone. What does it mean to you and how do you ensure your business is inclusive?

I feel like inclusivity’s not just about body positivity. It’s about everything, people with disabilities, people of colour. It’s been hard for me to convey that because I’m a privileged white girl. And I can genuinely say I had a great upbringing. But it’s important to realise not everybody had that, and everyone’s got their own story. So the important thing about my business and inclusivity is making sure my products attract everybody. And some of the t-shirts aren’t for everyone. But I don’t think that’s got anything to do with colour or body size. I think it’s sometimes to do with the slogan. That’s also why it’s important for Confetti Rebels to have charities. Focusing on charities that do need help, like Indigenous charities in Australia that are doing so many amazing things.

What’s one of your biggest learning curves that you’ve had in your business?

Don’t do everything yourself, because you’re going to burn out. I’m a control freak. I always have been, I need to control everything. And I’ve tried to do everything half-arsed, and it’s not working. So I stick to the shit I know and do it right and started outsourcing shit I don’t know anything about. I’ve learnt it’s essential to do. So trying not to do everything yourself is the biggest learning curve for me.

What advice do you have for people wanting to put a little more color into their world?

Wear whatever you’re comfortable in. If you want to wear obscene colours and crazy things on your head, do that. One of my friends is like, “Oh, I wish I could wear what you wear, but I don’t like people looking at me.” I’m like, “Well, unfortunately, that’s what you get. But who gives a shit if someone looks at you? Whatever. What do you care what they think? You don’t even know them.” Fun, bright outfits make the world go around and bring happiness.

What would be one of the best reactions that you have had to being yourself in your business, and why should people step up in their businesses as themselves?

Look, through my dancing videos, I guess. I’ll just chuck on whatever I’m wearing at that time, even if it’s just a pair of undies. It’s own what you do. Own what you love. Be passionate about it. Show how you’re passionate about it. And again, if people don’t like it, then they can f*ck off. Because the ones that do like it will stick around.

“If people don’t like it, then they can f*ck off.”

want to hear more?

Listen to Amy’s podcast now>>> https://brandyoumagazine.com.au/issue-one/amy-clarke/#podcast