If you happen to ask Instagram influencer Ambar Driscoll about her group, “Bamby Collective,” she’ll make it clear that whereas the group does have a few of the makings of a small enterprise – they’ve launched a signature product, their model revolves round a central tenet, and their following consists of many who love their mission – it’s actually about making a protected house for younger ladies all over the place.
In truth, in Bamby Collective’s first ever Instagram submit, the caption reads: We’re an internet neighborhood & protected house for ladies + younger ladies to speak overtly, search recommendation, be motivated, study self-care and be uplifted
Ambar began the Collective in 2019 not as a result of she had a spark for an revolutionary product or has a ton of enterprise savvy, however as a result of she benefited from on-line areas up to now. Particularly, Ambar had used a health app that, together with offering customers with workout routines and exercises, additionally included a communal side the place ladies may join and help one another. However, to entry this house, people needed to pay a subscription payment. This obtained Ambar considering of the way to recreate the same house for others.
“I simply wished to have an accessible neighborhood for any younger lady from anyplace, with any background, to have the ability to be part of and have that neighborhood side free of charge,” she mentioned.
However earlier than the thought for the group got here collectively, Ambar was already recognized by a whole lot of 1000’s of followers. Although she initially was thrust into the general public highlight due to her relationship with YouTuber Casper Lee, Ambar rapidly made her personal identify for herself on social media. Particularly, customers resonated along with her openness about physique positivity.
Ugne Jurgelenaite, a 24-year-old Bamby Collective member primarily based in London, initially got here throughout Ambar by Caspar’s content material, however mentioned she finally adopted Ambar due to her physique positivity posts. Ugne was in a position to relate to Amber’s content material because it was one of many first instances she noticed this specific message being unfold by somebody who wasn’t essentially plus sized. One submit specifically, the place Ambar uncovered how her abdomen appears to be like naturally with out flexing, caught Ugne’s eye.
“Instagram was – and nonetheless is – such a spot the place you assume all of those folks have these superb our bodies,” she mentioned. “However it’s like wow, [Ambar’s] not afraid to indicate that.”
Speaking overtly about her physique wasn’t at all times straightforward for Ambar. For years, she had struggled with disordered consuming and even had an consuming dysfunction. However finally, she discovered consolation in different Instagrammers who have been posting content material revolving round physique positivity which in flip helped the influencer heal and develop a extra constructive self worth. She then realized she may very well be sharing comparable content material to her 269,000 followers.
“I believed, properly, if that is the content material I am having fun with and if I’ve obtained variety of a giant following, and but, none of my content material is exhibiting my vulnerabilities then I simply did not need to be a type of individuals who [their followers] evaluate themselves to with out seeing the actual susceptible sides past that.”
And whereas Ambar was already serving to ladies like Ugne by her private account, the itch to construct one thing larger that will transcend herself and develop right into a community of like-minded younger ladies fueled her to launch Bamby Collective.
It began with a Fb Group
Ugne’s first enterprise into Bamby Collective, like most members, was by the personal Fb group. Although she had been following a number of different Fb teams – together with one for ladies new to London – she was stunned at how energetic and engaged Bamby Collective’s members have been. On any given day, you might discover posts asking for relationship recommendation, on physique positivity, and shifting suggestions. However it doesn’t matter what the dialog revolves round, Ugne mentioned members are at all times variety and useful to at least one one other.
This supportive and open atmosphere was precisely what Ambar had envisioned early on. However even she was greatly surprised by how rapidly members have been in a position to join with one another regardless of by no means having met.
“It is fairly touching seeing ladies share their susceptible sides on Bamby,” she mentioned. “So many are fast to supply help, assist, or simply be somebody to speak to. So it is superb seeing the impression Bamby has had on members’ psychological well being simply by the help of different ladies.”
Although Bamby Collective initially launched in late 2019, it intently coincided with the start of the Covid-19 pandemic — one thing that seems like divine timing for Ambar. At a second when many individuals have been coping with lockdowns, restricted social gatherings, and simply feeling remoted typically, having an internet house like Bamby grew to become a fantastic outlet for many who have been harassed by the pandemic.
Whereas a ton of Bamby Collective members occur to be primarily based in or round London, the place Ambar herself resides, this on-line neighborhood consists of younger ladies from all around the world, permitting individuals to bond and join with folks they usually wouldn’t have an opportunity to satisfy. For Ugne, scrolling by her Fb feed and seeing the assorted posts from the group has been a constructive addition to her social media routine.
“Ladies are usually not afraid to simply submit there and everybody may be very supportive,” Ugne mentioned. “Nobody’s ever gonna decide you. It’s a pleasant, protected house.”
Asides from networking by the Fb group, Bamby Collective members are additionally invited to on-line gatherings, together with month-to-month Zoom e book golf equipment and Netflix events the place the women may watch a film collectively just about and chat by the feedback.
However as soon as Covid restrictions eased, Ambar was eager to create in particular person alternatives for members to satisfy and develop deeper relationships with each other. The group has had a number of conferences together with an ax throwing occasion, pet yoga, and a galentines artwork occasion.
Oftentimes, Bamby members arrive to occasions solo, with the hopes of connecting with others there. Displaying as much as occasions by themselves is only one instance of the methods Bamby Members are in a position to specific their vulnerabilities.
“The occasions are superb. Many of the ladies come on their very own, which I feel is kind of a courageous factor to do,” mentioned Ambar. “I really feel like in our tradition, assembly up with a stranger so far is so normalized, but it surely’s not [normalized] to satisfy as much as make associates.”
Initially, Ugne held herself again from going to a Bamby meet up for this very motive – she had nobody to go along with. However after connecting with some ladies by way of the Fb group, she ventured to her first in particular person occasion: pet yoga.
She even attended Bamby Collective’s first ever in a single day retreat this July. Ugne had such a good time hanging out with different Bamby members that she and a bunch of ladies she met from the retreat are actually planning to have their very own private getaway. As somebody who lately moved, this neighborhood has offered Ugne with alternatives to satisfy new folks.
“I moved to London 9 months in the past. So moreover folks at work, or my flatmates, I did not know many individuals and now I positively have a wider community by going to those [Bamby] occasions. I’ve gained just a few new acquaintances and associates.”
And whereas assembly different members has been a spotlight for Ugne, having the ability to join with Ambar has additionally been a constructive expertise for her particularly due to how relatable she says the influencer is.
“The primary time [meeting Ambar] was type of intimidating. However she’s tremendous pleasant to everybody and makes everybody really feel very welcomed. She’s very right down to earth and never intimidating in any respect.”
Bamby Collective’s constructive affirmation jewellery
In step with Bamby Collective’s mission to supply an encouraging sisterhood for younger ladies, Ambar launched a jewellery assortment of constructive affirmation bracelets. Prospects may buy the fragile bracelets in both type – “I’m sufficient,” and “I’m sturdy.” Creating these merchandise was one thing Ambar had been considering of doing even earlier than she began the collective as these phrases have been mantras for her rising up.
“My mother is an artwork therapist and he or she’s at all times been actually massive on gratitude,” Ambar mentioned. “And he or she’s at all times used constructive affirmations. So ‘I am sturdy’ and ‘I am sufficient’ actually come from her and the impression that had on me, and seeing the facility that phrases can have.”
Implementing these affirmations into her each day routine has allowed Ambar to reverse detrimental thought patterns and helped her stay a extra balanced, wholesome life. Whereas she was excited to launch these merchandise so her followers may benefit from these affirmations, she was additionally cautious. The influencer mentioned she by no means desires to make Bamby Collective members really feel like she is attempting to revenue off of them.
Because of this it was additionally necessary for Bamby Collective to donate 5 % of proceeds from the jewellery assortment to Imkaan – a UK group with the mission of addressing violence towards Black and minority ethnic women and girls.
On this approach, Ambar is considerate and deliberate in all the things she shares along with her followers – together with her love for train. Not too long ago, the influencer has participated in a number of marathons and has integrated long-distance working into her each day routine. Nonetheless, she is cautious to not ship the improper message about understanding and has made it clear that she workout routines for her psychological well being and to not get hold of a slimmer physique.
“I feel [exercise] is such a life hack,” she mentioned. “If I am feeling like sh*t, after which I am going for a run – I really feel 10 instances higher afterwards.”
The Way forward for Bamby Collective
Presently, most Bamby Collective occasions are centralized to London, however Ambar was in a position to host one occasion in Cape City, South Africa as she has a ton of followers there due to her boyfriend Caspar’s South African heritage.
Internet hosting extra gatherings outdoors of London is a purpose for Amber as she would love for Bamby Collective to develop. She envisions that sooner or later the group may even have a number of areas all through the world – Bamby Collective hubs in massive cities. And whereas Ambar plans to be intently concerned in these potential areas, she can be comfy with, finally, permitting them to be run by native Bamby leaders.
On this approach, Ambar desires the main target to be on the people who make up the collective, and never on her. A sentiment that Ugne can already relate to.
“It is good to satisfy Ambar however the neighborhood is not about, ‘let’s meet Ambar,’” she mentioned. “It is about, ‘Let’s get collectively as a neighborhood of sturdy ladies.”
