Meet Amy Osteen | Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amy Osteen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
During the height of the pandemic, a few friends and I had a standing online happy hour. We realized that we’d grown accustomed to the luxury afforded us by health, job security, and a romance with ourselves. We were forced to reconsider who we are and what we value, and, what we could do. The word that resonated on our calls was “useless.” We’re not doctors, nurses, pharmacists, teachers, store clerks, small-business owners. What can we do? But that feeling of “uselessness” was a poison. It gave us an out to that voice in our head that whispers “I don’t know how” and turns into “what does it matter?” After some discussion, we fought that feeling of uselessness by deciding to start a platform that helps customers find great products from historically underserved U.S.-based small businesses – whether that’s women-owned, minority-owned, family-owned, military-owned, disabled-owned, or LGBTQ+-owned. We believe to be useful, we must be deliberate in supporting underserved small businesses. And we believe telling small business stories is a critical to develop a shared narrative of what it means to be an American. “Shop Small” is a form of patriotism we didn’t see coming, but one in which we’re very proud to participate. Clean Creed is onboarding small businesses with a Q2 2021 hard launch.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Unlike many attorneys who specialize in one industry, I’ve spent 20 years managing a broad range of legal affairs for local and global enterprises. I’ve worked with technology companies, financial services companies, consumer product companies, real estate companies, musicians, and all forms of entrepreneurs. I’ve led legal departments. I’ve led human resources departments. I’ve managed insurance risk. I took the patent bar not to prosecute patents but to be able to manage and monetize intellectual property portfolios. I’ve spent hundreds of days in a courtroom and even more in boardrooms. My career experiences have a common theme: I prepare growing companies for their next steps. Clean Creed is just another way for me to do what I do best.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am an extrovert. Interacting with other people energizes me. I’m the type of person who tells the woman waiting at the crosswalk with me that I love her boots. Plus, I don’t know if you’ve heard this, but I love small businesses. So on pretty days you’ll find my family at the Dallas Farmer’s Market, Downtown Plano, or Bishop Arts. You can’t beat those spots for finding deals, enjoying great food, and finding the beauty in other people and their stories. Those are my happy places.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to thank everyone that believes in Clean Creed but I want to give a special shout-out to Valerie Dillon, Elaine Osteen, Michael Gulley, Kathy Fielder and her crew, Mai Caldwell, Brad Ramsey, Natalie Brandt, Carinthia Kishaba, Jodi Edwards, Aparna Sharma, and the list goes on. They’ve all spent countless hours working, researching, and creating on Clean Creed’s behalf. Each have a sense of efficacy they can make a difference and a belief we can work together to collectively do good. And for that I am beyond thankful!

Website: www.cleancreed.com
Instagram: @cleancreedofficial
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cleancreed

Image Credits
Jin Kim