More than a mullet

To kick off fundraising for Mullets for mental health, a campaign run by Black Dog Institute this September, Dirty Mullet’s founder and CEO sat down with B to discuss how the label was created.

Everyone has a story to tell and by sharing Erica’s story and the factors driving her to succeed in the face of adversity, we are hoping to show others, that they are not alone and we stand together.

Still officially to launch at Summernats held from the 5th to 8th Jan 2023 in Canberra, Dirty Mullet is now building up an online community in the lead up to the big event in January.

After finding the love of her life, a partnership where they happily walk alongside each other, bouncing ideas and working successfully to build up their business. After a year of personal hits which came one after another, Erica reached breaking point. Relentless taunting through emails, messages, online and targeting their business was the last straw.

This led to creating a label that allowed her to channel all the hate, abuse, harassment, heartache and pain that bullying had caused, turning a negative into a positive. With every word thrown her way, with every phrase, with every new piece of false accusations and labelling was adding to a fire already burning to succeed. Every word is now a slogan written down in a journal of dreams. Instead of crumbling under the heavy weight of hate or allowing it destroy all that was created, it has been refocused and channelled, it is now the fire fuelling the brand Dirty Mullet.

Every word has now been turned into a product. Each product has a story to tell. The whole concept started after a holiday where a new mullet cut became a documentary of how it was blowing in the wind. “Hooked on a mullet” was part of that same story as someone, who will remain nameless, actually became hooked on a fishing hook! Erica has used humour and fun to overcome adversity and is now sharing her story with everyone. Dirty Mullet is not just a brand.

This fire is also motivating her to stand against bullying and fight for mental health. For far too long we all here at Dirty Mullet have stood by and watched those we love be emotionally and mentally abused, too long we have watched people suffer in silence. As adults we have a hard time dealing with the effects of bullying, it destroys the core of who we are and with-it mental health, how are our children meant to cope? Bullying at any age is wrong and it does not stop at a certain age.

Dirty Mullet stands for something, it is not just a label, it is a lifestyle that promotes fairness and love. We get behind causes, we are working to break down stereotypes and people judging others based on appearance. Hopefully through the sharing of stories this month we will see that yes life is hard, we all have a story to tell and let it be an encouragement for people to keep going. It does get better and there is no shame in reaching out for help.