ERYCA FREEMANTLE is a multi award-winning make-up artist, leading global business beauty entrepreneur and coach. She has worked in the beauty industry for more than 30 years.
A former advisor to London College of Fashion, Freemantle has created content for the UK government, and worked with a whole host of big brands including Island Records, Unilever and Laura Mercier.
A contributor to Pure Beauty magazine and a judge for the Pure Beauty Awards in Dubai, she is launching an international make-up business school later this year.
What’s your source of inspiration?
My core of inspiration is to inspire up and coming people that look like me. I have a very close friend in Africa, Mo Abudu of EbonyLife TV, who is one of the most successful women in media and she’s always encourag- ing me and always motivating me to be the best that I can be.
What challenges have you faced in your career journey?
There have been so many. There’s been a lot of racism, prejudice, ageism and there’s been a lot of doubt about my capabilities – even from myself over the years. Those are the negative chal- lenges that I’ve encountered over the years. But you just have to dig into yourself and who you are and always get retrained.
What advice would you give to young women following in your footsteps?
Get up, do what needs to be done – travel, educate, empower. And create your own – create your own platforms, create your own products. There is nothing superior, nothing better than owning your own and I think that’s where we make our mistake.
We don’t own, we have expectations of others and we expect others to give us what we want, and if they don’t, we complain.
What do you do to relax?
I go to the gym five times a week, every week. Some people say it’s not relaxing – but who are they to tell me that?! Although I do go the gym five times a week, three of those times consist of yoga, so I spend a lot of quality time on myself.
What has been the highlight of your career?
A four-page spread in Forbes magazine, I think that’s been the highlight for me. And speaking at Oxford University about my career.
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