Maya Angelou once said, “There is no greater agony, than bearing an untold story inside of you.†This couldn’t be more true for 51-year-old Eryca Freemantle. She didn’t set out to become a product developer, celebrity makeup artist, and one of the few paramedical corrective and camouflage specialists in the U.K. But when a near-fatal car accident left her with 250 facial scars, an inability to grow hair on her head and a near amputation of her left leg, Eryca used her recovery journey to begin a career in makeup and build a global empowerment platform for women of color.
Freemantle’s past list of powerhouse clients includes: Seal, Whitney Houston, Yasmin Le Bon, Black Hair Magazine, Vogue, and Elle. She was also recent advisor to the British Government “Body Image†campaign where she addressed the needs of young women of color in Britain.
Often, we let a mistake, tragedy or crisis paralyze us from moving forward, but any successful person has learned that the ability to bounce back from setbacks in business and life is necessary to achieve your goals.
BlackEnterprise.com caught up with Freemantle to get some advice for people facing setbacks and learn about her mission to transform the beauty world in the United States, Europe, and Africa.
How did you get started in makeup artistry?
After the car accident, I was told I would never be able to walk again. I was a recluse for about three years. And on top of everything else, my childhood experiences of being bullied and called “black and ugly†contributed greatly to my depression. I had childhood aspirations of becoming a model, just to prove “them†wrong and because of the accident that couldn’t happen.
But I learned to walk again. Then one day while sitting in the garden I mixed mud, water and my mother’s foundation to give me the coverage I needed to go out in the public. The mixture only gave me the coverage I needed for about two hours of outdoor time because as you know mud turns into clay. Ironically, the accident motivated me to learn more about corrective makeup techniques to hide the marks on my face and eventually led to a successful 30-year career in makeup artistry.
Now, I help multinational brands look and develop their existing makeup range of eye shadows, lipsticks, and foundations for women of color. I also help them look at emerging markets and how they can bring their products into markets like Africa.
Find out how Freemantle was about to turn tragedy into triumph in her career on the next page …
Let’s talk about the moment when you realized you could infuse your traumatic story with your talents and skills into an empowerment platform and a profitable business?
I didn’t tell my story as a part of my brand until about 15 years ago. During the first half of my career I was still very sad and depressed.
A very good friend encouraged me to use my story as part of my brand. She told me that I was holding myself back because I was much more than a makeup artist. At first, I was very opposed to this approach. But after speaking to a few other women in my life, I realized a lot of women needed to hear about my story because they could relate to me.
In order for me to grow professionally, I had to own my truth. This has enabled me to add so many layers to my career.
Get advice on how to overcome a setback for professional success on page 3 …
Regardless of what you’ve been through whether it’s divorce, job loss, health, etc., the very first thing you need to do is connect with God. You have to find a deeper level of understanding and go beyond your own comprehension. Additionally, you should:
- Re-evaluate your purpose and allow yourself to dream and make your thoughts become a reality. Remember, your purpose is not based on societies expectations.
- Reinvent yourself, not just in a cosmetic way but also in a way that allows you to form new and genuine connections. Treat everyone the same because it leaves an impression and contributes to opportunities in the future.
- Connect and communicate to interact with people who are doing what you want to do. That will give you the impetus, focus, and confidence to succeed. Find relatable people to serve as role models. Make sure you have access to them so that you can meet in person.
- Ask for help, especially with a smile. A smile goes a long way and it can open doors and opportunities.
What projects are you currently working on?
- The Hair & Beauty Expo (THBE). I partnered with Obi Asika of Dragon Africa and Yets Asika to develop a platform for the Nigerian hair and beauty industry, with particular focus on hair, makeup, nails, wellness and fitness. THBE focuses on providing the necessary bridge for international brands into the Nigerian market.
- All Women of Color of Campaign which encourages brands to make more products available for women of color.
- TV production: I am working on an on going series to find women of African descent who are accomplishing great things abroad but bringing the knowledge and service back to the continent.
How have you created so many opportunities for yourself?
I live for the moment. I say yes to everything and figure it out as I go. I allow myself to dream my dream and I am not afraid of asking for help. I find experts in areas that interest me so that they can help guide me. I believe knowledge is power; power opens doors.
How do you stay motivated?
I’ve been through a life changing car accident, childhood sexual abuse and 18 months ago, I suffered a broken back, so I don’t look for external sources for motivation. It’s taken me 50 years but I know my self-worth and believe in myself.
Kandia Johnson is a freelance communications strategist, brand builder and world traveler who also loves fashion, food and wine. She’s traveled from Brooklyn, N.Y., to Thailand to Africa. When she’s not helping clients create engaging communication campaigns, she’s writing about her globe-stalking adventures for her blog LadybugsInWonderland.com and Travelista.TV.