Close Menu
    What's Hot

    Lagos Named World’s Fastest-Growing Tech Ecosystem in 2025

    May 29, 2025

    Africa’s Startup Funding Rebounds: April 2025 Highlights

    May 20, 2025

    Everything You Need to Know About Africa Technology Expo 2025 in Lagos

    May 14, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Where Founders are StarsWhere Founders are Stars
    • Founder
      • Founder Journeys
      • Industry Leaders
    • Startups
      • News
      • Funding
      • Growth Stories
      • Startup School of Hard Knocks
    • Inside Startups
      • Culture Series
      • Hot Takes
    • Resources
      • Events
      • Funding Opportunities
      • Toolkits
      • Expert Insights
    • Get In Touch
    Where Founders are StarsWhere Founders are Stars
    • Founder, Founder Spotlight

    Eryca Freemantle’s Legacy in Beauty, Wellness, and Empowerment

    • July 11, 2024
    Eryca Freemantle's Legacy in Beauty, Wellness, and Empowerment

    In a heartfelt conversation, Eryca Freemantle shared her extraordinary life journey marked by resilience, empowerment, and a deep passion for makeup artistry. At 60, Eryca’s journey has been anything but ordinary, hers is a testament to facing challenges head-on and emerging stronger.

     

    Early Life and Challenge

     

    “My name is Eryca Freemantle, daughter of Sarah and Ashman Freemantle,” she began, reflecting on her upbringing and the profound influence of her late father.”Unfortunately, I’ve just recently lost my Dad so 70% of me is not here. I am not able to give 70% of my mind, my body or soul to society,” she shared with a mix of sorrow and determination. Her journey, she admitted, feels like navigating life with the wisdom of age but the heart of a child, a poignant reminder of resilience.

    Eryca emphasized the pivotal role her father played in shaping her resilience and ambition. “My father always brought me up on a theory that there isn’t anything in this world that I can’t achieve or do, especially because I am his daughter,” she recalled fondly.. “But the only thing for me now is that in the last couple of years of losing my dad, I’ve had to learn to push on my own,” she admitted, highlighting the personal challenges she now faces.

    Her journey into makeup artistry began unexpectedly after a life-altering car accident. “I was involved in a car accident where I lost all of my hair, I had multiple scars on my face and a near amputation of my left leg,” Eryca revealed. “So when people see me and they see me with this bald head, they think it’s a fashion statement but it really isn’t,” she clarified, explaining the trauma behind her appearance.

    Eryca candidly recalls her early struggles with confidence due to facial scars, which ignited her passion for makeup. “It was 42 years ago, a time without internet or mobile phones, and only three TV channels in the UK,” she reminisces. Amidst a lack of representation, she found inspiration in magazines like Ebony and Jet, admiring the beauty of black women.

    With her father’s unwavering belief in her talents, Eryca enrolled in the Complexion School of Makeup where she found solace in makeup. “I wanted to learn something about beauty,” she explained. “I saw all these beautiful black women in magazines and I said I wanted to be the one that learned how to do the makeup, to conceal my own scars,” she recalled, reminiscing about her early inspirations.

    Determined to learn the art, Eryca graduated with distinction. Being the only black student, her skills captivated classmates from around the world, eager to collaborate with someone of her complexion.

     

    Career Beginnings and Milestones

     

    Fresh out of makeup school, fate intervened when she was thrust into a London fashion show due to a last-minute cancellation. Armed with a modest kit of three foundations and four lipsticks, Eryca faced the daunting task of beautifying 56 models within a tight timeframe. “They looked like 6ft amazons,” she recalls with humor, describing the scene where her impromptu approach—lining up models from lightest to darkest—proved both ingenious and chaotic.

    Despite the makeshift conditions, her efforts resonated powerfully. “They felt complete,” she reflects warmly, recalling the transformative effect of her makeup on the models as they confidently took to the runway earning thunderous applause from models and crew alike.

    This breakthrough launched Eryca into celebrity makeup circles, working with luminaries like Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. Her skill and insight into the needs of black women propelled her into consulting roles with global beauty brands, advocating for inclusive product lines. “I wanted to be the voice they lacked,” she asserts, underscoring her mission to empower through representation and tailored products

     

    Embracing Nigeria and Pioneering Initiatives

     

    Her journey took a profound turn when she discovered Nigeria, a place she now calls home. Drawn by its vibrancy and cultural richness, Eryca immersed herself in Nigeria’s burgeoning makeup scene, eventually founding the groundbreaking Embracing All Tones of Women (EATOW) platform. EATOW includes groundbreaking initiatives like the Makeup Awards and Galas celebrating Nigerian makeup artists globally and the recent Makeup Artist Summit on AI and Automation in Lagos.

    “We just launched at the event the very first money-making machine for makeup artists,” she shared excitedly. “It’s subscription-based; they join and become members. We show makeup artists how to make money in their sleep.” Due to overwhelming demand, EATOW will return to Lagos in November, expanding attendance from 150 to 300, possibly even 400. “The response was incredible,” she said. “So, we’re bringing it back, and we’re also doing it in England in August.”

    Eryca continues to pursue her Executive Coaching at the highest level, along with Life Coaching and Counseling skills. “It’s all about educating and empowering other women who look like me,” she explained.

     

    Funding and Sustainability

     

    Discussing funding, Eryca reveals a multifaceted approach. “We operate globally with strategic partnerships,” she explains. EATOW includes an academy and recently partnered with BeautybyAD to establish training centers in Nigeria and the UK. “We’re pioneering Palette to Profit, an AI-powered platform to monetize makeup artistry,” she adds, highlighting the ongoing need for investors and sponsors to support their innovative initiatives.

     

    Life Coaching and Personal Wellness

     

    Beyond makeup, Eryca is embarking on a new chapter as a life coach. “I’ve always been passionate about mentoring and guiding others,” she shares. Her holistic approach to personal wellness—embracing yoga and a vegetarian lifestyle for over 35 years—underscores her commitment to nurturing mind, body, and soul.

     

    Advice and Legacy

     

    When asked about advice for younger women, Eryca’s wisdom shines through. “Life is a rehearsal until you reach 40,” she reflected. Encouraging them to embrace mistakes and surround themselves with positivity, she emphasizes the importance of personal growth and resilience. “Enjoy every stage of life and learn from it,” she urges, drawing from her own journey of self-discovery.

    Eryca Freemantle Instagram 

    Lois Ugbe: The Young Female Founder Breaking Barriers in Tech

    Lois Ugbe’s story isn’t just about business—it’s about resilience, reinvention, and staying true to one’s values. She…

    Read More

    Founder Spotlight

    IWD 2023: Celebrating 13 Inspiring Female Founders In Africa

    Growth Stories

    The Journey Of Thrive Agric: Supporting Farmers with Tech, Finance & Markets

    Funding Opportunities

    Apply Now: Cartier Women’s Initiative 2025 Offers Up to $100K for Women Impact Entrepreneurs

    Founder

    Kola Aina: From Entrepreneur to Leading Investor in Africa’s Startup Ecosystem

    Expert Insights

    SAFE vs. Convertible Notes vs. Equity Rounds: Best Startup Funding Option?

    Founder

    Dream VC Unveils KMBC: The Game-Changing Personality Test for Founders and Investors

    Demo
    FA Logo
    Twitter Facebook Instagram Linkedin
    Twitter Facebook Instagram Linkedin

    Links

    • Founder Spotlight
    • Culture Series
    • Expert Insights
    • Startup School of Hard Knocks
    • Events

    Company

    • About
    • Sponsored News
    • Work with Us

    Legal

    • Editorial Policy
    • Terms

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest news from Founder Africa: Where Founders are Stars.

    © 2025 Founder Africa

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest news from Founder Africa

    FA logoblk_1