E.A.T.O.W. Safe Space

A Collaboration Offering Free Coaching and Well-being Webinars

The Re-Balance Approach

Recognise.
The Beauty industry is a fierce and hugely competitive industry to work in. Many people struggle to succeed, and it’s even harder to be noticed for your talent when you have black or brown skin. Perfectionism is valued highly amongst clients and designers; this perfect ideal comes with many challenges when standing out in the beauty industry. Whether that’s starting out and finding that work-life balance, the pressure to stay on top and be the best, rejection and criticism of your work or dealing with your own emotions and those of others; the journey and experiences of each person working within the Beauty industry are unique.

Review.
Eryca Freemantle is a Life Coach, Mindful & well-being Expert, Personal Trainer and Global Beauty Strategist. She was also one of the first dark-skinned black Makeup Artists in the world. Poppy Jaman is a Global Mental Health Ambassador and the Founder of Re-Balance; a collective with a vision to diminish inequalities by working with global communities.

Poppy and Eryca realised that combining their expertise and passion for Mental Health could provide enriched conversations to explore tricky subjects that often get left out of day-to-day conversations within the Beauty industry.

Eryca and Poppy wanted to create an online space to promote self-care; a place where people from the Beauty industry could share their experiences, including their Mental Health stories. It was important that discussions included special guests and industry friends to ensure a diverse range of subjects and experiences could be shared with the community.

Respond.
Safe Space was created to provide an open, non-judgemental, non-religious environment aimed at predominately, but not exclusively, black and brown individuals of every sex and gender. The chat welcomed all over 18s seeking well-being guidance during these strange and challenging times. The talks were suitable for those younger than 18, but we asked that they be accompanied by an adult, as some difficult subjects could be covered, such as racism and mental health issues.

Safe Space offered personal, business and career support for those who sought a welcoming community, and conversations with others who are ready and prepared to be open and share their own experiences.

Discussions covered topics such as setting up a business in a competitive market, colourism and challenging societal Beauty standards, the impact of Covid-19 on the Beauty industry and those who work within it, holding hope and sharing experiences with others who are also passionate about working in the Beauty industry. Discussions were reflective and empowering, inspiring listeners to feel more confident in themselves. The most important thing to remember was there’s no such thing as perfection; it’s all about embracing the skin you live in.