87 Millennium - Twenty-third Edition BUSINESS, FINANCE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP launched her own beauty brand, Libertad Vida, to honor her hometown and symbolize both her heritage and the essence of life itself. Libertad Vida translates to “Freedom Life” and acknowledges Ms. Mancia’s story as one of hope. She is committed to supporting other individuals facing difficulties like those she endured. For her, Libertad Vida is not just a business; it is a movement of empowerment and community support. Ms. Mancia is also the founder and chief executive officer of Esme Beauty Labs, a company that formulates and manufactures beauty products and provides private-label services for brands. She established the business in 2022 with her husband and built it using her personal savings. It is truly a family affair, as both of her children and her sister work there. With more than 34 years of experience in the beauty industry, Ms. Mancia began her career in 1991 as a color chemist. She has collaborated with renowned brands such as Too Faced, Smashbox and Hard Candy, contributing to many products currently available on the market. She also has experience working with MAC and Estée Lauder, supporting a variety of brands with her expertise throughout her extensive career. In 2010, Ms. Mancia co-founded Dream Team Beauté with her best friend, serving as lab director. The business had a successful 11-year run until her friend retired. The pair sold the company, and Ms. Mancia had to endure a fiveyear non-compete agreement before her next venture. When the agreement expired, Esme Beauty Labs was born. Ms. Mancia is a member of Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) and Latinas in Beauty. In 2025, she received a CEW Innovator Award for Formulation and Cosmetic Chemistry. She also actively supports the American Red Cross and the ASPCA. Esme Mancia and her family immigrated to the United States from El Salvador in 1984, when she was just 11 years old. Looking back, she recounts the challenges she faced – the language barrier, the cultural adjustment and the difficulty of abandoning everything familiar to adapt to a new life. Inspired by her family’s resilience, she recently ESME MANCIA OWNER Libertad Vida, Esme Beauty Labs United States and El Salvador
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