Ere Perez
“Success is not just professional achievement — it is also family, wellbeing, and staying true to your values.”
Ere Perez
Occupation: Creative Director and Founder of Ere Perez Natural Cosmetics
State of Residency: NSW
Favourite place in Australia: Bondi. I love its beach, diversity, relaxed lifestyle and connection to nature.
Biggest surprise when arriving to Australia: The crystal-clear waters and blue skies I could see from the plane. It felt peaceful, and it confirmed that Australia was a place connected to nature in a way that deeply resonated with me.
Favourite Latin-run business in Australia: Mami’s Bondi
Story edited by Lucy Coulson. Digital edition by Johany Ortiz.
Ere Perez is the Creative Director and Founder of Ere Perez Natural Cosmetics, a clean beauty brand she launched in 2002. She is widely recognised as a pioneer in clean beauty and is known for creating high-performance, sustainable, and award-winning products that are gentle on sensitive skin.
Under her leadership, the brand has grown into a global business available in more than 40 countries, while remaining independently owned and values-driven. Built on her Latin heritage and aligned with Australia’s growing demand for natural and conscious products, Ere Perez has developed into a purpose-led beauty brand with a loyal community and strong local partnerships, helping increase awareness of clean beauty standards within the Australian market.
Sustainability has always remained central to Ere’s work. She has guided the brand’s transition to more sustainable packaging, with 86% of products now plastic-free and the remainder made using post-consumer recycled materials. The company also prioritises refillable and recyclable packaging and has maintained carbon neutral certification since 2016. Through a partnership with i=change, the brand donates $1 from every Ere Perez order to support the Seabin Project, helping remove plastic waste from oceans and waterways, while continuing to invest in responsible materials, ethical sourcing, and environmentally conscious innovation.
Beyond beauty, Ere also runs with her husband an award-winning Mexican restaurant in Bondi, celebrating her cultural heritage and contributing to the local community. As a mother of three, she is passionate about leading with empathy, inspiring her team, and demonstrating that entrepreneurship and family life can successfully grow together.
Ere is also committed to mentoring and supporting the wider Latin American community. She regularly shares her entrepreneurial journey at industry and community events and recently spoke at the Annual Convention Leading Latina in Melbourne, where she encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their ideas while remaining true to their values.
Her work has been recognised through multiple beauty and sustainability awards, and Ere Perez products have received recognition from the Allure Best of Beauty Awards, Clean + Conscious Awards, Cosmopolitan Summer Beauty Awards, Good Housekeeping Beauty Awards, and Bien Fest, among others. Through both her businesses and leadership, Ere continues to build a legacy centred on innovation, sustainability, and meaningful community impact.
TELL US YOUR STORY
I began my journey in Monterrey, Mexico, where I grew up surrounded by natural remedies and a family tradition of holistic wellness. My grandfather was a traditional medicine man, and my mother often created home remedies and beauty recipes, shaping my early curiosity about nature, well-being, and self-care. These early influences included simple practices such as onion, garlic, lemon and honey tea, a half onion placed under the bed for illness, tomato used on the skin as a natural serum, and beetroot applied to the cheeks as a natural blush. I later studied nutrition and completed qualifications in naturopathy, Bach flower remedies, and acupuncture, deepening my understanding of holistic health and science-backed natural care.
In 1999, I arrived in Australia with a backpack and a sense of adventure. I had married my husband Juan at 23, and the move was motivated by love and the opportunity to build a life together. Without extensive contacts, I began settling into Sydney and was immediately inspired by the natural beauty of Australia.
While working towards accreditation for my university degree, I took on a range of casual jobs. I worked in various roles and sold jewellery and clothes at local markets. These early experiences helped me build connections, understand the local community, and save money. During this time, I struggled to find cosmetics suitable for my sensitive skin, particularly mascara. With limited clean beauty options available, I decided to create my own.
Drawing on my background in nutrition and my family’s wisdom, I developed the Natural Almond Mascara using nourishing, waterless ingredients. Inspired by my grandfather’s knowledge of beeswax and olive oil, I realised that removing water could help create more stable and natural formulations. In 2002, after saving money from my various jobs, I launched my first product.
I personally visited stores one by one, starting in Bondi, then expanding across Sydney, North Sydney, and later Brisbane. My hands-on approach helped build strong retailer relationships and grow brand awareness organically. A few years later, the brand expanded into Mexico, followed by further international growth, including entry into the United States in 2018. Today, Ere Perez Natural Cosmetics is available in 44 countries, with more than 100 SKUs.
Built on the belief in multitasking, skin-loving beauty essentials, the brand focuses on enhancing natural features while caring for people and the planet. The company has grown from a small team of five to around 50 employees. Sustainability remains central, with transitions to recyclable materials such as glass and aluminium, refillable solutions, and a commitment to carbon neutrality across operations.
Alongside my work in beauty, My husband and I operate Mami’s - a Mexican restaurant in Bondi that creates a space for cultural connection and sharing my heritage with the local community. Our ethos centres on fresh daily food and avoiding plastic takeaway packaging wherever possible. Balancing multiple businesses while raising three children can be busy at times, but I continue to lead with authenticity and purpose.
Today, I focus on thoughtful innovation, including expanding waterless formulations and developing products that support mature and sensitive skin. My journey reflects resilience, creativity, and a commitment to building a purpose-driven business that combines my Mexican heritage with Australia’s natural lifestyle.
CHALLENGES
Being authentic – I felt that people were not always used to a genuine smile. Sometimes it seemed as if they thought I had a hidden agenda, but I am simply a happy and positive person. Over time, I stayed true to myself and continued to approach people with warmth and openness. This helped me build trust and strong relationships, and eventually those around me understood my authenticity.
Work/life balance – Opportunities often required me to choose between career growth and family time. I have always chosen family first, even if it may hurt growth. This decision allowed me to stay close to my children and build a life aligned with my values. I believe success includes both professional achievement and family well-being.
Growing a business – To grow into other markets, you need to travel and be present. This can be difficult when you have a young family. I overcame this by building a supportive team, planning travel carefully, and focusing on steady, sustainable growth rather than rushing expansion.
CONTRASTS AND SIMMILARITIES
Kids and work – Having my children with me at the office felt natural. In Mexican culture, work and family often blend together, and this helped me maintain balance. It also created a warm and supportive workplace environment.
Professional and personal life – Working as a husband-and-wife team has felt very natural to us. In Latin culture, family businesses are common, and bringing personal relationships into work is often seen as a strength. Sharing responsibilities and growing the business together helped us settle and build a strong foundation in Australia.
Combining cultures – Hiring Latin American team members and occasionally speaking Spanish at work helped create a sense of belonging. At the same time, we embraced Australian values such as openness, fairness, and work-life balance. Combining both cultures helped me settle and shaped the culture of our business.
PIECE OF ADVICE
Be ready to work hard –Australia is far from many countries, and travelling back to see family can be expensive. We have made the effort to return home each year for nearly 30 years, and it requires planning and commitment.
Ask for help and create a community – Build a family of friends and a strong support network. Relationships are important, especially when you are far from your own relatives. Community brings both personal and professional opportunities.
Open up and talk if you are struggling – Sharing challenges can make a big difference. Sometimes, the right decision may even be to reconnect with your roots for a period of time. Taking care of your wellbeing is important, and there is strength in choosing what supports your happiness.
IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS
Ere would like to focus on creating products that support mature and elderly people, helping them feel confident and cared for. Ere also plans to continue developing more waterless formulations and reducing waste across the range. Sustainability and thoughtful innovation will remain at the centre of Ere’s work, while mentoring the next generation and supporting the team as the Ere Perez Natural Cosmetics business continues to grow responsibly.
Ere has kindly provided an exclusive discount code for our community.
Use “latinstories” for 15% off
Do you want to follow Ere’s journey? Connect with her on Instagram and Linkedin
We invite you to you to take a moment to reflect after reading this inspiring story and invite you to support our work for the community with a tax deductible donation , following us on LinkedIn and Instagram or join the Latin Stories Australia volunteer group.
With love and gratitude - The Latin Stories Australia team