The HND Beauty Therapy programme at Glasgow Clyde College embeds entrepreneurial learning through the mandatory unit Preparing a Formal Business Plan. In this assessed project, each student develops a detailed business plan for a new venture within the beauty industry. Concepts range from boutique spas to product development businesses. The unit equips learners with the knowledge and confidence to recognise opportunities, respond to market trends and design viable beauty sector enterprises.
Context and Rationale
Many beauty therapy graduates aim to become self-employed or establish their own businesses, making entrepreneurial capability essential for long-term career success. The sector is dynamic and highly influenced by consumer trends, innovation and changing economic conditions.
The business planning unit was introduced to ensure students develop the skills required to navigate this environment. By learning how to analyse markets, identify opportunities and design financially viable ventures, students are better prepared to adapt to industry challenges and pursue self-employment opportunities.
Embedding entrepreneurial learning within the curriculum ensures that graduates leave the programme with both strong technical skills and the strategic understanding needed to establish sustainable beauty businesses or freelance practices.
The Learning Activity
The activity is delivered as a core assessed unit within the HND Beauty Therapy programme and follows the SQA unit framework Preparing a Formal Business Plan (H7V5 34).
Students are challenged to develop a comprehensive business plan for a unique venture within the beauty sector. Plans must include an executive summary, market and competitor analysis, operational and marketing strategies, and detailed financial forecasts including profit and loss and cash flow projections.
Teaching combines online learning through Canvas with tutorials, workshops and guest lectures from industry professionals, including the college’s Entrepreneur in Residence. Students analyse current market trends, identify target audiences and estimate realistic start-up costs for their proposed businesses.
Learners also develop branding concepts for their ventures, including logos and promotional strategies, while ensuring originality through intellectual property checks. Research and feedback activities support students in refining their ideas and adapting their plans to real-world constraints.
The final assessment is a professional business plan that could be presented to potential investors, partners or funding bodies. This authentic assessment process mirrors real entrepreneurial practice and helps students translate creative ideas into viable business models.
Skills and Capabilities Developed
Through the development of a formal business plan, students build a wide range of entrepreneurial competencies.
Learners develop opportunity recognition and problem-solving skills as they refine their business ideas and address potential barriers such as regulatory requirements, location considerations or operational challenges. The project also encourages creativity and innovation, with each student designing a unique business concept and brand identity.
Students strengthen customer insight and market awareness by conducting research, gathering feedback and adapting their plans to meet consumer needs. Financial planning activities build commercial awareness, including pricing strategies, cost management and break-even analysis.
Presentation activities and collaborative learning also enhance communication and pitching skills, while the process of developing and revising a business plan fosters confidence, resilience and adaptability.
Impact and Outcomes
The unit has had a significant impact on students’ confidence and career pathways. Many graduates go on to pursue freelance work or establish their own businesses within the beauty sector.
One example is graduate Chelsie McFarlane, who used her business plan to launch Calming Cosmetics Glasgow, a CBD and aromatherapy brand that has grown into a full-time enterprise. Her success earned her the Bridge2Business Enterprising Student of the Year Award in 2022 and helped inspire the development of a new SCQF Level 9 course in product innovation at the college.
More broadly, the unit helps students view entrepreneurship as a realistic career pathway, contributing to local economic growth and encouraging innovation within the beauty industry.
“The business planning unit gave me the confidence and tools to turn my passion into a thriving enterprise.”
— Chelsie McFarlane, Founder of Calming Cosmetics
Further Information