Beauty Entrepreneur
Jessica Hillyard, former Barnfield College student, has built a successful career in the beauty industry, turning her passion for beauty into a thriving business while helping to train the next generation of professionals.
Jessica studied Beauty Therapy at Barnfield College between 2014-2015. With a long-standing interest in beauty and fashion, she was looking for a career that would fit around raising her daughter. Her time at College provided the foundation she needed to begin her journey in the industry.
Today, Jessica is the owner of The Collective Beauty Academy, where she trains students across the country through one-to-one sessions, salon-based training and partnerships with colleges. Alongside teaching, she continues to work directly with clients at The Beauty Project in Barton-le-Clay, maintaining relationships with customers she has built over the past decade.
Her work has also seen her invited to beauty conferences as both a guest speaker and educator, delivering masterclasses to industry professionals. Over the years, Jessica has received several industry awards and developed partnerships with leading brands including London Lash, Lash Base, Beautiful Brows and HD Brows. Most recently, she launched her own range of professional lash supplies.
Jessica's time at Barnfield was shaped not only by the skills she gained, but also by the support she received from staff during a difficult period in her life.
"My dad sadly passed away a couple of weeks into my course, and the support from my tutors gave me the confidence and a safe space to continue. That experience has stayed with me throughout my career."
She says the course helped her develop valuable technical and professional skills, including client care, confidence, resilience and professionalism. The small class sizes and supportive tutors also made learning both enjoyable and rewarding.
Today, Jessica applies those same values to her own work as an educator, creating supportive learning environments that help others develop their skills and confidence.
For people considering a career in the industry, her advice is simple:
"Don't wait until you feel completely ready. Invest in good education, practise consistently, stay curious and remember that confidence comes from doing."
If like Jessica you have a passion for the Beauty industry, then a course in Beauty Therapy can help you access a future career in this ever-changing sector.
Study a similar course to Jessica
Beauty Therapy
