Graduate story: UHI Inverness helps beauty therapist Leah achieve dream
A childhood dream came true when Leah Stewart graduated with an HNC in Beauty Therapy from UHI Inverness and began running her own business Sweet Pea Beauty.
“Becoming a beauty therapist has always been my dream. Ever since I was little, I loved doing nails and makeup. I used to make little signs and sit in my front garden offering nail treatments to neighbours! I even dressed up as a beauty therapist during a Primary 7 fast-forward day. So, choosing to study HNC Beauty Therapy at UHI Inverness felt like the natural next step,” said Leah.
“As a 20-year-old, I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve achieved, and I know I couldn’t have done it without the guidance and encouragement from UHI Inverness, as well as my former boss, Pam, who played a huge role in my journey.”
Leah joined UHI Inverness in 2020 in the middle of the Covid pandemic right after finishing school.
“Like many others, I faced challenges with isolation and uncertainty, but starting college gave me a fresh start and a real sense of belonging. From the beginning, I felt like I grew up alongside the girls in my class — we supported each other through everything,” she said.
“The course wasn’t always easy. I faced some personal challenges while studying, but the support from my lecturers and classmates kept me going. They believed in me even when I doubted myself, and that encouragement helped me push through and succeed. I'm incredibly grateful for my time at UHI Inverness. It helped me grow in confidence, build strong friendships, and most importantly, gave me the skills and knowledge to achieve my dream of becoming a beauty therapist.”
One of the biggest highlights for Leah was learning new practical skills, especially facial and massage treatments.
“I found it fascinating to learn about the skin and how lifestyle choices affect it — that part of the course really sparked my interest,” she said.
“The lecturers always made the classes fun, engaging, and full of support. They were always there to help, no matter what we needed.”
Leah also really enjoyed hearing the lecturers’ personal stories, whether it was about working on cruise ships or their own journeys in the industry.
"It was inspiring and reminded us that we could go anywhere if we worked hard,” she said.
Leah found that college became a safe and positive space for her.
"I looked forward to coming in each day — it was a great way to take my mind off things and meet new people. I especially loved working with real clients from the public. Getting positive feedback from them gave me so much confidence and reassured me that I was on the right path,” she said.
“The lecturers always found creative and varied ways to help us learn — whether it was through visual demonstrations, colour coding or hands-on practice. I personally learn best through visual methods, so I really connected with techniques like drawing diagrams and using colour coding, especially in subjects like anatomy, physiology and reflexology. Being able to visualise what I was reading helped the information stick, and I still use those methods today. The support we received was brilliant. The lecturers always provided plenty of resources and made themselves available whenever we needed help. They were easy to talk to, quick to reply, and genuinely cared about our progress. Their encouragement and belief in us made such a difference.”
Leah is driven by her desire to make her parents proud, and her ultimate goal is to open a holistic therapies spa, offering a variety of natural treatments in a peaceful and rejuvenating environment.
“Professionally, I’ve gained so much practical knowledge and experience. Through the course, I not only learned the technical skills required for beauty therapy but also how to connect with clients and offer valuable lifestyle advice, which I now use every day. One of the biggest milestones for me was securing a part-time job as a trainee at Peppermint Beauty Salon while I was still in college. That hands-on experience really enhanced my learning and gave me the confidence to take the next step in my career,” said Leah.
“Looking back, I feel like the course and the people I met along the way truly shaped me into the beauty therapist and business owner I am today. It’s been an amazing journey, and I’m excited for what comes next. Bringing light and joy into my clients’ lives is something I’m deeply passionate about, and I hope to continue growing and evolving my skills to offer the best possible experience for them.”