How the Teesside University Help to Grow: Management Programme Helped Me Shape uGlow’s Next Chapter
By Louise Cooper, Founder of uGlow
When I founded uGlow, I wasn’t your typical beauty brand founder. I came from an engineering background, having spent years in male-dominated industries. But I saw a real gap in the self-tanning market—something mess-free, streak-free, and natural-looking—and I knew I could use my technical know-how to create something better.
That’s how uGlow was born: a self-tanning brand designed for real people who want flawless results without the hassle. But as the business grew, I realised I needed more than a great product. I needed a clear plan to expand, especially into the B2B space with salons and spas.
That’s when I enrolled in the Help to Grow: Management programme, delivered by Teesside University International Business School.
Finding Structure in Growth
Running a business as a founder often feels like spinning a hundred plates. I knew we had potential, but I needed structure—real business strategy—to take uGlow to the next level. The programme gave me exactly that. Over 12 weeks, I gained tools and insights around growth planning, financial oversight, customer engagement, and operational efficiency.
But what really stood out was the mentorship. I had access to people who truly understood the challenges of scaling a product-based business. Their advice helped shape some big decisions, including our plan to move manufacturing to the North East—closer to home and more aligned with our brand values.
Real Results, Real Momentum
Since completing the programme, uGlow has made huge strides. We’ve built 50 new salon partnerships, giving us access to a network of 2,000 spas globally. Our B2B partners have seen a 112% increase in sales—a figure I’m incredibly proud of. Internally, we’ve tightened up our financial processes and sharpened our marketing strategy to support long-term, sustainable growth.
A Personal Milestone
For me, this wasn’t just about business—it was about confidence. As a female founder transitioning from engineering to beauty, I’ve often felt like I had to prove myself twice over. The Help to Grow programme reminded me that I do have what it takes—and gave me the tools to back that up.
uGlow started as a solution to a problem I saw in the beauty world, but thanks to the programme, it’s becoming something much bigger. We’re not just selling self-tan—we’re building a brand that salons and customers trust. And this is only the beginning.
Read more, its all part of the story………
https://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/business/who_details.cfm?casestudyid=382