Beyoncé has built a career that reaches far beyond the music industry. She established herself as a global entertainer with business interests in fashion, beauty, entertainment and beverage. From taking control of her career through her own production company to launching independent brands, the Grammy-winning singer has steadily expanded her commercial empire.
Her entrepreneurial achievements are now attracting attention from the academic world. The University of Southern California (USC) is launching a new course for Master of Business Administration (MBA) students, examining how she turned her influence into a diverse portfolio of business ventures across multiple industries.
USC Introduces Beyoncé Business Course
Titled 'The Business of Beyoncé', the 16-week course will be offered by USC's Marshall School of Business, with classes scheduled to begin in January 2027.
Developed by professor Shaun Harper, the programme will study the singer's business decisions, brand development and influence across different industries. Her ventures, including Parkwood Entertainment, Ivy Park, Cécred and SirDavis, will be featured in the course alongside broader topics such as marketing, financial management and celebrity branding.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the syllabus will also explore the experiences of Black artists, women in music, child stars and girl groups. Students will analyse financial reports, industry trends and the commercial strategies behind Beyoncé's career.
The course reportedly attracted considerable interest, with registration filling quickly after becoming available. Harper has also expressed interest in inviting Beyoncé as a guest lecturer, although her participation has not been confirmed.
Beyoncé is officially part of the business school curriculum. USC’s Marshall School of Business is launching "The Business of Beyoncé," a new MBA course examining how the superstar built her entertainment empire, from Parkwood Entertainment and Cécred to her music and brand… pic.twitter.com/Qdnt3W5HC4
— Complex (@Complex) November 11, 2026
Parkwood as Her Business Foundation
One of Beyoncé's most important entrepreneurial moves came in 2010 when she established Parkwood Entertainment.
The company oversees several aspects of her professional career, including music, film, video production, marketing and concert operations. Establishing her own entertainment company allowed the singer to become more directly involved in the creative and business decisions surrounding her projects.
Parkwood has been involved in major productions. These include Homecoming, the documentary about her historic 2018 Coachella performance, and Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé, which brought her 2023 world tour to cinemas.
Ivy Park Enters the Fashion Industry
Beyoncé entered the fashion industry with Ivy Park, an athleisure label launched in 2016. Initially launched as a joint venture with Topshop owner Sir Philip Green, the brand became fully owned by Beyoncé in 2018 before entering a partnership with Adidas in 2019.
The collaboration brought together the singer's creative direction and the sportswear company's global retail presence, producing collections that included activewear, footwear and accessories. However, the partnership ended in 2023, marking the conclusion of a significant chapter in the brand's development.
Cécred Brings Her Into Beauty
In February 2024, Beyoncé expanded into the beauty industry with the launch of Cécred, her hair-care brand. The collection features shampoos, conditioners, treatments and styling products designed for different hair types and textures.
The singer has connected the venture to her personal experiences growing up around her mother's hair salon and learning about hair care. Her mother, Tina Knowles, has also been involved in the brand's development, bringing a family connection to the business.
SirDavis Adds Whisky to Her Portfolio
Beyoncé's business interests expanded into the spirits industry in 2024 with the introduction of SirDavis, a whisky brand developed in partnership with Moët Hennessy. The brand takes its name from her paternal great-grandfather, Davis Hogue, who was reportedly a moonshiner in the American South during Prohibition.
SirDavis was developed with the involvement of experienced whisky specialists, combining the singer's brand vision with the expertise of the luxury spirits company. The launch added another sector to her business interests, taking her commercial activities beyond entertainment, clothing and beauty.
