Amanda Jackson’s journey into the world of aesthetics and cosmetics began in 2009, when she enrolled in cosmetology school at the age of 18. Even as a student, she quickly discovered her passion for hair removal, especially waxing, which soon became her specialty. Among the various services she was trained in, Brazilian waxing stood out as her niche—an extremely personal and detail-oriented service. After earning her cosmetology license in 2011, Amanda started her professional career at a high-end day spa in Saginaw Township, Michigan.
Amanda Jackson | Owner | The Sugar Shop
It was there that she was introduced to the art of sugaring, an ancient Egyptian method of hair removal that is rarely taught in local cosmetology schools. This discovery became a turning point in her career. At EliteX, we are proud to have Amanda Jackson as part of the edition: Prominent Women in Aesthetics and Cosmetics, 2025.
In her early years at the spa, Amanda offered both facials and sugaring hair removal. Over time, she became highly skilled in sugaring, which uses a natural paste made of sugar, lemon, and water. Unlike traditional waxing, sugaring is known for being gentler on the skin, and Amanda found herself drawn to the technique not just for its effectiveness but also for its natural approach. She worked at the spa until 2019, building experience, a loyal client base, and a growing desire to become her own boss.
“Taking that leap of faith and going out on my own was a bold move, but one that proved to be incredibly rewarding.”
In November 2019, Amanda took a leap of faith and launched her own business—The Sugar Shop. Starting as a solo venture, she wasn’t sure what to expect, but within a year, the response exceeded all her expectations. The demand for her services grew rapidly, prompting her to expand her space and bring on more team members. Today, The Sugar Shop is run by a dedicated group of five women, with plans to welcome a sixth member soon. Amanda leads this growing team with pride, offering top-notch sugaring services to the Tri-City area. Her passion for her work, combined with her commitment to high-quality service, continues to drive the shop’s success.
Amanda’s inspiration for entering the beauty industry stemmed from a lifelong interest in cosmetics and aesthetics. She always envisioned owning her own spa one day. Her time in cosmetology school helped her discover where she could truly shine, and once she found her niche in hair removal, there was no looking back. Her career has evolved dramatically since those early days. From being a solo entrepreneur unsure of how things would unfold, Amanda now leads a thriving team and envisions opening more locations in the future. Her typical day is a busy mix of business responsibilities and personal commitments. As a hands-on business owner, Amanda not only serves clients but also manages bookkeeping and payroll on her own. She’s also a wife and a mother to three children—a daughter and two sons—so her day includes school drop-offs, sports activities, and music lessons. Despite her packed schedule, Amanda makes it a priority to spend quality time with her family. For her, family comes first, and she fosters that same value within her team, promoting flexible schedules that support both their personal lives and their clients’ needs. In the long term, Amanda hopes to step away from daily client services to focus solely on running the business and training new sugaring professionals.
A key influence in Amanda’s professional journey was Luis Jiminez, the owner of Ana Luis Day Spa in Saginaw Township. Luis offered her one of her first professional opportunities in 2011 and played an important role in mentoring her, not only in aesthetics but in life skills as well. His example of running a successful spa business since 2001 and his dedication to the industry made a lasting impression on Amanda, and she remains grateful for the guidance and experience she gained under his leadership. Like many entrepreneurs, Amanda faced her share of challenges, especially when it came to managing the business side of things. Without formal business education, she had to learn on the job how to handle multiple employees and keep her company running smoothly. Thankfully, with help from friends in the beauty and accounting industries, she was able to gain the skills she needed. Today, she feels confident in her ability to lead her business effectively and support the team she’s built.
When it comes to beauty, Amanda believes it’s more than just appearance. To her, true beauty lies in character—in being a good person, showing compassion, humility, and treating others with dignity and respect. Whether she’s training her staff or working with clients, Amanda brings these values into every aspect of her work. Providing personal services like sugaring requires trust and care, and she ensures her clients feel comfortable and respected at every step.
Amanda is especially excited about the growing interest in sugaring within the aesthetics industry. As more women discover the benefits of this natural hair removal method, she sees a clear shift happening. Sugaring is less painful, free of harsh chemicals, and far gentler on the skin than traditional waxing, making it an appealing option for both professionals and clients alike. She believes that in the near future, sugaring will become the standard in spas and salons, replacing traditional waxing methods. Staying up to date with trends while staying true to her core values has been key to Amanda’s continued success. She considers herself an expert in her craft, and her love for what she does shines through in the way she listens to her clients and trains her staff. She’s confident that sugaring will continue to rise in popularity and is proud to be at the forefront of that movement in her area.
“I define beauty, in general, as simply being a good person… qualities like integrity, humility, courage and compassion equal true beauty.”
One beauty tip Amanda swears by is exfoliation. It’s essential, especially for those who get regular hair removal treatments, as it helps prevent ingrown hairs and removes dead skin cells. She recommends exfoliating the skin a few times a week to keep it smooth and healthy.
Amanda also works to clear up common misconceptions about sugaring. While some people believe it’s completely painless, she clarifies that all hair removal can involve some discomfort. However, sugaring is significantly less painful than traditional waxing because it doesn’t involve heat or chemicals and doesn’t strip away live skin tissue. Instead, it gently removes dead skin cells while being much kinder to the skin overall. Clients often report only mild sensitivity after sugaring, as opposed to the soreness they might experience after waxing.
Looking ahead, Amanda sees sugaring becoming a staple in the industry. She predicts that over the next five years, more spas and salons will adopt the technique as a healthier and more effective alternative to waxing. She’s already seen growing interest in sugaring training, and as more professionals learn the method, its reach will only expand.
For young women aspiring to join the beauty industry, Amanda offers heartfelt advice: dream big, find your niche, and perfect it. She stresses the importance of having a mentor and surrounding yourself with people who support your growth. If you truly love what you do, she says, not only will you succeed, but you’ll also find real joy in your work.
One of the proudest moments in Amanda’s career was launching The Sugar Shop in 2019. From the time she started cosmetology school, she dreamed of owning her own beauty business. Taking that leap of faith and going out on her own was a bold move, but one that proved to be incredibly rewarding. She’s proud of the courage it took to believe in herself and even prouder of what she’s built since then.
To Amanda, being a prominent woman in aesthetics and cosmetics means being recognized for mastering a specialized craft and empowering others to do the same. It means building something unique and valuable in her community and helping to train the next generation of professionals. With her passion, experience, and commitment to excellence, Amanda Jackson is not only a leader in her field but also an inspiration to anyone looking to turn their passion into a thriving business.
“If you truly love what you do, not only will you be able to provide exceptional service, but you will find joy in servicing your clients.”
