IAOTP names Jessica Sauls for 2026 Presidential Award in Beauty and Cosmetology

Jessica Sauls, owner of By Jessica & Co. Beauty Lounge in Pooler, Georgia, has been selected by the International Association of Top Professionals for its 2026 Presidential Award in Beauty and Cosmetology. She will be honored at IAOTP’s Annual Awards Gala at the Plaza Hotel in New York City in December 2026.

Why it matters: - The award recognizes Sauls for leadership, innovation and professional achievement in the beauty industry. - The honor also highlights her expanding work in mental health life coaching, especially for women affected by addiction and domestic violence. - Sauls’ selection adds another national recognition to a salon business that has built a strong local reputation over nearly a decade.

What happened: - The International Association of Top Professionals selected Jessica Sauls for its Presidential Award in Beauty and Cosmetology for 2026. - Sauls owns and styles at By Jessica & Co. Beauty Lounge in Pooler, Georgia. - IAOTP will honor Sauls at its Annual Awards Gala at the Plaza Hotel in New York City in December 2026. - IAOTP listed the gala information at the award gala page.

The details: - Sauls founded By Jessica & Co. Beauty Lounge in 2016 after building a background in hospitality and customer service. - The salon is described as a boutique space with a warm, modern, shabby-chic atmosphere. - Sauls provides haircuts for women, men and children, coloring, highlighting, waxing, makeup artistry, hair extensions, eyelash and eyebrow tinting, and eyelash extensions. - Bridal hair and makeup are a specialty. - The salon also sells retail products, accessories and an exclusive clothing line. - Sauls earned a master’s degree in 2012. - She holds professional certifications in eyebrow design and lash application from Novalash. - Sauls completed a master’s degree in Mental Health Life Coaching and graduated from The Grand Ole Opry in September 2025. - Sauls is developing a part-time coaching practice focused on supporting people affected by addiction and domestic violence. - Her earlier experience includes work as a lash specialist at Locks and Lashes Boutique and as a hairstylist and makeup artist at All About Hair. - Sauls wrote the book You Have to Feel to Deal, which is available on Amazon and through her website, By Jessica & Co. Beauty Lounge.

Between the lines: - The award comes after years of repeat recognition for Sauls and her salon. - By Jessica & Co. Beauty Lounge was voted Best Hair Salon in Pooler, Georgia, every year from 2016 through 2025. - Sauls received IAOTP’s Cosmetologist of the Decade title in 2022. - She was featured on a Planet Hollywood billboard on the Las Vegas Strip in 2022. - IAOTP named her Top Beauty Salon and Influencer of the Year in 2024 and featured her on a Nashville billboard. - Sauls has also been featured in TIP Magazine and on TIP Radio. - Her comments frame beauty work as a form of emotional support, not just a service business.

What's next: - Sauls will accept the award on stage in New York City in December 2026. - Sauls is focusing on building her coaching work alongside her salon business. - Her community work will continue to center on support for breast cancer awareness and advocacy for domestic violence victims.

The bottom line: - IAOTP is using this award to spotlight a beauty professional whose business success now overlaps with coaching, advocacy and community service.