Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Mariin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My path into beauty wasn’t traditional. It was a blend of passion, timing, and trusting my instincts. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences/Sociology from Northern Michigan University, and after moving to Marquette in 2005, I found myself choosing between three very different paths: pursuing a master’s in social work, enrolling in the police academy, or following my passion into cosmetology school. Ultimately, I chose the path that felt the most “me.”
I enrolled in NMU’s cosmetology program in August 2005, passed my state boards in 2007, and began building my career behind the chair while also working in child welfare. My background in social work deeply influenced my approach to beauty. It taught me how to listen, how to hold space for people, and how to create a safe, judgment-free environment where clients could relax, talk, and simply be themselves. That emotional connection has always been just as important to me as the hair and makeup.
When COVID hit, everything shifted. As agencies prepared to return to in-home visits, I realized it was time to make a decision about the direction of my life. At the same time, my work at Fresh Coast Beauty, both with regular clients and with weddings, was growing rapidly. I made the choice to step away from social work and fully invest in the beauty career I had been building for years, and it ended up being the best decision I could have made. I often say I wish I had done it sooner.
What began as a one-woman operation has evolved into a full beauty brand offering services behind the chair, on-site event styling, a cosmetics line, community initiatives, and even a podcast. Fresh Coast Beauty has become my purpose — a place where artistry and connection come together, and where every client feels seen, heard, and cared for.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I’ve faced some major challenges while building Fresh Coast Beauty including losing my father and then having my home destroyed in a lightning strike just a month later. Rebuilding that home allowed me to create a home salon, which became a symbol of starting over. I eventually outgrew that space and moved into a studio suite at Superior Salon & Spa. It’s been an incredible transition, and working alongside my long time co-worker Steph again has been fantastic for both my creativity and my clients.
I’ve also gone through significant personal chapters that required me to rebuild my life from the inside out. Those experiences demanded a level of grit and inner strength I didn’t know I had — a true sense of SISU. They taught me resilience, independence, and the importance of creating a business that genuinely reflects who I am.
The road hasn’t been smooth, but every challenge strengthened me and shaped Fresh Coast Beauty into the compassionate, community-centered brand it is today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Fresh Coast Beauty?
Fresh Coast Beauty is a boutique luxury beauty brand offering a highly curated, one-on-one experience in a private studio suite. I specialize in advanced color techniques, extensions, traditional and airbrush makeup, and precision styling — all with gender-neutral pricing based on time, artistry, and expertise.
The brand also includes my own cosmetics line, professionally manufactured in Canada and designed for both everyday wear and professional results. The collection features long-wear lip products, eyeshadows, complexion items, and artist-grade tools that reflect the same commitment to quality and performance found in my services.
Education is central to Fresh Coast Beauty. I consistently invest in advanced training, especially in bridal styling and color, to deliver modern, highly refined techniques. Alongside salon services, I offer face-painting parties and kids’ spa events, adding a fun and creative extension to the brand.
For weddings, Fresh Coast Beauty is known for offering a full luxury experience — beginning with professional skin prep and facials and extending to spa-level enhancements like massage therapy and gentlemen’s grooming in the bridal suite. Bridal parties receive complimentary professional brush sets, and brides receive a bespoke luxury touch-up kit created just for their day.
What truly sets Fresh Coast Beauty apart is the heart behind the artistry. My goal is never to change how someone looks, but to empower them and to help them see their own beauty, inside and out. Clients often tell me they feel safe, heard, and cared for in my chair, and that experience is what I’m most proud of. Fresh Coast Beauty blends luxury with authenticity, technical excellence with emotional connection, and elevated services with a personalized touch that reflects the spirit of the Upper Peninsula.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Fresh Coast Beauty has grown because of the people who genuinely show up. My clients have been the backbone of this brand. Their trust, loyalty, and referrals built the foundation I stand on today.
I’m incredibly proud of my bridal team, whose talent, professionalism, and heart elevate every wedding morning. Professionally, Stephanie Perrier has been one of my biggest supporters. Working alongside her again at Superior Salon & Spa has been such a blessing. She shares my work ethic, understands my vision, and has been a steady, trusted teammate through every transition.
I’m also grateful for the support of local wedding vendors, small-business owners, and the Upper Peninsula’s media community. Their willingness to highlight my work, collaborate, and cheer for Fresh Coast Beauty has opened doors and helped the brand grow in meaningful ways.
And of course, my family, especially my mom and sister, who modeled independence, resilience, and the courage to reinvent yourself. My mom showed me that it’s not only acceptable to change careers, but that following your heart can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be. I’m also thankful for the small circle of close friends who consistently show up and support me through every chapter.
Fresh Coast Beauty may be my creation, but its success is shared with everyone who has helped lift it to where it is today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.freshcoastbeauty.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/freshcoastbeauty
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/freshcoastbeauty
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@freshcoastbeauty
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jezolyn
