Exploring Life & Business with Gemma Jones of Caltrology Electrolysis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gemma Jones.

Gemma, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I was 12 years old, my dad had a passion for collectibles; especially sports cards. Wanting to support his interest, my mom came up with the idea of opening a sports cards and collectibles shop. She wrote the business plan for what would become “The Dugout Sports Cards and Collectibles”, and just like that, a family business was born. I helped out at the shop by ringing up customers at the register, and even at that young age, I found joy in connecting with people and providing great customer service. That experience planted the seed and I knew I wanted to own my own business one day.

A couple of years later, my older brother’s girlfriend invited me to join a local pageant with her. I had no idea what to expect, but I went to the orientation and ended up joining because I loved the sense of community it offered. It was also my first real exposure to the beauty standards many women feel pressured to meet. That experience stayed with me, and I knew one day, I wanted to create something that helped women feel confident, empowered, and beautiful on their own terms.

After two decades of saving, preparing, and building a vision, I finally launched “Caltrology Electrolysis” in Solana Beach. It’s the realization of both a lifelong entrepreneurial dream and a mission to help others feel truly comfortable in their own skin.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like many small business owners, I’ve learned that success isn’t just about skill and consistency. It’s also about having boundaries. One of the biggest challenges early on was learning how to embrace confrontation in a healthy, professional way; particularly when it came to enforcing policies around late arrivals and no-shows.
It’s never easy to turn someone away or charge a cancellation fee, especially when you genuinely care about your clients. But over time, I’ve realized that clear boundaries create a respectful environment for everyone. Honoring my time and energy isn’t just good business. It sets the tone for the kind of experience I want my clients to have as well: structured, reliable, and respectful on both sides.

That’s been a huge area of growth for me— learning that confrontation doesn’t have to be negative. It can be graceful and honest, and setting clear boundaries is helpful for the long-term sustainability of any business.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Caltrology Electrolysis?
At Caltrology, client safety and comfort are our top priorities. We’re proud to be the only electrolysis practice that offers complimentary medical-grade numbing cream to enhance comfort during treatments. We also provide complimentary post-care, including either cataphoresis or high-frequency therapy, along with professional-grade Skinceuticals skincare samples to support healing and maintain skin integrity.

Beyond our in-studio services, Caltrology is deeply committed to advocacy for women affected by PCOS and hirsutism. We actively raise awareness around these conditions and are dedicated to pushing for broader insurance coverage for electrolysis as a medically necessary treatment for PCOS clients.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Yes, I do. My advice would be to “start before you feel ready”. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need to have everything perfectly figured out before you begin, but clarity comes from action. You learn, refine, and evolve as you go. Don’t wait for the “perfect” time because it doesn’t exist.

Also, set clear boundaries early on. Whether it’s enforcing your cancellation policy or managing client expectations, boundaries are what protect your energy and create a professional, respectful environment. It’s not always easy, especially at first, but it’s essential for long-term sustainability.

And lastly, stay connected to why you started. There will be challenges, slow seasons, and moments of doubt, but if your business is rooted in purpose—whether that’s serving others, creating freedom for yourself, or building something meaningful—that will keep you going.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.caltrology.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caltrologyelectrolysis/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559474780732
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CaltrologyElectrolysis
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/caltrology-electrolysis-solana-beach
• Other: https://www.vagaro.com/caltrologyelectrolysis