From sweet shop to salon: the Ringwood beauty studio with transformation at its core
By Jess Watts | 29 August 2026 | Techs & Salons
Gemmy Jay Nail Artist & Training Academy is a space of transformation. From its beginnings as a sweet shop to the botanical salon and training academy it is today, the space has lived many lives.
Owner & Scratch Stars Social Media Star of the Year finalist 2026, Gemma Jones, reveals why clients and students travel from far and wide to experience it…
Ringwood-based beauty space, Gemmy Jay Nail Artist & Training Academy, used to have a very different identity. The Chocolate Box was a beloved sweet shop that shut down, leaving the premises empty and in need of a new purpose.
When Gemma Jones first viewed the space, she immediately saw the possibilities. “Sometimes, the biggest transformations begin with seeing potential where others see an empty shop,” she says.
After more than 25 years in the nail industry, Gemma had a clear vision of what she wanted to create. She envisioned a destination bringing together creativity, education and community.
“I wanted a space where clients feel relaxed the moment they walk through the floral doorway, and I aimed to give students an academy where they can learn in small classes with plenty of individual support,” Gemma explains.
With the help of her fiancé, family and friends, she began transforming the premises, officially opening the doors to Gemmy Jay Nail Artist & Training Academy in December 2024.
Collaboration at the core
Situated in Ringwood – known as the ‘Western gateway to the New Forest’, the salon’s surroundings help ground its interior. “The overall aesthetic is inspired by modern luxury with a botanical twist: soft neutral tones, natural textures, elegant florals and plenty of natural light,” Gemma reveals. “I wanted the space to feel calm, welcoming and professional, rather than clinical or intimidating.”
The salon’s transformation doesn’t stop with its aesthetic. During the week, the space is home to Gemma and fellow independent beauty professionals, Hannah and Becca, while at weekends, the private beauty room transforms into a training academy for small groups of nail students.
“Education has always been at the heart of my career, so having a dedicated space that can adapt so seamlessly between beauty treatments and professional education works perfectly,” Gemma shares.
She continues: “It comfortably accommodates up to four students, allowing me to teach in small groups where everyone receives individual guidance, hands-on support and a more personal learning experience than larger classes can offer.”
A sense of community is infused into the walls of the space, with Gemma noting that the salon ‘is built on collaboration’. She comments: “While Gemmy Jay’s is my business, it’s also home to Becca and Hannah, who each run their own businesses from within the salon. I love that we’ve created an environment where we can support one another, celebrate each other’s successes and offer clients a wider range of treatments, while maintaining our own unique identities.”
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What’s on offer?
All three beauty pros offer nail services, with Becca also providing waxing, lash lifts and tints, and brow treatments. Gemma specialises in ‘bespoke nail enhancements and natural nail services’. Tailoring every appointment to the individual client, she offers L&P acrylic enhancements, builder gel overlays, gel polish manicures, luxury nail art, and E-file manicures and pedicures.
“Without a doubt, my most popular treatment is L&P acrylic enhancements,” she acknowledges. “Acrylic has been my passion throughout my career and is the medium I feel most creative with. It offers incredible strength, versatility and longevity, allowing me to create everything from beautifully natural nails to dramatic, intricate designs. It’s also the subject I love teaching the most, helping nail technicians build confidence in what is often considered one of the more challenging nail systems to master.”
Gemma is passionate about using quality products that deliver ‘exceptional results, reliability and safety’. “Having worked in the industry for over 25 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to try many of the leading professional brands, and that allows me to make informed choices based on performance,” she says.
“I predominantly use HD Professional Nail Systems products, as I have complete confidence in the quality and consistency of the brand. Being part of the Hazel Dixon Nail Artist Academy team also means I teach using products I genuinely trust and use every day in the salon.”
A future of growth
Professionalism permeates the client and student experience at Gemmy Jay Nail Artist & Training Academy. “Every detail, from the floral frontage to the botanical interiors, the way we welcome clients and how I teach my students, has intention behind it. There are no compromises; it’s a space built around my values of creativity, kindness, professionalism and education,” Gemma states.
Looking ahead, Gemma hopes to become recognised not only for her nail artistry, but for ‘producing confident, knowledgeable professionals who genuinely love what they do’.
“Success isn’t about having the biggest salon or the largest team; it’s about making a lasting impact,” she says with a smile. “If, years from now, clients still leave feeling happier than when they arrived, students leave believing in themselves and the salon continues to have a positive influence on our local community and the nail industry, I’ll consider that my greatest achievement.”
Follow Gemma on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok.
Read here how Gemma created a dazzling nail look to support a local bar’s Pride event.
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