Cranbury resident starts a new business.
By: Al Wicklund
JAMESBURG Josephine LaGola, the owner of Electrolysis by Josephine, loves her work because it makes people look better and feel better about themselves and she gets to meet so many nice people.
"I work with men and women of all ages and from all walks of life. They’re all different and they’re all interesting," she said Thursday.
Ms. LaGola has an extra dimension to the enthusiasm she has for her work. She’s back home and it’s like a reunion.
"I graduated from Monroe High School and spent a lot of time in Jamesburg before I went out to work," she said.
She said among her fond memories are winter days in Jamesburg.
"We’d come to Thompson Park, ride the hill on our sleds and spend even more time ice skating. You used to be able to skate on the lake. Then, we’d top it off getting a hot cocoa in Jamesburg," Ms. LaGola said.
Electrolysis by Josephine shares a building with Iron Cycle, which is owned by her fiancée, Wally Whiting. They moved to the new site in April. The building is between Forsgate Drive and William Street.
"He has his motorcycle repair shop, Iron Cycles, with an entrance on the Forsgate Drive. I’m on the William Street side of the building. Mine is a business by appointment. His is a lot of walk-in or drive-in.
"You’d think there would be little relationship between the two, but on several occasions I’ve had clients, in conversation, ask me an automotive question and I’d refer them to Wally who usually had the answer,’ she said.
Ms. LaGola has a lot of opportunity for conversation since the people who see her professionally have private hair-removal sessions.
Electrolysis is a permanent hair-removal process that involves a hair-thin metal probe being slid into a hair follicle. The probe delivers small doses of electricity that destroy the hair where it is generated.
She said people usually feel at home with her.
"Some day I’d like to have a small salon. Some place cozy designed for comfort. Hey, who knows what will develop?" she said.
Right now, Ms. LaGola is quite busy with her shop and with reunions with classmates and old friends.
"Sometimes people will put notes in my mail box or stop me on the street. It’s mostly spontaneous and lots of fun," she said.
Ms. LaGola is a cosmetologist by training and is state-board certified in electrolysis.
She and Mr. Whiting were running their businesses in Milltown until last year, when Middlesex County took the land where their businesses stood for open space.
She said it turned out to be a wonderful thing for all involved.
"The county got land for open space and Wally and I have a great place for our businesses. Jamesburg people are friendly. The town is family-oriented. Moving here was one of best things we’ve done," Ms. LaGola said.
Ms. LaGola prefers that potential clients call for appointments at (732) 881-1770.
"I can answer a lot of questions on the phone and maybe save someone a trip," she said.

