Small Business Weekly Podcast — Episode 510 (12:01)
On today’s episode of the Small Business Weekly Podcast, host Michael Rogers talks with Jerad Rushlow, owner of Jerad Anthony Salon and an Elite Member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. Jerad shares how his family began in the beauty industry in the early 1970s, why he eventually rebranded into a full-service salon and spa, and the extra touches that keep customers coming back.
Episode Highlights
- A legacy, thoughtfully reimagined. Jerad traces his roots to a family-run salon from the early ’70s and explains how he branched out to build Jerad Anthony Salon, a modern, full-service salon and spa.
- Customer service as a competitive advantage. “The key to success for us is, hands down, the customer service,” Jerad says – describing small but memorable extras like complimentary wine, quality tea, and hand massages during color processing that “amplify the service” and earn repeat visits.
- Trust, respect, and retention. By focusing on what service providers are willing to do beyond the basics, the salon builds loyalty and creates an experience guests choose to return to.
Why It Matters for Small Business Owners
Exceptional customer experience doesn’t require lavish budgets – it’s about consistent, thoughtful details that demonstrate care and build trust. Jerad’s approach is a practical playbook: Identify small touches that fit your brand, deliver them reliably, and measure how they impact return visits and referrals.
About the Small Business Weekly Podcast
The Small Business Association of Michigan’s weekly podcast features dynamic interviews with Michigan small business owners and experts – sharing actionable insights to help you run and grow your company. Subscribe on iTunes to get a new episode every week.
Visit SBAM’s Media Hub for past episodes of the Small Business Weekly Podcast.