On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Jerad Rushlow, owner of Jarad Anthony Salon and an Elite Member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. Rushlo discusses his background in the beauty industry, explaining how his family started their business in the early 1970s and how he eventually separated and rebranded his own full-service salon and spa. "The key to success for us is, hands down, the customer service," he says. "You can go get a hair service anywhere, you can get your nails painted, you can get a pedicure wherever you want to go. But what are the extra things that a service provider is willing to do to gain your trust and gain that respect so you want to come back and see this person more often? So, we do a lot of little extra things in our business that attract people to come back a little more often. Here's a little bit of wine during your services that's complimentary, we have nice tea, we do hand massages when your color's processing – little things like that to just amplify the service."

The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol.

Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own.

Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it!

(music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)