Shelby Township Stylist Honored by tng worldwide for Customer Service Excellence

Melody Hutcherson, of Luxeva Salon, recently earned bragging rights in a Best-of-the-Best comparison of customer service providers from around the country.

“Great customer service is key to a business’s success, so on behalf of tng worldwide as well as the customers we cater to, we wanted to honor providers who we felt set the standard for excellence every day. We picked 10 industry experts who treasure their clientele and serve as an inspiration for customer service providers everywhere,” said THE INDUSTRY SOURCE Editor Laurie Humphrey.     

THE INDUSTRY SOURCE is a division of tng worldwide, a Michigan-based leader in providing products, expertise and solutions to the professional salon, spa, tanning, hospitality and beauty industries. Staff reviewed nominations, conducted interviews and then chose service providers who routinely put in the extra time and effort to ensure their clients always received the best care.

The comparison was conducted as part of a quest to offer solutions and examples to industry employees looking to improve their own customer service skills in this highly competitive field. Winners will be featured in THE INDUSTRY SOURCE magazine’s May/June issue.

Melody Hutcherson – Hair stylist from Luxeva Salon, Michigan:

“Visiting a salon is not like going to a fast-food place,” said Hutcherson, who was nominated as Top 10 winner by her boss and mentor, Brandy Hofinger.

Hutcherson makes sure to take the time needed with each customer to give them what they paid for “and then I give them even more.”

The process begins with a smile and consultation to find out what they want, and then she explains how she’ll give them the look they want, she’ll offer suggestions and she makes sure the style they want fits with their lifestyle. “For instance, if I’m working with a runner, a lot of short layers won’t work because she can’t put her hair in a ponytail easily,” she said.

That attention to detail combined with her signature cuts not only keep customers coming back to the Shelby Township salon, but they’ve brought some of her customers to tears according to Hofinger, who calls her employee “an unbelievable, natural talent.”

Hutcherson begins and ends each day believing that all customers are beautiful, even if they don’t always see it. “I don't want to just touch their hair, I want to touch their heart. So it’s my goal to not only make them LOOK beautiful, but to help them FEEL beautiful,” she said.

Participating in community service activities have provided some of Hutcherson’s favorite work moments. She regularly participates in cut-a-thons, and was especially touched by one event benefitting Play-Place for Autistic Children. After reducing the costs of haircuts (so more people would come out) and donating all tips, Hutcherson and her co-workers helped to raise enough money so Play-Place was able to open its new facility. “To be able to help all those kids was really exciting,” she said.

In the industry for just four years, Hutcherson said it’s important to learn as much as you can, even if it seems people are doing something you already know. “Everyone does things a little bit differently, so there is always something new to learn - tips, tricks or shortcuts,” she said.