Small biz spotlight: Rutledge’s celebrates 51 years

With Small Business Saturday just around the corner on Nov. 25, we’re featuring some of our small business members. Small businesses, ones with 25 employees or less, make up the majority of our Chamber & EDC membership and help drive our region forward.

Q& A with Jerry Rutledge, owner of Rutledge’s

Tell us about your business.

Rutledge’s is an upper end clothing, accessory, and shoe business, that has been in service for the past 51 years. We have a philosophy of offering the finest. Our product is made for the guy that wants a fine suit, and we custom tailor everything. Additionally, we offer a wide range of products. The store also offers medium-priced products, so if a customer’s son or grandson wanted a suit, they could come in as well.

What is your favorite part about owning a business?

The most rewarding part is our clientele; we have a fabulous clientele. Also, working at Rutledge’s isn’t work. We have a great staff, and they love providing excellent service.

What makes small business unique?

One of the main reasons that small businesses are unique is service. We know our customers, and we understand their tastes and their habits. That is what we do. One of the suits we offer is one of the finest in the world, and we offer it because that’s what our customers wanted.  We go to markets all of the time, and I find products that I think my customers will appreciate.

What advice would you give to other small businesses?

Get involved in business before you own your own. Have a well thought out business plan and figure out how to execute it effectively. Running a small business is the greatest game in the world.  Figuring out how to run it effectively can be intimidating or fun, and to own a small business you need to have the attitude that it is fun.