When Allison Conrad started noticing gray hairs, she wondered why her haircare routine didn’t offer the same proactive approach as her skincare. That question led her and longtime hairstylist Jay Small to co-found Arey. A brand developing supplements and topical products designed to address graying and other changes in aging hair.
On Volume Up by The Tease, Allison Conrad discusses turning a salon conversation into a business and why customer education remains central to the brand.
A Partnership Built Behind the Chair
Conrad had never colored her hair and wasn’t eager to add regular dye appointments to life as a working mother. Her conversations with Small eventually became a partnership that combined her business experience with his perspective as a stylist and trichologist.
They also drew on expertise close to home. Conrad’s father, a doctor and clinical pharmacologist, and her mother, a dietitian, helped research ingredients as the team developed its first supplement.
Setting Realistic Expectations
“This is science. It is not magic,” Allison said.
For her, setting expectations means being upfront about the time and consistency the routine requires. She discusses a commitment of three to six months and the challenge of communicating that in a market accustomed to quick results.
That thinking also shaped product development. When creating the overnight serum Good Night, Grey, the team considered everything from the scent to the applicator, aiming to make regular use enjoyable.
Staying Close to the Customer
Conrad personally responds to customer reviews while Small continues consulting with customers about their routines and concerns.
“I need to know what people are experiencing and what their pain points are,” she said.
Those exchanges help the founders understand what is working and where customers need more support. The relationship that started in Small’s chair continues to shape how they run Arey.
Listen to the full conversation on Volume Up by The Tease wherever you pod. Follow @readthetease and @volumeupbythetease for more.
