Jess Palfrey founded dooo four-and-a-half years ago, creating a genderless hair salon that has since expanded to three locations and introduced an app for at-home haircuts, thanks to £200,000 from crowdfunding.
“The idea came from being continuously rejected at hair salons and barber shops. Women’s hairdressers couldn’t do it, and men’s rejected me,” said Jess, the founder of dooo. “I was fed up with having nowhere to go, so I decided to open my own and challenge the gender norms in hair.”
Jess, who initially trained in the army, pursued her dream by raising funds through crowdfunding. Her journey has taken her around the world, even cutting hair at the summit of Mount Everest.
The dooo app caters to those nervous about visiting a salon or needing a quick trim. A fully-vetted stylist will come to your door at an affordable price. Long-hair cuts start at £25, or £20 for those under 15. ‘Creative’ cuts, such as mullets and wolf cuts, also start at £25.
Originally located in Bedminster, dooo has expanded to Old Market and Fore Street in Exeter. The salon also offers training sessions for both beginner and experienced stylists.
As a queer-owned business, dooo provides a safe space for various haircuts. “Queer-owned businesses are crucial for making the queer community feel safe,” said Jess. “I created dooo for you! Our focus is on personalizing the haircut experience.”
“Most of our clients are neuro-divergent and have social anxiety, so we accommodate everyone. Don’t want a mirror? Done. Prefer not to talk? Done. Want the salon to yourself? Done!”
