Inside Heartbreakers Hair Co on Fore Street with Vanessa

Independent businesses that create safe, welcoming spaces for everyone bring an incredible energy to the city. In this feature, we visit Heartbreakers Hair Co. to chat with co-owner Vanessa about building Exeter’s first truly alternative, gender-neutral, and inclusive hair salon.

Co-owned with her husband and approaching four years in business, Heartbreakers is built around inclusivity and a friendly atmosphere for all clients and team members:

"Probably the first alternative hair salon in Exeter that is gender-neutral, LGBT+ inclusive... the reason of Heartbreakers is it's a friendly place for everyone."

Working alongside talented stylists Izzy, Sophie, and Holly, Vanessa brings over 20 years of hairdressing experience, specialising in vibrant colours, wolf cuts, mullets, and shags. Being neurodivergent herself, Vanessa has also tailored the salon experience to support neurodiverse clients:

"Also with neurodiverse people, we've got things like fidget toys, colouring in books, even like clicky things and these like little poppers... just so that they keep their hands busy."

Looking toward the future, Vanessa dreams of expanding the salon's reach while keeping its core mission intact:

"I would like Heartbreakers to be massive... hopefully one day we'll have a Heartbreakers in every major city, having our USP of being such an inclusive safe space."