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Hairdresser told to get knotted by TV Dragons lands Boots deal
Danny Brierley, Evening Standard20 Aug 2008
A Dragon's Den reject has had the last laugh after his innovative hairbrush was snapped up by Boots.
The high street giant will stock the Tangle Teezer at 600 stores, a year after the five business experts on the BBC2 show rejected Shaun Pulfrey's idea.
The south London hairdresser's device is designed to smooth knotted hair easily and could make the hairdresser a handsome profit.
As well as the lucrative contract with Boots, sales have taken off on the internet and helped push 47-year-old Mr Pulfrey's turnover to £800,000, landing him a £200,000 profit.
With Tangle Teezers now being sold all over the world, he expects to turn over £1.5 million from the product next year.
The success of the £9.99 product has left Mr Pulfrey's part-time staff rushed off their feet. After being rejected by the Dragons - James Caan, Duncan Bannatyne, Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis - he will not have to give away the 15 per cent stake in his company he had put up in return for an investment of £85,000.
If any of the Dragons had gone for the deal they would have made £33,000 this year and £60,000 next year - taking them into profit in just 24 months.
Mr Pulfrey, from Brixton, was told by the Dragons that his idea was not a worthy business project.
He said: "I just made a comment about Deborah colouring her hair to show how useful the product could be, because as a professional hair colourist for 30 years I learned how difficult to comb highlighted hair can be. The fact that Deborah denied her hair was coloured made me lose all hope.
"Her fellow tycoon Peter Jones kind of dismissed my invention very quickly as well. Whatever they said, I knew there was a market for the Tangle Teezer."
Mr Pulfrey lives in a two-bedroom flat which he re-mortgaged to help fund development of his invention. Despite leaving the show with his tail between his legs, he said the experience had helped.
"The whole experience has been instrumental in my success because of the exposure it gave me and my product, but the actual success of the product has been driven by its ability to do what it says it on the pack," he said.
Mr Pulfrey first came up with the idea more than 15 years ago but only began developing the prototypes in 2004.
The specially designed teeth flex just the right amount to minimise tugging while smoothing the cuticle.
Tangle Teezers are popular in Japan where they have been found to add shine to hair which is already tangle free.
Reader views (3)
Hi Shaun,
I knew as soon as I saw your product on DD it was a winner.
I too am a DD reject from NZ with a hair product I have invented- that will hopefully be joining your Tangleteezer on the shelves of Boots soon following great success in the Australian market. Congrats.
- Gail Mcjorrow, Eastbourne New Zealand, 26/02/2010 09:13
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I just love it when a Dragon's Den 'reject' makes good. For me, the Dragon's are turning into greedy leeches. Well done Shaun, and I wish you every success with the Tangle Teezer.
- Sharon, London, 20/08/2008 15:44
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It just goes to show self belief, tenacity and strength can overcome anything. Well done to you, I hope you go ahead to make millions- what the Dragons failed to add up is that there are a lot of women in the world and this is a cheap product that can be sold worldwide. The Dragons just want to make a quick buck - it was meant to be my friend!
- Raj, London, England, 20/08/2008 12:05
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