The Cypress Lake Wire

By Avery Sturges
February 8, 2026

A bad haircut can make anyone want to hide under a hat, but two local entrepreneurs are hoping to make hair regret a thing of the past.

Virginia Goetting and Lori Lemelle, co-founders of the Lafayette-based startup Bob+Pixie, are developing an app designed to pair clients with their ideal hairstylists. With a combined 30 years of industry experience, the duo aims to eliminate bad salon experiences while reducing burnout among hair professionals.

The concept originated when health complications limited Goetting’s ability to take on clients. The pair struggled to find reliable stylists to refer their former clients to, highlighting a gap in the local market. Their solution: a platform that allows stylists to build a clientele while giving customers the tools to find a professional who meets their specific needs.

Lemelle pointed to a lack of trustworthy booking resources as a primary issue in the industry.

“There is no resource at this point that almost acts like a ‘Match.com’ for stylists and clients,” Lemelle said. “Where somebody can put in their personal preferences, what they need, and their availabilities, and actually find someone based on compatibility.”

Unlike traditional social media, where professionals market themselves to a broad audience, Bob+Pixie focuses on direct alignment. Through a questionnaire and filtering system, users are matched based on specific criteria.

“Social media helps you be seen, but our app helps you be matched,” Goetting said.

This approach is especially beneficial for newer stylists juggling the demands of small-business ownership. By removing the pressure of constant self-promotion, the app allows younger professionals to focus on building meaningful client connections.

Addressing Privacy and Adoption Concerns

While the concept appeals to many, it faces skepticism from some locals and industry veterans.

Lafayette resident Karen Racca prefers the traditional word-of-mouth approach over digital matching.

“My friends are all about style and stuff, so I trust those certain friends who I know … would not go to a hairdresser that was not reputable,” Racca said. “I’d rather a live body tell me their experience than go to an app.”

Jordan Barousse, a 21-year veteran stylist who opened Hello Beautiful Salon in Rayne in 2006, raised concerns about security. Barousse noted that third-party booking systems are often exploited by scammers posing as fake clients, an issue frequently reported on social media platforms like Facebook and Reddit.

To combat fraud, Bob+Pixie will require identity verification for its users. Stylists will retain control over the information they share, and the app will feature a private, two-sided feedback system. A public star-rating feature is also being considered for future updates, ensuring accountability for both parties.

Looking Ahead

Bob+Pixie is currently approaching its beta testing phase, with an initial focus on the Acadiana area. The founders plan to eventually expand across southeastern Louisiana, prioritizing a quality rollout over rapid growth.

The app will be free for clients, while stylists will pay a subscription fee. Goetting said the cost will remain accessible, equating it to the price of “two or three tubes of hair color.”

For Goetting, who transitioned to styling from a career as a multimedia artist, finding the right fit is paramount.

“It was like the stars aligned, and it was where I was supposed to be,” Goetting said.