Brothers’ journey to business ownership comes full circle in San Mateo

Codie Louie and Andrew Gallardo’s barber stations sit across from each other by the front door of a historic building in downtown San Mateo.

The newly opened Full Circle Barbershop is a dream they conjured more than a decade ago. R&B music resonates through the shop, and Louie enthusiastically sings along as he cuts a client’s hair Wednesday, Oct. 16. On the wall hangs an old black-and-white photo of a man in a well-groomed mustache cutting someone’s hair and smiling near Louie’s workstation.

“That’s our great-grandfather, Alfredo Mica,” Louie proudly pointed with a pair of clippers in his hand. “He had a shop in the Tenderloin, so learning about his life inspired us to pursue this dream.”

However, the duo cut hair long before they learned it was in their bloodline. Growing up in Redwood City, their family didn’t have the money for haircuts at barbershops, so their father did it. When Louie was in seventh grade, and Gallardo was in high school, they tried cutting each other’s hair in the bathroom of their home.

“Once we picked up a pair of clippers and made ourselves look good, that power alone was really where it started,” Louie said.

The duo used YouTube videos for designs and inspiration and, eventually, they cut their friend’s hair in the garage before high school dances and important events.

“For me, when someone comes in looking raggedy, I think I am about to change this lookup, and then after the cut ... they have this newfound confidence. You can see it and feel it,” Gallardo said. “Even when I feel down, and I see how good it makes them feel, it makes me feel better.”

He said he had difficulty finding a passion worth pursuing in college. It wasn’t until his father suggested he went to barber school that he realized it was his passion for years.

“It was in front of me the entire time,” Gallardo said.

As Louie and Gallardo attended barber school, owning a barbershop became their goal. For years, that dream was on hold. Louie worked in San Mateo at the Zoo Barbershop and Gallardo at 101 Barbershop in Daly City.

They said their experience made them realize it was time to pursue the dream of owning a shop. That process started in May, and by August, 308 Baldwin Ave. became Full Circle Barbershop, the previous site of Jozef’s Salon. Josef ran his shop there for more than 20 years before moving to a new location in the city.

“The week we opened landed on his birthday [their great-grandfather’s], and the meaning behind the name of our barbershop is because it was a full circle moment for us.”

The shop is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Walk-in appointments are welcomed.

Visit @Fullcirclebarbershop on Instagram for more information.

Note to readers: This story was changed because it previously stated Josef retired, but he actually moved locations in San Mateo. It was also spelled Josef's but the correct spelling is Jozef's.