How Building a Business in Mableton Empowered Leo Rodriguez to Give Back

Here at The Mableton Common, there is nothing we love more than celebrating the people who make our community a great place to live.

Mableton is evolving right before our eyes, and the true heartbeat of that growth is driven by ambitious local business owners and community leaders.

That's why we're so excited to feature Leonel ("Leo") Rodriguez. As the owner of The Normal Barbers, Leo saw Mableton as a hidden gem and built a thriving business that is deeply invested in giving back to the city we all call home.

From a Cubicle to the Clippers

Leo’s story is a classic tale of hard work and chasing the American dream. "I was born in Mexico," Leo shares, noting that his parents brought him to the US when he was just six months old. "And then I grew up in Georgia most of my life". 

Determined to make the most of the opportunities his parents provided, Leo earned the Hope Scholarship, graduated with a 3.6 GPA from the University of West Georgia, and landed a comfortable job in IT.

But sitting in a cubicle didn't sit right with him. "Money was okay, but it wasn't my grand American dream," he recalls. When his company went through budget cuts and let him go, it was a wake-up call.

"I was like, 'Man, I gotta do something. Like, I gotta make sure I'm in charge of what, you know, what I make and how I make it'". 

Since Leo had been cutting hair for friends and family on the side since high school, he decided to take a leap and pivot into barbering full-time. He went to barber school, clocked his 1,500 hours, and signed the lease for his first shop on a Friday in October 2021.

Setting Up Shop in Mableton

To pick his location, Leo followed a strategic rule of thumb: open near a Starbucks or Chick-fil-A because they've already done the market research for you.  

He found the perfect spot right here in Mableton, situated squarely between those big-name anchors.

He was one of the first new tenants to move in after the plaza changed ownership, securing his space before the current boom of renovations and new townhomes brought even more life to the area.

Since opening, his business has grown so much that he expanded to the space right next to his current location. He also bought out the former barbershop where he first got his start, and now he even has another location in Powder Springs.

What Makes "The Normal Barbers" So Different?

Leo drew from his corporate background to bring much-needed structure and top-tier customer service to his shop.  

"You come in, you're like, 'Yo, this is normal, man? Why are y'all actually happy? Why are y'all actually answering the phone?' That's not normal in a barbershop, but it should be," Leo explains.

Real Community Impact

For Leo, having a successful business means having a platform to give back. Each year, he and local sponsors fund a back-to-school event that provides 500 supply-filled backpacks to local kids. It’s proof of his belief that genuine community support means putting in the work. 

Betting on Mableton's Future

Leo isn't just a business owner in Mableton; he is a massive believer in the city's future.

"A lot of people are moving ...out to this area, you're looking at a hidden gem like Mableton," Leo says. "I feel like it's the new Vinings. It's the new Sandy Springs, for our area. And I could see that developing right before our own eyes". 

---

If you are looking for a great haircut from a business that truly cares about Mableton, do yourself a favor and book an appointment with Leo and his team. You can follow Leo and The Normal Barbers on Facebook and Instagram.