by Nancy E Williams
June 30, 2025
Alesha and David Magby initially met at Morgan State College in 1999. After a quick relationship in 2003, they went their separate methods, however reconnected 12 years later, in 2015, at Homecoming. Each had skilled life individually, changing into older and wiser. They determined to marry in October 2020, and their union has created not simply life companions however co-parents of a blended household and homeowners of a portfolio of a number of franchise items throughout Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
Since getting into the franchise world in 2018, the Magbys now personal 4 Tropical Smoothie Café franchises — two in Washington, D.C., and two in Maryland, with the latest location opening in 2023, throughout from their alma mater, Morgan State College, in Baltimore. Baltimore can be house to a Phenix Salon Suites franchise, which they bought in 2022.
5 franchises in 5 years, with a couple of model, is a powerful accomplishment that BLACK ENTERPRISE knew our readers would need to hear extra about. Alesha agreed to share extra about their journey, how they plan to increase their portfolio, and recommendation for others trying to construct neighborhood and generational wealth by way of franchising.
BLACK ENTERPRISE: What drew you to the Tropical Smoothie Café (TSC) and Phenix Salon Suites manufacturers?
Alesha Magby: With Tropical Smoothie Café, we had been loyal prospects earlier than even contemplating franchising. A location opened in our neighborhood, and it shortly grew to become a part of our weekly routine. Each Saturday morning, after our exercise, we’d cease in to seize a smoothie and share a wrap. That small ritual—simply the 2 of us having fun with one thing wholesome and constant—lasted for over a yr and made the model really feel private to us. Once we lastly determined to discover franchising alternatives, Tropical Smoothie Café was on the prime of our record. It aligned completely with how we dwell and serve, providing wholesome, scrumptious choices in a welcoming atmosphere. It wasn’t only a sensible enterprise transfer however a pure extension of one thing we beloved.
We had been drawn to Phenix Salon Suites as a result of it represents one thing greater than only a enterprise; it’s about empowerment. This mannequin allowed us to assist particular person entrepreneurs—stylists, estheticians, barbers, and sweetness professionals, by serving to them turn into enterprise homeowners in their very own proper.
We beloved the thought of offering lovely, absolutely outfitted salon areas the place professionals might run their companies flexibly and independently, with out the large overhead of opening a standard salon. It felt like an ideal match for our values, providing actual folks a path to possession and stability. There was additionally sturdy demand within the communities we serve. The sweetness and wellness business continues to develop, and plenty of professionals search non-public, fashionable areas providing extra management and security. Phenix Salon Suites as a result of it allowed us to diversify our portfolio whereas straight impacting entrepreneurs’ lives, particularly girls and minority-owned companies, by serving to them construct one thing of their very own inside a supportive, high-quality atmosphere.
Diversifying
BE: I perceive you’re rising your portfolio with two new franchise manufacturers: Einstein Bro. Bagels and Jersey Mike’s. What was it about these manufacturers that drew you to them?
Magby: Sure, we’re enthusiastic about bringing Einstein Bros. Bagels again to Prince George’s County, MD, by way of a franchise improvement deal we solidified with the model, and we’ve additionally signed a one-store take care of Jersey Mike’s.
As skilled multi-brand franchisees, we acknowledge the worth of sturdy, revolutionary ideas that match properly into our present portfolio and resonate with the communities we serve. Einstein Bros. Bagels gives a high-quality, fast-casual breakfast and lunch expertise, which was lacking in a number of of our native markets, particularly in Prince George’s County, the place we grew up.
The model’s dedication to contemporary substances, heat hospitality, and skill to drive substantial morning visitors made it a pure complement to our different franchises.
We had been tremendous followers of Jersey Mike’s earlier than we ever considered franchising with them. For years, our household gatherings weren’t full with out a Jersey Mike’s catering field on the desk.
Throughout numerous Worldwide Franchise Affiliation (IFA) occasions, we’d go to the Jersey Mike’s sales space to community and genuinely rave about our love for the model. As we appeared for extra methods to diversify our portfolio, the dialog with the Franchise Growth group shifted from raving followers to potential franchise companions.
What sealed the deal was the tradition. The Government Board reminded us of what we beloved about Tropical Smoothie Café: a powerful, values-driven group that was welcoming, skilled, and really wished you to really feel like a part of their household. The assist, the folks, and the model integrity all aligned with our requirements for partnership and progress.
BE: Funding is all the time a subject persons are curious to learn about. Are you able to share a bit about the way you’ve funded your portfolio?
Magby: Funding is all the time difficult; there’s no simple path. We’ve discovered how one can navigate it by being resourceful, persistent, and proactive. Conventional banks weren’t all the time the very best match for us, so we began working with industrial lenders who higher understood the wants of franchise companies. We additionally did the legwork to seek out and apply for native grants and state funds particularly put aside for small companies and entrepreneurs like us. Funding alternatives exist, however you should be prepared to dig. Which means researching continually, asking questions, exhibiting up at state and native places of work, and confidently telling folks what you’re making an attempt to construct. While you’re clear about your imaginative and prescient and refuse to take “no” for a solution, the data and the assist finally come.
Recommendation from an Professional
BE: What’s your recommendation on constructing a profitable, various portfolio, and the way does your success encourage others?
Magby: Constructing a various franchise portfolio begins with understanding your strengths and your long-term imaginative and prescient. You need to select manufacturers that not solely complement one another operationally but in addition replicate your values and life-style. We’ve got six key items of recommendation: 1) Begin with what you already know and love, 2) Diversify neatly, not only for the sake of selection, 3) Put money into sturdy management and methods, 4) Know your numbers and money stream, 5) Leverage each useful resource—grants, lending companions, and state applications, and 6) Keep engaged with the franchise neighborhood.
As for uplifting others, we don’t all the time have a look at ourselves as “profitable” within the conventional sense, as a result of to us, success is an extended journey, not a vacation spot. There’s nonetheless a lot we should be taught; we not often really feel we have now all of the assets or solutions. Day by day presents one thing new, a problem to beat or a lesson we didn’t see coming. This path is just not simple by any stretch. If something is inspiring about our story, it’s that we’ve performed it collectively. The actual success isn’t within the variety of items we function or the manufacturers we symbolize; it’s in being true teammates and companions, in each life and enterprise. That’s the muse of every part we’ve constructed. We hope others see that you simply don’t should have every part found out to get began. What issues most is exhibiting up every day, trusting one another, and constructing in your strengths with relentless willpower. If our journey exhibits something, you may create one thing highly effective whenever you lead with objective, assist one another, and by no means cease studying.
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