by Nancy E Williams
June 30, 2025
Alesha and David Magby initially met at Morgan State College in 1999. After a short relationship in 2003, they went their separate methods, however reconnected 12 years later, in 2015, at Homecoming. Each had skilled life individually, turning 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 models 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 also be dwelling to a Phenix Salon Suites franchise, which they bought in 2022.
5 franchises in 5 years, with a couple of model, is a formidable 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 broaden their portfolio, and recommendation for others seeking to construct group and generational wealth by 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 clients earlier than even contemplating franchising. A location opened in our neighborhood, and it rapidly 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 listing. It aligned completely with how we stay and serve, providing wholesome, scrumptious choices in a welcoming setting. It wasn’t only a good enterprise transfer however a pure extension of one thing we liked.
We had been drawn to Phenix Salon Suites as a result of it represents one thing larger 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 grow to be enterprise homeowners in their very own proper.
We liked the concept of offering lovely, absolutely outfitted salon areas the place professionals might run their companies flexibly and independently, with out the huge overhead of opening a conventional salon. It felt like an ideal match for our values, providing actual folks a path to possession and stability. There was additionally robust demand within the communities we serve. The sweetness and wellness business continues to develop, and lots of professionals search non-public, trendy areas providing extra management and security. Phenix Salon Suites as a result of it allowed us to diversify our portfolio whereas instantly 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 setting.
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 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 robust, revolutionary ideas that match nicely into our current 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 recent 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 varied 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 regarded for extra methods to diversify our portfolio, the dialog with the Franchise Growth workforce shifted from raving followers to potential franchise companions.
What sealed the deal was the tradition. The Government Board reminded us of what we liked about Tropical Smoothie Café: a powerful, values-driven workforce that was welcoming, skilled, and really needed 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 at all times a subject persons are curious to learn about. Are you able to share a bit of about the way you’ve funded your portfolio?
Magby: Funding is at all times difficult; there’s no simple path. We’ve discovered tips on how to navigate it by being resourceful, persistent, and proactive. Conventional banks weren’t at all times one of the 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 search 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 keen to dig. Meaning researching continually, asking questions, exhibiting up at state and native workplaces, and confidently telling folks what you’re attempting to construct. Once you’re clear about your imaginative and prescient and refuse to take “no” for a solution, the data and the assist ultimately come.
Recommendation from an Knowledgeable
BE: What’s your recommendation on constructing a profitable, numerous 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 additionally mirror your values and life-style. Now we have six key items of recommendation: 1) Begin with what you recognize and love, 2) Diversify well, not only for the sake of selection, 3) Put money into robust management and programs, 4) Know your numbers and money circulation, 5) Leverage each useful resource—grants, lending companions, and state applications, and 6) Keep engaged with the franchise group.
As for uplifting others, we don’t at all times take 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 hardly ever really feel we’ve all of the sources or solutions. Day-after-day presents one thing new, a problem to beat or a lesson we didn’t see coming. This path just isn’t simple by any stretch. If something is inspiring about our story, it’s that we’ve finished it collectively. The true success isn’t within the variety of models we function or the manufacturers we symbolize; it’s in being true teammates and companions, in each life and enterprise. That’s the inspiration of every little thing we’ve constructed. We hope others see that you just don’t must have every little thing discovered to get began. What issues most is exhibiting up each day, trusting one another, and constructing in your strengths with relentless dedication. If our journey exhibits something, you’ll be able to create one thing highly effective while you lead with goal, assist one another, and by no means cease studying.
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