In 2018, Fresno entrepreneur Antony Ayodele noticed a struggling frozen yogurt shop in the city’s Tower District. But instead of walking by, he saw an opportunity to create something meaningful for his community. He partnered with a teacher friend to start a Saturday morning reading program for local children, giving families a place to gather and learn together.
When the shop’s owner decided to close, Antony faced a turning point. He didn’t have experience running a food business, but he believed in the location and the community connections he had built. After visiting an açaí shop in the Bay Area, he saw the potential to bring a healthy, community-focused café to Fresno. Soon after, Tower Blendz was born.
For several years, Antony self-funded the business, building it from the ground up. But like many small business owners, he faced serious challenges during the pandemic recovery. When Tower Blendz fell behind on rent and utility bills, Access Plus Capital, a Fresno-based community lender, stepped in to help him secure a microloan that allowed him to keep his eight-person team employed and stay afloat.
Access Plus Capital’s support didn’t end with financing. Through the organization’s business accelerator, Antony connected with other entrepreneurs and expert advisors to strengthen his business skills and strategy. This guidance was made possible through California’s SCALE (Success, Capital Acess, and Leadership for Entrepreneurs) program, the flagship program of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), which supports entrepreneurs by connecting them with community lenders, mentorship, and resources to help small businesses thrive.
Today, Tower Blendz continues to serve healthy, locally inspired smoothie bowls and juices in the Tower District. The business has become a neighborhood staple, employing eight people and continuing to embody Antony’s original vision of community impact.
Looking ahead, Antony plans to restart the reading program that first inspired his entrepreneurial journey. He hopes to further integrate social good into his business, continuing to make Tower Blendz a space where the community can thrive together.
Antony credits his success in part to the support he received from Access Plus Capital and the SCALE program. “When states invest in community lenders and business support,” he said, “they’re investing not only in businesses like mine, but in entire communities.”