Learn more about Magie’s career journey to understand what makes her story and success truly special.
Growing Up
Magie was born into poverty with 68 brothers and sisters and experienced many hardships. Hunger, physical, and emotional abuse were prominent and because of that, she learned at an early age how hunt for food and how to use her mind to redirect pain and turn it into hope to help her escape everyday suffering. She saw herself as a successful woman even though she hadn’t experienced life outside of the barbed wired fence.
Homeless in America
After graduating college, Magie couldn’t find a job and became homeless during the winter months in West Virginia. She lived in her car until the engine exploded, after which she lived in the streets and then in a nearby forest. Donna, a cook from the University of Charleston, learned of Magie’s homelessness and spoke on Magie’s behalf to the President of the university. They graciously allowed her to stay in the dorms until she could get back on her feet.
Entrepreneurship
In 2004, Magie started her Fresh Salsa company with $800, a gift that a stranger gave her at the salsa contest (to start her business). With zero business experience, Magie’s source and guide was Google. She created a list of stores to call and was rejected 90 times, but eventually, The Whole Foods Market says ‘yes’. After being rejected by banks to fund her new opportunity, Magie borrowed money from friends to make the first Whole Foods order. She even obtained her truck driver’s license to deliver her products. That year, Maggie’s Salsa goes from making $12K per year to a whopping $1.9 Million. She learned that resilience, resourcefulness, and relentlessness are essential to realizing her dreams.
A Father’s Pride
Magie’s father, who was her caregiver, never recognized her success until a week before his death. On May 29th, 2009, he wrote a powerful letter to his daughter, telling her (among other things) how proud he felt. After her caregiver passes, Magie quickly learns that you cannot pursue your purpose if it is based in fear of failure, and she rediscovered her ‘WHY’. She learned that Fresh Salsa was a steppingstone to something bigger. Re-discoveries are necessary to grow, pivot, and evolve.
Helping Others
Magie suddenly went back to Mexico to the town where she was from and helped rescue 31 orphaned children from a drug cartel. She learned that giving is so much more than just giving material things. It is all about the willingness to give your life in service of others. She recognized that the choices she’s made since she was living in the orphanage have changed her destiny. Now, she had the opportunity to user her voice to help others change their lives.
A Way Out
In middle school, Magie discovered basketball as a way out of the orphanage. In High school, she was recruited by the Mexican National Team in Mexico City, but she broke her collarbone before she could join. She learned that things always happen for a reason and that they always lead to something better “if you choose to believe that”, (even though her caregiver told her that her dreams were over). Four months later, on a trip to the US with the orphanage, Magie was recruited to play for the University of Charleston, and that is how she came to America.
Magie’s Fresh Salsa
Magie entered a fresh salsa contest in West Virginia after one of her friends signs her up. Her salsa grew popular around her university campus because she made it for her friends, and then word spread to her professors. Her professors even asked that she bring batches to class! That year Magie won the salsa contest by unanimous vote. This was her “Ah-ha” moment, and she decided to start her fresh salsa company. She now has her Purpose. She wanted to succeed and prove her caregiver wrong.
Rising Success
In 2009, Maggie’s Salsa grows over 500% and is awarded the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the Small Business Administration. She is the recipient of The Nobel Entrepreneurial Prize in Mexico, and she is inducted into the University of Charleston’s Hall of Fame. Her products are in 38 states in supermarkets like Whole Foods, Sam’s Clubs, Walmart, and many more. She learned how to scale quickly and adapt to change, growing her company to a new fleet of trucks to distribute her products, employing over 200 team members, and intuitively building a successful culture based on the company’s WHY. It was important for her team to understand and feel like they were a part of something bigger than themselves.
Next Moves
In 2015, Maggie’s Salsa sold to Campbell’s Soup with Garden Fresh for $231 Million. Three years later, Magie began work with Hollywood Dreams International Film Festival to write a movie script about her story. She learned that she had an opportunity to share her message with the world. She was ready to share her message of staying grounded and to always remember where you come from.
Inspiring Audiences
In 2022, Magie was inducted into the NAWBO Hall of Fame (The National Association of Women Business Owners), and the University of Charleston honored her with an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree. Magie was also invited to serve on their Board of Directors. As she reflects on her time at the university, coming America without knowing English, the discipline she had to develop to play three sports on scholarships, her community involvement, and her commitment to her studies, all of these experiences have shaped her life. She realized that the greater the adversity, the greater the opportunities.
Growing Up
Magie was born into poverty with 68 brothers and sisters and experienced many hardships. Hunger, physical, and emotional abuse were prominent and because of that, she learned at an early age how hunt for food and how to use her mind to redirect pain and turn it into hope to help her escape everyday suffering. She saw herself as a successful woman even though she hadn’t experienced life outside of the barbed wired fence.
A Way Out
In middle school, Magie discovered basketball as a way out of the orphanage. In High school, she was recruited by the Mexican National Team in Mexico City, but she broke her collarbone before she could join. She learned that things always happen for a reason and that they always lead to something better “if you choose to believe that”, (even though her caregiver told her that her dreams were over). Four months later, on a trip to the US with the orphanage, Magie was recruited to play for the University of Charleston, and that is how she came to America.
Homeless in America
After graduating college, Magie couldn’t find a job and became homeless during the winter months in West Virginia. She lived in her car until the engine exploded, after which she lived in the streets and then in a nearby forest. Donna, a cook from the University of Charleston, learned of Magie’s homelessness and spoke on Magie’s behalf to the President of the university. They graciously allowed her to stay in the dorms until she could get back on her feet.
Magie’s Fresh Salsa
Magie entered a fresh salsa contest in West Virginia after one of her friends signs her up. Her salsa grew popular around her university campus because she made it for her friends, and then word spread to her professors. Her professors even asked that she bring batches to class! That year Magie won the salsa contest by unanimous vote. This was her “Ah-ha” moment, and she decided to start her fresh salsa company. She now has her Purpose. She wanted to succeed and prove her caregiver wrong.
Entrepreneurship
In 2004, Magie started her Fresh Salsa company with $800, a gift that a stranger gave her at the salsa contest (to start her business). With zero business experience, Magie’s source and guide was Google. She created a list of stores to call and was rejected 90 times, but eventually, The Whole Foods Market says ‘yes’. After being rejected by banks to fund her new opportunity, Magie borrowed money from friends to make the first Whole Foods order. She even obtained her truck driver’s license to deliver her products. That year, Maggie’s Salsa goes from making $12K per year to a whopping $1.9 Million. She learned that resilience, resourcefulness, and relentlessness are essential to realizing her dreams.
Rising Success
In 2009, Maggie’s Salsa grows over 500% and is awarded the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the Small Business Administration. She is the recipient of The Nobel Entrepreneurial Prize in Mexico, and she is inducted into the University of Charleston’s Hall of Fame. Her products are in 38 states in supermarkets like Whole Foods, Sam’s Clubs, Walmart, and many more. She learned how to scale quickly and adapt to change, growing her company to a new fleet of trucks to distribute her products, employing over 200 team members, and intuitively building a successful culture based on the company’s WHY. It was important for her team to understand and feel like they were a part of something bigger than themselves.
A Father’s Pride
Magie’s father, who was her caregiver, never recognized her success until a week before his death. On May 29th, 2009, he wrote a powerful letter to his daughter, telling her (among other things) how proud he felt. After her caregiver passes, Magie quickly learns that you cannot pursue your purpose if it is based in fear of failure, and she rediscovered her ‘WHY’. She learned that Fresh Salsa was a steppingstone to something bigger. Re-discoveries are necessary to grow, pivot, and evolve.
Next Moves
In 2015, Maggie’s Salsa sold to Campbell’s Soup with Garden Fresh for $231 Million. Three years later, Magie began work with Hollywood Dreams International Film Festival to write a movie script about her story. She learned that she had an opportunity to share her message with the world. She was ready to share her message of staying grounded and to always remember where you come from.
Helping Others
Magie suddenly went back to Mexico to the town where she was from and helped rescue 31 orphaned children from a drug cartel. She learned that giving is so much more than just giving material things. It is all about the willingness to give your life in service of others. She recognized that the choices she’s made since she was living in the orphanage have changed her destiny. Now, she had the opportunity to user her voice to help others change their lives.
Inspiring Audiences
In 2022, Magie was inducted into the NAWBO Hall of Fame (The National Association of Women Business Owners), and the University of Charleston honored her with an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree. Magie was also invited to serve on their Board of Directors. As she reflects on her time at the university, coming America without knowing English, the discipline she had to develop to play three sports on scholarships, her community involvement, and her commitment to her studies, all of these experiences have shaped her life. She realized that the greater the adversity, the greater the opportunities.
Why do some people find success while others miss opportunities despite facing similar obstacles? Get your FREE copy of Decoding Success: The 3 R’s of Highly Successful People to learn Magie’s no-fail strategies for success regardless of your goals. (Spanish-version included!)
"*" indicates required fields
