Brewing a New Venture

Reign Drink Lab
Listen

Tam Le MBA ’13 grew up in a world where generations, business, and cultures overlapped in restaurant kitchens. But, it was a five-month Cultivate Small Business program at Babson that really helped him break new ground.

Le’s father, Thanh Le, emigrated from Vietnam in 1981 and opened a restaurant called Pho Hoa in Dorchester in 1992. From the get go, Tam was raised in the restaurant industry, and picked up a thing or two about how to run a business.

Like a true entrepreneur, he spotted ways to improve and grow his family’s restaurant. “I had been owner/operator/manager for about 10 years,” said Le. “Coming from a family business, I had an informal business education, but I knew there had to be better ways to do things.”

Step One: An MBA

He turned to Babson, hoping to learn the skills and mindset needed to improve his family’s restaurant business. “The feeling I got from Babson was one of inclusivity and a strong sense of community,” he said. Le’s first step was an MBA.

Le made close friends who have been with him throughout his business journey. “We share this connection that is more than just friendship,” he says. “We love to talk about business.”

Le emerged from the MBA program ready to seize opportunities. “I bought a then-struggling restaurant unit from my parents, and turned it around.”

Le’s new restaurant, Pho Linh in Quincy, MA allowed him to implement what he had learned. “I identified bottlenecks and improved efficiency, product quality, and consistency.”

Step Two: Cultivate Small Business

Six years later, Le returned to Babson for the Cultivate Small Business program. “I had started Reign Drink Lab two years prior.” Le said. “It started out as a fun project amongst good friends, and turned into a serious opportunity.”

Then there were the added benefits.

“The value I saw for the participants was incredible—the program was taught by Babson professors, and included a grant when I finished. I was like, wait—you mean you’re going to teach me, and you’re going to pay me for learning? I was looking for the catch,” said Le.

Cultivate Small Business, a partnership between Santander Bank, Babson College, Commonwealth Kitchen, and ICIC was designed specifically for early stage food entrepreneurs.

Reign Drink Lab originated out of an unoccupied and underutilized space in the restaurant. “Taking from what I learned at Babson, I thought, how do I take this revenue stream and generate new revenue?”

This spark eventually became Reign Drink Lab, a coffee shop that churns out brewed and blended drinks made from real ingredients, free from any powders or fillers.

“It started as an idea that if we have more transparency with our beverages, people will buy more,” said Le. He was encouraged by the steady foot traffic from a neighboring restaurant. “Customers would come from the restaurant next door—they would literally walk over for our coffee.”

Long-Term Growth

As Le looks to grow Reign Drink Lab, he continuously taps into his wealth of business knowledge and experience. “We’re focusing on solidifying our first unit so that we can scale it—we are looking for our next location to be the flagship,” said Le.

Le has plans to open a new restaurant this November and has signed a lease where he plans to open another new restaurant in January, 2021. As he reflects on his journey, Le is thoughtful, mindful, and focused.

“While our purpose is to preserve and promote our Vietnamese heritage, creating 12 jobs through Reign Drink Lab has given me a sense of fulfillment,” he said. “My parents created tremendous opportunities for me and my brothers, and it would be only fitting to pay it forward and create opportunities for others.”

Posted in Entrepreneurial Leadership

More from Entrepreneurial Leadership »

Latest Stories

Students walk on Babson's sunny campus.
Leading the Way: Babson Wellness Chief Elevates Well-Being Priorities in Higher Education Ryan Travia, associate vice president for student success at Babson, issues a call to embrace well-being as central to student success in an upcoming book that offers a roadmap to leadership in student health.
By
Hillary Chabot
Writer
Hillary Chabot
Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.
October 8, 2025

Posted in Community, Insights

7 women standing on stage holding awards
Six Visionary Leaders Honored by the Frank & Eileen™ Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership As part of its 25th anniversary celebration, the Frank & Eileen™ Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership presented Legacy & Impact Awards to six women whose vision and leadership continue to shape Babson and the world.
By
October 8, 2025

Posted in Community, Entrepreneurial Leadership

A woman points to a presentation in a meeting
Why Analytical Thinking Is the Cornerstone of Strategic Business Decisions Business decisions are rarely simple. Analytical thinking is critical for leaders to identify and navigate the options in front of an organization, so it’s important to develop analytical thinking skills in order to make smart decisions.
By
October 7, 2025

Posted in Insights