Families in Franchising: How Ashley and Tarik “Sal” Seawright Are Building a Legacy with Caring Transitions

Family has always been the center of life for Ashley and Tarik “Sal” Seawright, siblings and co-owners of Caring Transitions of Somerset County, New Jersey, which opened in September 2025. For this brother-sister duo — who come from a family of 13 siblings — launching their own business wasn’t just a professional milestone, but a continuation of their family’s legacy of care, connection and service. After years of building successful careers outside of the senior care industry, both Ashley and Sal recognized a deeper call to service.

For Ashley, this meant leveraging her extensive experience in corporate organization and management to find a purpose-driven venture.

“In all of my experiences, I’ve focused on moving forward and on family,” Ashley said. “But I needed to find something that would allow me to run it on my own and give back. Making a daily impact was missing for me.”

Family legacy

For Ashley, family has always guided her path. “The main thing for us is always legacy and family,” she said. “That is really how we’ve lived our whole lives. There are 13 of us in our immediate family, and that’s why family has been at the forefront.”

After 20 years in corporate America, working in office and event management roles — including time at the Food Network — Ashley was ready for a new challenge.

Sal, meanwhile, had spent nearly a decade running his own moving business. His introduction to Caring Transitions came by chance. “I met an owner of Caring Transitions who hired me to do some moving for him,” he said. “He later told me I already had the crew, the skills and the reliable service — I understood what it would take to do this type of work.”

That experience stuck with him. “My father always had a dream of us opening a business together,” Sal said. “Knowing this business and knowing the ins and outs, I knew it would be hard to handle all of it myself. Ashley seemed like the best person professionally and the best person to bring in on this endeavor.”

Franchise fit

With Sal’s operational experience and Ashley’s organizational and management background, Caring Transitions — a franchise focused on senior relocation, downsizing and estate sales — was a perfect fit.

“The market was a big selling point,” Sal said. “I already had a lot of clients in 55-and-older communities. It takes a particular skill to do that work with compassion and care. We grew up around older family members, so we understand that generation and the patience it requires. There’s a lack of compassion in this field, and we knew we could bring that human touch.”

Ashley agrees, noting that Caring Transitions felt different from the start. “It’s important to live the brand,” she said. “Everyone we met was so passionate about what they do. Caring Transitions stood out more than any other franchise — especially since Sal already had the experience. The support you get from corporate is unprecedented. They really want you to have the tools to succeed.”

Together, they’ve divided their responsibilities based on their strengths. “I’m the COO and she’s the CFO,” Sal said. “I handle operations, moving and customer service. Ashley ensures everything is paid and invoiced correctly, and she’ll be leading our estate sales.”

“I’m handling the behind-the-scenes work, connecting with leads and doing consultations,” Ashley said. “I love talking with people, and I’m looking forward to expanding that aspect with the brand.”

Growth plans

The Seawrights’ vision goes beyond a single franchise — it’s about growth, sustainability and impact. “By this time next year, we’re looking at having five franchises,” Sal said. “We’re hoping to add two more by the end of next year. The goal is to make it as big as possible.”

Ashley emphasizes that their growth ambitions are rooted in legacy and community. “We want to expand our legacy as a family with Caring Transitions,” she said. “We can work together and work for our family. We want to make sure we have the right systems and support in place for our employees — they’re good at what they do, and we want to give them every tool they need.”

While many people warn against going into business with family, Ashley and Sal have a different perspective. “When people say don’t go into business with family, it’s because they can’t separate the business from the personal,” Sal said.

“Don’t go into business with your family unless you’re clear on your goals,” Ashley said. “You have to understand each other’s strengths. Sal has the operational skill set, and he’s also aware of what he needed to add — my skills. Siblings know what the other is good at. It’s about cultivating your talent and delegating it out. It’s not always smooth sailing, but we trust each other’s judgment. For families in franchising, you need candor, trust, and a shared goal. Who can you trust if you can’t trust your family?”