Teresa Johnson Blends Passion and Strategy to Foster Innovation at the Paint-Your-Own-Pottery Franchise
Perhaps Teresa Johnson should change her Color Me Mine title from CEO to brand evangelist. She overflows with optimism about the paint-your-own-pottery franchise as well as for the financial opportunities and personal fulfillment it provides to franchisees.
Johnson concedes that the Covid pandemic temporarily stifled customer traffic at paint-your-own-pottery studios. Industry revenue hit a low in 2020, IBISWorld confirms, but a recent report from the market research company notes that revenue has been trending upward since then. This year, the U.S. market size will be about $22.5 million, according to IbisWorld, which predicts steady growth from 2024 through 2029.
Creative Comeback
Johnson supplies several reasons for that comeback. “Americans lost so many entertainment venues following the Covid-19 pandemic, and that helps Color Me Mine franchises today. They provide communities with a place to gather and enjoy the company of friends and neighbors. People are ready to go back out into the world and interact with one another, which is so important for our well-being, but we are lacking the spaces to make those connections. Color Me Mine is working to close those gaps and bring people together.”
She also points to the surge in staycations, with 173 million Americans saying they’ve taken or plan to take a staycation, Radicalstorage.com reported in November 2023. During staycations in their hometowns, “they’re looking for family-friendly, fun activities,” Johnson says. “This makes Color Me Mine a popular destination for people of all ages … a place that is just fun. Customers can leave their worries at the door and immerse themselves in a hands-on activity that allows their creativity to flow. It is an opportunity to disconnect from screens, relax from a busy day, bond with friends and family – just have a good time. Every visit to the studio is unique, and there is always something new to paint.”
Even people who say they’re challenged to draw stick figures can find their creative mojo at Color Me Mine, Johnson insists. “It is a welcoming place for everyone no matter their artistic ability, age or identity. Anyone can come in with their family, friends or individually to let their artistic side run wild.”
In short, she says, the Color Me Mine franchise blooms with opportunities. “First, it provides franchisees an avenue to make an impact in their community by offering a way for people to connect. Color Me Mine is also an opportunity for people to change their lives and build a legacy for their family as an entrepreneur. Several of our franchisees are first-time entrepreneurs and have been able to create a business their kids can be involved with as they grow.”
We are steadily working toward our goal to have 300 studios open over the next five years.
Johnson’s Résumé and Tasks Today
For roughly three years, Johnson has been the wizard behind the curtain for those opportunities. Twist Brands acquired Color Me Mine in 2020, and in 2021, she became the co-owner of Twist Brands and was named CEO of Color Me Mine. “Since then, we’ve been working to refresh the brand in a way that would reignite a sense of excitement in franchisees and guests that has helped to move the brand forward. The leadership team and I have worked hard to prove ourselves to the existing franchise system, and we are steadily working toward our goal to have 300 studios open over the next five years.”
Expansion of the franchise is an important goal, Johnson says, but not the only one. “I’m also focused on three pillars – studio gross sales, profitability and equity value. We are working toward accomplishing these goals by empowering our franchisees to host events and work with local organizations that best serve their communities. We also provide marketing and business strategies that franchisees can utilize that are designed to best serve their business’s overall success and also ensuring that when the time comes, they have an exit plan and solid business to pass on.”
Her CEO role represents the culmination of years of dues-paying experience in the business world. “In 2006, I was a single mom with a mortgage and a one-year noncompete agreement in my corporate job. I had an opportunity to become an entrepreneur, and I knew it would be tough, but I wanted to show my daughter that anything was possible. I bought my first paint-your-own-pottery studio on my credit card for $25,000 and went to work learning how to run and develop a business that grew into four independent pottery studios.
“The greatest lessons for me as an entrepreneur have been learning that failure is an experience that gives you the chance to learn and grow, and that hard work wins. Now when my team calls me for advice or with a challenge, it is exciting for me to help them through it. I know what to do because I’ve also been there, and it is important to me to be a guiding light through the challenging times and be the person I wish was there when I was learning.”
Looking back, Johnson, 58, admits to “a lot of learning curves,” but says her entrepreneurial efforts “taught me that when you work hard and lead with kindness, you will see success when you come out on the other side. These lessons have helped me grow into the leader I am today.”
Visionary Leadership
When asked about her leadership style, Johnson says it’s a blend of transformational leadership and servant leadership. “You see the following characteristics and traits in these leaders,” she says. “One, a focus on the future. You show and inspire followers to look forward – to learn from the past but look forward. Two, a focus on change – trying to continuously improve so the team and organization are better. And three, a focus on people; these leaders see the strengths in every one of their followers and help them achieve their full potential. When the individuals win, the team wins. Servant leadership is defined as a style of leadership that puts the needs of others first.”
Johnson adds that she is “passionate about helping others find their own success whatever that looks like for them. … Find out what your team’s dreams are and do what you can to help them get there.” Johnson tries to assign tasks that each individual will enjoy because “they will do a better job and be happier doing it. Most people get energy from their strengths, by doing the things that they love and are good at. … I never ask anyone to do something I am not willing to do myself,” and she’s big on communication. “I frequently check in with my team.”
That team provides support to franchisees starting from the minute they sign the franchise agreement, she says, and never stops. When evaluating franchisees, Johnson says the Color Me Mine franchise seeks “people who want to learn, are committed to continuously improving, and seek opportunities for knowledge and growth. Franchise partners should be involved in their communities, passionate about fostering connection between guests, and work to create a welcoming environment in their studios.”
Color Me Mine’s Franchise Growth
So far this year, Color Me Mine has opened studios in Chicago, San Antonio, and El Segundo and Rocklin in California. Sixteen additional studios will be opening coast to coast in 2024. Average unit volume exceeded $443,000 last year, and the total start-up investment ranges from $180,000 to $350,000. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Color Me Mine, visit https://colormeminefranchising.com/.
