After leaving her corporate job, Johnson was approached by the owner of her local independent PYOP studio with the chance to purchase the business. Eager for a new opportunity, she jumped at the chance to learn what it took to be an entrepreneur, purchasing the business on her credit card for $25,000. After that she kept growing and soon became the owner of four PYOP studios, co-founder of a boat manufacturing business and was thriving as a single mom. She eventually wanted to continue expanding her portfolio and became a franchisee with paint and sip brand Painting with a Twist.
In 2021, Johnson became co-owner and CEO of Color Me Mine and has been working to reinvigorate the brand for the success of the next generation of franchisees. Since stepping into her leadership role sales have nearly doubled in the last year and new studios are opening across the country after being stagnant for the past decade. Johnson says her calling in life is to help more entrepreneurs.
Company: Color Me Mine
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company
Teresa Johnson: After leaving my corporate job, I was approached by the owner of her local independent PYOP studio with the chance to purchase the business. Eager for a new opportunity, I jumped at the chance to learn what it took to be an entrepreneur, purchasing the business on my credit card for $25,000. After that, I kept growing and soon became the owner of four PYOP studios, co-founder of a boat manufacturing business and thriving as a single mom. I eventually wanted to continue expanding my portfolio and became a franchisee with paint and sip brand Painting with a Twist.
In 2021, I became co-owner and CEO of Color Me Mine and have been working to reinvigorate the brand for the success of the next generation of franchisees. Since stepping into my leadership role sales have nearly doubled in the last year and new studios are opening across the country after being stagnant for the past decade. I always say my calling in life is to help more entrepreneurs.
Color Me Mine was founded in 1991 and is based in New Orleans, LA. It is the only contemporary paint-your-own pottery franchise in the industry, and has an international presence with more than 120 locations across the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, and the Philippines. Acquired by Twist Brands LLC in 2020, Color Me Mine provides guests with the “The Art of Having Fun” through a unique pottery painting experience in a welcoming, relaxing environment. Guests can choose from hundreds of ceramic pieces to paint, and enjoy an hour or two of entertainment while making meaningful connections and memories with friends and family while creating a unique piece of art. Ceramic pieces are then glazed, fired, and picked up later.
If you were in an elevator with Warren Buffett, how would you describe your company, your services or products? What makes your company different from others? What is your company’s biggest strength?
Teresa Johnson: As a franchise of paint-your-own-pottery studios we are a creative company that provides family fun entertainment or a unique opportunity for quality time with your adult friends! You stop in, pick out a piece of pottery from mugs to vases and follow your imagination to create a one-of-a-kind keepsake.
What makes your company different from others?
Our company is unique from others because we provide the perfect paint escape, whether that be for family outings, date nights or team-building events – again, joining creativity with community!
What is your company’s biggest strength?
Our unique strengths are creative expression, accessibility for all ages and skill levels, and fun for everyone!
Quiet quitting, The Great Resignation, is an ongoing trend causing many businesses to struggle to keep talent engaged and motivated. Most are leaving because of their boss or their company culture. 82% of people feel unheard, undervalued, and misunderstood in the workplace. In your experience, what keeps employees happy? And how are you adapting to the current shift we see?
Teresa Johnson: Three years ago, I came into an existing team as the new leader, I am very proud to say that I have not seen any resignation during that time. We have since doubled that team size and I’m proud of the culture and the work environment we have created. Keeping employees happy is very simple – if you care about your people, they know. They know your door is open to them, they know you will be honest with them, they know you have their back, and they know you will guide them through change and uncertainty.
And how are you adapting to the current shift we see?
You have to pay attention to the little things that your employees need and want. Find out what small things are important to them instead of focusing on the bigger things that you may not have the ability to change. It’s very seldom about the money, people are looking to be part of a team and environment they enjoy.
Online business keeps on surging higher than ever, B2B, B2C, online shopping, virtual meetings, remote work, Zoom medical consultations, what are your expectations for the year to come and how are you capitalizing on the tidal wave?
Teresa Johnson: Continue to focus on meeting your customers where they are. We continue to be a business that actually brings people together in person. Our customers do not have a kiln in their house so we will continue to focus on adding value to the customer coming to our locations and feeding their creative, community and connection needs through an experience that makes customers have a feeling of joy, mindfulness and relaxation when they leave.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as THE real challenge right now?
Teresa Johnson: The real challenge for growth in business today is the rate of increases experienced in the overhead of opening a business. The costs associated with buildout and rent and fixtures has really climbed over the last few years. We are focused on continuously improving in those areas.
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Teresa Johnson: Some of the most underestimated part of running a company are employee engagement, productivity, innovation and consistency. I have learned that taking your eye off one of these areas can have devastating effects. For instance, consistency as a leader. It only takes one situation to lose trust and respect in your organization – this is often overlooked and underestimated.
On a lighter note, if you had the ability to pick any business superpower, what would it be and how would you put it into practice?
Teresa Johnson: I would love to have the business superpower of predictive insight allowing me to forsee market trends, customer preferences and business challenges before they happen. I could stay ahead of market shifts, reallocate resources quicker, get ahead of innovation and improve decision-making.
What does “success” in 2024 mean to you? It could be on a personal or business level, please share your vision
Teresa Johnson: My vision of success for 2024 is simply growth. This means growth of additional franchisees in the Color Me Mine system, growth of the current franchisees at a unit level and growth for those on my team, either personal or professional. When any one of my stakeholders grow, there is nothing but growth for me, both personally and professionally. I like to watch people and teams win!
