A few months prior to the grand opening of their Edina, Minnesota-based pottery-painting studio, Color Me Mine, Antima Jain and Pooja Choudhary found themselves at the heart of a deeply personal and heartwarming moment. A customer, seeking a unique way to propose to his girlfriend, walked into their burgeoning business with a special request. He envisioned painting a jewelry tray with the words "Will you marry me?" to present to his beloved. This pivotal interaction, while requiring a slight deviation from their standard processing time, underscored the core mission of Jain and Choudhary’s venture: to create a space where meaningful memories are crafted, one piece of pottery at a time.

The standard turnaround for a painted piece at Color Me Mine involves a week for glazing and firing after the customer has completed their artistic endeavor. However, recognizing the profound significance of the customer’s plan, Jain and Choudhary readily agreed to expedite his order. This act of accommodation went beyond mere customer service; it was a testament to their commitment to fostering an environment that supports life’s most cherished moments. The subsequent arrival of a save-the-date card from the couple, prominently featuring the Color Me Mine logo, served as a powerful affirmation for Jain and Choudhary. It was a tangible reminder of the impact their business was already having, solidifying their belief in the studio’s role as a catalyst for connection and lasting memories.

The Foundation of Friendship and Shared Ambition

The success and synergy between Jain and Choudhary are rooted in a decade-long friendship that began 11 years ago. Their paths first crossed at a party in Minnesota, facilitated by a mutual acquaintance. Both women had independently relocated to the United States from India, were navigating the complexities of raising children, and shared a passion for creative pursuits. This shared background and appreciation for each other’s company quickly fostered a deep bond.

"We started talking and realized we have so many things in common, and just like each other’s company," Choudhary shared in a recent interview with Entrepreneur. "We started meeting up." Their proximity, living just a three-minute drive apart, allowed their friendship to flourish. As their children grew more independent, the idea of embarking on a business venture together began to take shape.

Their entrepreneurial journey officially commenced in 2023 when they began exploring franchise opportunities. A visit to a nearby Color Me Mine studio proved to be a transformative experience. "We just loved the whole vibe," Jain recalled. "It was such a clean environment, very organized, very colorful. It just felt calming. We both had the same impression." This shared positive impression solidified their decision to invest in the franchise.

Pooling their personal funds, Jain and Choudhary collectively invested approximately $300,000 to establish their own Color Me Mine location. This significant financial commitment was made with a clear understanding and agreement: their friendship would always take precedence. They pledged to maintain open communication and resolve any business challenges collaboratively, ensuring that their partnership would not jeopardize their cherished bond.

Navigating Diverse Backgrounds to Build a Shared Vision

The entrepreneurial spirit of Jain and Choudhary is informed by their distinct yet complementary backgrounds, shaped by their immigrant journeys and professional experiences.

Antima Jain’s initial move to the United States was in 2003, driven by her husband’s work. The couple experienced periods of back-and-forth travel between India and the U.S. before settling permanently in 2012. Jain holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from India and previously worked as a preschool teacher there. Upon arriving in the U.S., she took on a part-time role at Kumon while raising her children. With both her children now in college, she identified this as the opportune moment to pursue a venture that offered both enjoyment and the potential for significant investment of her time and energy.

Pooja Choudhary’s transition to the United States followed her marriage, as her husband was already residing in the country. She completed her master’s degree in electrical engineering. Before settling in Minnesota around the same time as Jain, the couple lived in various other states. Choudhary also manages an investment property business, a venture she continues to pursue alongside her role at Color Me Mine. She is a mother to two daughters, one in high school and the other finishing middle school at the time of the interview.

The Strategic Advantage of Franchising

The decision to opt for a franchise model rather than establishing an independent studio was a deliberate one, driven by their desire for a structured yet flexible business framework.

"We didn’t have experience running this kind of business, and that was the scary part: How were we going to do it?" Choudhary explained. The franchise model offered a compelling balance, providing a proven platform and established operational guidelines while still allowing for a significant degree of autonomy in managing their specific studio. "A franchise felt like a balance between owning an independent business and working in a corporate environment," she added. "They provide the platform, but we still have independence in running the studio."

Jain highlighted the invaluable support system provided by the franchisor. "Everything was laid out for us. The guidance and support have helped a lot," she stated. This ongoing assistance extended even beyond their initial year of operation, with the franchise introducing new initiatives, such as a unified point-of-sale system across all Color Me Mine locations, designed to streamline business operations. "We haven’t regretted choosing a franchise," Jain affirmed.

Securing a Prime Location and Funding the Venture

The process of identifying a suitable location and securing the necessary capital was a collaborative effort, with guidance from the franchisor playing a crucial role. The franchisor designated a specific territory for Jain and Choudhary, after which they engaged a real estate agent to assist in their property search. They meticulously evaluated numerous potential sites before selecting their current location in Edina, which benefits from its proximity to parks and shopping centers. The franchise team provided valuable insights, helping them to shortlist locations and identify key criteria, such as visibility, that were essential for business success.

The initial startup costs for their Color Me Mine studio were estimated to be in the low $300,000 range. Jain and Choudhary opted to finance this venture by investing their personal savings rather than seeking external loans. This approach not only reduced their financial risk but also facilitated a more equitable partnership, allowing them to split the substantial investment between them.

Strategies for Customer Acquisition and Business Growth

Since opening their doors in March 2025, Jain and Choudhary have implemented a multifaceted approach to attract customers and foster sustained growth. They have actively engaged with the local business community by joining the local chamber of commerce, which has been instrumental in raising awareness about their studio. Their participation in a nearby art festival provided a valuable platform to connect with potential customers.

To capitalize on key consumer holidays, they organized special events for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Their customer retention strategy includes ongoing promotions and the distribution of discount cards with finished pieces, encouraging repeat visits within a 30-day timeframe. Additionally, they leverage advertising channels recommended by the franchise, expanding their reach.

Choudhary emphasized the importance of community involvement, noting that donations to local organizations and participation in school fundraising initiatives have also contributed significantly to their customer acquisition efforts. These community-focused activities not only build goodwill but also enhance the studio’s visibility and reputation.

The Realities of Business Ownership

Operating a franchise, while offering a structured framework, presents its own unique set of challenges and rewards. One of the most significant surprises for Jain has been the persistent challenge of maintaining a full staff. "Hiring. I never thought keeping a full staff would be such a challenge," she admitted. The studio primarily employs part-time staff, including high school and college students, whose educational commitments often take precedence. This necessitates a continuous cycle of recruitment and onboarding. "It’s a constant process of hiring and rehiring because most of our employees work part-time," Jain explained. While they understand and support their employees’ academic pursuits, the constant need for staffing was an unforeseen aspect of business ownership.

A typical day for Choudhary is characterized by its demanding pace. Without a full-time manager, both she and Jain actively manage staffing and other operational aspects. Their days often involve alternating between the studio, handling tasks such as glazing, payroll, social media management, and other administrative duties. "It’s busy. We don’t currently have a full-time manager, so we handle staffing ourselves," Choudhary stated. "Sometimes we’re both at the studio; sometimes we alternate days. There’s also glazing, payroll, social media, the calendar and other online work. Every day, something needs attention."

Beyond staffing, another difficult aspect of ownership involves communicating with customers when their pottery does not turn out perfectly after firing. "Calling customers when something happens to their pottery in the kiln," Jain shared. "They may have spent hours creating a piece, and then it doesn’t come out perfectly. Telling them that is hard." While such occurrences are rare, estimated at less than 1% of pieces, the emotional weight of these situations is significant. In such instances, they offer a replacement piece and waive the studio fee for a subsequent visit. "We offer a replacement piece and waive the studio fee so they can come back and paint again. We try to do whatever we can to make the experience better," Choudhary emphasized.

Sustaining the Partnership and Charting Future Growth

The success of Jain and Choudhary’s partnership is built on a foundation of mutual respect and a proactive approach to managing potential disagreements. From the outset, they recognized that as newcomers to the business, challenges would inevitably arise. They established an open dialogue as a cornerstone of their partnership, committing to address any issues directly and constructively. "We knew things would happen because we were new to this. We agreed to keep an open dialogue and talk if something wasn’t working," Choudhary explained. "We’re doing this because we’re friends. If we weren’t going to stay friends, there would be no point in having the business together."

Jain described their relationship as being akin to sisters, acknowledging that disagreements are natural but that their strong bond overrides any potential conflict. "We’re like sisters. There will be disagreements; we can’t always agree. But I wouldn’t have chosen anyone else to do this business with," she stated. "If I open another studio, I’ll do it with Pooja."

Looking ahead, Jain and Choudhary harbor ambitious goals for their business. They aspire to expand their reach by opening another studio and aim to ascend within the franchise’s sales rankings, targeting a position in the top five. Having previously been in the top 25 and achieving sixth place for a month, they are driven to reach this pinnacle. "We would love to open another studio," Jain expressed. "We also want to reach the top five in the franchise’s sales rankings. We’ve been in the top 25 and reached sixth place for one month, but we haven’t made the top five yet."

Choudhary echoed these sentiments, highlighting the synergy that defines their partnership. "We have similar goals and the same vision for the studio. That alignment is what makes the partnership special. Most of the time, we’re thinking along the same lines." This shared vision and mutual understanding are the driving forces behind their continued success and their optimistic outlook for the future of Color Me Mine in Edina.