Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n- Antima Jain and Pooja Choudhary met 11 years ago through a mutual friend at a party in Minnesota.<\/li>\n
- They were both immigrants from India, had a lot in common\u00a0and lived three minutes away from each other.<\/li>\n
- They ultimately pooled their personal funds to open their own Color Me Mine paint-your-own pottery studio franchise in March 2025.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
A few months ago, a customer walked into Antima Jain and Pooja Choudhary\u2019s<\/a> Edina, Minnesota pottery-painting studio, Color Me Mine<\/a>, with a plan to propose to his girlfriend.<\/p>\nColor Me Mine<\/a> allows customers to pick a piece of pottery like a mug, plate or bowl, and paint it. The studio then glazes and fires it, and the customer can pick up in about a week.\u00a0<\/p>\nThe customer wanted to paint a jewelry tray<\/a> with the question, \u201cWill you marry me?\u201d and use it to propose. Usually it took about seven days for Jain and Choudhary to process a customer\u2019s pottery after they painted it. This time, they agreed to have his piece ready sooner.<\/p>\n![\"Antima](\"https:\/\/www.entrepreneur.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/10\/Antima-and-Pooja.-Credit-Color-Me-Mine-Edina-MN.jpg?w=1024\")
Antima Jain (left) and Pooja Choudhary (right). Credit: Color Me Mine Edina, MN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nJain and Choudhary also helped create the atmosphere that the customer wanted in the studio. Later, the couple brought them a save-the-date card that mentioned the studio. For Jain and Choudhary, it was a reminder of their impact<\/a>. They were creating a space where customers could connect and build lasting memories.\u00a0<\/p>\nA lot in common<\/h2>\n
That sense of connection is also the foundation of their partnership. Jain and Choudhary met 11 years ago through a mutual friend at a party in Minnesota. Both had moved to the United States from India, were raising children<\/a> and enjoyed creative projects.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\u201cWe started talking and realized we have so many things in common, and just like each other\u2019s company,\u201d Choudhary tells Entrepreneur<\/em> in a new interview. \u201cWe started meeting up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\nThey lived a three-minute drive from each other. As their children grew more independent<\/a>, the friends began imagining building a business together. When they started their search in 2023, they explored franchises and visited a nearby Color Me Mine studio.\u00a0<\/p>\n\u201cWe just loved the whole vibe,\u201d Jain says. \u201cIt was such a clean environment, very organized, very colorful. It just felt calming. We both had the same impression.\u201d<\/p>\n
They ultimately pooled their personal funds<\/a> and spent about $300,000 to open their own Color Me Mine location in March 2025. But before becoming business partners, they made a pact: Friendship would come first. Whatever challenges arose, they would keep talking rather than let the business divide them.<\/p>\nThe following interview has been edited for length and clarity.<\/p>\n![\"Pooja](\"https:\/\/www.entrepreneur.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/10\/Pooja-and-Antima.-Credit-Color-Me-Mine-Edina-MN.jpg?w=1024\")
Pooja Choudhary (left) and Antima Jain (right). Credit: Color Me Mine Edina, MN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTheir immigrant stories<\/h2>\n
Tell me about your backgrounds before you became franchise owners.<\/strong>
Jain:<\/strong> I first came to the United States<\/a> in 2003 because of my husband\u2019s work project. We went back and forth between India and the U.S. a few times, and then we came here in 2012 and have been here since.<\/p>\nI have a bachelor\u2019s degree in commerce from India. I taught preschool there, and here I worked at Kumon<\/a>. I was working part-time while my kids were growing up. Now they\u2019re both in college, so this seemed like the perfect time to get into something we would enjoy and have time to invest in.<\/p>\nChoudhary: <\/strong>My husband was already here when we got married, and I moved to the United States afterward. I finished my master\u2019s in electrical engineering<\/a>. We lived in different states before coming to Minnesota around the same time Antima did.<\/p>\nI have an investment property business on the side, which I still continue. I have two girls: one in high school and one finishing middle school at the time of this interview.<\/p>\n
Deciding to franchise<\/h2>\n
Why choose a franchise rather than create an independent studio?<\/strong>
Choudhary:<\/strong> We didn\u2019t have experience running this kind of business, and that was the scary part: How were we going to do it?<\/p>\nA franchise<\/a> felt like a balance between owning an independent business and working in a corporate environment. They provide the platform, but we still have independence in running the studio.<\/p>\nJain: <\/strong>Everything was laid out for us. The guidance and support have helped a lot. Even after our first year, they were still introducing things to make the business easier to operate, including a new point-of-sale system across Color Me Mine studios. We haven\u2019t regretted choosing a franchise<\/a>.<\/p>\nHow did you find your location and fund the business?<\/strong>
Choudhary: <\/strong>The franchisor gave us a territory<\/a>, and we hired a real estate agent to help find a space. We looked at many places before choosing our location in Edina. There are parks and shopping nearby. The franchise team helped us shortlist locations and think about what to look for, including visibility.<\/p>\nJain: <\/strong>The startup cost was roughly in the low-$300,000 range. We both invested from our personal accounts<\/a> rather than taking out a loan. Being partners made it easier to split that investment.<\/p>\nAcquiring customers<\/h2>\n
How have you worked to bring in customers and grow?<\/strong>
Jain:<\/strong> We joined the local chamber of commerce, which helped spread the word. We participated in an art festival near our location and held Mother\u2019s Day and Father\u2019s Day events. We run recurring promotions<\/a> and include discount cards with finished pieces to encourage people to return within a month. We also advertise through a platform the franchise recommended.<\/p>\nChoudhary:<\/strong> We\u2019ve donated to local organizations and participated in school fundraising, too. That has helped.<\/p>\nThe realities of ownership<\/h2>\n
What surprised you most about operating the studio?<\/strong>
Jain: <\/strong>Hiring. I never thought keeping a full staff would be such a challenge. It\u2019s a constant process of hiring and rehiring<\/a> because most of our employees work part-time.<\/p>\nWe give opportunities to high school and college students. Their education comes first, and when they finish high school, they may leave for college. We understand that, but before opening, we hadn\u2019t really thought about how continuously we would need to work on staffing.<\/p>\n
What does a typical day look like for you?<\/strong>
Choudhary:<\/strong> It\u2019s busy. We don\u2019t currently have a full-time manager, so we handle staffing ourselves<\/a>. Sometimes we\u2019re both at the studio; sometimes we alternate days. There\u2019s also glazing, payroll, social media, the calendar and other online work. Every day, something needs attention.<\/p>\nBeyond staffing, what has been difficult?<\/strong>
Jain: <\/strong>Calling customers when something happens to their pottery in the kiln. They may have spent hours creating a piece, and then it doesn\u2019t come out perfectly. Telling them that is hard. It happens very rarely \u2014 we estimate less than 1% of pieces \u2014 but we still dread those calls.<\/p>\nChoudhary:<\/strong> 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<\/a>.<\/p>\nPlanning ahead and protecting the partnership<\/h2>\n
How do you keep business disagreements from affecting your friendship?<\/strong>
Choudhary: <\/strong>We knew things would happen because we were new to this. We agreed to keep an open dialogue and talk if something wasn\u2019t working. We\u2019re doing this because we\u2019re friends<\/a>. If we weren\u2019t going to stay friends, there would be no point in having the business together.<\/p>\nJain:<\/strong> We\u2019re like sisters. There will be disagreements; we can\u2019t always agree. But I wouldn\u2019t have chosen anyone else to do this business with. If I open another studio, I\u2019ll do it with Pooja.<\/p>\nWhat are your goals for the business?<\/strong>
Jain:<\/strong> We would love to open another studio<\/a>. We also want to reach the top five in the franchise\u2019s sales rankings. We\u2019ve been in the top 25 and reached sixth place for one month, but we haven\u2019t made the top five yet.<\/p>\nChoudhary:<\/strong> We have similar goals and the same vision for the studio. That alignment is what makes the partnership special. Most of the time, we\u2019re thinking along the same lines.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
A few months ago, a customer walked into Antima Jain and Pooja Choudhary\u2019s<\/a> Edina, Minnesota pottery-painting studio, Color Me Mine<\/a>, with a plan to propose to his girlfriend.<\/p>\n Color Me Mine<\/a> allows customers to pick a piece of pottery like a mug, plate or bowl, and paint it. The studio then glazes and fires it, and the customer can pick up in about a week.\u00a0<\/p>\n The customer wanted to paint a jewelry tray<\/a> with the question, \u201cWill you marry me?\u201d and use it to propose. Usually it took about seven days for Jain and Choudhary to process a customer\u2019s pottery after they painted it. This time, they agreed to have his piece ready sooner.<\/p>\n Jain and Choudhary also helped create the atmosphere that the customer wanted in the studio. Later, the couple brought them a save-the-date card that mentioned the studio. For Jain and Choudhary, it was a reminder of their impact<\/a>. They were creating a space where customers could connect and build lasting memories.\u00a0<\/p>\n That sense of connection is also the foundation of their partnership. Jain and Choudhary met 11 years ago through a mutual friend at a party in Minnesota. Both had moved to the United States from India, were raising children<\/a> and enjoyed creative projects.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe started talking and realized we have so many things in common, and just like each other\u2019s company,\u201d Choudhary tells Entrepreneur<\/em> in a new interview. \u201cWe started meeting up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n They lived a three-minute drive from each other. As their children grew more independent<\/a>, the friends began imagining building a business together. When they started their search in 2023, they explored franchises and visited a nearby Color Me Mine studio.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe just loved the whole vibe,\u201d Jain says. \u201cIt was such a clean environment, very organized, very colorful. It just felt calming. We both had the same impression.\u201d<\/p>\n They ultimately pooled their personal funds<\/a> and spent about $300,000 to open their own Color Me Mine location in March 2025. But before becoming business partners, they made a pact: Friendship would come first. Whatever challenges arose, they would keep talking rather than let the business divide them.<\/p>\n The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.<\/p>\n Tell me about your backgrounds before you became franchise owners.<\/strong> I have a bachelor\u2019s degree in commerce from India. I taught preschool there, and here I worked at Kumon<\/a>. I was working part-time while my kids were growing up. Now they\u2019re both in college, so this seemed like the perfect time to get into something we would enjoy and have time to invest in.<\/p>\n Choudhary: <\/strong>My husband was already here when we got married, and I moved to the United States afterward. I finished my master\u2019s in electrical engineering<\/a>. We lived in different states before coming to Minnesota around the same time Antima did.<\/p>\n I have an investment property business on the side, which I still continue. I have two girls: one in high school and one finishing middle school at the time of this interview.<\/p>\n Why choose a franchise rather than create an independent studio?<\/strong> A franchise<\/a> felt like a balance between owning an independent business and working in a corporate environment. They provide the platform, but we still have independence in running the studio.<\/p>\n Jain: <\/strong>Everything was laid out for us. The guidance and support have helped a lot. Even after our first year, they were still introducing things to make the business easier to operate, including a new point-of-sale system across Color Me Mine studios. We haven\u2019t regretted choosing a franchise<\/a>.<\/p>\n How did you find your location and fund the business?<\/strong> Jain: <\/strong>The startup cost was roughly in the low-$300,000 range. We both invested from our personal accounts<\/a> rather than taking out a loan. Being partners made it easier to split that investment.<\/p>\n How have you worked to bring in customers and grow?<\/strong> Choudhary:<\/strong> We\u2019ve donated to local organizations and participated in school fundraising, too. That has helped.<\/p>\n What surprised you most about operating the studio?<\/strong> We give opportunities to high school and college students. Their education comes first, and when they finish high school, they may leave for college. We understand that, but before opening, we hadn\u2019t really thought about how continuously we would need to work on staffing.<\/p>\n What does a typical day look like for you?<\/strong> Beyond staffing, what has been difficult?<\/strong> Choudhary:<\/strong> 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n How do you keep business disagreements from affecting your friendship?<\/strong> Jain:<\/strong> We\u2019re like sisters. There will be disagreements; we can\u2019t always agree. But I wouldn\u2019t have chosen anyone else to do this business with. If I open another studio, I\u2019ll do it with Pooja.<\/p>\n What are your goals for the business?<\/strong> Choudhary:<\/strong> We have similar goals and the same vision for the studio. That alignment is what makes the partnership special. Most of the time, we\u2019re thinking along the same lines.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nA lot in common<\/h2>\n
Their immigrant stories<\/h2>\n
Jain:<\/strong> I first came to the United States<\/a> in 2003 because of my husband\u2019s work project. We went back and forth between India and the U.S. a few times, and then we came here in 2012 and have been here since.<\/p>\nDeciding to franchise<\/h2>\n
Choudhary:<\/strong> We didn\u2019t have experience running this kind of business, and that was the scary part: How were we going to do it?<\/p>\n
Choudhary: <\/strong>The franchisor gave us a territory<\/a>, and we hired a real estate agent to help find a space. We looked at many places before choosing our location in Edina. There are parks and shopping nearby. The franchise team helped us shortlist locations and think about what to look for, including visibility.<\/p>\nAcquiring customers<\/h2>\n
Jain:<\/strong> We joined the local chamber of commerce, which helped spread the word. We participated in an art festival near our location and held Mother\u2019s Day and Father\u2019s Day events. We run recurring promotions<\/a> and include discount cards with finished pieces to encourage people to return within a month. We also advertise through a platform the franchise recommended.<\/p>\nThe realities of ownership<\/h2>\n
Jain: <\/strong>Hiring. I never thought keeping a full staff would be such a challenge. It\u2019s a constant process of hiring and rehiring<\/a> because most of our employees work part-time.<\/p>\n
Choudhary:<\/strong> It\u2019s busy. We don\u2019t currently have a full-time manager, so we handle staffing ourselves<\/a>. Sometimes we\u2019re both at the studio; sometimes we alternate days. There\u2019s also glazing, payroll, social media, the calendar and other online work. Every day, something needs attention.<\/p>\n
Jain: <\/strong>Calling customers when something happens to their pottery in the kiln. They may have spent hours creating a piece, and then it doesn\u2019t come out perfectly. Telling them that is hard. It happens very rarely \u2014 we estimate less than 1% of pieces \u2014 but we still dread those calls.<\/p>\nPlanning ahead and protecting the partnership<\/h2>\n
Choudhary: <\/strong>We knew things would happen because we were new to this. We agreed to keep an open dialogue and talk if something wasn\u2019t working. We\u2019re doing this because we\u2019re friends<\/a>. If we weren\u2019t going to stay friends, there would be no point in having the business together.<\/p>\n
Jain:<\/strong> We would love to open another studio<\/a>. We also want to reach the top five in the franchise\u2019s sales rankings. We\u2019ve been in the top 25 and reached sixth place for one month, but we haven\u2019t made the top five yet.<\/p>\n