Executive Overview
In the heart of Edina, Minnesota, a bustling pottery-painting studio has quietly evolved into much more than a retail storefront—it has become a focal point for community connection, lasting memories, and entrepreneurial triumph. Owned and operated by lifelong friends and business partners Antima Jain and Pooja Choudhary, the local Color Me Mine franchise location has captured public attention not only for its vibrant creative environment, but for the deeply personal success story of its founders.
Having immigrated to the United States from India years prior, Jain and Choudhary leveraged their shared passions, complementary skill sets, and personal savings to launch the business in March 2025. Today, the studio stands as a testament to the power of strategic franchising, unwavering partnership, and grassroots community engagement. From orchestrating high-stakes romantic proposals to navigating the complex operational realities of modern small-business ownership, these two entrepreneurs have carved out a thriving enterprise that routinely flirts with the top tiers of national franchise performance. This in-depth feature explores their journey from friendship to storefront, shedding light on the mechanics of modern franchising, the immigrant entrepreneurial experience, and the daily grit required to sustain a community-centric business.
Detailed Chronology
The Spark of Connection (2014 – 2023)
The foundation of the Edina Color Me Mine was laid more than a decade before a single kiln was ever fired. Antima Jain and Pooja Choudhary crossed paths in Minnesota at a social gathering, introduced by a mutual friend. At the time, both women were navigating the profound cultural and logistical transitions of relocating from India to the United States. They were raising young children and quickly discovered they lived a mere three-minute drive apart.
What began as casual neighborhood playdates and coffee meetups blossomed into a profound, sisterly bond. As their children grew older and more independent, the friends began to explore their mutual affinity for creative projects and professional reinvention. By 2023, the conversation shifted from casual brainstorming to serious entrepreneurial planning.
Scouting and Launching the Franchise (2023 – March 2025)
Lacking formal experience in the hospitality or retail sectors, Jain and Choudhary wisely recognized that starting an independent studio from scratch carried unnecessary operational risks. Seeking a balance between corporate structure and creative autonomy, they explored several franchise systems before walking into a local Color Me Mine studio.
Captivated by the clean, highly organized, and colorful environment, both women immediately agreed that the brand aligned with their vision. Rather than seeking out risky commercial bank loans, the partners pooled their personal funds, investing approximately $300,000 to cover startup costs. With the guidance of the franchisor, they secured a prime, high-visibility territory in Edina surrounded by shopping districts and local parks.
Before signing the paperwork, however, the duo made a foundational pact: their friendship would always supersede business. They committed to radical transparency and continuous dialogue to ensure that commercial disputes would never fracture their decade-long relationship.
Supporting Context & Metrics
Financial Architecture and Risk Mitigation
The decision to bypass traditional debt financing in favor of personal capital investment highlights a growing trend among experienced, mature franchisees. By investing low-to-mid six figures out of pocket, Jain and Choudhary retained absolute financial control over their enterprise, avoiding the crushing monthly interest burdens that frequently plague first-time small-business owners.
Community Integration and Marketing Playbook
Rather than relying solely on corporate marketing channels, the Edina studio adopted a deeply localized growth strategy. Key performance drivers included:
- Chamber of Commerce Integration: Active participation in local business networks to build corporate and consumer trust.
- Event Marketing: Hosting high-visibility booths at regional art festivals and curating specialized, capacity-crowd events for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
- Retention Loops: Distributing targeted discount cards embedded directly into finished pottery packaging, incentivizing repeat customer visits within a strict 30-day window.
- Philanthropic Outreach: Donating gift items and actively participating in local school fundraising initiatives to anchor the brand within the fabric of Edina families.
Operational Challenges: The Reality of Staffing and Kiln Yields
Despite their smooth trajectory, the founders emphasize that storefront management comes with distinct friction points. The most persistent obstacle has been workforce management. Relying primarily on local high-school and college students means navigating a perpetually revolving door of part-time employees whose academic schedules and higher-education transitions dictate their availability.
Furthermore, while rare—accounting for less than 1% of all processed inventory—technical malfunctions in the kiln occasionally threaten to destroy hours of painstaking customer labor. To mitigate customer dissatisfaction, Jain and Choudhary maintain a strict policy: any damaged piece is met with a complimentary replacement voucher and a waived studio fee, transforming a potential operational crisis into an opportunity for exceptional customer service.
Official Statements & Insights
In an exclusive interview, Antima Jain and Pooja Choudhary opened up about the realities of their transition from homemakers and part-time workers to multi-faceted franchise owners.
Reflecting on her background, Antima Jain noted:
"I first came to the United States in 2003 because of my husband’s work project… I taught preschool in India, and here I worked at Kumon part-time while my kids were growing up. Now they’re both in college, so this seemed like the perfect time to get into something we would enjoy and have time to invest in."
Addressing the rationale behind choosing a franchise model, Pooja Choudhary explained:
"We didn’t have experience running this kind of business, and that was the scary part: How were we going to do it? A franchise 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."
Detailing the daily operational hurdles, Choudhary added:
"It’s busy. We don’t currently have a full-time manager, so we handle staffing ourselves. 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."
Emphasizing the resilience of their partnership, Jain concluded:
"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. If I open another studio, I’ll do it with Pooja."
Future Outlook
The success of the Edina Color Me Mine location extends far beyond balance sheets and sales volume; it is measured in cultural milestones. Months after opening, the studio achieved viral local recognition when a customer utilized the space to handcraft a custom "Will you marry me?" jewelry tray. Expediting the glazing and firing process, Jain and Choudhary not only accommodated the romantic timeline but helped curate the studio atmosphere for the proposal—a gesture that came full circle when the couple returned to present them with a customized save-the-date card.
Looking ahead, the partners show no signs of slowing down. Having already peaked at sixth place in national system-wide sales rankings—and consistently maintaining a spot within the top 25—their immediate sights are set on cracking the national top five. Beyond optimizing their current Edina storefront, Jain and Choudhary are actively evaluating expansion opportunities with the explicit goal of opening a second regional studio, proving that a foundation built on mutual respect, shared cultural roots, and unwavering friendship is the ultimate recipe for modern entrepreneurial longevity.