Two Indian Immigrants Pooled $300,000 for a Pottery Franchise in Edina

By Daniel Okafor

Two Indian immigrants pooled roughly $300,000 from personal savings to open a Color Me Mine pottery-painting studio in Edina, Minnesota in March 2025. The franchise marks the first business venture for both women, who met 11 years ago at a party.

The owners are Antima Jain, a former preschool teacher from India with a bachelor's degree in commerce, and Pooja Choudhary, an electrical engineer with a master's degree. Both moved to Minnesota from India and live a three-minute drive apart. They began exploring franchises in 2023.

"We just loved the whole vibe," Jain says. "It was such a clean environment, very organized, very colorful. It just felt calming. We both had the same impression."

The pair chose franchising over an independent studio because they lacked experience in the category. "Everything was laid out for us," Jain says. "The guidance and support have helped a lot." Choudhary framed the model as a balance. "A franchise felt like a balance between owning an independent business and working in a corporate environment," she says.

How much did the studio cost?

The startup cost landed in the low-$300,000 range. Both women invested from personal accounts rather than taking a loan. The franchisor assigned them a territory in Edina, and a real estate agent helped shortlist locations. They chose a site near parks and shopping. Visibility drove the final pick.

What does the business do?

Color Me Mine customers select a piece — a mug, plate, or bowl — and paint it. The studio glazes and fires the piece. Pickup takes about seven days. The Edina location opened its doors in March 2025.

How are they building a customer base?

• Joined the local chamber of commerce
• Attended an art festival near the studio
• Ran Mother's Day and Father's Day events
• Donated to local schools and organizations
• Issued discount cards with finished pieces to drive return visits within a month
• Advertised through a platform the franchise recommended

What surprised them about ownership?

Hiring. Jain did not expect the difficulty of keeping a full staff. Most of the studio's employees are high school and college students working part-time. Many leave for college, forcing a continuous hiring and rehiring cycle. "I never thought keeping a full staff would be such a challenge," Jain says.

The studio currently operates without a full-time manager. Jain and Choudhary alternate days handling glazing, payroll, social media and scheduling. "Every day, something needs attention," Choudhary says.

How do they protect the friendship?

Before opening, the pair agreed that friendship would outrank the business. They commit to talking through disagreements rather than letting the venture divide them. "We're doing this because we're friends," Choudhary says. "If we weren't going to stay friends, there would be no point in having the business together." Jain describes the relationship as sisterly.

What goes wrong behind the scenes?

Kiln failures. The owners dread calling customers when a piece cracks or discolors. "Telling them that is hard," Jain says. The studio estimates less than 1% of pieces suffer kiln issues. When problems occur, the owners offer a replacement and waive the studio fee for a return visit.

What are the next goals?

The owners want to crack the top five in the franchise's sales rankings. They have held a top-25 spot and reached sixth place for one month. They also plan to open a second location. "If I open another studio, I'll do it with Pooja," Jain says.

The Color Me Mine system is rolling out a new point-of-sale platform across studios. For Jain and Choudhary, the tool could ease daily operations as they push toward a second unit and a top-five ranking in the year ahead.