Teresa Johnson“ There’ s no manual or training required; we simply lead by example.”
Color Me Mine leader puts people first
Teresa Johnson“ There’ s no manual or training required; we simply lead by example.”
Inspired by Franchisees
Color Me Mine leader puts people first
Written by KERRY PIPES
TERESA JOHNSON
CEO
Company: Color Me Mine Units / Brands: 130-plus Age: 59 Years in franchising: 15 Years in current position: 4
When Teresa Johnson talks about her role as CEO of Color Me Mine, she doesn’ t start with numbers or market share. She starts with people.“ My leadership is inspired by our franchisees,” she says.“ They remind me daily that leadership is about service.”
It’ s a perspective that comes naturally. Before taking the helm four years ago, Johnson spent more than 15 years as a multi-unit franchisee herself. She knows what it’ s like to juggle staffing challenges, manage the daily grind of operations, and still find the energy to focus on growth. That lived experience colors the way she leads with empathy, collaboration, and a genuine respect for the people on the front lines of the brand.
When the pandemic hit, Johnson’ s instincts were put to the test. Studios closed, uncertainty loomed, and the future felt unsure. Instead of standing still, she and her team pivoted fast, rolling out at-home pottery kits, adding online ordering, and giving families ways to stay creative even in isolation. She leaned into transparency and decisive action, keeping franchisees informed and connected. The crisis confirmed what she already believed: Resilience and flexibility are lifelines of leadership.
Johnson’ s approach is about empowerment, not micromanagement. She equips her team with tools and support and then steps aside, so they can shine. Her leadership bench blends seasoned franchise veterans with creative thinkers, a mix that keeps the brand grounded while pushing it forward. Together, they’ ve invested in a new POS system, beefed up digital marketing, and integrated AI to help franchisees personalize outreach and streamline social media. For Johnson, success can be measured in adoption rates, efficiency gains, and healthy unit-level economics.
For Johnson, culture isn’ t written in a handbook; it’ s lived every day.“ The way we treat each other and honor our franchisees is the culture,” she says. That respect cascades from the home office to studio teams and, ultimately, to the families painting pottery pieces together on a Saturday afternoon. The magic of Color Me Mine is as much about belonging as it is about art.
As she looks to scale, Johnson is determined to grow without losing the qualities that made the brand special in the first place. She says that every move from supply chain efficiencies to training programs is designed to strengthen franchisee success.
For her, the payoff isn’ t just expansion. It’ s hearing a franchisee talk about how Color Me Mine has impacted their life. She appreciates hearing parents share how painting together has become a family tradition. Those stories affirm why she leads. She’ s not just building a bigger brand; she’ s building a franchise family where creativity, opportunity, and connection come together with every brushstroke.
LEADERSHIP What is your role as CEO? My role is to set the vision, remove barriers for our franchisees, and ensure that we’ re building a culture of creativity, profitability, and belonging. I focus on growth strategies, franchisee support, and making sure Color Me Mine continues to be a relevant, inspiring brand for families and communities.
How has Covid-19 affected the way you have led your brand? Covid-19 reinforced that leadership requires flexibility and empathy. We pivoted quickly, launching at-home pottery kits, online ordering, and new ways for customers to stay creative at home. That period taught all of us the value of transparent communication and quick decision-making.