Teresa Johnson exemplifies the strength and determination of what it takes to be a successful female entrepreneur. Her remarkable journey from single mother to thriving serial entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring.
She took a leap of faith by leaving a secure corporate job to purchase her first business using a $25,000 credit card investment. Later, she co-founded a fiberglass boat manufacturing company, showcasing her entrepreneurial versatility. In 2021, Teresa became CEO of Color Me Mine, where she has led the brand to unprecedented growth in both sales and studio expansions.
Johnson believes her true calling in life is to help future entrepreneurs discover their passions and help guide them to success.
“Outwork everyone else—success often comes down to how much you’re willing to put in when others stop. A relentless and focused work ethic will set you apart.” – Teresa Johnson
Teresa bought a paint your own pottery studio and went to work learning how to run and grow a business.
Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us in your words, about your inspiring story?
I wanted to be the best role model I could be for my daughter. In 2006, I was a single mom, with a mortgage and a one-year non-compete agreement in my corporate job. I had an opportunity to become an entrepreneur and I knew it would be tough, but I wanted to show my daughter that anything was possible. I bought a paint your own pottery studio and went to work learning how to run and grow a business. That led to multiple studios and later a studio with my daughter as my partner. All of those experiences prepared me and led me to the opportunity to become a partner in Twist Brands and CEO of Color Me Mine.
What are the three most important traits to be a successful entrepreneur?
Work Ethic and Grit: Successful entrepreneurs dive deep, mastering every facet of their business – from perfecting the customer experience to managing operational nuances.
Vision Paired with Execution: Dreaming big is essential, but success comes from pairing vision with consistent actions like strategic marketing, organizing events, and building community relationships.
Customer-Centric Focus: Thriving businesses prioritize their customers, turning satisfied customers into loyal repeats and enthusiastic advocates for the business.
If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out, what would it be?
Outwork everyone else—success often comes down to how much you’re willing to put in when others stop. A relentless and focused work ethic will set you apart. The reality is that hard work is a key driver in overcoming challenges, especially in the early stages of a business. This doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice yourself or time with your family, it means you have to work with focus.
Yes, we at the corporate level, encourage all of our franchisees to get out into their own communities. Some things our franchisees do in their communities are partnerships of various kinds, for example, schools, charities, and other local organizations, volunteering in community fundraisers, attending pop-ups, and other community events like farmer’s markets or local festivals.
Other ways we encourage our franchisees to be a major part of their communities are hosting events, themed nights, workshops, and fundraisers.
What would you consider your biggest accomplishment and why?
My biggest accomplishment has been in my role as mentor and leader, not just for my daughter, but also for others whose lives I’ve touched (and who have touched me) through my leadership and entrepreneurial journey.
Why?
For Your Daughter: I’ve shown her the value of hard work, integrity and the ability to balance ambition with care for others. Through example, she’s learned to lead with confidence and compassion in her own career and businesses.
For Others: By guiding franchisees and aspiring entrepreneurs, I hope I have inspired others to believe in their own potential and pursue their dreams. I hope I have created a ripple effect of empowerment, where my success lifts others.
By Leading with Values: Values-driven leadership creates not just successful businesses, but also meaningful impact on people and communities.
Can you share one of the most rewarding stories of your career?
Watching my daughter be successful and achieve her goals. She opened her own paint-your-own pottery studio at age 15 – which resulted in her getting an entrepreneurship scholarship to college. Today at 30 years old, she has five small businesses of her own.
If I hadn’t shown my daughter through myself that you can do anything you set your mind to, no matter how big of a dream it may seem, she may not have seen the success she has today and that has been the most rewarding story of my career. I love that she has followed in my footsteps by becoming a successful entrepreneur.
What challenges have you faced in the workplace, especially your experience in male-dominated environments?
I grew up with brothers and have spent most of my career in male-dominated industries (manufacturing, for instance). I do think women leaders are sometimes judged differently than their male counterparts, but I stay true to myself and am authentic to who I am. It’s nothing to dwell on, we just move on. We are all people at the end of the day; some will judge us for gender or other reasons, but I don’t stop and pay attention to that (by the way, no one says that out loud so if you feel that judgment it is also possible that it’s a narrative you have made up yourself – I have never once had someone come to me and say that my approach as a leader is too feminine). It’s about confidence to know that what you are doing is your best, holds true to your values, and represents yourself and your company in the way you want.
What initiatives or actions do you believe are crucial for fostering a more supportive and inclusive business environment for women?
I believe it’s important to always be present and listen to my team, as we oftentimes can feel overlooked or not heard. I try to deploy emotional intelligence skills and compassion to create a culture of trust which can go a long way. I always want to be a mentor for all and have my team’s back at all times and let them know I will always be there.
Can you share some of the most important lessons you’ve learned from your successes and failures in business?
From Successes:
Hard Work Pays Off: Outworking everyone else creates opportunities and positions you for success when others might falter.
Empowering Others is Key: Building systems and mentoring franchisees shows that shared success is more powerful than individual achievement.
Adaptability Drives Growth: Being open to innovation, like integrating new software or diversifying your offerings, ensures long-term success.
Relationships Matter: Whether with franchisees, customers, or your team, fostering trust and mutual respect is essential to sustaining success.
Celebrate Milestones: Recognizing achievements—whether tenure awards or business growth—keeps your team motivated and builds loyalty.
From Failures:
Stay Grounded in Your Why: Challenges often arise when businesses lose focus on their core mission and values.
Learn From Setbacks: Mistakes are inevitable, but they’re also opportunities to refine processes and grow stronger. You have to be vulnerable enough to admit and recognize those failures in order to grow stronger.
Be Financially Disciplined: Poor planning or overextending can strain any business, reinforcing the need for careful budgeting and contingency planning.
Adapt or Fall Behind: Failure to pivot in response to market trends or challenges can result in missed opportunities. Staying flexible is key.
Resilience is Everything: Failure isn’t final—perseverance and a willingness to try again define your long-term success.
What advice would you give to a new business owner? Or to your younger self?
I would tell them to work on having these three traits which I believe have been the most instrumental in my success:
Work ethic – being willing to overcome anything with the willingness and ability to work hard.
Integrity – Trying to do the right thing when no one is looking.
Servant’s heart – if you work hard, do the right thing, and care about the people and processes of your company, everything else takes care of itself (financial success, growth, etc.)
How do you set your business apart from others in your industry?
Color Me Mine stands out for multiple reasons. Some examples are: Community, caring, creativity, and mentoring.
We take pride in providing a place that is just fun and gives customers the opportunity to leave their worries outside the door. I had a customer, Katy, have her 7th birthday party at my studio early on in my career. She later came back to me when she was 17 looking for a job while she was in college. I then hired her shortly after. One day I came through the studio and she was overwhelmed learning how to lead a retail studio by herself (customer service, glazing, firing a kiln, etc.), she expressed doubts in her ability to do the job. I sat down with her and told her she could do it; I knew she could and we were going to work and train until she knew she could. She stayed through college, took a job as a high school English teacher, got married (yes, I was there); had two kids; became a principal and when I congratulated her on her recent promotion she responded in a text – “I learned how to be a leader from YOU. Truly. You instilled such great wisdom and I’m excited to put it into practice.” Being able to mentor future leaders is not an opportunity that comes often, but is so important. This experience would not have been possible without this company.
Which female leader do you admire, and why?
I admire Pat Summitt, the legendary coach of the University of Tennessee women’s basketball team. Her leadership style and relentless work ethic inspire me not only as a business leader but also as someone who values empowering others to reach their potential.
What stands out most about Pat is her unwavering commitment to excellence. She demanded the best from her players, not just on the court but in life. Her teams’ consistent success—winning 8 national championships and countless other accolades—was rooted in her ability to inspire, teach, and hold people accountable. That same drive for excellence is something I try to bring to my work every day.
Pat was also a pioneer in advocating for women’s sports, proving that determination and vision can break barriers. She led by example, demonstrating that great leadership is about building trust, setting high expectations, and helping others believe in themselves.
On a personal level, I admire how she balanced her intense career with grace and authenticity. Even in the face of adversity, particularly her early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, she remained a fighter and a role model, teaching us all the importance of resilience.
Pat Summitt’s legacy reminds me that leadership is about impact—on individuals, teams and communities. Her life’s work motivates me to lead with purpose and to always strive for greatness in everything I do.
Pat Summitt outlined her “Definite Dozen” Rules of Leadership in her book, Reach for the Summit. These principles reflect her philosophy of discipline, hard work, and empowerment, which she used to build one of the most successful coaching careers in history.
Do you have a favorite quote or motto that inspires you?
Success isn’t about avoiding failure; it’s about stepping into the game with courage, working harder than anyone else, and daring to lead. Whether you triumph or stumble, the true victory is in showing up, striving and inspiring others to do the same.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind as a leader and entrepreneur?
As a leader and entrepreneur, the legacy I hope to leave is one of empowerment and belief in others. I want to be remembered as someone who inspired others to dream big and outwork everyone to achieve those dreams. Whether it’s my daughter, my franchisees or anyone who crosses my path, I want them to feel that they, too, can step into the arena with confidence and courage.
Beyond building successful businesses, my goal is to create opportunities for others to grow, lead, and find fulfillment in their own journeys. I also hope to instill the importance of values-driven leadership—showing that success is not just about profit but about leaving a meaningful impact on people and communities.
At the end of the day, if I’ve helped others realize their potential and made a positive difference in their lives, that’s the legacy I’m proud to leave behind.
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All of these and more are part of our interview series spotlighting successful women in business.
Melissa Stewart is the founder of SheOwnsIt.com. She is a Purveyor of Possibility, Entrepreneur Advocate and Coffee Addict. She believes that behind every successful woman is her story. What’s your story?
