Kali Zeglen Ignarski owns a Color Me Mine franchise location in Burr Ridge, Illinois, which she and her husband purchased in December 2024. In her first year of ownership, she has already grown the studio to be one of the brand’s top 25 locations and increased sales by 30%.
Kali first got her start at Color Me Mine as a 17-year-old part-time employee and later worked at the Tampa location during college while studying to be a teacher. After five years teaching kindergarten and navigating a high-risk pregnancy, she stepped back from the classroom to manage the studio full-time. Today, she leads a team of up to 18 employees, many of them local students, while balancing small business ownership, raising a young child, and preparing to welcome her second baby.
Color Me Mine was founded in 1991 and is based in New Orleans, LA. It is the only contemporary paint-your-own pottery franchise in the industry and has an international presence with more than 130 locations across the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, and the Philippines.
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Franchise Chatter (FC): You first started at Color Me Mine as a teenager and eventually came back as the owner. What was it about the brand that drew you back, and what made you take the leap into business ownership?
Kali Ignarski (KI): In truth, I never really left Color Me Mine. Even while I was teaching, I still found myself coming back, first with my sisters, and then later with my daughter. I vividly remember bringing to-go kits home and stamping her tiny feet on a whole set of mugs when she was just three weeks old. Those keepsakes and memories that are made in the process are what drew me – and many others – back to the studio. It’s the nostalgia, the joy of creating something tangible, and the sense of family that always kept me connected.
What inspired me to take the leap into ownership was wanting more flexibility to spend time with my family. Of course, I quickly learned that flexibility and balance aren’t the same thing – because even when you’re not technically “working,” as a small business owner, you always are. But the trade-off has been worth it; I get to spend my days surrounded by creativity, community, and family, which is a rare combination.
FC: Before buying the studio, you were teaching kindergarten. How did your experience in the classroom prepare you for running a business – and what was the biggest adjustment when you switched careers?
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Most franchise buyers spend months researching brands and building excitement — unaware that their preferred territory could be snapped up at any moment. By the time they contact the franchisor, their preferred territory may already be taken. Enter your ZIP code to see which franchises are still available near you — before someone else claims that territory.KI: Being a kindergarten teacher prepared me in ways I never expected. The most valuable skills I brought with me were people skills; reading a room, noticing which parents might need extra support, or which kids needed encouragement or engagement. In the classroom, I was constantly finding creative ways to keep short attention spans engaged, and that translates perfectly to the studio. Parents might still be painting while their kids are done, so keeping everyone happy and involved is key.
That background shaped my approach to customer service and connection with guests of all ages. My favorite compliment is when someone asks, “Are you a teacher?” because it’s true, once a teacher, always a teacher. The biggest adjustment in switching careers was learning how quickly I had to make a first impression. In school, I had a year to build relationships; in the studio, I often have only a few hours while families paint, and perhaps a brief moment again at pick-up. I’ve learned to channel creativity into making every visit memorable and turning small interactions into lasting relationships.
FC: Leaving a stable career for entrepreneurship can be daunting. What were some of the biggest financial or emotional hurdles you faced during that transition?
KI: Leaving a stable career for entrepreneurship was both exciting and intimidating. I was fortunate enough to have a long-standing relationship with the previous owner, who had hired me at 17-years-old and later welcomed me back as the studio manager. That experience allowed me to see the business from every angle before committing to ownership. Financially, leaving a full-time salary and benefits was daunting, but reviewing years of financials with our advisors gave me confidence.
From an emotional aspect, support from our families was crucial. They were our safety net – cheering us on, helping with long hours, and caring for our daughter when we needed it most. Those early days reminded me why we took the leap and reinforced the importance of having a strong support system.
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KI: Taking over an existing business provided a safety net. Managing the studio before buying it allowed me to learn every role, from front desk to back office, while the previous owner served as a mentor. I joke that I practiced scheduling, ordering, and other responsibilities “on his dime” for six months. In reality, the hands-on experience was invaluable.
Having an established customer base and consistent revenue from day one made the leap much less intimidating. Pairing the studio’s history and past financials with my own vision for where I wanted to take the business, gave me both security and direction, creating a strong foundation for growth and innovation.
FC: Launching a business in your 20s comes with its own set of challenges. What were some of the most surprising obstacles you faced, and how did you navigate them?
KI: Launching a business in my 20s brought unique challenges. Balancing long hours with raising a young daughter was exhausting, but also rewarding. She literally grew up in the studio, attending events and learning alongside us. Financially, this was a dream I had always imagined tackling later in life, maybe in retirement, so we weren’t fully prepared. Navigating the SBA loan process, researching the business purchase, planning renovations, and raising a family required long nights, careful planning, and a lot of perseverance.
We were incredibly fortunate to have supportive families who stepped in to help, allowing us to focus on building a strong foundation. Those early challenges taught me resilience, problem-solving, and the ability to embrace uncertainty — skills that continue to serve me every day.
FC: Your studio saw a 30% increase in sales and now ranks in the brand’s top 25 locations. What strategies or changes made that growth possible so quickly?
KI: Our growth in the first year has been amazing to experience. Seeing a 30% increase in sales and ranking in Color Me Mine’s top 25 locations is an achievement I’m so proud of. Several factors that contributed were expanding studio hours, completing a full renovation to make the space more inviting, adjusting pricing to stay competitive, and most importantly, local ownership. Guests notice when someone is personally invested in their experience, and that sense of care makes families want to return again and again.
FC: With a team that’s mostly students and seasonal staff, how do you keep the studio running smoothly and ensure a consistent experience for your customers?
KI: Managing a team of mostly students and seasonal staff has been a challenge, but also a joy. As a planner, having to accept that many team members are only with us for a short time is tough. Many return during school breaks, which is a testament to the culture and environment we’ve created. Having once been in their shoes and having a reliable management team ensures that customers always receive a consistent, welcoming experience, regardless of staff turnover.
FC: You’re running a growing business while raising a young child. How do you manage that balance day-to-day?
KI: Raising a daughter while running a business has been an adventure. She’s part of the studio experience – attending events, helping clean, and learning about the business from a young age. I cram in work wherever I can – early mornings, late nights, or during naps – and couldn’t do it without a supportive family and a daycare we love. I imagine her and her friends one day working here, following in my footsteps. Having her as part of the day-to-day reminds me why I do this: building a business and community to share with family.
FC: Your first year as a business owner has been full of milestones. What successes or experiences have felt most meaningful to you so far?
KI: My first year has been full of milestones. Reaching the top 25 in the Color Me Mine franchise and beating our own numbers month after month has been incredibly rewarding. Beyond the metrics, the relationships I’ve built with customers, my corporate team, and fellow franchise owners has been essential to the studio’s success. Running a business is as much about people as it is about growth, and those connections make the journey meaningful.
FC: What advice would you give to other young entrepreneurs considering buying a franchise or starting a business?
KI: My advice for young entrepreneurs: Follow your dreams, surround yourself with a supportive team, and ask all of the questions. Do your research and fully understand the business you’re stepping into. There is no hurdle, milestone, or dream you can’t achieve when you fully immerse yourself and find joy in it every day.
FC: What keeps you motivated during challenging moments, especially in the early stages of business ownership?
KI: What keeps me motivated is competing with myself. I have a clear vision for where I want to take the business, along with defined goals to guide me. I’m driven to exceed expectations, find new ways to innovate, and continue creatively challenging myself, even during tough moments.
FC: Looking ahead, what are your goals for the studio over the next few years, and how do you plan to build on the early success you’ve had?
"Multi-unit ownership is where the real wealth in franchising is built. It starts with one key decision: choosing a brand with enough territory runway to grow into." — Ambrosio, Franchise Chatter
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Colin started as a team member at 21 and now owns 6 locations in Tampa Bay. Lisa came from marketing and built 21 in San Diego. The most successful multi-unit owners move early and secure markets with room to grow. Use our free tool to search multiple ZIP codes and find franchises where you can still stack locations — before someone else does. A franchise specialist will be in touch to present what's available.KI: Looking ahead, I aim to keep challenging myself while setting realistic growth goals. Finding joy in my work is essential for staying motivated, generating fresh ideas, and improving the studio experience. I also plan to deepen our community involvement, working with local schools, businesses, and organizations to make Color Me Mine – Burr Ridge an integral part of the neighborhood and a place families love.
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