Leading with Heart: Teresa Johnson of Color Me Mine On The Power of Authentic Women’s Leadership

Leading with Heart: Teresa Johnson of Color Me Mine On The Power of Authentic Women’s Leadership:
An Interview With Pirie Jones Grossman

Published in Authority Magazine – May 16, 2024

In today’s dynamic world, the concept of leadership is continuously evolving. While traditional leadership models have often been male-dominated, there is a growing recognition of the unique strengths and perspectives that women bring to these roles. This series aims to explore how women can become more effective leaders by authentically embracing their femininity and innate strengths, rather than conforming to traditional male leadership styles. In this series, we are talking to successful women leaders, coaches, authors, and experts who can provide insights and personal stories on how embracing their inherent feminine qualities has enhanced their leadership abilities. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Teresa Johnson.

In 2005 after working in HR and marketing for several companies, Teresa Johnson was approached by the owner of a local independent paint-your-own pottery (PYOP) studio with the opportunity to purchase the business she’d been a frequent customer at with her daughter. Johnson jumped at the chance knowing nothing about running a business and bought it on her credit card for $25,000. Within a few years, she had four studios, co-founded a boat manufacturing business and was holding down the fort as a single mom. She later became a franchisee with industry-leading paint and sip brand Painting with a Twist. In 2021 after acquisitions and leadership changes, Johnson became co-owner and CEO of Color Me Mine. Since then, she’s worked to refresh the brand for the next generation of franchisees — sales are up and new studios are opening across the country after being stagnant for the past 10 years.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about authentic, feminine leadership, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?

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.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

Having my daughter open her own paint your own pottery studio at age 15; which resulted in her getting an entrepreneurship scholarship to college and today at age 29 having 5 small businesses of her own. It has been extremely rewarding to watch my daughter grow within her career and follow in my foot steps by becoming an entrepreneur.

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

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 in to 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.

You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

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.)

Leadership often entails making difficult decisions or hard choices between two apparently good paths. Can you share a story with us about a hard decision or choice you had to make as a leader? I’m curious to understand how these challenges have shaped your leadership.

I think the story above is a perfect example. Instead of coaching, believing in and mentoring Katy, I could have simply found another college student for the job which would have also been a good path. But, instead, I invested my time and impacted someone’s life.

Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Can you share a personal experience where embracing your unique leadership style, which might not align with traditional expectations, led to a significant positive impact in your organization or team?

(1) Having people do what they like and like what they do. I have never worked for a leader who has asked me what I like and/or dislike about my job because it is such a vulnerable question. I make sure to routinely ask my team that question. I believe that if I can put my team in positions and give them tasks that they enjoy doing, they do a better job and are happier doing it. I think we should play to our strengths every day. Most people get energy from their strengths and it is by doing the things that they love and are good at that creates success.

(2) I talk with my team members about their dreams. It is likely not working in a PYOP studio forever. They have dreams and if I can be their dream manager it is the most fulfilling role for me. Again, leaders cannot fool themselves into thinking everyone around them wants to be in that job forever. Find out what their dreams are and help them get there!

In your journey as a leader, how have you balanced demonstrating resilience, often seen as a masculine trait, with showing vulnerability, which is equally powerful, but typically feminine? Can you give an example where this balance created a meaningful difference?

The definition of resilience = the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties. I think resilience is a victimizing word; you don’t need resilience if you aren’t a victim — there is nothing to come back from or recover from. I don’t see difficulties, I see challenges. I’m not a victim. I want to be authentically myself whether that appears masculine or feminine and my team has definitely seen both. There are times for both as a leader — that is the pure definition of authentic. To show your true self regardless of how it is categorized. No one is perfect and that applies to leaders even more because our imperfections are on a stage for all to see. You have to show strength and determination, but there are times to show compassion and emotion as well.

As a woman in leadership, how have you navigated and challenged gender stereotypes, especially in situations where traditional male-dominated approaches are the norm? What strategies have you employed to remain authentic to your style?

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 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.

How do you utilize emotional intelligence and active listening to create an inclusive environment in your team or organization? Could you share a specific instance where these qualities particularly enhanced team dynamics or performance?

(1) Open communication — listening without judgment even when you might be listening to reasons for a failure.

(2) Hearing diversity of opinion — get everyone’s input. If they are quiet you have to ask them.

(3) Truly listening when people are talking to you and repeating back what they are saying; responding appropriately to what they are saying.

(4) Inclusive decision making that takes everyone’s input into account.

(5) Watching your team and understanding when a team member needs support and respond appropriately.

What role has mentorship played in developing your authentic leadership style, and how do you communicate authentically to inspire and empower both your mentors and mentees?

Mentees — Listen and be open and vulnerable with mentees.

Mentors — Be a sponge with mentors (listen!); this is not a time for talking.

Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Ways Leading Authentically As A Woman Will Affect Your Leadership”?

1. Don’t be afraid to create and LEAD a family/team.

2. Be honest with your team (that sometimes mean being vulnerable).

3. Discuss failures as well as successes. Spend as much time discussing failures as you do the successes you will learn and grow more. Lead the team in a way that makes them feel like failures are only an opportunity for improvement and growth.

4. Use your super power of emotional intelligence and compassion to create a culture of trust. Followers will follow leaders they trust.

5. Be a trailblazer for other women — it is the most powerful thing we can do — to show other women what it looks like to lead in the workplace every day.

Are there potential pitfalls or challenges associated with being an empathetic leader? How can these be addressed?

Some issues I’ve seen as a leader are emotional exhaustion due to absorbing the emotions of those around you, crossing professional boundaries, appearing biased in the team, and slower decision making because of asking for everyone’s input.

The solution to this is being empathetic to the team’s needs, but don’t take them on as your own problems. Make self-care a priority by taking a step back, enjoying your life, doing things that bring you energy. As I’ve said previously having good communication with your team and being open about your expectations is the best way to set the stage for success.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

Business incubator (safe place to start as an entrepreneur) I really enjoy being a safe person for those future entrepreneurs to follow their dreams.

Opening an art collective for artists (affordable place for artists to create and sell their art). The arts are an important part of our world, they give it color. I’d truly enjoy being able to give more artists opportunities to spread their creativity.

How can our readers further follow you online?

Color Me Mine’s website: https://www.colormemine.com/

Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!

About The Interviewer: Pirie is a TedX speaker, author and a Life Empowerment Coach. She is a co-host of Own your Throne podcast, inspiring women in the 2nd chapter of their lives. With over 20 years in front of the camera, Pirie Grossman understands the power of storytelling. After success in commercials and acting. She spent 10 years reporting for E! Entertainment Television, Entertainment Tonight, also hosted ABC’s “Every Woman”. Her work off-camera capitalizes on her strength, producing, bringing people together for unique experiences. She produced a Children’s Day of Compassion during the Dalai Lama’s visit here in 2005. 10,000 children attended, sharing ideas about compassion with His Holiness. From 2006–2009, Pirie Co-chaired the Special Olympics World Winter Games, in Idaho, welcoming 3,000 athletes from over 150 countries. She founded Destiny Productions to create Wellness Festivals and is an Advisory Board member of the Sun Valley Wellness Board.In February 2017, Pirie produced, “Love is Louder”, a Brain Health Summit, bringing in Kevin Hines, noted suicide survivor to Sun Valley who spoke to school kids about suicide. Sun Valley is in the top 5% highest suicide rate per capita in the Northwest, prompting a community initiative with St. Luke’s and other stake holders, to begin healing. She lives in Sun Valley with her two children, serves on the Board of Community School. She has her Master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica and is an Executive Life Empowerment Coach, where she helps people meet their dreams and goals! The difference between a dream and a goal is that a goal is a dream with a date on it!