Color your world at Color Me Mine in Lafayette


Michael Mooslin, President of Color Me Mine

“We sell aahs and we sell wows…we sell an experience!” says Michael Mooslin, President of Color Me Mine Enterprises, Inc. It’s the grand opening day at the new Color Me Mine Studio in Lafayette, Ca, and all around him is a whirlwind of fun and activity. Ceramics and paint, designs and textures. Plus laughter and smiles aplenty. A 10-year old boy comes in to pick up the piece he painted a week ago. It has been glazed and baked in the kiln and looks really awesome. You overhear the audible “Wow! Is that really mine?” as he admires his shiny, colorful creation.

Color Me Mine is the world’s leading and only franchisor of paint-your-own ceramics studios, having initiated the concept in 1992. Color Me Mine now has 140 studios open or under development world-wide in 25 states and 10 countries. Many people in the Lamorinda area and surrounding cities are not unfamiliar with the concept, as there was a Color Me Mine studio in Walnut Creek for 12 years.

The new studio is located at 3541 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in La Fiesta Square in downtown Lafayette. Judging by the initial response, it has attracted quite a following. 6-year old Hana Elawady is here today with her Mum Robin and Dad Matt. The family is enjoying this time together, creating some very personal pieces of artwork. Says Robin Elawady, “Hana’s been talking about coming back ever since we first came here. She loves this place!” (The Lafayette studio opened late February ‘09). The little girl’s attention is focused on the little ceramic zebra she’s painting. “I think I am going to give this to my teacher,” she says with a shy smile.

The Elawady family experience is the perfect illustration of why Color Me Mine is such a popular activity. As Mooslin explains, it’s a chance for family members to come together, to talk, to bond, and to express themselves. “It’s not just about ceramics. It’s the experience. It’s all about enrichment!” he emphasizes.

At Color Me Mine in Lafayette, you can choose from a huge variety of ceramics. From whimsical storybook pieces, like dinosaurs and fairies, to piggy banks, cookie jars, candy trays, planters, mugs, jugs, vases and more. Movie characters are big sellers and seasonal items are popular too! Next, you can pencil your own design or choose from thousand of designs available on the computer. Then comes the really fun part: picking your paint, stamps/stencils and choosing techniques like sponging, bubbles, masking, etc. Now you’re all set to create your own little masterpiece.

Indeed, everyone is an artist at Color Me Mine! Even those who have little artistic ability. Michael Mooslin fondly remembers the time he took his 9-year old grandson Max to Color Me Mine and painted a simple stick figure with arms outstretched, on a soccer ball candy dish. Mooslin included the lettering ‘Your grand daddy loves you this much!’ Though Max is now grown-up and away at college, the youngster still cherishes the keepsake!

Michael Mooslin had a very successful career in the restaurant business, rising to become President and CEO of the Koo Koo Roo restaurant franchise. But in the late 1990s, he and his artist wife Nancy decided to buy Color Me Mine. They believe it’s the perfect franchise. “It’s a very localized business,” he says. “It’s family and community oriented.” He tells us that most of the franchise owners are women who have some artistic talent and are also very nurturing and kid- friendly. Color Me Mine is the ideal place to hold birthday parties, wedding and baby showers, fundraisers, scout troop activities and even corporate team building events.

In today’s troubled economy, families are looking for more affordable ways to spend quality time together. “Families on a budget are increasingly opting for personalized, do-it-yourself gifts which have a higher value perception than the actual cost,” says Mooslin. He also mentions that Color Me Mine offers parties to go…taking the ceramic painting experience to the customer’s venue, whether school, church or home.

The Lafayette studio offers an exciting calendar of events starting this month, including Family Sundays, Happy Hours on Wednesdays and Pajama Days. So check out their generous offers soon. “Color Me Mine is a very happy place. It’s so relaxing to work here!” says employee Cara Bornstein. Today, she is helping customer Tiffany Morriss decide on a painting technique. Morriss is here with her 9-year old daughter Maria, ready for a morning of fun.

“We’d heard of Color Me Mine before, so we just came in. They’ve been so helpful here, telling us how to do things,” says Tiffany “And it’s a really great way to connect,” she adds, as she and daughter Maria share a secret smile! 

Philippa Coelho
3541 Mt Diablo Blvd
La Fiesta Square, Lafayette CA
Tel 925-299-2615
www.lafayette.colormemine.com
If you are interested in owning the Lafayette franchise,
please contact Mike Mooslin at 818-291-5901


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