Art Business Rooted in Family and Community: Hot Spot Studios South Bay

Launching Hot Spot Studio in South Bay California wasn’t just another business decision for Poorani Rajamanickam…it was the culmination of persistence, inspiration, and a drive to build something meaningful for her family. For Poorani, it is also about creating a space where people of all ages can slow down, connect, and rediscover joy through creativity.

The spark for her journey came when she watched her daughter become immersed in art projects at a Hot Spot Studios location owned by a friend and former work associate in nearby Fremont California. For her daughter, the experience was simple, an afternoon of art, color, and fun. For Poorani, it was a glimpse into what a different kind of future could look like, where her professional ambitions and her family’s interests aligned. “My wish for doing a business, and my daughter’s interest… got a perfect alignment with this studio opportunity as a franchisee”, says Poorani.

That alignment became the foundation for a bold transition. After years of working in technology, where she built software and navigated the demands of corporate life, she began taking steps toward business ownership. She explored her options, weighed the risks, and ultimately found a home with Hot Spot Studios, a paint-your-own-pottery creative franchise model that matched her values and gave her the support she needed to take the leap.

Her journey is proof that franchise ownership can be both personal and inspiring – rooted in family motivation, strengthened by a supportive system, and fueled by a genuine desire to make an impact in her community.

Background & Early Career

Poorani’s desire to run a business was never an afterthought. It was part of her upbringing. Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, she watched her father and brother build and manage their own ventures. That example planted the idea that one day, she too would step into ownership. “I come from a family of entrepreneurs; my father and brother are both business owners, and I’ve always looked forward to running a business of my own”, she said.

But life has a way of shifting plans. Practical realities led Poorani toward academics and then into a professional career. She pursued engineering, developed technical skills, and eventually built a stable livelihood in the technology sector. She started as a software developer before expanding her expertise into business analytics. The transition from pure coding to bridging technical and non-technical teams allowed her to develop a broader perspective on how organizations function.

While she thrived on the intellectual challenge of technology, she also saw the limitations of a career where decisions and opportunities rested in the hands of others. Business ownership offered something different: independence, the ability to shape outcomes directly, and the chance to build something long-lasting for herself and her family.

Still, timing was everything. Starting a business meant risk, and balancing those risks against family responsibilities kept her in corporate life for many years. But the idea never went away, instead lingering in the background, waiting for the right moment to come together.

Her early career gave her valuable tools, discipline, resilience, and problem-solving skills that would later serve her well as a franchise owner. But it also clarified what she truly wanted, not just a career, but a business of her own.

Discovering Hot Spot Studios

For Poorani, the opportunity she had been waiting for came from a familiar place, friendship. One of her close friends recently opened a Hot Spot Studios in Fremont, California. Curious, Poorani visited the studio and observed how the business operated. It wasn’t long before she saw both the creative energy of the space and its potential as a business.

But it was her daughter’s reaction that left the deepest impression. Each time they visited, her daughter became completely absorbed in the projects, losing track of time and forgetting about screens or phones. She didn’t just enjoy the activities; she wanted to be a part of the business itself. “My daughter didn’t just love the projects, she wanted to help run the studio, bring friends, and even hand out flyers. She really encouraged me to move forward.”

Her daughter’s enthusiasm validated what Poorani had already begun to imagine: a business that wasn’t just profitable, but also meaningful. It would allow her to fulfill her dream of ownership while creating a space where children, families, and individuals could slow down and connect through art.

Encouragement from her friend added another layer of confidence, having walked the path of ownership herself and could speak directly to the experience. “She was a big support, and gave me a lot of confidence”, Poorani said.

Choosing The Hot Spot – Paint Your Own Pottery Studios

When Poorani made the decision to seriously consider franchise ownership, she didn’t commit blindly. She carefully explored her options, researching different concepts and speaking with various brands. Education-focused franchises and other art-related businesses were on her list, but none seemed to align with her values or her vision for the kind of business she wanted to build.

She noticed a pattern with many franchise systems: the sales process felt rushed. Meetings came with pressure, leaving little time for reflection. That didn’t sit well with her. Owning a business was a major life shift, one she wanted to approach thoughtfully, not under pressure. “I explored other franchise concepts, but they didn’t align with my values. With Hot Spot, I never felt rushed. I was supported with clear information and given the time and space to decide.”

That space to think made all the difference. From the beginning, the Hot Spot Studios team emphasized transparency. Jennifer Eberts, Director of Franchise Development, guided her through the franchising process with honesty, putting all the information on the table and letting her make her own decision. “Jennifer was very transparent; she laid everything out and let me decide”, recalls Poorani.

Once she moved into training and onboarding, the strength of the support system became even more evident. Lorraine provided steady guidance, helping her understand operations and logistics. Olivia Franks (Founder) shared wisdom gained from more than three decades of running a studio, reminding her that building the business would take patience but would be worthwhile.

Other concepts might have checked boxes on paper, but Hot Spot Studios matched her values, her long-term goals, and her desire to make a community impact. Choosing the brand wasn’t just a business decision; it was an alignment of vision and purpose.

Related Article: Are Paint Your own pottery Franchises Profitable?

Building Community

From the beginning, Poorani knew she wanted her Hot Spot Studios in Milpitas to be more than just a business. She wanted it to be a place that offered value to the community, where people could gather, relax, and create together. In her first months, she has already begun laying the foundation for that vision.

One of the earliest affirmations came during the inspection process. The city official who approved her location didn’t just sign paperwork; she offered encouragement. “A city inspector told me, ‘This is what the community was missing. Thank you for bringing this here.’”

That simple statement reinforced what Poorani already believed: Milpitas California needed a space like this. She wasted no time making connections. Shortly after opening, she sponsored a table tennis tournament at the local senior center, providing a free painting session as the first prize and discounts for group visits. The effort opened new doors almost immediately.

“We sponsored a Senior Center table-tennis tournament with a free painting session for the winner and group discounts. They’ve already invited us to run a workshop on site.”

Opportunities like this are more than just promotions, they’re a way to weave the studio into the daily life of Milpitas. By engaging with schools, churches, and businesses, Poorani is positioning her studio as a creative partner to organizations across the city.

Inside the studio, the feedback has been just as meaningful. Guests often describe their time at Hot Spot as a chance to disconnect from stress and focus on something uplifting.

One customer summed it up perfectly after spending an hour painting: “I’m totally stress-free…it’s the cheapest therapy I’ve had”, they exclaimed.

For Poorani, comments like that are proof that her studio is already serving its purpose. Whether through partnerships with local institutions or the smiles of individual customers, she is not only building a business, but a community hub.

Related Article: Art Franchises Build Community Loyalty

Daily Operations & Customer Experience

Running Hot Spot Studios Milpitas is a family effort. Poorani and her family manage the day-to-day operations together. Her husband and daughter pitch in when they can, making the business a true family endeavor.

Part of her focus has been preparing the studio not just for casual visitors but also for larger private gatherings. She designed her space from the beginning to handle groups comfortably, setting it up with parties and events in mind. That foresight paid off when she booked her first major event – a birthday celebration for 30 children and their parents. “We’re hosting a 30-guest birthday party, and some of the parents will join in too,” she says.

For Poorani’s studio, these events are more than revenue generators; they’re great opportunities to expand her awareness in her community. When a group of families experiences the studio together, it often leads to new bookings, referrals, and repeat visits.

Inside the studio, she pays close attention to the details that create memorable experiences. Guests are guided through the creative process at a pace that allows them to relax and enjoy the activity. The moment that brings her the most joy is when customers return to pick up their finished pottery pieces. “Everyone leaves with a smile; especially at pickup. Seeing those finished pieces is the most rewarding moment.”

By balancing daily walk-ins with large events, and by ensuring every customer leaves happy, Poorani is establishing her studio as a trusted destination in the South Bay area. The result is not only a growing business but also a reputation built on joy and customer satisfaction.

Looking Ahead

With her studio now open, Poorani is focused on building momentum. The next milestone on her calendar is a grand opening celebration with the Milpitas Chamber of Commerce. Plans are already in motion to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony that will include local leaders and community members. The event will not only mark the official launch of Hot Spot Studios South Bay but also provide an opportunity to showcase the space to a broader audience.

Looking beyond the grand opening, she is already considering the possibility of expansion. If the South Bay studio continues to gain traction, her long-term goal is to open another location in a nearby city. “In six to nine months, I’m considering a second studio if momentum continues.” By combining patience with ambition, Poorani is charting a path that balances the realities of business ownership with the excitement of future possibilities.

Related Article: The Creative Franchise Thats Capturing Nationwide Attention.

Conclusion

For Poorani, becoming a Hot Spot Studios franchise owner has been more than a career change. Her story demonstrates the power of aligning personal values with business opportunity. She chose Hot Spot because it matched her belief that business should bring joy, connection, and value to the people it serves. That alignment gave her the confidence to leave corporate life and embrace the unknowns of entrepreneurship.

Now, as she builds her studio in Milpitas, she sees firsthand the difference a creative space can make. Whether it’s a child celebrating a birthday, a senior discovering pottery for the first time, or a parent feeling stress melt away, the impact goes beyond transactions…it’s the experiences that matter!

Learn more about how you can start your own Hot Spot Studios franchise by contacting The Hot Spot Studios creative art studio franchising team.