From Real Estate to Pottery Painting: How Shabana Found Her Hot Spot in Lynbrook NY

When Shabana Patel opened the doors to her Hot Spot Studio, a paint-your-own-pottery franchise in Lynbrook, New York, she wasn’t just launching a new business, she was stepping into a dream years in the making. 

With a background in real estate, business operations, and mortgage lending, she had a desire to build something meaningful for her family. Shabana found the perfect fit in a creative, community-focused art studio franchise that let her blend entrepreneurship with hands-on experiences and personal fulfillment.

Just a few weeks into opening, her Lynbrook NY pottery painting studio is already buzzing. Families are returning for second and third visits, kids are discovering the joy of painting their own pottery, and Shabana is quickly becoming a familiar face in her neighborhood. The grand opening? A packed house, complete with balloons, face painting, an influencer partnership, and an energy that hasn’t slowed down since.

For aspiring franchisees, Shabana’s story offers more than inspiration, it’s a practical look at what it really takes to go from “interested” to “open for business.” She didn’t come from an arts background. She didn’t have a marketing degree. What she did have was a strong work ethic, a clear vision for family involvement, and a willingness to learn. Now, with her studio live and a summer full of plans ahead, Shabana is proof that the right franchise system can help first-time business owners build something extraordinary, right in their own community.

Why She Chose Franchising

Before becoming a franchise owner, Shabana had already worn many professional hats. She worked in corporate operations, held a real estate license, and even served as a mortgage loan officer. While each role gave her valuable skills, from handling complex transactions to working closely with clients, none of them offered the sense of ownership and family integration she had been seeking.

“I always wanted to have a business,” Shabana said. “At this stage of my life, with my kids now teenagers, I wanted something the whole family could be involved in, something we could do together.”

That desire for family involvement became a key driver in her entrepreneurial search. Shabana wasn’t just looking for a job or an investment; she was looking for a platform where her daughter, her son, and even her husband could all contribute in meaningful ways. While some people pursue franchising to leave a corporate job or diversify their income, for Shabana, it was about building something that could grow with her family.

The decision to explore franchising over starting a business from scratch wasn’t taken lightly. She considered a range of options. But while she explored many ideas, arts and crafts stayed top of mind. As a mom, she had experienced firsthand the challenges of planning creative birthday parties and outings. The idea of opening a studio where families could gather, create, and celebrate was not only appealing, it was personal.

She knew she didn’t want to go it alone. Franchising offered structure, guidance, and a proven model, all things that would help her skip some of the pitfalls of building a business from the ground up. More importantly, it gave her access to a support system of people who had already walked the path she was about to start.

“I wanted to try something out differently and use the experiences I’ve built over the past few years and incorporate that into business,” she said. “Franchising made that possible.”

How She Discovered The Hot Spot Studios

Once Shabana committed to the idea of owning a business, the search began in earnest. Like many first-time franchise buyers, she didn’t begin with a specific brand in mind. She cast a wide net, exploring everything from food concepts to home renovation brands, even cybersecurity services. She wasn’t afraid to consider radically different industries.

While planning birthday parties and outings for her daughter in the past, Shabana had noticed how few hands-on creative spaces existed in her area. “It was always in the back of my head,” she said. “This is something I think I can do.”

Her research process was fast and self-directed. “It was pretty organic,” she explained. “I did most of it online, just using Google and looking at different franchise listings.” She followed the same path many modern franchisees do: browsing directories, reading reviews, and clicking through websites late at night.

Eventually, her search led her to The Hot Spot Studios, a franchise offering a full menu of creative experiences, from pottery painting and candle making to slime, mosaics, and seasonal DIY projects. The more she learned, the more it stood out.

“The people I talked to made me feel welcome right away,” Shabana recalled. “I could see myself with them for five or ten years. It didn’t feel transactional, it felt real.”

Hot Spot made the process feel transparent and accessible. Her questions, about marketing, operations, even daily logistics, were answered clearly.

“I didn’t feel like I was being sold. I felt like I was being supported.”

One moment that stood out: being invited to meet other franchisees, before she had even signed. She was able to connect with a few owners who were at various stages of setup, including some who were just getting their studios off the ground. “Hearing from them made it real,” she said. “It helped me imagine my own store.”

Even though Hot Spot Studios has been in business for decades, it is still a relatively young franchise brand, and that didn’t deter Shabana. If anything, the timing was perfect. She could grow with the brand, and bring her own energy to the table.

Related Article: The Creative Franchise Thats Capturing Attention

The Startup Process

Like many new franchisees, Shabana quickly learned that saying yes to a franchise is only the beginning. The real work starts with getting open.

Because her studio is in New York, a franchise registration state, she encountered a delay of before her agreement could be fully executed. “That wait was tough,” she admitted. “Until I signed the Franchise Agreement, I couldn’t start looking for a space. And without a space, I couldn’t order furniture, equipment, or supplies. Everything got pushed later than I wanted.”

The process of finding the right location, securing the lease, ordering studio materials, and physically setting everything up became a whirlwind. What looked simple from the outside turned out to be dozens of moving pieces. Shelving. Painting. Fixtures. Vendor deliveries. Studio samples. Paint inventory. Register setup. Fixtures. Training. The list was vast.

“I underestimated how much physical labor would be involved,” Shabana said. “There were so many little things you don’t think about until you’re the one doing them.”

Fortunately, she wasn’t doing it alone. Throughout the process, the Hot Spot Studios team stayed closely involved. “I had weekly calls with Jen or Lorraine,” she said of the franchising team. “They answered all my questions, whether it was technical, marketing, or even just small setup things. The training manual covered everything, and the support was there every step of the way.”

She also had help at home. Her husband pitched in to assemble tables and chairs. Her daughter began learning how to run the front desk and welcome guests. Even before the doors officially opened, it was a family effort, and a sign of the business culture Shabana had hoped to create.

The initial soft opening took place on May 10, giving her a chance to test the waters before the formal launch. Those first few days were about learning the rhythm of customer service, refining the flow of studio projects, and getting real-time feedback from early visitors.

That led up to the grand opening, which would mark the true debut of her studio and her transition from setup mode to operational owner.

Grand Opening and Early Wins

After weeks of preparation, Shabana officially opened her doors with a grand opening celebration on Memorial Day weekend, an ambitious date that came with both risk and reward.

On one hand, she knew the holiday could mean lighter foot traffic, with many families heading out of town. On the other, it gave her a definitive date to build toward, and a reason to rally her community.

“I had a face painter, balloons, giveaways… we really went for it,” she said. “And despite the holiday, the studio got completely packed. For about four hours, it was nonstop. At one point I looked around and thought, ‘Oh my, what do I do now?’”

In total, about 100 people came through the doors on grand opening day, a number that might intimidate even the most seasoned operators. But for Shabana, it was confirmation she had made the right choice. The support from family, friends, and neighbors was overwhelming. Some guests explored, others stayed to complete projects, and a few returned the very next day.

Even more encouraging: repeat visits started immediately. “I had one family come back three times already,” she said. “Others came in, asked questions, left, and came back later that same day or weekend to actually create something. That kind of curiosity and return behavior, that’s a great sign.”

To spread the word, Shabana partnered with a local influencer, who visited the studio and posted content online. The results were immediate. “The post got about 15,000 views and hundreds of likes,” she said. “That kind of exposure helped drive a lot of awareness, especially among younger moms in the area who are always on social media.”

As for which projects are winning over her customers?

“Pottery painting is definitely a favorite,” she said. “But I’ve been surprised by how many people want to do slime making, too. That’s been a hit. Body scrubs and succulent gardens are also popular. It changes every day, but people are excited to try new things.”

The momentum from opening week has continued into her first month, with positive word of mouth driving in new walk-ins. People weren’t just curious, they were coming back, bringing friends, and engaging with the brand in ways that signaled long-term potential.

Related Article: Creative Franchise Opportunities

Community Engagement Strategy

With the doors now open and early buzz building, Shabana shifted focus to the long-term work of marketing her studio and embedding herself in the local community. While grand opening traffic gave her a jumpstart, she knows sustainable success will come from consistent outreach, and from building real relationships in Lynbrook and beyond.

Her early marketing efforts started with Facebook moms’ groups, neighborhood communities, and organic posts to local forums. “That’s where I focused first, just getting the word out where I knew local parents were already active,” she said. These grassroots efforts helped her build early name recognition.

“Starting next week, I’m making a list of local daycares, schools, PTAs, senior centers, and businesses nearby,” she said. “Some I’ll call, others I’ll email, and a lot I plan to visit in person.” Her goal – establish partnerships that turn her Hot Spot Studio into a go-to venue for group activities, team outings, and field trips. These kinds of community partnerships align perfectly with the brand’s positioning as a local creative space.

“I’m still early in the process, but now that everything’s set up, I can start getting out there,” she said. “People are curious, and now I get to be the one who brings them in.”

Related Article: The Creative Franchise Thats Capturing Attention

Lessons Learned and Advice for Future Owners

Every new franchisee walks away from their first few months with lessons they didn’t expect, and Shabana is no exception. Her biggest takeaway? Start sooner than you think you need to.

Her advice to future Hot Spot owners is clear: don’t wait. Even if you’re still in the legal or registration phase, especially in franchise registration states like New York, there’s a lot you can prepare ahead of time. Research local partnerships. Order your samples. Begin planning your grand opening strategy.

Another adjustment has been learning the rhythm of customer traffic. Like many new retail-based owners, Shabana expected steady, consistent business each day. Instead, she’s seen what’s common in this industry: slower weekdays, busy weekends. It’s not a problem, it’s just a shift in expectations.

Despite the learning curve, she’s found the business model approachable and the support system reliable. The franchise team has been quick to respond when she’s had questions, and the provided materials, from training to manuals to calls, have kept her on track.

Related Article: Are Pottery Franchises Profitable?

What’s Next for Shabana’s Hot Spot Studio

Now that the doors are open Shabana is looking ahead, with energy and a clear sense of direction. Her focus is no longer just on setup or soft marketing, it’s on building momentum.

“My main goal now is getting more birthday parties and group events into the studio,” she said. “Walk-ins are great, but group bookings really bring energy, and they help more people discover us all at once.”

“I know I still have a lot of people to reach,” she said. “Now that the space is done and I’ve seen what people enjoy, I can really lean into promotions and partnerships.”

Every small step forward, from collaborations to word-of-mouth recommendations, builds her local reputation. The early return visits, positive reviews, and social shares have laid a solid foundation. Now, it’s about scaling it with intention.

“I’m excited,” she said. “I know what this place can be. I’ve seen people walk in, try something new, and leave with a smile. Now it’s time to get more people through the door and keep the momentum going.”

To Conclude

For Shabana, the core of what she’s building, is not just a place to paint pottery or make art, but a studio where families can connect, unwind, and create something meaningful together. It’s a place where kids feel ownership over their artwork, parents find a break from the routine, and strangers become regulars. The business is about more than art projects, it’s about the memories made along the way.

Her story is one that many aspiring franchisees will recognize: someone with a diverse background, a desire to do something of her own, and a willingness to work hard to bring it to life. She didn’t need to be an artist. She didn’t need to know everything about retail or events. She just needed the right opportunity, and the right support behind it. In Hot Spot Studios, Shabana Patel found both.

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