Shows
Creative Business Real Talk136: Selling at Craft Fairs - Essential Advice (With Updates!)“The point of this isn’t actually to bring in a lot of money… the point is to get your name out there!” - ShinahWe're back with an oldie but goodie - with even MORE advice packed into this episode!We’re entering into the Spring and Summer, and you know what that means! It’s time for craft fairs and outdoor markets! For creative entrepreneurs, this can be a very lucrative period of the year, and a time where they get the opportunity to meet and make connections with new (and pot...
2025-04-0941 minCreative Business Real Talk130: "No Ones Buying My Calligraphy!" (What To Do Instead Of Giving Up)You’ve FINALLY booked a spot at your local craft fair to sell your calligraphy. You pay the deposit, create your inventory, follow all the tips to set up the *perfect* booth, and… *crickets*. 🦗Hundreds of people walk by, only TWO stop to peruse—and suddenly your brain goes, “This will NEVER work. I’m not cut out for this. No one’s interested in calligraphy!”Sound familiar?Yep, we’ve all been there. It’s called “catastrophizing” – in other words, you’re jumping to the worst possible conclusion. And this is EXACTLY what one of my stu...
2025-02-2627 minCreative Business Real TalkHow To Stop Fearing Business "Mistakes"“Even top ranked tennis players win barely more than half the points they play.” - ShinahIn today’s episode, I’m going to totally transform the way you think about business “mistakes” and “failures.” ‘Cause way too many of us go into business thinking you’ve gotta be close to perfect.Even Roger Freakin’ Federer, a world-renowned tennis player, barely won HALF his points while playing matches. BUT the key to his success was the fact that he did not focus on the points he lost. Instead, he let go of those past mistakes, took a...
2024-10-0226 minCreative Business Real TalkCompetition In The Calligraphy World“I’m still afraid to put myself out there because now there are so many more experienced calligraphers than there were back then.” - ShinahToday I’m talking about one of the biggest fears that keeps calligraphers from putting themselves out there – competition.When you’re just starting out, you may think that NO ONE will want to pay you for your calligraphy – but in reality, you are so wrong. Not everyone wants to spend thousands of dollars to address their wedding invitations in calligraphy (but perhaps they A...
2024-09-0429 minCreative Business Real TalkA Message I NEED You To HearLife is ALWAYS going to get in the way of your dreams. There I said it.I recently hosted my 'Calligraphy Business Inner Circle', where I gathered with a small group of students for an 8-week intensive to set them on their path towards entrepreneurship.As we’re coming down the home stretch, one of the biggest roadblocks we hit was, “life is getting in the way”. Family, friends, work, taking care of YOURSELF… ALL of it swallows up your time. I get it - even 20 minutes a day can seem overwhelming.But you know...
2024-08-2122 minCreative Business Real TalkDo I Regret Entrepreneurship?In a not-so-distant time ago, I was cowering under my fancy corporate lawyer desk praying no one would find me. I was miserable and dreaded waking up and going to work every day.So I quit, and started working for myself – and then completely burned out and quit that too for a while. So when someone asks me, “Do you regret entrepreneurship?”, that is a VERY good question.It has taken me being employed & self-employed to see that most people tend to think the grass is greener on the other side. But what if I s...
2024-08-1426 minCreative Business Real TalkLawyer to Calligrapher: My StoryI’ve never told my whole story in one episode… so here it is. How I ended up as a successful but unhappy lawyer. How I got out. And how I hit the calligraphy business “jackpot”. Listen to hear: The REAL reason I decided to quit law (that I’ve never shared before)The humiliating thing I did as a third grader that held me back from becoming an entrepreneur How much -I- was responsible for my million-dollar business success (and how much was plain ol’ luck)The main lesson? It’s POSSIBLE to live a more creat...
2024-07-3134 minCreative Business Real TalkMiddle School Teacher to Calligrapher“I’m hopeful for the future now…”Jessica has been a middle-school teacher for 20 years, but the last six have been a real struggle. But CALLIGRAPHY has changed all of that. Jessica re-discovered the childhood hobby she had loved so much, then decided to enroll in my Calligraphy Biz Starter Guide Course - so she could finally do something more with her passion. And starting her calligraphy business has literally BROUGHT HER BACK TO HERSELF. In this episode, Jessica tells me how: She’s part...
2024-07-0433 minCreative Business Real TalkMarketing Director to Artist & Calligrapher“What if it goes RIGHT?!?”Jana Ricci began her company “Fishtail Flourish” after stepping away from a 6-figure career as a Director of Marketing. Finally giving herself permission to do something for herself, she became immersed in my calligraphy courses during COVID - and never looked back.Jana spends a lot of her time in (go figure) the small town of Fishtail, Montana. Tapping into her “posse”, she quickly picked up a job teaching calligraphy and spreading her love of calligraphy within her community. These days she can be found around town hosting classes, net...
2024-07-0336 minCreative Business Real TalkStarting My Biz All Over AgainI broke into the calligraphy industry at one of the most ideal times.Instagram videos were on the rise & local maker events were popping up everywhere, giving me the opportunity to network my business. Then COVID quarantined everyone, and people were looking for something to do amidst the stagnant, day-to-day monotony of being stuck inside – and calligraphy’s popularity hit an all-time high.I rode the wave as long as I could – but it didn’t last.Since then, I’ve had to constantly change my strategy - growing and evolving with the trends and times...
2024-06-2641 minCreative Business Real TalkBusting The "No Time" MythWho has ever said, “I’d LOVE to do that – but I have no time!”We’ve ALL said it, felt it, and truly meant it. Time is fleeting in today’s world - we’re constantly running from point A to point B, being a slave to our to-do list of ‘highly important’ tasks. We’re “time famished” – constantly looking to squeeze a few more minutes out of our day.What if I told you that instead of feeling time famished, you could find more spaciousness in your life by using your ‘time-confetti’...
2024-06-1234 minCreative Business Real TalkReality of a 10K Calligraphy Job350 place cards, 110 welcome cards, 40 table cards, and 8 menu templates later… I just completed my first $10k corporate calligraphy job in quite some time - And I am TIRED…Trust me, I don’t say this to brag – I say it to show all of you aspiring creatives and calligraphers that these jobs ACTUALLY exist. It’s not uncommon to find big brands with a company portfolio requiring calligraphy for their signature events (and this client just happens to be one of them).I want to be clear:No, you probably aren't going to land yo...
2024-06-0530 minCreative Business Real TalkMaking Your First $100 With CalligraphyImagine if listening to this podcast *right now*, could change the entire trajectory of your life??That’s what happened when Magda - podcast listener turned calligrapher & businesswoman - tuned into the 1st episode of "The Shinah Show" after my 9-month hiatus… with no other intentions than having something to break up her day amidst working her corporate job, folding laundry & chasing after her two kids (I mean, can you relate?!?). After binging ALL of "The Shinah Show" Episodes, Magda decided to dive into calligraphy a little over a year ago. Fresh to the industry, she i...
2024-05-2933 minCreative Business Real TalkPerfectionism Failed MeGrowing up as a first-generation Korean-American, I was raised to believe that meeting “perfect” milestones would make me happy. There was never any letter other than an A on my report cards, a number other than 1600 on my SATS (and PSATS), or a university I attended with a ranking less than #1 in the nation (ok, don’t hate me – I promise it’s not all sunshine and rainbows).But while I was on this seemingly “perfect path of perfectionism”, I was also the most unhappy I’ve ever been. This track was making me miserable rather that making me happy...
2024-05-2129 minCreative Business Real TalkSeason 3: "Anti-Perfectionism"I’m back for Season 3! “I’m realizing that this is my damn business, and I can take it in any direction I want.” - ShinahThe theme for this season is ANTI-PERFECTIONISMSeason 1 was launched at the peak of my “pandemic success” - million dollar years, thousands of students, so much exposure through ads and social mediaSeason 2 was the year of “coming back” after burnout and a long break… and struggling HARD emotionally to regain my confidence and reset my goals and expectations Season 3 is going to be both deeper and br...
2024-05-1535 minCreative Business Real TalkMaking way for something newI’m taking a little break from the Podcast and here’s why… “This is the scariest thing I’ve ever done and I’m terrified.” - ShinahFIRST: Crooked Calligraphy is NOT going anywhereIn fact, I’ve created a brand-new FREE CALLIGRAPHY STYLE MONTH for March 2024. ✍️ So, if you want free lessons on how to think about style BUILDING BLOCKS, so you can level-up your CONFIDENCE and go after truly dreamy clients… SIGN UP RIGHT HERE. SECOND: I am taking time to start something new
2024-02-2918 minCreative Business Real TalkHow to Start a Calligraphy Business (Getting Customers)Let’s get into part 2 of how to start a calligraphy business with arguably one of THE most important things – how to attract customers & keep them with the services you’re providing! There is a LOT that goes into starting a business – which might sound incredibly scary. But this is stuff though where you actually need to show up and courageously keep trying. Of course, you don’t need to do EVERYTHING when you’re first starting out- but you need to know the IMPORTANT things to do to establish yourself (and I’m here to tell y...
2024-02-2037 minCreative Business Real TalkHow to Start a Calligraphy Business (Legal & Financial Setup)I’m de-mystifying the legal & financial steps to officially setup your calligraphy or art business. “I promise, by the end of this episode, this stuff will feel less overwhelming and more DOABLE.” - ShinahIf you’ve ever dreamed of making money with your art, but this scary logistical stuff is what’s stopping you, grab a notepad ‘cause we’re getting into the nitty gritty!LEGAL SETUPChoosing a Business NameDeciding on a Legal Structure: Sole Proprietorship v. LLC v. S-CorpEvaluating permits using my “Top-Down” SystemFINANCIAL SETUPSepara...
2024-02-1437 minCreative Business Real Talk13 Things You Didn't Know About MeBetcha didn’t know I was a huge fantasy nerd🤓… and other (maybe) interesting facts In today’s light-hearted episode, I share 13 things you probably didn’t know about me!Including:The 21 countries I’ve traveled toThe martial arts black belt I never use…What I do in my 40s that I would NEVER DARE to do in my 20sHopefully you feel like you know me a little better. If there’s anything that surprised you, or that you can relate to… DM me on Instagram and let me know!(Oh and...
2024-02-0821 minCreative Business Real TalkHow to Make Failure Less ScaryWhat could you accomplish if you no longer feared failure?"I’m more open than ever to feeling it ALL… success, disappointment, shame, and extraordinary gratitude." - ShinahIf you go after something brave and a little unusual… you WILL face failure and disappointment. Here’s what I do so that those feelings make me stronger, instead of crushing me:Three PRACTICAL things I do to re-frame thoughts of failure, andThe ONE PERSPECTIVE SHIFT I keep coming back to that h...
2024-01-3123 minCreative Business Real TalkShe Made More Money Than Her Husband (From Calligraphy!!)"I made more money than my husband, for the very first time in my life... with calligraphy!" - Priscilla Basilio, Crooked Calligraphy StudentToday, I’m interviewing someone who went from: Not knowing anything about calligraphy... toBringing in more money with her calligraphy business last December than her husband did with his full-time job! Priscilla of Priscilla Basilio Design Studio has SUCH an inspiring story to share. ✨ She never imagined she could own a business, let alone grow it to replace her full-time income- and our calligraphy and busi...
2024-01-2429 minCreative Business Real TalkYour Fear is Not SpecialIf you’re afraid to follow your creative dreams, I’m going to give you some perspective today that will totally DISARM your fear (and it’s not what you might think).I’ve been encouraging people to go after their creativity in the form of calligraphy for 8 years now. I’ve sold courses that cost $500 or more – and I’ve also heard EVERY excuse under the sun why people don’t want to take that first step on their creative journey. All those objections have one common thread – they are born out of FEAR.
2024-01-1719 minCreative Business Real Talk$1000 from her first Product Launch!Genell of @speciallyinked is a BRUSH PEN calligrapher (yes, not all calligraphers use pointed pen!) who started her calligraphy journey as a fun venture - unaware of her savvy marketing skills at the time.She had never really thought of herself as “creative”. But after taking my Modern Calligraphy 201 course (and showing her friends her progress along the way) Genell finally gained the confidence she needed in her abilities... just not her “business abilities”...After setting down her brush pen for 2 WHOLE YEARS doubting she could pull off launching her own business, she picked it back up...
2024-01-1028 minCreative Business Real TalkHow to be More Creative in 2024psst... Join our FREE 5-Day Calligraphy Challenge (starts Jan 14, 2024) If you’re hoping for more creative exploration and expression in 2024, I’m here to bust some myths about what it truly means to be “creative” and explain why as a society we need to re-think creativity just like we’re re-thinking SEX.Join me in this episode as I debunk some of the most common myths of creativity like:'You should enjoy creativity for creativity’s sake – the art is enough to keep you happy!''You should ALWAYS feel pulled to be “spontaneously cr...
2024-01-0328 minCreative Business Real TalkYear in Review (The Lessons)Clarity can only come from Action “There’s just no way to over-think yourself into true understanding. That’s why I’m walking away from this year with so many lessons.” - Shinah This year, I did NOT hit my financial goals. And I beat myself up constantly… all while creating new offers, trying new business ventures, and feeling like a failure most of the time. AND… I’m feeling really optimistic about the future. How? Because I know this year was all about growth. So I w...
2023-12-1333 minCreative Business Real TalkYear in Review (The Numbers!)I’m officially back from Korea, and settling back into my CEO role as I break down how Crooked Calligraphy has fared in the 10 months since I’ve dismantled & rebuilt it once again!As I process my feelings and look back on the last year, I’ve had quite the love/hate relationship with its performance. While my revenue was almost spot on to my prediction, it came in multiple forms this year as opposed to the past, including:Life coachingMy evergreen webinar funnelCollaborations with fellow creativesMini courses & workbooksLive workshops & bootcampsOne thing has become overwhelmingly clear...
2023-12-0635 minCreative Business Real TalkOpening a Calligraphy Boutique in a Small English TownDani has always had a life-long love affair with fancy pens and inks.After discovering me through my sweary calligraphy greeting cards on Reddit (crazy right?!?), she began her calligraphy journey in 2018 with my Modern Calligraphy 101 course. When her mental health started to decline due to fertility issues, she made a promise to herself to focus on the future - going all-in and joining my “Calligraphy Bosses Inner Circle” (which would become the beta version of my “Biz Starter Guide” course!!). I am so happy to share that Dani is now the owner of Rogue L...
2023-11-2841 minCreative Business Real TalkEtsy Pros & ConsI recently hosted a “Launch Your Profitable Product” Bootcamp, and my students had SO many questions about Etsy. So much so that I added an entire unit to my “Biz Starter Course” walking you through how to sell on Etsy.There are a LOT of strong opinions when it comes to Etsy. And since I have technically sold products on it since 2015, I figured it was time to throw my hat in the ring as well. I know the commerce platform can have its strengths for sellers in ease of setup & not havi...
2023-11-2233 minCreative Business Real TalkHow to Create a $79K Calligraphy BizThere are two ways to grow revenue“The calligraphers I see thriving often have a mix of revenue streams.” - ShinahThis episode started when I got an email from someone asking, sincerely and thoughtfully, whether it’s possible to make a living as a calligrapher WITHOUT teaching calligraphy. So I answered her honestly… I myself make the vast majority of my money from my calligraphy online courses.But I also wanted to give you some SPECIFIC NUMBERS and clear insight o...
2023-11-1527 minCreative Business Real TalkHow Pain leads to Growth (8 Month Update)GROWTH CAN BE INCREDIBLY HARD“One of the most challenging parts of running a business is that it forces you to confront the parts of you that you’ve been AVOIDING your whole life.” - ShinahThis is a deeply personal episode and warning, I get a unabshedly sniffly for the entire second half. I share REAL FINANCIAL NUMBERS from my latest course launch and overall year… and why they are scaring the shit out of me right now. And also, why this year is probably...
2023-11-0929 minCreative Business Real TalkCalligraphy & Copyright“Help, Shinah!! Someone wants to pay me to write their wedding song lyrics in calligraphy… is this allowed, or am I going to get in copyright trouble?!?”The Short Answer? You might be violating copyright law, buuuuuut you probably won’t get in trouble for this one job. The Long Answer? It’s complicated. I’ll try and explain it in easy terms (and keep myself from putting on my former lawyer hat too much 🤓)In this week's episode, I’m nerding out on all things copyright & tradema...
2023-10-2524 minCreative Business Real TalkThe MYTH Holding you Back from BusinessWhat kind of person do you picture when you hear the word “entrepreneur”??A lot of us (as I did for most of my life) pictured rich, powerful men full of generational wealth. They were venture capitalists, stock brokers, or heads of giant corporations who drove around one of their many sports cars when they weren’t vacationing on their yacht in the Mediterranean. The problem with that vision?? It’s COMPLETELY untrue. Entrepreneurs these days come in SO many shapes and forms:Moms holding down a side hustle in between s...
2023-10-1829 minCreative Business Real TalkThe "CUD" Product FormulaWhat’s the first thing you think of when you hear the word “CUD”??Probably a cow chewing their cud (at least that’s what I think of). BUT, there is an entirely different definition of “CUD” that can help you jumpstart a profitable creative business (stick with me here!)In today’s episode, I define how to use the “CUD Method” (clear, unique, doable) to select the best product to sell in your business. To be successful, your product needs to be ALL 3 of these things:C – CLEAR...
2023-10-1128 minCreative Business Real TalkHow to Set PricesIf you have ever tried to price a good for sale that you created, or you have but feel like you can’t quite hit the sweet spot- this episode is for you!I find SO MANY of my students wondering “How the hell do I price my products??” I totally get it- thumbing through the pages of Etsy researching competitors prices can have you feeling a little, well, lost.You see those rock bottom prices and think to yourself “How are these people making ANY money off their products?” OR you find yourself u...
2023-09-2727 minCreative Business Real TalkLaunch Strategy & A Vulnerable ShareWhat NOT to do when launching a course.“Looking back, there are some definite reasons why this launch under-performed.” - ShinahToday, I’m getting both STRATEGIC and quite VULNERABLE. I’m looking at my latest launch of my Intermediate Calligraphy Course and analyzing why:A pre-launch runway is so importantToo much content during a launch can be a BAD thing, andThe #1 thing I’ve been neglecting that would have given me different resultsSometimes, business is just hard. So I’m also sharin...
2023-09-2134 minCreative Business Real TalkBONUS: "The Dom Perignon Effect"Getting & Keeping High-Paying Corporate clients“Working with big brands is a different beast - they have certain standards and expectations when hiring a professional.” - ShinahThis BONUS EPISODE is a snippet from a live training I did recently called “Confident Calligraphy Style (Stop Copying & Start Attracting High-Paying Clients”….psst… I’m teaching it again live this Saturday, Sept 16, 2023. Register for free here!I’m sharing the juiciest part of the training, where I talk about “The Dom Perignon Effect”:How I became the go-to calligraph...
2023-09-1519 minCreative Business Real TalkHyper-local calligraphy businessBuilding a business in your hometown“You don’t need a huge instagram audience or email list…you can grow a thriving business rooted in the physical PLACE and community you’re in.”- ShinahI have three stories for you today - all students of mine - all building calligraphy businesses very much based in their physical home towns.And those communities aren’t huge. In fact, two of them are in pretty RURAL areas. Listen in to find out how they’re doing it. (I...
2023-09-1427 minCreative Business Real TalkBusiness 101: Phase 3I’m back with the LAST episode in my “Business 101” Series! So far, I have guided you from the “explore” phase, through the “refining” phase, and now onto the “mastering” phase of building a well-established creative business. Very few people get to the “mastering” phase- because it doesn’t just require working on your business, but rather yourself. This phase is not for the faint of heart❤️(you WILL have to get your face out there, be comfortable with rejection, and be prepared to make some hard decisions!). Confidence is KEY in this phase!
2023-09-0639 minCreative Business Real TalkBusiness 101: Phase 2We’re onto phase 2 this week of Business 101- Refining!So you’ve explored and gotten your business off the ground- bravo!! You’ve found some customers, created a few product offerings, and have the framework established to build your business… now what??In this week’s episode, we dive into phase 2 of my 3-part Business 101 series- refining! We’ll discuss what it looks and feels like to start honing in on the important tasks and trusting your decision-making capabilities more. I break down your 3 “buckets” and what they should be holding during this phase, incl...
2023-08-3036 minCreative Business Real TalkBusiness 101: Phase 1Have you ever tried to start a business, but became paralyzed at the OVERHWHELMING list of to-do’s??Trust me, I’ve been there. In the 8 years I’ve spent building Crooked Calligraphy, I’ve realized there are 3 distinct stages of building a business- exploring, refining, and mastering. Join me in this episode as I guide you through the 1st stage- EXPLORING! In stage 1 (where most of you probably are), you can often feel as if most of your days are spent throwing spaghetti at the wall. You definitely DON’T have it a...
2023-08-2333 minCreative Business Real TalkInstagram for Artists in 2023Instagram is NOT what it was in 2015- YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THINKING THAT! In the 8 years I’ve been using the platform to grow my business, IG has gone from static photo-only posts, to high-quality reels using trending audio, lightning fast transitions, and catchy hooks.When it comes to growth on Instagram, I’ve experienced it ALL. Stepping back, I have realized that finding a solid, specific goal of what you want to get out of the platform is the BEST way to use Instagram to your advan...
2023-08-1540 minCreative Business Real TalkRebuilding After Burnout (Six-Month Update)Is my business feeling more joyful these days?“If you look at the numbers, I’m FAILING hard. But, there are so many ways in which I’m wildly succeeding…” - ShinahIt’s time for a deeply personal and vulnerable evaluation of how I’m doing on my year-long RADICAL BUSINESS EXPERIMENT. You know, the one where I declared that I would be running my business differently this year? (Less shoulds, more messing about).Tune in to hear:My real revenue this year compared to 2022 and 2021 (i...
2023-08-0930 minCreative Business Real TalkBecoming a Full-Time CalligrapherEVER DREAM OF DOING CALLIGRAPHY FOR A LIVING?“A calligraphy business was not something that crossed my mind at all when I started… I have terrible handwriting. Little did I know, two months later, I would leave my job to pursue calligraphy full-time.” - Shaochen Wu, Monstera GoldThese four women show it’s totally POSSIBLE to do calligraphy as your main profession💪Laura of @gertiescalligraphyMelissa of @houseofdanaus Jane of @theoxfordcalligrapherShaochen of @monstera.goldIn this panel discussion, we talk about:How to get started with a calligraphy...
2023-07-2642 minCreative Business Real TalkAn "accidental" Workshop Empire (with Sip & Script)How do you end up running a nationwide calligraphy workshop biz with your bestie?“We just put this first class together, winging it the whole time… and 60 students showed up.” - Meg Chaloner, Sip & Script FounderToday I’m talking to the co-founders of Sip & Script! Meg Chaloner and Julie Mancini - who met in 2015 when they were the only calligraphers at a wedding vendor fair in Boston. They hit it off right away and had the idea to host a calligraphy party for addressing Christmas cards that fall. A f...
2023-07-2136 minCreative Business Real TalkHow to Practice ConsistentlyIf you struggle with practicing calligraphy (or anything else!) consistently…“You’re not lacking in discipline. What’s stopping you is perfectionism.” - ShinahI hear from so many people that they WANT to get good at calligraphy… and they know that it takes PRACTICE…. but they just never get around to actually doing it. Well, spoiler alert: MORE DISCIPLINE IS NOT THE ANSWER!Today, I’m helping you make practice more ENTICING… so you actually do it!My experience using willpower to practice classical piano for 13 years… a...
2023-07-1227 minCreative Business Real TalkMaking legal biz stuff less scaryTHE LEGAL STUFF IN BUSINESS CAN SEEM REALLY SCARY.“There’s a big difference between law in THEORY and law in PRACTICE. Dealing with legal stuff on a human relationship level makes it much less intimidating.” - ShinahToday, I’m giving you a casual legal education =) Some of you may know that I used to a corporate lawyer. So I want to break down all the scary “law” stuff in plain terms that you can actually understand. What’s the goal of a contract if you DO NOT WANT...
2023-07-0725 minCreative Business Real TalkThey Refused to Pay Me (how to protect yourself)WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN A CLIENT REFUSES TO PAY YOU?“Looking back, the money was not that big a deal. It was the mental anguish that was the most painful part.” - ShinahToday, I’m telling the dramatic story of how I worked my butt off as a new calligraphy business owner… and an unscrupulous client took advantage of my naïveté and REFUSED TO PAY ME. The FOUR CRUCIAL LESSONS I learned from the whole, gut-wrenching experience?Always get a CONTRACT signed: Here’s a...
2023-06-2930 minCreative Business Real TalkBusiness Model BreakdownCalligraphy Business Model Options“Most beginner creative business owners spend all their time trying to increase followers without understanding WHY” - ShinahCome get an inside peek at the overall STRATEGY I’m thinking through for my calligraphy business. If you’re a new or growing calligraphy business owner, and you’re not sure if you’re spending your time in the right way… this will help you think BIG PICTURE, and take more confident steps towards INCREASING REVENUE: The “spaghetti on the wall” Business Model that I started with...
2023-06-2128 minCreative Business Real TalkSales Results, Pricing Lessons & 5-Month Check-in“I’m thrilled with our sales results, even though they're lower than we're used to... and here' s why” - ShinahIf you’re interested in the true behind-the-scenes of “big” business results… this episode is for you. I chat openly and honestly about: The RESULTS (in real dollars) of our recent sale of calligraphy courses - the first real launch we’ve done in over a year. The big lesson I learned about PRICING and VALUE - yes, you can totally sell a calligraphy course for $1000… if the communicated a...
2023-06-1627 minCreative Business Real TalkFrom Beginner to Pro Calligrapher (four student stories)“YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS NEEDS TO SEE THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE DOING IT… BEFORE YOU CAN GO FOR IT!” - SHINAHToday, I’m bringing you something different. FOUR SUPER-RELATABLE STORIES of women who started as calligraphy beginners, and are now Calligraphy Professionals. All four purchased the Pro Calligrapher Bundle in April 2022 and have already booked their first clients and are actively growing their businesses. Sher Pierre - Left-handed school teacher who always had good handwriting, and is now working to turn that p...
2023-06-0721 minCreative Business Real TalkThe Easiest Way to Start a Business“Focus on these two core things, and don’t let the rest of the business details bog you down” - ShinahIn today’s episode, I’m breaking down exactly how to launch your CALLIGRAPHY STARTER BUSINESS. It’s easier than you think, and will get you crucial learning and skills to continue building. First, I bust the MYTH that you have to have everything figured out and polished-up before launching your business is FALSE. Hear more about “up-and-coming” businesses and how they’re a natural and necessary part of the market. Seco...
2023-05-3125 minCreative Business Real TalkCalligraphy Hobby v. Business“You can sell your calligraphy without having an official business - but you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons” - ShinahIf you’ve ever dreamed of selling your calligraphy to make some extra cash, but you don’t want the hassle of a full-on, official business, this super practical episode will help you weigh the pros and cons. How the IRS defines hobby v. business for tax purposesThe PROs and CONs of creating an official business in order to sell your calligraphyUnderstanding the LETTER of the law and the...
2023-05-2331 minCreative Business Real TalkRiding the Entrepreneurship Rollercoaster (2 Month Update)“The goal is not to get a place where everything is zen. But, to reach acceptance that life is hard and that is beautifully ok.”- ShinahIt’s been TWO MONTHS since I came back to my calligraphy business, determined to run it with more freedom and experimentation and joy. Many of you might have been (rightly) wondering, “But don’t you still have to make money somehow?”And that, my friends, has been the anxiety spiral that has consumed me for the past t...
2023-05-1223 minCreative Business Real TalkWhat to do when Sales don't come inAs a creative entrepreneur, what do you do when you launch a product or offering... and the SALES DON'T COME IN??After 7 years of entrepreneurship, as a professional calligrapher then as a calligraphy teacher, I've run into this situation once or twice... and it just happened AGAIN, with a new training I recently launched. I share three important lessons that helped me keep going, and eventually makes 12 sales of the training (instead of just giving up, which I was close to doing). The three, juicy lessons I go over:FIRST LESSON: A...
2023-05-0828 minCreative Business Real TalkWhat Calligraphy Biz Owners struggle with“Who do you need to be in order to make a million dollars?”When you’re starting a creative business, it’s the latter part that’s the real hang up. You’ve found your creative passion, but then you get stuck on the actual business part of it…I recently offered 12 creative entrepreneurs a free coaching session to help them work through their business hang ups. Through each session, I found a common thread of issues plaguing these owners…“Whenever I scroll on Instagram, I get discouraged seeing all these o...
2023-04-1328 minCreative Business Real TalkOne Month into the Radical Biz Experiment“If you’re curious if someone can totally disappear from their business for 9 months, and then come back and still sell stuff right out of the gate… here’s your answer...”It’s been a little over a month since I’ve made my official return to social media and my calligraphy business. There’s been a whole lot of good, a little bad, and even some ugly moments during this ‘Radical Biz Experiment’ I launched a mere 6 weeks ago. In this episode, I break down:The content I’ve produced and how it’s affected my ov...
2023-03-3127 minCreative Business Real TalkMy Major F*Up (Part 2)Join me in part 2 of "My Major F*Up", where I share one of my BIGGEST f*ups in my creative business to date 🤦🏻♀️I posted Crooked Calligraphy's "worst review of all time" that one of our calligraphy students left in our “Student Survey” that we ask all our students to complete at the end of the course. I thought that if I blurred out the reviewer’s name enough to make it unrecognizable, it would be ok to post. Turns out, I was absolutely wrong. In my haste, I didn't consider the impact all thi...
2023-03-2121 minCreative Business Real TalkMy Major F* Up (Part 1)Join me for this 2-part saga where I do something new and bold and scary and vulnerable.... and find out I royally f*cked up while doing it and hurt a couple people. In PART 1 I talk about how I shared the WORST (but most valuable), 1-Star review our Modern Calligraphy 101 course has ever gotten in 6 years and 4,500 students.And the three reasons why I did it:1) To be more TRANSPARENT in my marketing2) To lead with VULNERABILITY3) To show my students and audience that we're not perfect, but we...
2023-03-1621 minCreative Business Real TalkSeason 2! I'm baaack (in a different way)An impromptu start to Season 2 of the Shinah Show. I'm back from a 9-month break from my calligraphy business... and I want to do things differently this time around. More informal, organic and off-the-cuff.Tune in to hear more about my Radical Business Experiment of 2023 and how I'm approaching Instagram differently these days.I also explain why I'm giving myself a 5 out of 10 for how I'm doing so far...Follow along with my business experiment on Instagram: www.instagram.com/crookedcalligraphyFREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a...
2023-03-0118 minCreative Business Real TalkMy Decision to Pause“I need to take some time to really get clear and think through how I want my life to look, because I don’t want it to look like just another version of that law job that I left.”- ShinahI have a big announcement and I’m just going to come right out and say it: the second season of The Shinah Show will be postponed until further notice.After the finale of Season 1, I’ve done some reevaluating… and have come to the conclusion that I need...
2022-01-0315 minCreative Business Real TalkREMIX 4: Finding Your First Clients“Even if you don’t think you’re good at networking… you can do it in a more genuine way, and that is by really sincerely wanting to help.”- ShinahThis is the final remix episode of 2021 — and this remix is all about how to land your first clients in your creative business, whether this is your side hustle or your dream career.If you’re ready to start selling, I recommend you grab a pen!I’ve been a creative entrepreneur for...
2021-12-2726 minCreative Business Real TalkREMIX 3: Making The Leap To Start A Creative Biz“To actually launch your creative business… this is a process. It takes small steps. You have to take really tiny steps in order to get anywhere and do anything big.”- ShinahRemix month marches on! In the first two remix episodes of 2021, I covered how to identify and overcome the things that hold you back from chasing your dreams. In Remix #3, I dig into some practical tips for launching your own creative business — whether its calligraphy, copywriting, choreography, or crochet!Remember: building a successful business is not abou...
2021-12-2021 minCreative Business Real TalkREMIX 2: Getting Over Your Doubts“If you’re looking to make a change in your life or start to build something, it’s okay if you don’t have the exact ‘how’ or if you don’t know the exact way that you’re going to get there.”- ShinahDecember is the month of the remix! As I take some time to recharge for Season 2, I’m releasing a 4-episode remix series with the most impactful insights, stories, and tips from the last 35 episodes!I want to keep you inspired over the holiday season...
2021-12-1321 minCreative Business Real TalkREMIX 1: Identifying What's Holding You Back“How do you get over all of the doubts and all of the objections and just do the d*mn thing?”- ShinahYou might be a little surprised to see this episode — yes, last week’s episode WAS the season finale of Season 1 of The Shinah Show. I’ve had such an amazing time creating this first season and am so grateful for all of the subscribers, reviews, five-star ratings, and support that I’ve received over the last few months.After I finished recording the last episode...
2021-12-0620 minCreative Business Real Talk5 Months Left to Live“This illusion that we have time… that is what keeps us stuck in the safe place, when really we want to step into the brave place.”- ShinahThis is the final episode of the first season of The Shinah Show. What better time to share the #1 most important lesson that I’ve learned in my life?This is a valuable and devastating lesson that I had to learn through lived experience — an experience that I wouldn't wish on anyone — and it’s one that has transformed my life a full...
2021-11-2919 minCreative Business Real TalkIs The Calligraphy Market Saturated?“If new calligraphers are entering the market all the time, and thousands have come in and succeeded in various ways... why can’t you?”- ShinahThis episode of The Shinah Show was inspired by a real conversation in my Instagram DMs. In it, I debunk one of the biggest myths out there about selling calligraphy services and products.Through my classes, I’ve helped many people fall in love with the art of calligraphy. And, just as I did when I was learning, many of my students...
2021-11-2216 minCreative Business Real TalkSending One "Thank You" Changed My Biz“You put good things out into the world, true, honest, beautiful things… and you’re not exactly sure what the return will be. And a lot of times, things beyond your wildest imagination can happen!”- ShinahWhat if one single, solitary thank you card could change the course of your ENTIRE business?Sounds like a creative writing prompt, right?Well, it happened to me.If you’ve listened for a while, you know that I started Crooked Ca...
2021-11-1523 minCreative Business Real TalkTurn HATERS Into Connection Gold“The more you put yourself out there… the more you’re going to get some negativity back.”- ShinahThis episode of The Shinah Show is dedicated to all the haters. Yes, really. Because even if it isn’t their intention, their negativity can actually have some pretty amazing benefits!Here’s the thing: your creativity isn’t for everyone — and it shouldn’t be! The truth is that you will need to repel certain people in order to attract YOUR people.So if you get a lo...
2021-11-0816 minCreative Business Real TalkResults From A $30K Mastermind“You really can’t go after something unless you have some tiny belief that it’s possible.”- ShinahHave you ever joined a $30,000 program? I have. (And no, you didn’t misread that number!).I know what you’re thinking right now: “Was it worth it?”The short answer is “Yes.” The long answer? That’s a little more juicy. I definitely had a lot of hesitation and even fear going in. $30,000 is a lot of money! And for the first few months, I really d...
2021-11-0119 minCreative Business Real TalkThe Curse Of Being "Smart"“When you’re a small fish in a big pond, there’s so much room to grow.”- ShinahAre you used to being the smartest person in the room? (Or at least THINKING you are?)Do you get anxious in situations where you don’t feel like you have all the right answers?Having pride in your intelligence is one thing, but when you place too much emphasis on being smart, you can fall into a self-limiting trap!Growi...
2021-10-2515 minCreative Business Real TalkSelling at Craft Fairs - Essential Advice“The point of this isn’t actually to bring in a lot of money… the point is to get your name out there!”- ShinahWe’re entering into the holiday season, and you know what that means! It’s time for craft fairs and holiday markets! For creative entrepreneurs, this can be a very lucrative period of the year, and a time where they get the opportunity to meet and make connections with new (and potential future) customers.If you’re just starting out on your creative entre...
2021-10-1831 minCreative Business Real TalkPerfect Little Girl (a very personal story)“If she took one step off that pedestal of perfection, she’d fall right down… out of the light, and warmth, and praise.”- ShinahThis is an episode of The Shinah Show that almost never was.I definitely struggled a little bit with whether or not to tell the story that I share in this episode. Not because I was embarrassed or ashamed of it, or thought it wouldn’t be useful. But because I didn’t know if I wanted to be this vulnerable.
2021-10-1109 minCreative Business Real TalkFighting MS with Calligraphy with Melissa of Chronic Letters“When you are forced to kind of pause everything in your life… it gave me a lot of time to just reflect on what I was doing with my life and where my priorities were.”- Mélissa LehouxMy guest for this episode, Mélissa Lehoux, has one of the most incredible calligraphy stories I’ve ever heard — and her story is proof that calligraphy is for absolutely everyone.In the summer of 2018, Mélissa was diagnosed with aggressive Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that causes her immune system...
2021-10-0433 minCreative Business Real TalkCalligraphy Myths That Aren’t True“I actually think of calligraphy not as handwriting, but more as drawing.”- ShinahIt’s time to bust some calligraphy myths!I know there are a lot of people out there, right now, who LOVE to follow calligraphers on Instagram and dream about having the skill to create beautiful invitations, greeting cards, or shop signs — but are afraid to pick up a pen themselves because they’ve heard and believed a misleading myth about calligraphy.I know this, because they reach out to me...
2021-09-2722 minCreative Business Real TalkI Took a 6-Week Break (here’s what I learned)“I want to learn how to be happier with exactly what I have.”- ShinahI have a bit of an update for you this week. I was hit by a pick-up truck while cycling on vacation recently — yes, I was wearing a helmet. Yes, physically, I’m okay.This episode isn’t about my physical injuries.It’s about the emotional impact of major events. (And yes, there are valuable lessons in this episode!) The years of 2020 and 2...
2021-09-2022 minCreative Business Real TalkMore Practice Is Not The Answer“There’s definitely a learning curve with pointed pen calligraphy… and that doesn’t mean that you’re not talented or artistic enough or creative enough!”- ShinahIt’s that time of year again — time for my 5-day, Pointed Pen Calligraphy Basics Challenge!In this challenge, you get the low-down on exactly what tools to buy plus a FREE calligraphy lesson every day to get you comfortable with the basics. You also get access to a super-secret pop-up Facebook group where you can meet your fellow students and acc...
2021-09-1318 minCreative Business Real TalkFear Conversation“It’s not about the how; it’s about having the belief in yourself to stick to it, keep practicing, celebrate your small victories and pick yourself up from the failures.”- ShinahSo many creatives in the world share the same fears, questions, and doubts. And in this episode, I explore them through the story of another calligraphy creative — and share the advice that will help you push past your fears! You’ll always be able to come up with reasons to hold off on...
2021-09-0615 minCreative Business Real TalkAnti-Entrepreneur“Growing up, I did not have an entrepreneurial bone in my body!”- ShinahIf you want to start SELLING your creative work, but you’re telling yourself you CAN’T because you’re not a “natural entrepreneur”...Stop believing that BS excuse! Your ability to thrive as a creative entrepreneur isn’t dependent on how many chocolate bars you sold door-to-door in the sixth grade!Because I SUCKED at selling things when I was a little girl. I followed the rules. I was afraid to...
2021-08-3016 minCreative Business Real TalkTurning 40 and Caring Less “Be really careful about where you give your f*cks.”- ShinahThis episode is being released the week that I am turning the big 4-0. I’ve spent a lot of time over the past couple of weeks thinking about the message that I want to share with my audience during this major milestone.I wanted to share the kind of message that would have made a younger version of Shinah feel a little bit stronger, more self aware, and more confident.Becau...
2021-08-2322 minCreative Business Real TalkCreative Biz Q&A“It is hard to start a creative business. And yet, it is SO doable and so fulfilling.”- ShinahThis episode of The Shinah Show is just a little bit different! This week, I answer questions from the audience — that’s right, it’s a Q&A episode where I share the creative business secrets that y’all have been so curious about! I put out the call for questions on my Instagram (@crookedcalligraphy) and the response did not disappoint!Hit play on this episo...
2021-08-1624 minCreative Business Real TalkWhat My Anger Told Me“Sometimes it’s moments like that — you being at your worst — that really is the clearest picture and irrefutable evidence that something needs to change.”- ShinahI had to take a deep breath before hitting record on this episode, because I knew things would get a little vulnerable. In the last couple of episodes, I talked about figuring out how to make a change work for you. In this episode, I’m going to talk about how to know WHEN you should make a change.If you’ve been...
2021-08-0911 minCreative Business Real TalkMy Failure“I didn’t get here just by succeeding all the time and doing everything right.”- Shinah“Failure is necessary to success.” We’ve all heard that saying. But what does it really mean?While business owners (and people in general) love to talk about their triumphs, hearing about “failures” is a lot less common.But just because they’re not talked about, doesn’t mean that they haven’t happened.Before I started my calligraphy business, I tried my hand at a f...
2021-08-0216 minCreative Business Real TalkHow To Get Where You Want To Go“The ‘how’ is not that important… you don’t need to know it.”- ShinahAre you thinking about making a change in your life? Maybe starting your creative side hustle? Maybe exploring a way of working that offers better balance?Is it making you a little bit stressed?I get it. When we think about making a change, even if it’s for the better, we tend to get anxious. You’re probably wondering what your first steps should be, what other people wil...
2021-07-2616 minCreative Business Real TalkThe Untold Part Of My Story“It takes small things, done consistently and done with a purpose.”- ShinahIt’s been a hell of a year, right? While the United States is just starting to inch its way back to normal, the truth is that we have NO IDEA what the future holds for us at this point.This episode is all about how to get closer to happiness right now.Not six months from now. Not after you’ve finished your To-Do list. Not after you’ve reached...
2021-07-1922 minCreative Business Real TalkQuitting Corporate: The Money Breakdown“Sometimes, your brain just really needs to have some hard numbers to calm down a little bit.”- ShinahIn last week’s episode, I talked about one major mindset hurdle that would-be creative entrepreneurs deal with — the “what will people think??” objection. This week, I want to talk about another major mindset hurdle that comes up when people want to transition into a more fulfilling creative career. “What about the money?” This is an objection that comes up frequently, no matter whether we’re talking side hustle...
2021-07-1216 minCreative Business Real TalkParent Guilt & Spiral Dynamics“For me, ‘better’ is more fulfilled, more passion- and purpose-driven.”- ShinahThis week’s episode is for anyone who dreams about pursuing something creative… but are held back by one persistent thought. “But what would my parents think??” Believe me, I get it. When I was working as a corporate lawyer, I was miserable. I hated going to work. I thought about quitting for a long time. But one of the biggest obstacles holding me back from leaving my position was worrying about my parents’ reaction...
2021-07-0512 minCreative Business Real TalkTech Leader to Full-Time Calligrapher - with Shaochen Wu of Monstera Gold“I had always wanted to be a small business owner. I didn’t really know what that looked like, though.”- Shaochen Wu. How do you build a successful passion business from scratch? My guest, Shaochen Wu, is a former tech consultant who worked in a very logic-heavy, left-brained job in Silicon Valley before transitioning to become a wedding calligrapher. While Shaochen had always dreamed about running her own small business, nothing ever quite seemed to fit… until she discovered calligraphy. “I had always loved...
2021-06-2835 minCreative Business Real TalkMy Secret to Calligraphy Success“Create your own signature calligraphy style without copying other people and without it looking really random.” - Shinah. I’m switching it up a little bit for this week’s episode — get ready to discover your signature style! This episode is going to give you a taste of my free, 5-day Style Challenge sessions. Each session comes complete with bite-sized lessons, insights, and fun and practical assignments that will help you develop and perfect your unique, signature style. You don’t want your calligraphy to look like anyone else...
2021-06-2120 minCreative Business Real TalkMake Creativity “Stick”“You can really understand your tendency... and then use it to get what you want!”- ShinahDo you have trouble “sticking” to an art, craft, or other creative thing?Have you gone through countless different creative outlets without ever really developing a real practice?Do you have what I like to call a “guilty craft closet” in your home?Then this is the episode for you!Before finding calligraphy, I tried a TON of creative things... woodworking, watercolors, you name it. And none of them lasted for more tha...
2021-06-1412 minCreative Business Real TalkGetting Corporate Calligraphy Clients“I would have kicked myself forever if I had done that — to give up the opportunity to work with Dom Pérignon.”- ShinahThis episode of the show is going to be a little different and a little more tactical than the other episodes. If you’re interested in getting corporate clients for your own creative business, you’ll definitely want to hit play right now.Because I am going to walk you through how I landed Dom Pérignon as a client for my calligraphy business.(Yes, THAT Dom Pérignon.)
2021-06-0720 minCreative Business Real TalkFun Is Not Frivolous!“Let’s rethink fun.”- ShinahDo you need to master the basics before you move onto the fun stuff?I can’t speak for every area in life, but when it comes to creativity (especially calligraphy), I’m a strong believer in doing whatever it is you want to do!Now, I didn’t always feel that way.For most of my life, I thought that “fun” was the least important thing on my list. Getting the best grades, getting into a good college, landing a lucrative job, having a success...
2021-05-3112 min