I recently asked on my social media for podcast topic ideas - and wow did you guys deliver!On today's episode of The Shinah Show, I'm sharing one student's struggles with getting her business up and running (and profitable!). She reached out because she is trying to be strategic in her products and offerings to ensure she can actually make money. Does she go for the place cards & gift tags, or focus on the bigger jobs with. more complexity?This is where there is a BIG divide in the industry - lower skillset products & services vs. higher paying jobs. While one is easier to produce and has a lower barrier of entry, the other requires more time, effort & finesse. So how do you know which one is RIGHT for your business?Join me as I examine these two highly different niches of the calligraphy industry and discuss:What the 'lower' paying calligraphy skills what differentiates them from the higher paying calligraphy skillsExamples of the products typically produced in each skillsetThe skills that take your calligraphy from pen & paper to the next level (and how it can expand your business exponentially)7 categories of "high paying" calligraphy jobs that can demand top dollarHow to develop a solid plan to grow your business & manage the 'big picture' stress that can overwhelm so many business ownersI'm so excited to delve into this topic and show you just how many different ways you can utilize calligraphy!Don't forget - The Holiday Shop is open now through December 17th, 2024! It has our best course deals of the year & exclusive bonuses! We’re offering 50% off our workbooks, mini-course, and course trainings we rarely open to the public (including our brand new engraving course!) - all of which can help take your business to the next level! Click HERE to score all these amazing deals right now!Graphic Artists Guild Handbook, 16th Edition: Pricing & Ethical GuidelinesEpisode 116 - How To Get Live Calligraphy Jobs (And Be Great At Them)FREE WORKSHOP:“How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational WorkshopFOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

**This episode is a replay of episode 48. It has been updated to reflect current course sales & promotions**The demand for calligraphy workshops (and people to teach them!) is alive and well. BUT I’ve heard from SO many of you that you’re itching to host your own workshops- but paralyzed at the laundry list of to do’s that forms even before signing up your first attendee.I want more of you to feel EMPOWERED to teach your own classes!! So in this week’s episode, I’m breaking down my own experience teaching workshops, including:WHY you should teach calligraphy workshopsHow ‘good’ you have to be to teach (spoiler alert- the BEST calligraphers aren’t necessarily the best teachers!)My tips for how to price your workshops, where to host them (sausage restaurants, anyone??), and how to utilize them to grow your business in so many ways!I’ve packed all this information plus SO much more into my online course “How to Teach Calligraphy Workshops” which is on sale RIGHT NOW in Crooked Calligraphy’s Holiday Shop - open November 13th - December 17th 2024!The Holiday Shop has our best course deals of the year & exclusive bonuses! We’re offering 50% off our workbooks, mini-course, and course trainings we rarely open to the public (including our brand new engraving course!). Click HERE to score all these amazing deals right now!  FREE WORKSHOP:“How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational WorkshopFOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

Brand activations (aka “Live Event Calligraphy”) can be a super fun & lucrative job in the calligraphy industry – if you’ve got the skills to deliver the goods!Brands frequently collaborate with calligraphers to personalize their products with everything from pointed pens & brush pens, to glass engraving, at live in-person events. As far as locations? They are only limited by your imagination! Both my students & I have been hired for activations at duty-free shops in the airport, food & wine events, weddings, plenty of department stores, fancy boutiques, and even liquor store events! Join me on this episode of “The Shinah Show” as I share my tactical tips for landing, executing, & being in-demand live calligraphy events, including:The 3 ways you can go about getting hired for events The many unique calligraphy applications you can stack in your skillset & offer (everything from heat foiling to wood burning and beyond!)How much you can expect to be paid for a variety of jobs & your talent levelWhy “understanding your role” is the MOST important part of the job & how professionalism can lead to you being in-demand by brandsActivations can often be intimidating if you haven’t done them – which is why I’m taking you behind the scenes and pulling back the curtain on the industry standards & practices so YOU can be set up for success! In the coming weeks, I’ll also be exploring the courses that are going to be in my “Holiday Shop” (opening soon!) and sharing more tactical advice on the podcast about how to utilize them to break into the world of calligraphy!FREE WORKSHOP:“How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational WorkshopFOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

Yep, you read that title right.If you thought the idea & success of Crooked Calligraphy just fell into my lap, you might wanna settle in for an eye-opening episode.In October of 2013, depressed and burnt out, I flat out quit my 6-figure job as a corporate lawyer and went from a completely independent & successful career woman, to living in my best friend’s spare bedroom with NO direction in my life. It took me nearly 4 years of rest, resetting, and a whole lot of trial and error until I could even turn a decent profit and finally feel “successful”.I rode the prosperous wave and threw myself all-in to Crooked Calligraphy –generating over $1 million in revenue – before I decided to blow my life up all over again.Join me on this episode of The Shinah Show as I share my 11-year journey of highs & lows in the world of entrepreneurship, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way including:The many phases of Crooked Calligraphy and how I derived confidence during each of themThe most strategic things I spent money on Why your business should never determine your worthWhat one thing studies are showing is the most important in peoples’ lives (and how I’ve started to incorporate it into my own)Make sure you stick around until the end to hear what the current phase of my business is looking like– and what my husband building a 20’x30’ dance floor in my backyard has to do with it 😉Link to Episode 102 - "Lawyer to Calligrapher - My Story"FREE WORKSHOP:“How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational WorkshopFOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

“Us small business owners are over here thinking that if we make a mistake, if we have a failure, if something doesn’t go the way we wanted it to… it means something catastrophic about us.”Most businesses statistically fail. So how do the other businesses succeed you ask? Because most of them are products of business owners who have failed previously.In Silicon Valley, failed businesses are considered a badge of honor. However, as female small business owners, oftentimes we beat ourselves up over the slightest tinge of failure (especially those of us who are perfectionists). We need to STOP beating ourselves up when we screw up!In this episode of The Shinah Show, I’m sharing with you my best advice for reframing your mindset and picking yourself up when the inevitable bump in the road occurs. We’ll dive into:The LONG list of BIG business owners who have burnt millions of dollars trying to establish successful businesses (you won’t believe some of these names)How your failures in business don't determine your self-worthJust how many times I have started and failed to create a thriving businessWhy we need to “normalize” failureThere is only one way to learn business – by DOING it. No amount of research and reading will replace the tangible, hands-on learning that must take place to successfully establish a company. So, get out there and move through it – even if its messy & uncomfortable – and create your own badges of honor.READY TO GET OUT THERE AND LEARN?? COME WATCH MY FREE WORKSHOP HERE!FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

This episode is a small preview of my full, in-depth "Calligraphy Business Made Simple Training" - ​CLICK HERE TO WATCH IT FOR FREE---Starting a business isn’t necessarily hard because of the knowledge you need to run it. But rather because you need to look inside yourself and find the courage and strength to face the hard things.Let that sink in for a minute. Because that’s just one of the lessons I’ve learned throughout my 9 years of entrepreneurship.On today’s episode of The Shinah Show, I’m sharing with you the 3 biggest mistakes I made when starting out – because more than anything, I want to teach other budding entrepreneurs what REALLY matters when you’re just getting your feet on the ground.I’m breaking down not only the biggest, but the toughest lessons I had to learn, including:Why your opinion of what’s ‘sellable’ doesn’t really matterHow doing allll the things is sometimes less productive (and can lead to burnout)What planting seeds and business have in common (stick with me on this one!)And if you’re feeling lost in the overwhelm that comes with saying ‘yes’ to becoming your own boss, you are so not alone – and I want to share some words of wisdom with you.My Biz Webinar showcases my very best tips & tricks to establish your own business (in only 6 months nonetheless), and its all yours – for FREE. Click below to watch it until Sunday, October 20th 2024!This is all leading up to the start of my Holiday Sales Bootcamp starting Sunday, October 20th 2024 as well, where I’ll be personally guiding this session’s students from product inception, to sale! Click HERE for all the details!FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

Montine has been my life-coach for 10 years. She leads a magical, creative, laughter-filled, self-love-incuding practice called Intuition Painting. And she needs your help, because her beautiful studio in Asheville, North Carolina was recently decimated by Hurricane Helene. Montine has had to cancel nearly all of her retreats for the rest of the year. So she asked me to help spread the word about the Intuition Painting classes that are left.Montine helped me transform from a miserable, uptight, judgmental corporate lawyer to hopeful, deeply-feeling, open-armed creative. She's the perfect mix of compassionate, intuitive spirituality and biz-expert, impeccably boundaried BADASS.I could not recommend her more highly. If Intuition Painting (or transformative life and business coaching) is something you're interested in... please visit crookedcalligraphy.com/intuitionpainting to learn about working with Montine. 

“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 breath, and chose to tackle the present moment - one point at a time.On this episode of The Shinah Show, join me to learn:Why we need to redefine our outdated, elementary way of "grading" our business successes,  and how it sets the total WRONG standardHow to reframe your mindset & realize there is no one measure of “success”How messing up makes me HUMAN, and why me doing so shows my students that its OK to screw up (and not take things so seriously!)The embarrassing, unfortunate, and silly mistakes I have made throughout the past 10 years of this whole small-business-entrepreneurship journey I’m onBusiness is just like life – you’re never going to get it perfect (and you shouldn’t have to!). Its messy, full of highs and lows, and sometimes uncomfortable – but hey, we’re all finding our way through it and getting better at it one day at a time.Interested in starting your own calligraphy journey (and want some help with those messy, imperfect moments?). Come join me for my free workshop – let’s do some brave things together ❤️FREE WORKSHOP:“How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational WorkshopFOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

"If you only measure business success in dollars... you'll never be satisfied, because you're never acknowledging the things that are actually making your life better." - ShinahI just got back from my honeymoon trip to Paris and had a realization about why my business feels like a slam-dunk SUCCESS to me right now... despite me not reaching my goals in my last course launch.Listen in to hear:- High and lows of my honeymoon to Paris- The unexpected reason I was dreading the return to my business- The one thing I always give myself after every vacation... that feels like REAL SUCCESS to meI hope this episode will help you to step back and realize you're probably more successful than you realize... and it's time to measure, acknowledge, and celebrate those successes, so you have the confidence and inspiration to KEEP GOING!---FREE WORKSHOP:“How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational WorkshopFOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

“We’re not satisfied with the quality of your calligraphy, so we won’t be paying you.”Yes, that was actually said to me. And naïve, inexperienced Shinah hadn’t gotten payment upfront – so all my work ended up being for nothing. Sucks, right?I recently shared this experience with my Calligraphy Biz Inner Circle members. Not to teach them about payment standards, but to remind them that client’s opinions can be brutal. But at the end of the day, they are just that – OPINIONS.Join me this episode as I share the advice I gave my Inner Circle about:Battling our obsession with perfection (and how it’s actually self-centeredness)How to reframe your brain when it starts to catastrophizeThe best way to shake off a bad experience, and take it with a grain of saltMake sure you stick around and see what ended up happening with this client (you won’t believe the twist of events!).FREE WORKSHOP:“How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational WorkshopFOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

“My life is always crazy and I’m running all over the place. I do so much for everyone else but calligraphy is something to call my own….and that is a feeling I didn’t even know I needed.” Danielle Williams is a BUSY person. She’s a full-time caregiver to her mother who has dementia, and a part-time healthcare worker. She never considered herself a “creative” person… and now she’s bringing in $300-1,200 PER MONTH with her calligraphy business!Listen to learn how:Calligraphy has boosted her self-confidence and given her a sense of PURPOSE in lifeShe got into teaching calligraphy workshops, on her own schedule, that brings in amazing extra income each monthShe’s surprising herself all the time and blowing her own mind with how much joy she’s able to bring into other peoples’ lives.Danielle was a delight to talk to, and our conversation helps remind us all that even if you don't think you’re a “creative” person, you’re probably wrong! You’d be surprised at what you can find within yourself when you dig a little deeper.You can find Danielle on Instagram @daniellejaneencalligraphyFOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

Watch the video training here--A concrete six-month PLAN you can follow to go from calligraphy beginner, to starting your own calligraphy business!This is the roadmap I wish I had when I first started, because it tells you1) The crucial building blocks and priorities to focus on, and2) What you can ignore (despite "experts" telling you otherwise)If you want the BEST GUIDANCE and MENTORSHIP possible on your calligraphy journey, our Pro Calligrapher Bundle of courses is open through this Friday, September 13, 2024! --> It's a complete education in CALLIGRAPHY + BUSINESS... all in one, expertly-taught package, for just USD $997. 

“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 ARE willing to spend a few hundred on an up-and-coming calligrapher who has the skills to get the job done).Join me on this episode of “The Shinah Show” as I share real life examples of beginner calligraphers who landed well-paying jobs just by putting themselves out there (and how they did it!). I’m also sharing the fears I hear from students all the time, and how to:Ditch the “calligraphy bubble” & the lies it tells your brain Quit catastrophizing (and why it’s successes worst enemy)Set yourself apart from “all the other calligraphers”Focus on the non-financial benefits of a creative side-hustle to motivate you, and help you think less “black and white”, and more about what’s possible if you just step a little out of your comfort zoneI have met COUNTLESS students who have feared competition & putting themselves out there. But once they did, they never looked back (and were soooo happy they did it!). I hope this episode inspires you to pursue your creative passions and be your truest self.Wanna hear about the EASIEST way to start a calligraphy biz?? Click HERE to listen to episode 52 of “The Shinah Show” – Easiest Way to Start Your Biz!Let's tackle those fears together!!We're right in the middle of my “Newbie To Pro Calligrapher” Challenge - and there's still plenty of time to jump in! Lessons & videos will remain posted in our Facebook Group. so you can catch up on your own time! Join HERE so you don’t miss the free lessons, daily prizes, and tactical business tips.FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

“I’m no longer afraid to put myself out there... Because of my hearing loss, I’ve always been a little intimidated by new people. But calligraphy has given me a great deal of confidence. And I’m proud of my work.” -  Amanda Nicole BorneToday, I’m talking to my student Amanda - a substitute teacher and calligraphy biz owner who is also dealing with progressive hearing loss. There’s SO MUCH VALUE in our conversation, including:How calligraphy has provided connection and confidence, despite hearing lossCreative ways to get calligraphy jobs that I’ve NEVER HEARD of before - with NO social media!How Amanda is using the profits from her calligraphy biz (hint: it involves international travel and life-threatening surgery for her husband)Amanda took our calligraphy courses during the pandemic, despite both her and her husband losing their jobs… and she says the investment was “Absolutely worth it. It’s not like taking a trip, where you do it once and then only have the memories. I learned a SKILL that I can use for the rest of my life.”Find Amanda at LoveLettersByAmandaCalligraphy.comGet started on YOUR calligraphy journey for FREE with my “Newbie To Pro Calligrapher” Challenge starting September 2nd! Join HERE so you don’t miss the free lessons, daily prizes, and tactical business tips. FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

Life 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 what I told them? You have to carve that shit out – because you will not find it waiting for you at the end of the day. Join me in this episode as I share some “tough love” with my students (and all of you!) and give them a reality check (& a little kick in the rear) about their priorities, time management, and making “emotionally risky” decisions.Starting a business might be uncomfortable, and it might take sacrifices. But you have to take back your POWER, and control over your life, if you want to truly take this path. Life can’t just ’happen’ to you, you have to live it.If you're ready to take back your POWER, my BIGGEST free training is right around the corner! My “Newbie To Pro Calligrapher” Challenge starts September 2nd, and registration is open! Join HERE so you don’t miss out on any of the fun (free lessons, live trainings taught by yours truly, and did someone say awesome prizes?!?). See you there!FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

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 said it’s really all an illusion?Join me in this week's episode of The Shinah Show as I share my real time realizations from each perspective in the areas of:Money – the stability of a salary vs. the potential for big wins (and big losses)Time – being on someone else’s timeline with a finite end to the day vs. having the freedom to create your own workday (but work always following you home)Determination – having someone motivate & praise you for a job well done vs. being your own boss and motivating yourself to get things doneWhichever path you take, you still might feel as if you’re “missing out”. However, life is full of seasons – and you can change your mind and explore your options at ANY time. Remember, it doesn’t always have to be one or the other - you can find your own balance between the two that works for your life.And if you want to grow and explore the possibilities out there, my BIGGEST free training is right around the corner! My “Newbie To Pro Calligrapher” Challenge starts September 3rd, but registration is open! Join HERE so you don’t miss out on any of the fun (free lessons, live trainings taught by yours truly, and did someone say awesome prizes?!?). See you there!FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

Not many people realize calligraphy goes WAYYYY beyond weddings – and is growing exponentially in almost every place possible.From presidential (and royal) calligraphers, to highly specialized pieces for celebrities & T.V. shows (Bridgerton anyone?), simple “pen and paper” items only scratch the surface of this industry – as well as the things I’ve made throughout my 9 years as a professional calligrapher. In this episode, I’m sharing 5 of the COOLEST projects I’ve had the pleasure of penning. I’m also diving into:How these unique projects found their way into my portfolioSome of the new categories & places calligraphy has started to appear that you’d NEVER think was possibleWhy networking is such a powerful toolWays to expand your thinking and find unique jobs outside of the wedding industryIn a world that is busy making technological advances every second, so many people are looking for ways to slow down and return to the simple ways of the past – and calligraphy fits the bill for just that. I hope this episode opens your eyes as to just some of cool the places calligraphy can take you (and make you money!).**And if you want to learn how to begin your journey in this growing industry, my free webinar is the BEST place to start! Sign up HERE to get access to my hour-long training that will show you exactly what you need to do to get your foot in the door!**FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

I’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 creative, unconventional, off the beaten path life. It’s risky and it’s hard and it requires growth and confronting all the things you criticize about yourself. But it’s so so beautiful.--FREE WORKSHOP:“How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational WorkshopFOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

How I learned to accept my imperfect body…  and how that went hand-in-hand with business growth. In this vulnerable episode, I share openly about:How growing up Korean-American in this jacked up culture led to seriously disordered eating patterns for most of my adult lifeWhat happened when I finally did lose a lot of weight in my 20s… and how it didn’t bring me the peace I desperately wanted How I finally embraced more intuitive eating and fun exercise - by working on the source of my self-hatredHere’s the main lesson: Deciding to go after my own happiness and inner love… that was the KEY to every blessed thing in my life right now. My beautiful business, my amazing husband, and my (mostly) peaceful relationship with my own body. It’s really HARD to confront your own self-criticism and face the stuff you most fear… and it’s SO SO WORTH IT. I promise. --Wanna hear more about my journey from corporate to creative? 👇Sign up to get a curated list of my BEST Shinah Show Episodes (out of 100!)- organized into categories like “My Journey” and “Tactical Business Advice”--FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

“Settling” for my husband has taught me SO MUCH about business…But letting go of the idea of my “perfect man” not only led me to the love of my life… but it taught me crucial business lessons, too. So, keep listening to hear:Everything I thought I wanted in a partner and why I was so wrong about most of itMy husband’s numerous “disqualifications” and the real drama of letting go of that perfectionist idealTHREE CRUCIAL business lessons I’ve learned from this experience - because “perfect” in business doesn’t mean what you think it meansAnd don’t forget to join me next week as I share the story of my “B-“ Body (that I think every woman will relate to).--Interested in starting your own calligraphy business? 👇Register for my FREE workshop HERE and learn how to take the first steps in your calligraphy journey with my PRO CALLIGRAPHER BUNDLE!!--FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

As a recovering perfectionist, the idea of publishing “less than perfect” work felt totally wrong early on in my business. I would spend hours scrutinizing the tiniest of details, thinking no one would possibly take me seriously (much less buy anything from me!) otherwise. But all those hours spent overanalyzing weren’t getting me any further with my business.So I took a course from one of my business mentors looking for answers - and I saw how she simplified her content and didn’t overthink what she put out there. To even further support her method,  I started to see all the up-and-coming “bro marketers” doing the same thing – they were putting out SUPER basic, simple content – and their numbers were BANANAS. Seeing so many creators putting out flawed content (and winning with it) inspired me to do the same – and it changed the way I operate my business forever.Join me in this 1st episode of a 3 part series on living a “B-“ life as I discuss:Why publishing B- content can make you a more flexible & successful business ownerHow utilizing the 80/20 rule can take you from a B- to an A, and show you what your audience really wants (without spending hours polishing a turd)Why imperfection and being human is more relatable to your audience, and the direction marketing is goingYou DO NOT have to be an “A” person to be successful!! Being more loosey-goosey might feel weird at first, but once you see how much simpler being B- can be, I know you’ll start implementing it in your own life too.And don’t forget to join me for part 2 next week as I share the story of my “B-“ Husband (cause it’s gonna be a good one!).FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

“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 partnering with local small businesses to get calligraphy jobs in brilliant ways I’ve NEVER heard of before!Calligraphy, as a hobby, is VITAL to her mental well-being, and also Calligraphy, as a business, has helped her overcome the crippling imposter syndrome she’s always struggled with This is one of the MOST POWERFUL interviews I’ve ever done, because it shows how much you can TRANSFORM yourself and your life… if you go after your creative passions and take steps towards what you truly desire!Jessica can be found at: IG: https://www.instagram.com/fine_script_studio WEB: https://finescriptstudio.com/--Ready to take your creative business to the next level?! My Biz Starter Guide Course is open for enrollment right now through July 7th, 2024!Come join me and learn how to establish your business easily - and without the headaches and stress of doing it yourself!Want even more help?? I'm opening my "Inner Circle" Business Program to a handful of students, where we'll be doing a deep-dive into establishing your business with one-on-one coaching from me! Click HERE for all the info!--FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

“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, networking, and creating commissioned pieces for individuals as well as charity events.Join me as I speak with Jana and discover:How to shed your identity & say out loud who you truly are (don’t compare!)Why starting SLOW is still startingHow my Biz Starter Guide course was extraordinarily useful – even for someone who came from the corporate worldWhy it doesn’t matter how many calligraphers are out there (*spoiler alert* they aren’t you!)It is so important to hold the belief in yourself that you can succeed FIRST - then everything else will fall into place. I hope this inspires you to do so.Jana Ricci can be found at:@fishtailflourishFishtailflourish.comReady to take your creative business to the next level?! My Biz Starter Guide Course is open for enrollment right now through July 7th, 2024!Come join me and learn how to establish your business easily - and without the headaches and stress of doing it yourself! Want even more help?? I'm opening my "Inner Circle" Business Program to a handful of students, where we'll be doing a deep-dive into establishing your business with one-on-one coaching from me! Click HERE for all the info!FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

I 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. It has NOT been easy (read – I NEVER went to school for business or took any business courses before starting my company) – but after throwing spaghetti at the wall for a while, I developed a 3-bucket strategy to steadily grow my sales and client base.In this episode of The Shinah Show, I share with you:How I grew Crooked Calligraphy into a million dollar plus companyMy strategies for handling different types of clientsWhat I would change if I could do it all over againStepping into any industry is difficult – but with the right formula of offerings, marketing and operations, you can easily get your foot in the door, no matter what types of clients you are serving!I have learned SO MUCH over my 8 years as a business owner – and one of the biggest lessons has been to pay it forward. I would have never gotten to where I am today without those who have gone before me sharing the necessary know-how to do so. I hope this episode makes business feel more doable and inspires you to take the leap and go after your dreams!FREE CALLIGRAPHY BIZ SUMMER SCHOOL - My Calligraphy Biz Summer School is still in full swing! I'm teaching 3 weeks of foundational business lessons, resources and mindset reframes, to help you get closer to your calligraphy dreamsRegister right HEREThis is all leading up to the doors opening to my “Calligraphy Biz Starter Guide” course on July 1st, 2024! This is the LAST time I’ll be offering it at the introductory price of $497 before its closed it for a major overhaul. Get in NOW to get the course (AND all the updates) at this price!--FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

So you want to start a calligraphy business – that’s awesome! But wait… are there too many calligraphers out there already that it’s going to be impossible to create your own space and stand out in this industry?This was an actual (and legitimate) question I got in my Instagram DM’s by a follower a few weeks ago. She was wondering if the market was too saturated for new calligraphers to make it – and let me tell you, this is NOT the first time I’ve heard this concern. With so many established calligraphers out there already in such a niche industry, it can feel like you won’t be able to get your foot in the door (much less make money!). But in reality, this industry (and many others like it) is ever-changing – and there IS a seat at the table for you!In this week's episode of The Shinah Show, I’m going to pop the ‘calligraphy bubble’ you’ve been living inside and show you:Why there is more room in this industry than you thinkHow being a “beginner” can work to your advantageWhy getting over your ‘imposter syndrome’ is absolutely necessary in order to make itThere are SO many ways for you to profit from calligraphy, and so many different pockets of customers out there you probably haven’t thought of that never knew they needed you - you just have to get out there and be brave!See “Episode 52. The Easiest Way to Start a Calligraphy Business” for even more on why the market always NEEDS new businesses.--FREE CALLIGRAPHY BIZ SUMMER SCHOOL - Three weeks of foundational business lessons, resources and mindset reframes, to help you get closer to your calligraphy dreamsRegister right HERE--FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

Who 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’ in a way that allows you to find those extra moments in the day? And in turn, having the time to do those things that once seemed impossible to fit in!Join me in this episode of “The Shinah Show” as I discuss:What “time confetti” is and why it will blow your mindWhy our priorities are totally out of whack, and how we actually end up using our time (*spoiler alert* not in the most productive of ways!)How finding the right creative outlet for you can CREATE more time and spaciousness in your life, so you aren’t trying to scrounge up a few minutes here and thereI’m excited to show you how you can take control of your time, and finally be able to find activities that light you up. You’ll find yourself eager to get back to them that you’ll magically find more free time throughout your day. HEY YOU!!! We’re HALFWAY through 2024 (I know, I can’t even believe it!). Did you know that if you started RIGHT NOW working towards building a successful creative business and being your own boss, you could achieve it – all before we ring in 2025? Interested in learning how? Click here to attend my FREE workshop where I show you how to go from an absolute beginner, to having your own business in just 6 months! FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

350 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 you a job like this until you have years of calligraphy experience under your belt...No, you cannot go out there as a newbie and charge $250 an hour,,,No, being a calligrapher is not always exciting, or glamorous, or easy on the body...But little by little, all those local events, orders received from family, and chances to hone your skillset build up your resume - so you CAN land those high-paying once-in-a-lifetime jobs.Join me as I spill all the tea on what it's really like to work on a glamorous, high-stakes, celebrity-filled, luxury brand EVENT.  Listen to find out: How a connection I made in 2018 was the key to landing me this gigThe most important lessons I want to pass on to you, andWhat I did in the "servants quarters" on the night of the event 😂I can’t wait to eventually share ALLLL the things I’ve learned through this extremely high-pressure, but very realistic, corporate calligraphy job (and my best tips to help you land one too!).FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

Imagine 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 is just starting her journey as a bona-fide calligrapher with her first paid job in the books!Join me in this full circle moment for Magda as she sits down with me on the very podcast that began her journey to discuss:How you can develop a more “spacious” life with the help of calligraphyWhy action is better than over-thinkingHow our creative brains can get in our way (rather than OUT of our way!)Why surrounding yourself with positive examples makes all the difference (don’t let the ‘calligraphy bubble’ get in the way of your success!)Doing it messy is STILL doing it – and Magda’s story is such a great example of just that. You don’t have to always need a perfectly laid-out plan – as long as you are open to the possibilities in front of you and the journey ahead of you, I am so incredibly proud of how Magda has put herself out there - and I know her journey is just getting started!Follow Magda on Instagram @magdalenamaria_calligraphyFOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

Growing 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 – which is exactly what I WASN’T expecting.And after crawling out from underneath my desk (literally), I burned out – quite literally - and realized I had failed to maintain this ‘perfect’ lifestyle.Join me on this episode of The Shinah Show as I recount my life story through a lens of perfectionism and share with you:How perfection eventually became my façade to hide behind, rather than my realityThe lengths I’ve gone to in order to maintain my “perfect” recordsHow crippling the pressure of perfectionism can beHow I dug myself out of a constant cycle of burnout – and how you can, tooI hope this episode speaks to all of you with perfectionist tendencies, and shows you that we ALL need to give ourselves a little more grace, a little less judgement, and a damn chance to rest sometimes.

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 broader - I’ll still talk about calligraphy and creative business, but I want to explore the WHY behind it all. Which is that we all want to feel more at peace with ourselves and less afraid… and I think confronting our perfectionism through inner work and creativity is a beautiful way to do that.  In this episode, I catch you up on: How I’m doing emotionally & financially right now (with real numbers, of course)How my current sturdiness is a direct result of the emotional turbulence of 2023; andMy powerful MANIFESTO for Season 3 - the real message I want to get out into the worldRead the full Manifesto right here 👉 shinahchang.comTHANK YOU for being here!I’ve got some exciting episodes planned for the future, and I’m so thankful that I get to be in your earbuds each week =)--FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

I’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 newAnd I don’t know exactly what it is yet. What I do know is that this new branch of my business will: Help you to move towards a life that FEELS TRUER to yourself Take up my Thursdays and Fridays from here on (so calligraphy will be Mon-Wed only)Be raw and messy and exciting and will involve some kind of weekly PODCAST or BLOG-type sharing👉 I don’t even know what I’m selling yet in this new business, but if you wanna come along for the ride, come follow me on my Personal IG @shinahchang THIRD: Thank you for your support on this journeyThis podcast means so much to me, I’m so THANKFUL that you’re here, and I hope you’ll continue with me on this weird ride called life. 😉

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 you what they are!).In this episode of The Shinah Show, I break down the essential things you should do when starting your business to attract and keep customers. We’ll cover:Why developing your brand identity FIRST will make everything else infinitely easierThe art of crafting your online presence via a website (and all things social media)The “who/what/where” of finding your ideal clienteleHow to keep customers using the “5 P’s” A Cliff’s Note’s version of the beast that is EtsyI promise following this outline & narrowing down your to-do list will help save you from slipping into decision-making paralysis, and allow you to streamline your customer acquisition strategy. It's not nearly as overwhelming or scary as you think - and totally doable. If I can do it, you can too!Read a Blog version of this Podcast right here!RESOURCES:Check out Episode 52 if you're a brand new beginner HERE!!Wanna hear more about the Pros & Cons of Etsy?? I break it all down in Episode 77!FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

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 SETUPSeparating business & personal financesTracking & Invoicing SoftwareBare Minimum ContractsBusiness Insurance - General and “Day Of”Sales Tax ConsiderationsRead a BLOG version of this podcast right here.OTHER RESOURCESEPISODE 52: The Easiest Way to Start a Business - If you are BRAND-NEW and want to start with a more casual "Beginner Business” Contract Template for CalligraphersPath to a $79K Calligraphy Biz FREE GUIDE ---FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

Betcha 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 here’s the brand-new Crooked Calligraphy website that I was obsessively working on today)--FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

What 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 helps me embrace all of life, the good and the uglyBecause the confidence that comes from being “successful” is a conditional and fragile thing… especially when compared to the quiet POWER of being willing to fail.Link to Episode 215 of the "We Can Do Hard Things" Podcast---FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

"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 business courses are what helped her along the way. ✨Join me as I hear all about her journey and how she went from not even knowing what calligraphy was (!!!!), to finally beating her husband in monthly income 😏, and what her future has in store!"They were literally life-changing. If you're curious at all about learning calligraphy, just take Shinah's courses - you won't regret it!" - PriscillaPriscilla's IG @priscillabasilliodesignstudio ✍️ Our Signature Calligraphy Courses & Bundle are available to purchase RIGHT NOW!!✍️Modern Calligraphy 101, Modern Calligraphy 201 & our Pro Bundle are open for enrollment until Friday, January 26th at 11:59PM PDT!The Pro Calligrapher Bundle gives you everything you need to go from complete calligraphy beginner, to developing a signature style, to SELLING your calligraphy so you can start to bring in some fun side income.  Come check them out 👉 👉  HERE!FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphy---SUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

If 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.Join me in this podcast as I share with you:The craziest objections I’ve heard born out of fear, and how people overcame themWhy you should acknowledge your fears, but not let them run the showHow to find YOUR own definition of creative successHow to utilize your fear objectively as a tool rather than run away from itI hope this episode shows you that your fear is not that special – or unique for that matter. Don't buy its bullshit, and certainly don’t let it keep you from your dreams.My FREE “Newbie to Pro Calligrapher” Challenge is going on RIGHT NOW through January 19th!! I'm teaching daily calligraphy lessons throughout the week that culminate in my LIVE webinar - where I show you how to go from a totally new calligrapher to owning your own business in SIX MONTHS!There is still time to catch up & join in on the fun - all for FREE! Register HERE!---FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphy---SUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

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 on a whim to create a card for a baby shower. Little did she know that simple card would be what reignited her passion to pursue her business dreams once again. Join me as Genell and I discuss:How tapping into your friends as a creative resource can also cultivate your following at the same timeThe Dunning-Kruger Effect and why starting a business can leave you deep in the Valley of DespairHow the quest to be perfect is SILLY, and figuring it out messy is still figuring it out Genell’s very first launch and how it went – from product, to pricing, to sales – and what gave her the guidance she needed to pull it off! If you’ve ever wanted to start a business but gotten stuck one way or another, you DON’T want to miss this powerful episode!Genell's IG @speciallyinkedGenell's Etsy Page**Have you registered for my FREE “Newbie to Pro Calligrapher” Challenge yet?? It's happening January 14th-19th and everyone is welcome! I’ll be teaching FREE, simple lessons so you can learn calligraphy in bite sized pieces that keep creativity FUN!I’ll be going LIVE each day to teach interactive lessons & give you a solid foundation to begin your calligraphy journey (oh, and there’s also some SWEET prizes we’ll be giving away)! **There's still time to join! Register HERE!---FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphy---SUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

psst... 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 creative.”''Once you find your creative passion, it’ll just click and you’ll effortlessly AMAZING at it!'Being creative doesn’t have to overwhelm you and your life – you can find a balance all your own! **And if you’re looking for an easy way to bring a little creativity into your life in 2024, join me for my FREE “Newbie to Pro Calligrapher” Challenge January 14th-19th! I’m teaching FREE, simple lessons so you can learn calligraphy in bite sized pieces that keep creativity FUN!I’ll be going LIVE each day to teach interactive lessons & give you a solid foundation to begin your calligraphy journey (oh, and there’s also some SWEET prizes we’ll be giving away)! **Register NOW so you can be sure to get your supplies before we start! See ya there!---FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphy---SUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

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 wanted to share my biggest lessons, that will be helpful for anyone trying to go after a more true and fulfilling life:Transitions are always harder and longer than you think - so give yourself grace, allow yourself to feel uncomfortable, and trust that you’ll come out the other side Clarity comes from action - so if you’re in your head spinning about “What should I sell in my calligraphy business?” Stop overthinking and go out there and try some stuff out!It’s ok if you’re not ready to let go of everything to “follow your joy” - there’s an illusion out there that if you just follow your heart, you’ll have a magical life. And I believe that’s true… but it won’t be the magical life you expect. So it’s ok if you’re not ready to completely let go of your current life… there’s a way to find a balance of doing what needs to be done, but also following the fun.And the one lesson underneath it all…. COMPARISON IS THE ROOT OF ALL UNHAPINESS.I was so shitty to myself this year that I got really familiar with that negative, critical voice. I can recognize it immediately now and it’s ALWAYS triggered by comparing myself to:Where other people areWhere I “should be” by nowWhere I used to beFortunately, we all have the power inside us to recognize that nagging voice of comparison and reframe it. I hope you recognize that power in yourself, even if just a little bit. ---The Crooked Calligraphy Holiday Shop is open for one more week - and it’s full of delightful deals on some of our most beloved workbooks & mini courses! Check it out right here.---FOLLOW SHINAH: Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

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 throughout this learning process - there are two ways of looking at EVERYTHING. And my yearn for perfection has sometimes made it difficult for me to see the “glass half full” side of things.  After this year though, I’m learning to be a little less critical of myself - and PROUD of what I’ve accomplished!Join me in the first episode of this 2-part podcast as I share with you a real, raw look at the numerical wins, lows & hard lessons I’ve faced during my year-long radical business experiment!And DON’T FORGET to check out the Crooked Calligraphy Holiday Shop full of deep discounts on some of our most beloved workbooks & mini courses!! Quantities are limited - so don’t wait to scoop these deals up!FOLLOW SHINAH: Follow along with my Radical Business Experiment of 2023 over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

Dani 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 Letters & her very own brick-and-mortar calligraphy boutique!Join me in this week’s episode as Dani and I discuss:Why its ok NOT to get everything right in the beginning (even your business name!)How everyone's entrepreneurial journey is distinctively differentWhy you should always be open to the possibilities and say yes to opportunities, because you never know where they may leadI am SO thankful to Dani for opening up and sharing her raw journey, as well as how much my business course helped turn her dreams into her reality!If you are inspired to invest in yourself and begin your own journey, our Cyber Monday sale is going on right now through Friday, December 1st 2023 at 11:59PM PDT. Not only are we offering 3 exclusive bonuses with the purchase of the Pro Calligrapher Bundle, but you’ll also get access to the “Biz Starter Guide” course – the same one Dani began her business journey with (and a TON has been added to the course since then to help you start and grow your own business). Click here for all the details about our biggest bonus package ever & to enroll in our courses!!Follow Dani on Instagram @roguelettersDani's Calligraphy Boutique Dani's Website: Rogueletters.comGretchen Rubin's 4 Tendencies FOLLOW SHINAH: Follow along with my Radical Business Experiment of 2023 over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

I 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 having to worry about logistics. However, there are also a ton of fees associated with selling your goods - and the amount of sellers on the site itself can be overwhelming!In this episode, I discuss the pros & cons of selling on Etsy, including:Two different ways to utilize Etsy to its fullest How Etsy ‘s education can benefit new sellersWhat kind a seller can benefit MOST from joining this platform And stay tuned till the end for a special preview of our exclusive Cyber Monday deal & why NOW is the best time to join our community (you won’t wanna miss this!)Join the waitlist HERE to be the first to know about the Cyber Monday Sale & Get my "40+ Ways To Make Money With Calligraphy" PDF!FOLLOW SHINAH: Follow along with my Radical Business Experiment of 2023 over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

There 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 on how to grow revenue in other ways. In this episode, I explain:How a calligrapher can make $79K IN ANNUAL REVENUE by tapping into 8 different revenue streamsHow that same calligrapher could also make $70K IN ANNUAL REVENUE focusing solely on luxury weddingsHow there are SO MANY potential ways to make money as a specialty calligrapher… and YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE $79K SPREADSHEET right here!One of the crucial first steps to starting a business is gaining a FIRM BELIEF in the possibility and opportunities open to you. I hope this strengthens your belief, just a little bit. 💕---Links mentioned in this episode:2016 Trade Practices and Pricing Guidelines for Professional Calligraphers by Carla Hagan---FOLLOW SHINAH: Follow along with my Radical Business Experiment of 2023 over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

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 the BIGGEST GROWTH year, emotionally and mentally, that I’ve ever been through. In this week's podcast, I'm walking through: Real results from my recent sale of my Calligraphy Business Starter Guide CourseLessons you NEED TO KNOW before going into your next launchWhy this launch was the cherry on top of an incredibly difficult emotional year I’m sharing this because I hope it makes you feel LESS ALONE. Growing a business is so so hard… and if you’re willing to allow the hard… you emerge a softer, fuller, immensely more strong human being. Sending my love and encouragement to you, wherever you are on your business journey. 💕--Interested in starting your own calligraphy business journey? 👇Register for my FREE "Profitable Calligraphy" WORKSHOP HERE and learn how to take the first steps in your calligraphy journey with my PRO CALLIGRAPHER BUNDLE!!--FOLLOW SHINAH: Follow along with my Radical Business Experiment of 2023 over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

Let's face it - the real reason most people don't start their own business is because of FEAR.Those paralyzing "what ifs" in your mind ignite your true fears - fear of the unknown, fear of the judgement from others, fear of failure.... But what if there was a way to overcome those?Last week. I held my very first "Launch Your Profitable Product" Bootcamp for all my students enrolled in my Biz Starter Guide course. I challenged them to do some HARD things - not just tangibly, but emotionally. When I posed the question to them, "What's been stopping you from starting your business?", the OVERWHELMING majority said fear.In this week's podcast, I'm playing an excerpt from inside one of my Bootcamp live Q&A's where I share:My method for tackling fear head onHow to be BRAVE in the face of itWhat key question you need to answer BEFORE you start your business journey I promise, you are NOT alone in how you feel. But there are plenty of AMAZING things that can happen on the other side of that fear.Interested in starting your own calligraphy journey?? Register for my FREE workshop "Profitable Calligraphy" HERE and learn how to take the first steps in your calligraphy journey with my PRO CALLIGRAPHER BUNDLE!!Go check out Goli's Podcast Lessons from a Quitter HERE!!Follow me on my Radical Business Journey on Instagram @crookedcalligraphy

“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 & trademark. I’ll share my hopefully plain-English, not-too-boring explanation of both. We’ll discuss:The definition of Copyright & Trademark and the difference between the twoWhich one affects you more as a creatorThe potential copyright and trademark laws you could violate when selling things containing lyrics, quotes, poems, etc.I’ll also share my own experiences with both & explain exactly how “The Hunger Games” almost shut down one of my first *genius* business ideas- selling scarves and cowls on Etsy (let’s just say I’m happy I found calligraphy amidst my piles of yarn and knitting needles😂).**Missed my “Business Starter Guide” course open enrollment & LIVE Bootcamp?? Get on the waitlist now for the next live round HERE and get my free "45 Ways to Make Money with Calligraphy PDF!!****Disclaimer- I am currently a practicing lawyer with the California Bar. This is NOT personalized legal advice, only my personal experience as a calligrapher and business ownerNew “Profitable Calligraphy” 1-Hr WorkshopLearn how to go from Beginner to Side Hustle in just 6 Months!Register for free: crookedcalligraphy.com/workshop--FOLLOW SHINAH: Follow along with my Radical Business Experiment of 2023 over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

What 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 shuttling kids to and from sportsCrafters with a true passion for their products that live a quaint but comfortable life selling their handmade goods full-timeImmigrants  and  their children with NO formal business training just making it up as they go along, and successfully building a 6 figure businesses….🙋🏻‍♀️In this episode, I’m debunking the MYTH that entrepreneurs are “born” with an innate talent for business. In reality,  entrepreneurs are MADE- simply through developing skills and an understanding of the industry. Through building a business’ awareness, marketing, & sales I’ll teach you how to change the narrative and realize that entrepreneurship is merely an exchange of value- and not just for the likes of Steve Jobs.------- Ready to take the next step on YOUR own business journey?? ------- My “Launch Your Profitable Product” Bootcamp is starting Sunday October 22, 2023! Together, we’ll spend a week building your business from scratch- leaving you ready to launch your own product just in time for the holidays!Anyone enrolled in my “Biz Starter Guide” can join bootcamp for FREE!! Not enrolled yet?? No worries! Purchase the “Biz Starter Guide” HERE by Saturday October 21st 2023 at 11:59PM PT to be eligible to join the free bootcamp! **Current MC101/MC201 students NOT enrolled in the Biz Starter Guide have the option to purchase the course at any time in your course portal page. See final course modules for enrollment info.New “Profitable Calligraphy” 1-Hr WorkshopLearn how to go from Beginner to Side Hustle in just 6 Months!Register for free: crookedcalligraphy.com/workshopFOLLOW SHINAH:Follow along with my Radical Business Experiment of 2023 over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE:Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!