The Shinah Show

Direct links to the most popular, valuable and impactful episodes of the show right here: crookedcalligraphy.com/bestof--Why I'm taking a little break from the weekly podcast and how it might be changing next season!Including:A quick business lesson on lead, nurture & sales content (and which one Podcasts are best for)Why I started this podcast and kept it going for 145 episodeWhat I'm thinking of changing for the next seasonFREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational Workshop 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!

This inspiring interview with student Lisa Doty will fire you up! Lisa didn't learn calligraphy from me (she studied under a traditional master calligrapher) but she still found herself stuck and scared to start her business.Then she joined our Calligraphy Biz Starter Course, and in under a year, everything shifted. She went from hiding her calligraphy in her room to confidently demoing in front of crowds and landing big gigs, like a department store grand opening. Lisa shares what helped her break through her fear, the “ask for trash” strategy she uses to connect with clients, and how this journey has transformed her confidence—not just as an artist, but as a person.What You'll Learn in This Episode:How to break out of fear and take the first brave steps to grow your businessWhy investing in yourself wisely can fast-track your successHow small, consistent action can snowball into huge results✨ Ready to launch your calligraphy business this year? Join the Pro Calligrapher Bundle before enrollment closes on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, and get the skills + strategy you need to book clients this holiday season.

Rome wasn't built in a day – and neither was any (decent) business.It was built over thousands of tiny micro-decisions, leading to compounding effects that eventually became BIG. Gorgeous buildings, architecture that has inspired masses, and historical significance spanning centuries.Likewise, when you're establishing a business, you can't just completely quit your job and start turning a profit if you haven't already laid the groundwork. You have to consciously choose to show up every day and make those little movements that, over time, will set you up to take those big leaps of faith.In this episode of “The Shinah Show”, I'm breaking down the real path to becoming a professional calligrapher – and I can assure you, it's not glamorous, it's not linear, and it's not BIG and dramatic. I'm sharing with you:The surprising link between babies and businesses

Looking for a confidence boost or wondering how creative hobbies like calligraphy can change your life?Elisha took one of my very first in-person workshops back in 2016… and walked away with her entire life turned upside down. She joined that workshop in her early 20s, feeling like there was something wrong with her. But now, 8 years later, pursuing a calligraphy business has turned her into a completely different, more confident person.

You finally hit the goal. You should feel proud, satisfied, even a little celebratory. But instead? Your brain whispers, “Okay, cool… what's next?” In this episode, I unpack the arrival fallacy and why it keeps creative business owners stuck in a cycle of never-enough, even when we're living the life we once dreamed of:What “arrival fallacy” is and how it steals your joy in a really sneaky wayConcrete steps to free yourself from the cycle so you can finally enjoy exactly where you are right nowWhat I did when I recently fell into this trap (and how the Japanese girlfriend from Karate Kid)If you're constantly running TOWARDS the next goal… are you really running AWAY from your current self? Let's get you moving towards happiness instead. FREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational Workshop 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!

Think a brand partnership is just a one-time gig? Think again!When you find the right brand partnership, it can be a win-win(win) for everyone involved! Early in my career, Apolis, a national retail brand, brought me in to customize their jute tote bags. When I started working with them, never could I have known the multi-beneficial aspects of our relationship.In this episode, I'm diving into how long-term collaborations fueled my creative business in the beginning and how you, too, can turn natural, organic networking into tens of thousands in revenue for your business. I'll share with you:Why your best business leads can come from the most unlikely of places (that have nothing to do with your industry!)How a single brand partnership can lead to consistent income, visibility, and opportunityThe ways my partnership allowed me to pay it forward and fuel other creative businesses beyond mineWays you can develop your own brand partnerships and where to look to find themIt's an amazing feeling when all parties involved grow and profit from a single relationship!And if you're interested in learning more about tote bag customization, I'm teaching all the tips and tricks I learned custom-making thousands of bags during the Hobbyscool Art of Expression Creative Summit May 13-15! Over 28 speakers will be teaching their unique creative trades over 3 days - including ME – for FREE! To learn more about it and sign up, visit https://programs.hobbyscool.com/ Hope to see you there!FREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational Workshop 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!

Advanced Calligraphy Skills Studio - 50% off sale ends May 5, 2025!--Struggling to find enough clients for your calligraphy business? What if you didn't need more clients—just better ways to serve the ones you already have?In this episode, we explore how to increase your revenue without constantly hunting for new leads. Learn to think of each customer as a journey, not just a transaction, and discover simple ways to boost your average order value through smart, aligned upsells.You'll learn:Why upsells are your secret weapon for sustainable growthHow to package your calligraphy services for weddings, corporate events, and workshopsReal-life pricing examples and ideas for add-ons your clients will loveFind out what makes an upsell WORK, serve your clients, and get paid MORE… without doing more marketing ;)FREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational Workshop 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!

One of the biggest and scariest questions I get from those around me is, “How did you know when it was time to leave? How did you choose the unknown over security?” Ooof, that's a tough one. If you aren't familiar with my story, about 10 years ago I was an unhappy, overtired, pent up corporate lawyer who had reached the end of my rope and decided I needed to make a change. I quit my 6-figure salary job, with no contingency plan in place. Luckily, I found calligraphy after a few months of stumbling through creative professions, which completely changed the trajectory of my life.People are so often in jobs that leave them burnt out and unfulfilled. They want to live the life they WANT to live – but fear getting out of the stable, safe 9-5 corporate job life they feel like they NEED to live.The way I see it, there are 2 paths. You either need to stay in the job you are in – but make the changes necessary to stifle the burnout, or leave – even if you don't feel ready, to pursue your passions.In this episode of The Shinah Show, I share the top things to consider when you're looking to make a change, including:

One of the most common headaches for new business owners is figuring out where to find clients. I promise you, there is no “secret club” filled to the brim with potential clients just waiting for you to find it. The real truth? You don't find clients, you grow them - through consistent, intentional outreach. In this episode of The Shinah Show, I'm sharing how to reframe your mindset and take practical steps to find clients who want to work with you. We'll dive into:Where these *illusive* clients are (*hint* tapping into your network and past clientele (yes, again!) is ALWAYS a good idea)Why local businesses are sometimes more apt to work with someone from the community who can create authentic experiencesWhat the “Perfect Pitch Formula”  is & how to use it to sell to potential customers without feeling sleazyWhy sprinkling seeds everywhere (even in the places you wouldn't normally think of) is the best strategy for growthIf you're ready to stop chasing and start growing your client list, this episode is especially for you!And if you want to expand your skillset to attract a wider client base, the Crooked Calligraphy Advanced Skills Studio is now open! It offers targeted courses to level up your calligraphy game, so you can grow your creative business. And to celebrate the Grand Opening, we're offering 50% or more discounts through May 5 (or until they sell out!) Click HERE to explore the course offerings!Past Episodes Mentioned:Lucrative Calligraphy Events (With LaTache Tindale)$1000 From Her First Product Launch (Genell Ford)How to Get Live Calligraphy Jobs (And Be Great At Them)Middle School Teacher to Calligrapher(Jessica Young)What it Really Takes to Go Full-Time With Calligraphy (Sher Pierre)BONUS - Student Updates You'll LoveGrowing A Biz With No Social Media (Amanda Borne)FREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational Workshop 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!

“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 potential future) customers.If you're just starting out on your creative entrepreneurial journey and aren't sure how to best tackle the craft fair season, don't worry. I'm here with practical, tactical advice to help you make the most of this time — and these tips work for all types of crafting, not just calligraphy!I actually owe a lot of my own success to participating in a pop-up market during the first year of my business. In this episode, I'm going to share some of the lessons that I learned from my pop-up experience, and break them down into digestible, actionable steps — everything from how to set up your table and display to how to price your goods!Tune into this episode of The Shinah Show to find out:How I used my first pop-up market experience to create concrete deadlines and an ambitious goal during my start-up stageThe most effective way to display your stuff — and how much inventory to bring What to consider when setting your pricing — and how to prepare to take paymentsHow to choose the *right* markets & the *right* products for the type of fair you're selling atThis episode has SO MUCH information already - but make sure you keep listening all the way to the end! I share some additional information about how to get the most out of whatever market you are part of (even if it isn't sales!), & why you should always be "on stage" when you're at your booth - cause you never know where it might lead! This is definitely worth a second (or first) listen!FREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational Workshop 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!

It's OK to Stop Growing Once in AwhileThis is a short, light-hearted episode about a new podcast that's delighting me and a new creative endeavor (completely unrelated to calligraphy) that's really fueling me right now. 

LaTache began her calligraphy journey just a few short months ago – after dusting off a 4 – year old gifted calligraphy kit that had been sitting in the back of her closet. Now, she's almost made her full course investment back off of one referral from a friend, that  just happened to be for a high end brand needing place cards for a Michelin Star dinner. Crazy, right?! Not as much as you think! Join me as I learn about LaTache's whirlwind calligraphy journey and how tapping into your network truly is the best way to get your foot in the door! She shares with me:How simple birthday & greeting cards for family and friends can turn into “sneaky marketing”, and create connections you might never have established otherwiseThe specific course curriculum that allowed LaTache to adapt to client requests (and land her jobs!), and what makes our Crooked Calligraphy Community so special (spoiler alert – it's the STUDENTS)How she's “figuring it out along the way” and having the courage to put herself out there and just start!LaTache & SO MANY of my students have chosen to listen to the pro's rather than the con's of beginning their calligraphy journey. If you want to follow along in their footsteps, my signature courses are open for enrollment through April 1st, 2025! Whether you're just starting out, or looking to hone your style, we have courses for every part of your journey! Check them out HERE!

It's been 10 years since I started Crooked Calligraphy – and I'm finally where my 2015 self always dreamed I'd be. I have a steady $200K a year business, 3-day workweek, and I'm more at peace than I ever have been.But the truth is, that peace has come from a lot of resilience, faith in myself, and ability to ride the waves (and it's been *quite* a ride). And there are still times I have doubts and have to sit in uncomfortable situations – but at least I get to do it on my own terms.Join me this episode as I share:The hard truths about owning a business, and why even if it's your “passion” it's not always going to bring you “joy”Why its necessary to give yourself time to settle in and calm the nervesThe importance of your business not being your everything, and learning what your “enough” numberHow after even 10 years, things can still be unpredictable – and that's okIt's important to realize that starting a business won't solve all your problems or make them go away. Rather, it will allow you to look at your problems more truthfully and take the responsibility upon yourself to try and solve them (and no one else).And if you're wanting to take the leap and see where calligraphy can take you, I'm hosting 2 free live trainings March 25th & 26th, 2025 on Confident Calligraphy Style that will teach you how to create a standout style and land big corporate clients. Sign up RIGHT HERE!Episodes I referred to in this week's podcast:S1 E10 Getting Corporate Calligraphy ClientsS1 E88 How to Start a Calligraphy Business (Getting Customers)S1 E118 High Paying Calligraphy SkillsFREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational Workshop 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!

What if you wanted to start a calligraphy business… but you lived in the “wrong” place? Like a country where nobody speaks English (the one and only language you speak)??That's exactly what happened to Lisa McIntyre, who has lived in a small town in Korea for the past 20 years. She found our MC201 course and, despite not being able to find ANY supplies, pursued her dream of learning calligraphy & creating her own unique style (wait until you hear about the tool her husband made out of a paintbrush and a pineapple can

When a single corporate client paid me over $10K for one project — and $6K of that was digital calligraphy — I knew I had to pull back the curtain on this game-changing skill!While I would describe myself as a pen-and-paper calligrapher, digitized calligraphy has become a necessary add-on to most of my commissions. Of course, most of my clients initially contact me seeking handmade original pieces – but whether they want to duplicate my work numerous times, use it on their website for branding, or frankly I myself don't want to write the SAME PHRASE thousands of times, I need to be able to generate a digitized version of my work (and save SO MUCH TIME in the process!).So how do I go about doing that? Good question! In this episode of The Shinah Show, I'm breaking down:The “tech side” of calligraphy, how to digitize your work, and what tools you need to do itThe vast number of projects you can create with digital calligraphy (and how it can open up soooo many more revenue streams for you)How I've priced my digital work over the years, and what key factors should dictate what you charge for your workIf you have ever wondered if learning how to digitize your calligraphy is worth adding to your skillset, I hope this episode will show you how many doors this talent will open for you!Interested in learning how to add style to your calligraphy and capture corporate clients? I'm hosting “Style Month” all March long! Join me for tons of freebies & weekly live lessons RIGHT HERE!Timestamps:4:30 — What counts as digital calligraphy?7:15 — The two stages of digitizing your calligraphy (raster vs. vector files)16:51 — How digital calligraphy can boost your revenue23:35 — My digital calligraphy work: From $90 logos to $6000 corporate projects29:10 — Pricing digital calligraphy: Why usage mattersFREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational Workshop 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!

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*.

If you've ever feared someone criticizing you for selling your creative product, listen up!If you're new here – welcome! My name is Shinah, and I unabashedly sell premium level curse-word laced calligraphy courses on a very public scale – and over the past 8 years, I've gotten a lot of shit for that.But if you're not new, you know those neigh sayers have just fueled me to become more outspoken. And in this week's episode, I'm going to teach you how to reframe your thinking so you can go from cringing at negative comments and worrying about putting yourself out there (like I used to!), to confidently running a million-dollar creative business too!Here's what you'll learn this week: ✔️ The hidden beliefs behind negative comments (hint: they're not really about you) ✔️ How to reframe your mindset about criticism so it empowers you instead of stopping you ✔️ Why selling your art isn't “icky” or “wrong” (and why women especially need to hear this)I'm here to show you the real meanings behind the harsh words people say – because no one should have the power to tear you down (especially when their own insecurities are really the issue). Let's dive in!FREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational Workshop 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!

Feel Like Your Biz is Running You? Here's How to Take Back ControlYou're working your butt off, posting on IG, trying all the things… but the sales? Meh.

The Pro Calligrapher Bundle - open for enrollment through Tues, Jan 28, 2025!Five short stories from students who signed up for our calligraphy courses 2 - 5 years ago. How they're doing (you won't believe some of them!) and what actions they've taken to continue to growing their businesses. Because an investment in our courses (and your creative & business skill)... is an investment that pays off for life."If you keeping waiting for your circumstances to be ideal before taking action... then you'll always just keep waiting. It's crazy that I could've started YEARS ago." - Shivani, Pro Calligrapher Bundle studentFREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational Workshop 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!

The most HONEST student conversation I've ever hadEver dreamed of leaving your job (where you feel seriously unappreciated) to build a business that truly lights you up? Sher did just that. She enrolled in our Pro Calligrapher Bundle with one goal in mind: to quit  teaching and become a full-time creative. But -cough- calligraphy is definitely NOT a get rich quick scheme, so the road has been full of challenges.In this episode, we take an unflinching look at her 2.5-year journey:What DIDN'T work (and where she lost money)The specific resources and strategies that finally helped her find her footingHow she's now charging premium rates (and getting YES from clients!)This is a raw, real look at what it takes to build a life for yourself that's outside the norm. Spoiler: It's HARD but so worth it.FOLLOW SHER: https://www.instagram.com/sp_ekriti --✍️ Our Pro Calligrapher Bundle is open for enrollment RIGHT NOW!!✍️A complete education in calligraphy and business… for less than the price of a single college course.  Doors close Tuesday, January 28, 2025.Stop playing small. Invest in your creative business dreams

Ever wondered if your creative hobby could become something more? Megan did too—she's loved calligraphy since childhood but never in her wildest dreams imagined getting paid for it. After leaving her overwhelming teaching job, struggling to raise her first child, and trying a mom blog (that never really felt like her…) she finally took a leap last year that changed everything.In this interview episode, Megan shares:How she's growing her business as an introverted person living in a camper trailer on her grandmother's Oregon farmThe simple, natural strategy she uses to get jobs in her small communityHow she was able to make back the investment in our Modern Calligraphy 201 course in just six months… twice overMegan's journey began with the January 2024 Challenge. Now, she feels like a completely different person—and she's only just getting started.FOLLOW MEGAN: https://www.instagram.com/mod.calligraphy----✨ Feeling inspired? ✨FREE CALLIGRAPHY CHALLENGE: It's not too late to jump in Join HERE so you don't miss the free lessons, daily prizes, and tactical business tips.“SIX MONTHS TO PRO CALLIGRAPHER” LIVE TRAINING:

Have you ever tried to start something new, only to be paralyzed by the fear of failure and crippled with anxiety about adding one more thing to your plate?You are far from alone. Part of that fear & anxiety comes from a lack of confidence – in yourself, your knowledge, and your ability to succeed. And while society has deemed it necessary to have confidence when beginning a new venture, I think it's total bullshit.Join me on this episode of The Shinah Show as I share the story of one of my students having the COURAGE (not the confidence) to go from feeling like a complete imposter, to a “just go for it” mentality – all in ONE YEAR'S time! We'll dive into:Confidence vs. Courage – and why courage trumps confidence when starting a new venture every timeHow to build up your courage & fuel your drive to continueWhy the daily grind of life can cause us to underestimate what can be done in a year's timeHow to feel the fear, but do it anyway and use the community around you advantageouslyI hope this inspires you to GO FOR IT in 2025 so this time next year, you can be your happiest and best self!Need a little courage to begin your calligraphy journey? Our “Newbie to Pro Calligrapher” Challenge is starting January 13th, 2025! Join us for 5 days of free worksheets, daily live lessons with me, a supportive community of fellow creatives, and some amazing prizes! And this year for the first time ever, one lucky participant will win the Grand Prize - A FREE Pro Calligrapher Course Bundle (worth $997!!). Sign up HERE!FREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational Workshop 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!

Free “Newbie to Pro Calligrapher” Challenge - starts Jan 13, 2025!Sign up at crookedcalligraphy.com/challenge--If you'd love to become a professional calligrapher and make money with a craft you adore, but you're SCARED to make the commitment and actually go for it…You must listen to this episode where I give real-life business advice to my student, Sarah, when she emailed me for help.Find out:The magic words I said to her that helped her FINALLY take actionWhat she did to land her first brand activation jobThe one kind of SUPPORT you need so you keep taking small steps forward… ⛔️ Because the only way you're going to actually fail is if you STOP TRYING (or never start trying at all).FREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational Workshop 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!

A personal, off-the-cuff, HONEST look at how I did in my business in 2024. Including: How much REVENUE we made (and how I'm feeling about it)How I was able to take a whopping 81 paid days off - a completely different measure of successThe truth about growth and self-healing -  it's not all peaceful meditation, in fact it can be incredibly tough emotionallyMy biggest lessons that I want to share with you this year:1) Fear never really goes away2) Transitions take so much longer than we think3) The thing that makes things hard is when we EXPECT that it should be better--Calligraphy Resources:Holiday Shop - 50% off deals through 12/17/2024Free “Newbie to Pro Calligrapher” Challenge - starts Jan 13, 2025!FREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational Workshop 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!

I posted this (kinda salty) Instagram Reel back in May… and boy did people have feelings about it. [Please please please be kind if you're going to comment there!]Everyone says they want more “authenticity” on social media. But what happens when you show up as your imperfect, un-polished self on social media… and people don't like it? This is a SUPER IMPORTANT episode for anyone who wants to show up more, but you're terrified of what people might say. I share: Why this Reel might have been triggering (Was I really an ungrateful, braggy b*tch?)Why I posted it anyway, even though I knew it might be controversial The crucial lessons for any business owner wanting to show up more unfiltered on social mediaYou know what makes social media hard? Pretending to be someone you're not. I hope this episode inspires you to do less of that, and more of being your brave, true self.***Previous Episodes about me f*cking up on social media: Episode 44 and Episode 45--Our Holiday Shop has 50% off our Engraving & Teaching courses! They're almost sold out so: Click HERE to score all these amazing deals right now! FREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational Workshop 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!

What if calligraphy is your “thing”, but not necessarily the “thing” that your towns all about? Kind of makes it hard to seek out customers, right? Wrong!Whether it's, “There's too MUCH competition in my area!”, or “There's no demand in my area!”, your brain will ALWAYS find ways to cast doubt about being successful.On this episode of The Shinah Show, I'm sharing my best strategies for finding clients and work despite being in a small town (or one that has NO idea what calligraphy is…). I'm breaking it down into 4 areas of work to explore, including:Engraving & Live Event Calligraphy - how executing a craft with a higher price point can help cut down on the stress of finding a large client baseTeaching (even online!) – why sharing your craft can introduce your area to calligraphy & create unique opportunities for workshops (calligraphy on the farm, anyone?)Digital Work – tips on expanding your work via digitizing to increase your client baseSmall Town Connections – how to use local businesses & shops to your advantage!I've had plenty of students who live in the middle of nowhere and have still found a way to turn a profit with their calligraphy skills. Don't let the size of your town be the reason that holds you back – because if you truly WANT something, you must put in the work to get there!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!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!

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

“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!The Pro Calligrapher Bundle - a complete eduction in CALLIGRAPHY + BUSINESS. Open now to welcome in a brand-new class of students. Doors close Sept 13, 2024! Details at --> crookedcalligraphy.com/courses

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. The Pro Calligrapher Bundle - a complete eduction in CALLIGRAPHY + BUSINESS. Open now to welcome in a brand-new class of students. Doors close Sept 13, 2024! Details at --> crookedcalligraphy.com/courses

“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!

From miserable corporate lawyer to sassy calligrapher  “I remember thinking to myself, I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE… something has to change right now.” - ShinahI'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…  “My relationship with my body is better now, because my relationship with MYSELF is better.” - ShinahWelcome to the final episode in my “B-” TrilogyAnd, phew, this is stuff I've never shared anywhere before… but it's been the biggest struggle of my life. Striving for “perfection” in my eating, exercise and body occupied SO DAMN MUCH of my mental and emotional energy for decades. Because I felt like it was the only thing I could really control. 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?

“Settling” for my husband has taught me SO MUCH about business…“We hold onto these perfectionist fantasies about what we're supposed to do with our lives and the person we're supposed to be with… that really harm us in the end.” - ShinahMy husband is NOT the man I expected to marry. In fact, I was only open to dating him after reading a book called “MARRY HIM: The Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough” by Lori Gottlieb.But it turned out to the best choice of my life. And 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?

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!