The Shinah Show

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: 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: connection I made in 2018 important lessons"servants quarters"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: @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: 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: 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_calligraphy FOLLOW SHINAH: @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: 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: I 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! The theme for this season is ANTI-PERFECTIONISM Season 1 was launched at the peak of my “pandemic success”Season 2 was the year of “coming back” after burnout and a long breakSeason 3 is going to be both deeper and broaderIn this episode, I catch you up on: real numberspowerful MANIFESTO for Season 3Read the full Manifesto right here 👉 shinahchang.com THANK 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: @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts!

I’m taking a little break from the Podcast and here’s why… FIRST: Crooked Calligraphy is NOT going anywhere In fact, I’ve created a brand-new FREE CALLIGRAPHY STYLE MONTH for March 2024. ✍️ So, if you want free lessons on how to think about style BUILDING BLOCKS, so you can level-up your CONFIDENCE and go after truly dreamy clients… SIGN UP RIGHT HERE. SECOND: I am taking time to start something new And I don’t know exactly what it is yet. What I do know is that this new branch of my business will: 👉 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 journey This 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: I 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: @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: 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.”If 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 SETUP FINANCIAL SETUP Read a BLOG version of this podcast right here. OTHER RESOURCES EPISODE 52: The Easiest Way to Start a Business Contract Template for CalligraphersPath to a $79K Calligraphy Biz FREE GUIDE --- FOLLOW SHINAH: @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: 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: Hopefully 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: @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: 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." - Shinah If 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: PRACTICAL things I do to re-frameONE PERSPECTIVE SHIFTBecause 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: @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts!

"I made more money than my husband, for the very first time in my life... with calligraphy!" - Priscilla Basilio, Crooked Calligraphy Student Today, 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!" - Priscilla Priscilla'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: @crookedcalligraphy--- SUBSCRIBE: 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: I 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: @crookedcalligraphy--- SUBSCRIBE: 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: 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 @speciallyinked Genell'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: @crookedcalligraphy--- SUBSCRIBE: 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: @crookedcalligraphy--- SUBSCRIBE: 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 thinkClarity comes from actionIt’s ok if you’re not ready to let go of everything to “follow your joy”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: Fortunately, 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: @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: 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: One 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: @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: 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: I 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 @rogueletters Dani's Calligraphy Boutique Dani's Website: Rogueletters.com Gretchen Rubin's 4 Tendencies FOLLOW SHINAH: @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: 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: 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: @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts!

There are two ways to grow revenue “The calligraphers I see thriving often have a mix of revenue streams.” - Shinah This 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: $79K IN ANNUAL REVENUEby tapping into8 different revenue streams$70K IN ANNUAL REVENUE focusing solely on luxury weddings… 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: @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: 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: 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: @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: 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: method for tackling fear head on key questionI 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