Calligraphy Biz Corner

We’re thrilled to welcome Marie Coleman-Johns, calligrapher, engraving artist, and founder of Maiden September, to this episode of Calligraphy Biz Corner! Marie specializes in live event personalization for brand activations and corporate events and has over a decade of corporate marketing experience. From mastering SEO strategies to networking and landing brand partnerships, Marie provides actionable tips and insights that you may not already be using to help you grow your creative business and get clients.

In this episode, Marie takes us through her inspiring journey to becoming a full-time calligrapher and highlights the key strategies that helped her scale her business outside of social media. Whether you're curious about improving your visibility online, growing your professional network, or pitching your services to brands, this episode is packed with advice tailored to creative entrepreneurs. Marie also gives us a sneak peek at her upcoming course, Beyond the Nib, which dives deep into marketing and business development specifically for calligraphers.

If you’ve been wondering how to elevate your brand, find clients, or diversify your marketing strategies, this episode is for you! Marie’s advice is not only practical but also inspiring for creatives looking to grow their businesses with confidence. Grab a notebook—this episode is full of marketing tools, tips, and strategies you’ll want to implement right away!

🔗 Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

• Connect with Marie on Instagram
• Join the waitlist for Marie's new course, Beyond the Nib!
• Check out Marie's Rate Book Template
• SEO Course Mentioned: Sarah Does SEO

Support the show

👩‍💻 Learn From Me:

• Get Hands On Support from Shaochen: Apply for Business Coaching
• Start Your Profitable Calligraphy Business: Join Shaochen's Free Masterclass
• Freebie! Download my free tech guide for the programs you need to run your business

👯‍♀️ Keep In Touch:

• Follow Calligraphy Biz Corner on Instagram
• Follow Shaochen on Instagram
• Visit the website

We’re so excited to welcome Erinn Bridgman, money management and mindset coach for female entrepreneurs, to this episode of Calligraphy Biz Corner! Erinn brings her expertise in business and personal finance to help you understand how to manage money effectively and start paying yourself consistently as a business owner. She’s passionate about helping calligraphers and creatives make their businesses work for them financially and achieve lasting stability!

In this episode, we discuss essential strategies for building a financially healthy creative business. Erinn dives into... 

• common money mistakes creative entrepreneurs make
• the importance of separating personal and business finances
• how to craft a 12-month revenue plan that aligns with both business and personal goals
• her favorite tools and systems to make financial management easy and actionable
• setting up regular paydays
• and exercises for building a money mindset that supports both business growth and personal well-being

If you’re ready to elevate your financial game, make informed, confident money decisions for your creative business, transform your relationship with money, then this episode is for you! Grab your notebook, as Erinn's financial wisdom and insights will help every creative business owner achieve the financial freedom to thrive in your journey!

🔗 Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

• Connect with Erinn on Instagram! 
• Learn more about working with Erinn
• Listen to Erinn's Wealthy Woman Podcast
• Download Erinn's free Salary Calculator Tool 

Support the show

👩‍💻 Learn From Me:

• Get Hands On Support from Shaochen: Apply for Business Coaching
• Start Your Profitable Calligraphy Business: Join Shaochen's Free Masterclass
• Freebie! Download my free tech guide for the programs you need to run your business

👯‍♀️ Keep In Touch:

• Follow Calligraphy Biz Corner on Instagram
• Follow Shaochen on Instagram
• Visit the website

In this week's episode of Calligraphy Biz Corner, we’re diving deep into a topic that every creative business owner should prioritize: the value of continuous learning and development for business success! We believe that prioritizing education can be a game-changer for your calligraphy business, so whether you're just starting out or looking to scale, understanding how to make strategic investments in your education can set you apart from the competition!

We chat about the why, how, and what of investing in your business education—because, let's face it, the more you know, the more you grow! Tune in to hear why investing in your education is essential for long-term growth, our personal insights on how to strategically decide what educational resources are right for you, and other crucial topics like:

• The long-term benefits of making education a core part of your strategy.
• Tips for assessing your current needs and aligning them with your educational investments.
• Key qualities to look for in a coach or mentor and how to ensure their approach matches your business vision.
• Actionable strategies for being fully present and engaged in your educational pursuits, helping you maximize your investment.
• Our personal experiences with educational investments and the lessons we've learned.
• Tailoring your education to your stage in the calligraphy business, from beginners to established pros.

If you’re ready to elevate your creative business through education and learn how to navigate your journey with confidence, this episode is for you! Grab a notebook because we’re sharing our top insights!

We also encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences with us—we love hearing from our community! 💌

🔗 Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

• Start your business with Shaochen's Free Masterclass
• Learn more about Shaochen's Pro Wedding Calligrapher Course
• Sign up for the waitlist for Alane's Group Coaching Program

Support the show

👩‍💻 Learn From Me:

• Get Hands On Support from Shaochen: Apply for Business Coaching
• Start Your Profitable Calligraphy Business: Join Shaochen's Free Masterclass
• Freebie! Download my free tech guide for the programs you need to run your business

👯‍♀️ Keep In Touch:

• Follow Calligraphy Biz Corner on Instagram
• Follow Shaochen on Instagram
• Visit the website

In today's minisode, we’re diving into a spooky topic that haunts every calligrapher (and creative business owner) — getting ghosted by potential clients. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “Why aren’t people responding to me?” or feeling frustrated when a lead goes silent, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: it might not actually be a “ghosting problem.” Ghosting is usually a sign of deeper issues with your marketing, messaging, or client workflow.

Tune in to hear our top tips on how to get leads to respond, how to stop getting ghosted, and how to strengthen your client communication in your calligraphy business. Spoiler: it’s all about staying top of mind with potential clients, clarifying your messaging to ensure you’re attracting the right people, and creating engagement strategies to help you stand out in the creative business world. We cover everything from pre-qualifying your leads to reframing how you think about ghosts, and we’ll explain why being super clear about your services and pricing is key to avoiding unqualified inquiries. Plus, we'll give you six free email templates to easily follow up with anyone you haven't heard back from without overthinking it!

Ghosting doesn’t have to be a frustrating mystery! With these simple steps, you can refine your client experience and attract leads who are the perfect fit for your calligraphy business!

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and share it with your calligraphy bestie, who might need a little ghost-busting, too!

🔗 Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

• Get Shaochen's FREE ghosting follow up email templates
• Get Alane's Calligrapher Client Email Templates

Support the show

👩‍💻 Learn From Me:

• Get Hands On Support from Shaochen: Apply for Business Coaching
• Start Your Profitable Calligraphy Business: Join Shaochen's Free Masterclass
• Freebie! Download my free tech guide for the programs you need to run your business

👯‍♀️ Keep In Touch:

• Follow Calligraphy Biz Corner on Instagram
• Follow Shaochen on Instagram
• Visit the website

We’re so excited to welcome Paige Hulse, lawyer and founder of The Creative Law Shop, to this episode of Calligraphy Biz Corner! Paige shares her inspiring journey from owning a calligraphy business herself, and how that led her to becoming a serial entrepreneur. Most importantly, she breaks down all the legal essentials you need to know to make your calligraphy business official and legally protected.

In this episode, we dive into crucial legal topics that every creative business owner should know. Paige walks us through what to include in a calligraphy contract to protect you and your clients (yes, you need a contract!), how forming an LLC protects you, and common mistakes that can leave small business owners exposed to risk. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your legal game, Paige provides practical tips to safeguard your business so that you can take on clients with confidence. 

We also answer listener questions about the right way to sign contracts and how to protect your work from intellectual property theft. Plus, Paige introduces the Creative Law Foundry—an AI-powered app designed to help creative entrepreneurs like you easily craft contracts tailored to your business.

If you’ve been wondering how to make your calligraphy business legally sound, or how to protect your art and your client relationships, this episode is for you! Grab a notebook because Paige is dropping some serious legal knowledge you won’t want to miss.

The following acronyms are used in this episode, we've provided links that help explain what they mean and encourage you to do your own research as well. 

• DBA: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/what-is-a-dba/
• GDPR: https://gdpr.eu/what-is-gdpr/
• DCMA Takedown: https://bolster.ai/blog/what-is-a-dmca-takedown

🔗 Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

• Get 10% off any purchase from the Creative Law Shop with code BIZCORNER
• Connect with Paige at Paige Hulse Law or Creative Law Shop
• The Creative Law Shop Client Contract Checklist
• How to correctly sign your contracts

Support the show

👩‍💻 Learn From Me:

• Get Hands On Support from Shaochen: Apply for Business Coaching
• Start Your Profitable Calligraphy Business: Join Shaochen's Free Masterclass
• Freebie! Download my free tech guide for the programs you need to run your business

👯‍♀️ Keep In Touch:

• Follow Calligraphy Biz Corner on Instagram
• Follow Shaochen on Instagram
• Visit the website

It’s time to start prepping your calligraphy business for the upcoming holiday season, and in this episode of Calligraphy Biz Corner, we’re sharing everything you need to know to boost your small business holiday sales! Whether you’re launching holiday products and services for the first time or you’re a pro at navigating the gifting season, this episode is packed with tips to help you succeed.

We walk through a simple six-step guide to ensure you're ready, covering essential topics like deciding what holiday products to offer, choosing the best platform to sell your products (whether it's online channels or local markets and craft fairs), and creating a solid production timeline. We also dive into setting the right prices for profitability, running pre-sales to gauge interest, and crafting a marketing plan to get your products in front of the right audience.

This episode will help you streamline your production process and maximize your revenue. Put on your favorite holiday sweater (we've got ours on!), grab your notebook, and let’s get your calligraphy business holiday-ready so you can end the year on a high note!

🔗 Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

• Alane's Holiday Sales Post
• Shaochen's Product Launch Blog Post
• Order free boxes through USPS
• Get discounted shipping rates through Pirate Ship

Support the show

👩‍💻 Learn From Me:

• Get Hands On Support from Shaochen: Apply for Business Coaching
• Start Your Profitable Calligraphy Business: Join Shaochen's Free Masterclass
• Freebie! Download my free tech guide for the programs you need to run your business

👯‍♀️ Keep In Touch:

• Follow Calligraphy Biz Corner on Instagram
• Follow Shaochen on Instagram
• Visit the website

In this bite-sized episode of Calligraphy Biz Corner, we’re answering a listener’s questions about the process of learning calligraphy and art skills.

We dive into how long to practice one script before moving on, whether it's okay to learn multiple scripts at once, and how muscle memory plays a role in your progress. We also chat about which calligraphy scripts are most in demand for weddings and how to balance learning other creative skills like illustration or bottle painting alongside your calligraphy practice.

Whether you’re new to the calligraphy world or a seasoned pro looking to expand your craft, you'll find valuable insights for your continued growth and learning!

💌 Want YOUR question answered next?
Text us or drop your question on our "Ask Us Anything" post over at @calligraphybizcorner on Instagram.

And if you loved our first minisode, let us know! DM us your thoughts and suggestions for future episodes. We’re always listening to what you want to hear next!

Support the show

👩‍💻 Learn From Me:

• Get Hands On Support from Shaochen: Apply for Business Coaching
• Start Your Profitable Calligraphy Business: Join Shaochen's Free Masterclass
• Freebie! Download my free tech guide for the programs you need to run your business

👯‍♀️ Keep In Touch:

• Follow Calligraphy Biz Corner on Instagram
• Follow Shaochen on Instagram
• Visit the website

In this week's episode of Calligraphy Biz Corner, we’re tackling a topic that hits close to home for all small business owners and creative entrepreneurs—how to avoid burnout and manage stress in peak times like wedding season and the holidays. Whether you’re balancing a ton of wedding stationery orders, preparing holiday product launches, or just trying to keep your to-do list in check, we’ve got your back!

We’re sharing real-life strategies that have worked for us (and our clients) to help you thrive, not just survive, during these hectic times. You’ll hear about:

• Setting realistic priorities so you don’t overwhelm yourself
• Clear communication with clients and collaborators to properly balance expectations
• Leveraging systems and workflows to streamline your calligraphy business 
• Why self-care isn’t optional and how to make time for it—even when your schedule is packed
• The importance of celebrating wins, big or small, to keep your motivation high
• Mastering the power of saying 'no' so you can protect your time and energy

Whether you're a seasoned calligrapher or just starting your business, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you beat burnout and keep your passion for calligraphy alive.

🔗 Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

• 7-Day free trial + 30% off your first year of HoneyBook
• Free trial + 20% off your first month or year of Dubsado
• Try the Full Focus Planner and get $10 off your first order of $40+
• 10% off your Golden Coil personalized planner with code MONSTERAGOLD (through Oct 2024)

Support the show

👩‍💻 Learn From Me:

• Get Hands On Support from Shaochen: Apply for Business Coaching
• Start Your Profitable Calligraphy Business: Join Shaochen's Free Masterclass
• Freebie! Download my free tech guide for the programs you need to run your business

👯‍♀️ Keep In Touch:

• Follow Calligraphy Biz Corner on Instagram
• Follow Shaochen on Instagram
• Visit the website

We're back from summer break and kicking off the fall season with a special collaboration episode featuring Cat and Alex from Keeping Up with the Calligraphers podcast! We're honored to have them on the show to chat about the diverse, in-demand live event calligraphy industry.

Join us for this exciting conversation where Cat Brown of Cat Lauren Calligraphy and Alex Hirsch of Signs of Our Lives share their experiences of growing their calligraphy businesses, niching down within the live event space, and the importance of staying authentic in business. We chat about essential marketing and pricing strategies for live events, the value of community connections, and the necessity of having a contract in place, whether it's your first or your hundredth job. 

From corporate events to private parties, Cat and Alex have a wealth of knowledge when in comes to standing out as live event artists. After getting their start by creating signs and paper goods for weddings, they expanded their services to provide live calligraphy at corporate events and activations for brands like Prada, Makers Mark, LA Magazine, Netflix, and more.

Whether you're looking to partner with luxury and corporate clients, provide on-site activations for local businesses, or even break into the world of flash tattoos, this episode has all the tips you need to create personalized, Insta-worthy experiences for guests of all kinds. Tune in for an insightful conversation packed with actionable tips as we head into busy season for live events!

Please note, if you're listening around littles, you might want to put headphones in for this one!

🔗 Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

• Tune into Keeping Up With the Calligraphers podcast & follow on instagram
• Connect with Cat on Instagram and Alex on Instagram
• Check out Nibtique for a directory of calligraphers
• Shop Calligraphy contracts at the Legal Paige (use code CATLAUREN10 for 10% off!)
  • Live Calligraphy Contract
  • Subcontract Agreement
  • Calligraphy & Stationery Contract

Support the show

👩‍💻 Learn From Me:

• Get Hands On Support from Shaochen: Apply for Business Coaching
• Start Your Profitable Calligraphy Business: Join Shaochen's Free Masterclass
• Freebie! Download my free tech guide for the programs you need to run your business

👯‍♀️ Keep In Touch:

• Follow Calligraphy Biz Corner on Instagram
• Follow Shaochen on Instagram
• Visit the website

We're baaaaaack! After a two-month hiatus, we're so excited to share what we've been up to this summer. Tune in to hear our favorite summer activities, new services, and updates on our business and podcast projects. 

Thank you to everyone who shared your thoughts in our six-month podcast survey! Tune in to hear how we're using your feedback to shape the future of Calligraphy Biz Corner! 

🔗 Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

• Check out our brand new website! 
• Chat with Alane about one-on-one mentoring!
• Join Waitlist for Your CEO Partner, Shaochen's new mentoring program!

🎙️ In this Episode:

• 00:00 Introduction 
• 01:23 Summer Recap 
• 09:33 What's in Store for the Podcast 
• 15:42 New Website!

Support the show

👩‍💻 Learn From Me:

• Get Hands On Support from Shaochen: Apply for Business Coaching
• Start Your Profitable Calligraphy Business: Join Shaochen's Free Masterclass
• Freebie! Download my free tech guide for the programs you need to run your business

👯‍♀️ Keep In Touch:

• Follow Calligraphy Biz Corner on Instagram
• Follow Shaochen on Instagram
• Visit the website