Direct links to the most popular, valuable and impactful episodes of the show right here: crookedcalligraphy.com/bestof

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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 episode
• What I'm thinking of changing for the next season

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!

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 business
• Why investing in yourself wisely can fast-track your success
• How 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.
👉 crookedcalligraphy.com/courses

Find Lisa Doty:

On Instagram @fancybeecalligraphy

Website: https://www.fancybeecalligraphy.com/

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!

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 👶
• “The Compound Effect” and why a thousand tiny, brave micro-decisions can move the needle more than one big decision
• The real behind the scenes of my own journey, and how I left law one small step at a time
• What actually gets you from hobbyist to pro

If you're a perfectionist stuck waiting for the "right time" or the "picture-perfect plan"… this episode will shake that mindset loose.

✨ Want to go pro this year?
 Join me June 3 or 4, 2025 for my live interactive workshop on how to go from hobbyist to professional calligrapher in six months. Stop waiting and start taking action!
  👉 Save your spot 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!

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.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The one comment from a fellow student that shook Elisha’s identity—and started a powerful transformation
• How picking up a calligraphy pen led to unexpected passions like surfing, archery, piano, and even DIY home renovations
• Why community and mentorship can be the rocket fuel for your creative confidence

Elisha’s story is raw, relatable, and full of inspiration. It’s a powerful reminder that following your creative spark (even if you’re scared)-can open up your entire world.

Perfect for: Aspiring artists, creative entrepreneurs, beginner calligraphers, and anyone wrestling with imposter syndrome or the fear of starting something new.

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✨ Want to go pro this year?
 Join me June 3 or 4, 2025 for my live interactive workshop on how to go from hobbyist to professional calligrapher in six months.
  👉 Save your spot at: crookedcalligraphy.com/training

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!

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 way
• Concrete steps to free yourself from the cycle so you can finally enjoy exactly where you are right now
• What 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 opportunity
• The ways my partnership allowed me to pay it forward and fuel other creative businesses beyond mine
• Ways you can develop your own brand partnerships and where to look to find them

It’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 growth
• How to package your calligraphy services for weddings, corporate events, and workshops
• Real-life pricing examples and ideas for add-ons your clients will love

Find 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:

• 🔑 Why you are the security—not your job
• 🌱 Why we’re so afraid to lose what we have (when we could really be happy with much less)
• 🌟 Remembering that safety and security are a myth, both in jobs and life
• 💪 How one simple skill can give you the confidence you might need to take the leap

Let this be your reminder to make decisions not only from fear, but from hope for the future as well – because nothing is ever promised.

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 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 experiences
• What the “Perfect Pitch Formula”  is & how to use it to sell to potential customers without feeling sleazy
• Why sprinkling seeds everywhere (even in the places you wouldn’t normally think of) is the best strategy for growth

If 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 Love

Growing 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!” - Shinah

We'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 stage
• The 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 payments
• How to choose the *right* markets & the *right* products for the type of fair you're selling at

This 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!