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” Educationa...

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 hel...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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 tur...

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 ...

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 o...

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 *illusiv...

“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...

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. 💁🏻‍♀️Listen in to hear: How I'm thinking about "self-improvement" now that I'm in my mid-40sWhat the wealthiest, oldest people are still worried about (according to Amy Poehler)Why I'm having fun writing very mediocre poetry right now 😂“Good Hang with Amy” Podcast FREE...

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 y...

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 ...

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 MacIntyre, 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...

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 brandi...

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*. 🦗 Hundreds of people walk by, only TWO stop to peruse—and suddenly your brain goes, “This will NEVER work. I’m not cut out for this. No one’s interested in calligraphy!” Sound familiar? Yep, we’ve all been there. It’s called “catastrophizing” – in other words, you’re jumping to the worst possible conclus...

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 fro...

🎧 Are You Actually Growing Your Business—Or Just Keeping Busy? If your to-do list looks more like a laundry list, and you’re constantly posting on Instagram, answering emails, and juggling customer inquiries—but somehow, your big goals keep getting pushed aside—this episode is for you. Today, we’re breaking down the difference between working in your business vs. working on it. In the past 10 years of owning my own business, I’ve realized that those little dopamine hits (like wasting time on ...

Feel Like Your Biz is Running You? Here’s How to Take Back Control You’re working your butt off, posting on IG, trying all the things… but the sales? Meh. 😩 It feels like your business has a mind of its own, and you’re just scrambling to keep up. I finally started feeling in control (and paying myself consistently!) when I did one thing: tracking my numbers. Not just finances, but time spent, conversion rates, and what’s actually working. In this episode, I break down: 🔹 The real reason you’...

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 actio...