Creative Business Real Talk

Shinah Chang
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A weekly kick-in-the-pants to go after your creative dreams. From a former Harvard corporate lawyer who built a million-dollar calligraphy education business… and then scaled it down intentionally to create a life full of creativity and freedom. Every week, I share a tactical business lesson + powerful brain reframe that will help you get unstuck. The perfect mix of strategy and warmth that never shies away from the truth. Welcome to Creative Business Real Talk - Shinah, Founder of Crooked Calligraphy

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    162: A Smarter Approach to Calligraphy Envelopes

    If you’re stuck wondering what to sell as a beginner calligrapher, chances are you’ve considered envelopes… which are actually one of the first things I sold as a brand new calligrapher! Envelopes are an easy way to generate some of your very first sales.  And in this episode of Creative Biz Real Talk, I share a smarter, simpler way to think about calligraphy envelopes - not as your “end goal”, but rather an entry-level stepping stone into a profitable creative business. You’ll learn: (1:07) Why envelopes are a great, easy way to start selling (and improving your skills!)(3:34) Why your calligraphy is probably already good enough to start selling envelopes & the different “client levels”(6:38) Formatting tricks and client tips for calligraphy envelopes(10:55) Pricing advice & add on services that can increase your profits even with beginner jobs(16:25) My foolproof, easy way to learn everything about creating calligraphy envelopes and ensure a smooth sales process Don’t be afraid to take on a few envelope jobs to help you hone your calligraphy & client skills as you begin your journey as a business owner and boss. You never know what opportunities even small jobs might present for you  (or who you’ll meet in the process)! Our Spring Into Calligraphy Sale (ends March 6th, 2026!) 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!

    21 min

  2. 18 FEB

    161 - How To Build a Creative Portfolio That Actually Gets You Clients

    If you’re overwhelmed thinking about your creative portfolio and don’t know where to begin, please know you ARE NOT ALONE! Your portfolio isn’t a scrapbook of everything you’ve ever made. It’s a sales tool. And if it’s not bringing in inquiries, it’s probably not structured as well as it can be. In this episode of Creative Biz Real Talk, I’m sharing: (2:50) How to make a portfolio if you don’t have any clients yet(4:25) What to I include (or NOT include) in your portfolio(8:35) How many photos, etc. to include (12:25) Final tips & tricks that I have learned over the years!Whether you’re a calligrapher, illustrator, designer, or service-based creative, this episode will help you create a portfolio that builds confidence and attracts the right type of clients for your business. Remember - Your portfolio isn’t about proving your worth, it’s about showing clear photos of what you sell, building confidence, and making it easy (not overwhelming) for someone to say yes! Build from CLARITY, not fear. 🎧 Listen now to simplify your portfolio strategy. Because you CAN do this! 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!

    17 min

  3. 11 FEB

    160: Your First Website Essentials

    If you’ve been putting off building your first website for your creative business because it feels overwhelming—you’re not lazy or behind. You’ve just been given advice meant for established businesses, not beginners. In this episode of Creative Biz Real Talk, I’m breaking down what your first website actually needs, what you can safely skip, and how to get something live fast—without branding paralysis, tech overwhelm, or perfectionism. I even Googled “your first website for creative business” and the AI-generated advice alone explains why so many creatives get stuck: value propositions, conversion funnels, mobile optimization, advanced SEO… none of that is where you should start. Instead, this episode gives you a simple, realistic starter website framework you can build in a single afternoon. If you're a calligrapher, creative business focused person (illustrator, graphic designer, copywriters, pattern designers, etc.), or a service-based creative who wants to feel legit & start getting clients, this episode is for you! Highlights from this episode: (1:04) The importance of having a website for your business(3:35) THE K.I.S.S. website building method(11:39) Sections to add to your website later (NOT NOW!)(17:00) Summary of beginning business website must-do's(17:17) Website hosting platform recommendation REMEMBER - Your first website isn’t about impressing the internet. It’s about giving yourself a place to point people, a reason to show up confidently, and a foundation you can build on💪 🎧 Listen or watch now to stop overthinking and finally get your creative business website live. The website hosting platform I use!  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!

    20 min

  4. 4 FEB

    159: Calligraphy Biz Quick Start. Will this really work for me?

    Lots of my students have become successful Pro Calligraphers, but WILL IT REALLY WORK FOR YOU? I got some very good questions recently from a busy mom who wanted a reality check and asked me: What’s a realistic first-year income for a 5-10hr/week side hustle?Can a busy working mom really make this work?How can new calligraphers stand out and get clients?Should a new business start with local services or online?My informal answers in this episode and a surprising result?  My answer to questions two, three and four are the SAME ANSWER and it’s the key to you moving quickly & efficiently with the time you have, so you can start making money instead of spinning your wheels.  --  Pro Calligrapher Bundle open for enrollment through Feb 4, 2026 https://crookedcalligraphy.lpages.co/courses 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!

    15 min

  5. 28 JAN

    158: From Uncertain to Booked. $1500 from calligraphy in just 2 months

    What if your breakthrough was just two simple steps away? This week on Creative Business Real Talk, you’ll meet Sophilia - a student who proves that you’re closer than you think. She enrolled in our Modern Calligraphy 101 Program in January 2025.  By October 2025, her calligraphy was pro-level. But she still felt stuck, unsure, and desperate for direction. So I gave her two clear action steps… and what happened next will blow your mind!! In just 60 days, Sophilia booked her first calligraphy job, made $1,500, and even landed a better day job… all because she finally stopped overthinking and started showing up. Inside this episode: (3:20) Sophilia's business journey (and if she even wanted to launch a business in the first place!)(4:50) Sophilia’s 2025 wrap up, and how her mentorship changed her mindset from “procrasti-learning” to putting herself out there and eliminating the static in her head(10:50) How calligraphy instilled the confidence in Sophilia to land a BETTER day job that leaves her more fulfilled and focused on her own happiness(12:20) Advice for others scared to start their own creative business & why “done is better than perfect”I LOVE this inspiring story of how focusing on the important things can TRULY start you on your creative business journey sooner than you think! I hope this episode will inspire you to move now, with what you have (because you really have WAY more than you think at your disposal). Find Sophilia here: https://www.instagram.com/sophiliamarcellestudios/ https://www.sophiliamarcellestudios.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!

    23 min

  6. 21 JAN

    157: Be More Creative in 2026 (practical strategies for women)

    There’s nothing “wrong” with you if you haven’t found your “creative passion” yet! In fact, let’s stop thinking about creative passion in a romantic fantasy, fairytale prince kinda way and let’s actually make it HAPPEN for ourselves (‘cause women in our middle years know how to get shit done, right?) In this episode of Creative Business Real Talk, I’m busting three myths that keep us from sticking to a creative hobby: Myth #1: The LOVE of the craft itself should be enoughMyth #2: You should feel spontaneous bursts of creativity and desire to create, like all the time. Myth #3: Once you find your creative passion, it will just click, and you’ll love it happily ever after.We’ll be exploring: 00:00 Introduction: Embracing Creativity in Midlife 01:13 Myth 1: Purpose-Driven Creativity 03:30 Myth 2: Spontaneous Passion 07:09 Myth 3: Instant Mastery 10:06 Finding My Creative Passion: Calligraphy 14:11 Join the Calligraphy Challenge 15:29 Conclusion: Your Creative Journey Awaits And you''ll never guess what activity I have discovered is synonymous to building a woman-owned creative business 😉 There’s a reason calligraphy is MY creative passion, and it’s not because it rescued me. It’s because I MADE it into my passion with intention, structure, and purpose. I hope you can relate to this podcast and find inspiration to help you achieve your creative goals! And don’t forget! The Newbie To Pro Calligrapher Challenge is happening RIGHT NOW - January 19-27, 2026! Register 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!

    17 min

  7. 14 JAN

    156: She quit accounting for calligraphy (with Student Laura Hess)

    Who makes more $$$? An accountant or a calligrapher? In this inspiring episode of Creative Business Real Talk, I sit down with Laura Hess of Getrie’s Calligraphy - a former accountant who took our calligraphy courses in 2020 thinking, “I’m not even artistic.”  Fast forward to today: she quit her 20-year corporate job, runs a thriving calligraphy business, and now earns way more PER HOUR for her calligraphy than for her accounting services!! Here’s what you’ll learn from Laura’s journey: (1:15) Why Laura got into calligraphy & how those grad-school handwriting guidelines rooted her in her passions!(4:20) How Laura’s need for a ‘creative purpose’ perpetuated her business (6:25) When Laura finally figured out she was ready to start moving her business forward (even if she was ‘doing it scared’!)(14:20) How calligraphy changed Laura, both personally & professionally, and how it's never too late to tap into a new skill & career(21:20) Laura shares how the investment in herself has paid off, the moment things “clicked” for her, and the perks of being your own bossNever in a million years did Laura think she’d quit her accounting job, start her own biz, end up charging WAY MORE for calligraphy, & feel this much freedom and flexibility of not having a boss. Tune in to see what can happen when you just “give it a try” and pursue your creative side! Don't forget, the Pro Calligrapher Bundle opens for enrollment January 27th, 2026! Follow Laura @gertiescalligraphy  https://www.gertiescalligraphy.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!

    29 min

  8. 7 JAN

    155: From Beginner to Business - stop waiting for perfection and start now

    FREE Calligraphy Classes start 1/19/2026 --> crookedcalligraphy.com/challenge -- Still waiting for your craft to be “perfect” before launching your biz? Big mistake. I’m busting the myth that you need flawless technique to start making money as a creative. When I launched Crooked Calligraphy, I’d only been practicing for three months. THREE. But I didn’t wait to be perfect. I shared my imperfect, beginner calligraphy and built a real, thriving business by learning in real life. Here’s what we’ll cover: Why waiting to “perfect” your craft is setting you back YEARSThe real reason people buy your work… and it’s not just about skillA practical “Beta Business” strategy that lets you earn while you learnHow starting imperfectly builds resilience, confidence, and incomeThe truth about the calligraphy industry ecosystem - and where you can fit right nowWhether you're dreaming of side income, full-time creative freedom, or just want to stop waiting, this episode will help you see the real value of starting before you feel ready. 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!

    19 min
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About

A weekly kick-in-the-pants to go after your creative dreams. From a former Harvard corporate lawyer who built a million-dollar calligraphy education business… and then scaled it down intentionally to create a life full of creativity and freedom. Every week, I share a tactical business lesson + powerful brain reframe that will help you get unstuck. The perfect mix of strategy and warmth that never shies away from the truth. Welcome to Creative Business Real Talk - Shinah, Founder of Crooked Calligraphy

Information

  • Creator
    Shinah Chang
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    164
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Creative Business Real Talk
  • Show Website
    Creative Business Real Talk

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