Creative Business Real Talk

Shinah Chang
  • 4.9 (154)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

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. 5d ago

    179: Your 9-Question Calligraphy Business Plan

    Forget the 40-page business plan. Here's what actually works when you're just starting out. In this episode, I'm walking you through my Calligraphy Starter Business Plan: 3 categories, 9 questions, and zero room for overthinking yourself into paralysis. 1. 🖊️Your Product/Service - What to offer first (choose one for now!) - What related upgrades you could add for the same clients - The focused practice so you can deliver it well 2. 👰Your Clients & Pricing - How to get clear on your dream client - How to build a portfolio that speaks directly to them - Where to focus to land your first 3 clients (hint: start closer than you think) - A simple pricing exercise that gets you past the fear 3. 💰Your Finances & Legal - The 3 financial steps to set up first - Sole prop, LLC, or S-corp — what decision you actually need to make right now Traditional business plans didn't work for me. This did. It's scrappy, focused, and designed to get you moving with intention — not spinning in place. --- 📝 Want this in a snazzy PDF you can fill out on your own? You can download the Summit Business Plan Builder when you sign up for my free Art and Business of Modern Calligraphy Online Summit (July 7–9) at crookedcalligraphy.com/summit The Art and Business of Modern Calligraphy ONLINE SUMMIT 20+ expert calligraphy teachers. Art + Business classes. July 7-9. 100% Online. Completely free. crookedcalligraphy.com/summit FREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational WorkshopFOLLOW SHINAH:  Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

    20 min

  2. Jun 17

    178: The Summit I Was Too Scared To Build (Until Now)

    What if I told you I sat on something for years that I REALLY wanted to do - but the fear overwhelmed me?  Sounds QUITE the opposite of the, “go for it” and, “YOU can do it” mentality I put out to the world, right?? As comfortable as I look online with a camera in front of me, you should see me at a party… Stuck to my husband. Biding my time in a corner till we leave. Worried no one wants to be my friend or talk to me (total lone wolf mentality) Needing a FULL recharge after social interaction (if you’re an introvert, you know this all too well). After getting out of my own head and realizing I needed to take my own advice, I rolled the dice and started creating the very first Art & Business of Modern Calligraphy Online Summit - a passion project literally years in the making. And boy has it been a rollercoaster designing it (because perhaps it wasn’t the best timing - but that's life, right?) In this episode, I’m sharing: (0:37) The Art & Business of Modern Calligraphy Summit details!(1:55) Class & teacher previews(4:13) VIP All Access Pass(5:30) Why I was so scared to build this summit(10:15) The things that matter when building a summit (and what can take second priority)(13:40) Always remember what matters the most in the grand scheme of thingsLet this be a testament to the fact that the more you can try new things, and grow your personal toolkit, the better off you are (even if you’re doing things imperfectly). I hope you guys enjoy the summit and I am so excited to bring this to you! The Art and Business of Modern Calligraphy ONLINE SUMMIT 20+ expert calligraphy teachers. Art + Business classes. July 7-9. 100% Online. Completely free. crookedcalligraphy.com/summit FREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational WorkshopFOLLOW SHINAH:  Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

    18 min

  3. Jun 10

    177: Business isn't linear! (A personal update)

    Sharing a personal update on what has been the busiest time in my business since my Million-Dollar-Revenue years.  In this episode, I share: A big, exciting project I’ve been working on that has been pushing on the most vulnerable parts of myselfMy new approach to Facebook Ads and what it’s teaching meThe hard personal stuff that has been forcing me to re-prioritize You never really “arrive” at a perfect place where everything is “figured out”… but the ebb and flow of business always helps me grow as a person. And I’m pretty proud of how I’ve been handling this tougher time in my life. The Art and Business of Modern Calligraphy ONLINE SUMMIT 20+ expert calligraphy teachers. Art + Business classes. July 7-9. 100% Online. Completely free. crookedcalligraphy.com/summit FREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational WorkshopFOLLOW SHINAH:  Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

    14 min

  4. Jun 3

    176: You Are In A Calligraphy Bubble

    If you've ever caught yourself saying "I'll start getting clients when my calligraphy is good enough" — this episode is going to mess with your head a little. In a good way. In addition to being a former corporate lawyer and now a calligrapher, you might be surprised to hear I also have a Harvard degree in psychology!. And after years of watching my students get hired, I can tell you with confidence: the #1 thing holding most calligraphers back is not their skill level. It's the story they're telling themselves ABOUT their skill level. There's actually a name for what's happening to you. It's called the Curse of Knowledge -  you've spent months (or years) studying calligraphy, following the best people in the industry, and training your eye on exemplars, worksheets, and masterclass-level work. So now? You notice every wobble, every inconsistency, and every flat flourish. But here's the thing: your clients can't see any of that. In this episode, I share: (1:45) What the calligraphy bubble is, and why I have the authority and ability to can show you that work is better than you think it is(4:32) The “Curse of Knowledge” is real - and why it’s hard to remember what's its like as an outsider(6:10) Tappers & Listeners Stanford Study and how it applies to being in the “calligraphy bubble”(8:58) I am giving you permission to believe in yourself (and yes, The Pro Calligrapher Bundle IS achievable for you, too)You don't need perfect calligraphy to get paid. I've seen it. I have receipts. And now I've even shown you there's a psychological bias to back it up. And If you hear nothing else, hear this - YOU deserve to live a full, prosperous life and go after your dreams and ambitions. I know it can be scary, because I was there at one point too. But imagine the things you could do if you just believed in yourself and your talents.  The Art and Business of Modern Calligraphy ONLINE SUMMIT 20+ expert calligraphy teachers. Art + Business classes. July 7-9. 100% Online. Completely free. crookedcalligraphy.com/summit FREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational WorkshopFOLLOW SHINAH:  Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

    15 min

  5. May 27

    175: UPDATE - She Made $5k In One Week With Calligraphy

    Mian was a burned-out, unhappy tax lawyer who had quit calligraphy — twice. She had dabbled in it as a kid after her dad bought her a calligraphy set, and again as an adult, but her confidence got the best of her.  After adding the titles of lawyer, wife, and mother, calligrapher got pushed to the backburner. But with one brave, “I’m a calligrapher!” proclamation to a fellow creative years after her first pen stroke, Mian found her voice & finally got noticed. Within six months of taking my course, she was doing live calligraphy for Louis Vuitton and Valentino. Oh, and she just made $5K in one week. Listen to my follow up with Mian to learn: (1:57) How Mian got into calligraphy as a kid, and carried it into adulthood(3:10) The calligraphy “pause” -  how it happens to everyone eventually (but doesn’t diminish your true self)(5:27) How the Pro Calligrapher Bundle created a confident roadmap now, and for years to come(14:45) What one moment of “yes” can amount to(19:00) Update on Mian and her $5k week!If you've ever talked yourself out of your own creative dream, this one's for you (because that little voice in the back of your head still deserves to be heard). 🔗 Ready to write your own story about pursuing your passions? I’m teaching my Six Months to Pro Calligrapher training LIVE on June 2 & 3!!! Join at crookedcalligraphy.com/training The Art and Business of Modern Calligraphy ONLINE SUMMIT 20+ expert calligraphy teachers. Art + Business classes. July 7-9. 100% Online. Completely free. crookedcalligraphy.com/summit FREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational WorkshopFOLLOW SHINAH:  Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

    27 min

  6. May 20

    174: You Are Not Behind (Perfectionism Is Quietly Ruining Your Life)

    If feeling “behind” leads to you disappearing... your perfectionism might be quietly sabotaging your life.  In this episode, I’m unpacking the hidden reason so many high achievers quit, disappear, or stay stuck in cycles of burnout and perfectionism (all from personal experience!).  Because the truth is that perfectionism doesn’t create success. It creates shame, overwhelm, and emotional freeze. And that IS NOT how you should feel. I know this from both personal experience and teaching over 5,000 students - you are more than capable of succeeding, right where you are, right now. In this episode, I’m sharing: (1:07) The diet “all or nothing” mentality (and why it backfires)(3:27) The "functional freeze” mentality, and how to flip your mentality to “enjoying the process”(7:40) Approach things from a new set of gratuitous eyes(11:05) What if you were EXACTLY on time?Remember that the weight of being crushed by impossible expectations is overwhelming - but superficial.  Join me (and all the recovering perfectionists!) to hear why thinking, “I should be further along by now”, does NOT define you - but rather empowers you to remember why you started this journey in the first place. FREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational WorkshopFOLLOW SHINAH:  Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

    14 min

  7. May 13

    173: Teach Your First Calligraphy Workshop

    Think you need to be an expert before teaching calligraphy? You don’t. In this episode of Creative Biz Real Talk, I break down exactly how I taught a fully booked calligraphy workshop (with a waitlist!)—and how you can confidently teach your first class, even if you’re still growing your skills. The secret? You don’t teach everything—you teach what matters (and even if you don’t think teaching is your thing, stick around! There are still all sorts of ways to profit from your calligraphy skills!).  Inside this episode: (0:47) Why my in-person calligraphy classes generate wait lists(1:45) Roadmap to teaching calligraphy workshops - NOW - no matter your skill level(7:00) The easiest and *best* way to host your first workshop, without the stress(10:23) (Say it with me!) How to PITCH yourself & promote your workshops(13:15) How to fast track teaching workshops(15:32) Choose your path to profiting! If you’ve been thinking about teaching calligraphy but don’t feel ”ready”, remember that sometimes more is less, and stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to SO many opportunities.  🎧 Listen now to start tapping into your potential —and get paid doing it. And hey—if you’re ready to move faster, both my engraving and workshop trainings are 50% off right now. CLICK HERE and take advantage of these prices while you can! FREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational WorkshopFOLLOW SHINAH:  Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

    19 min

  8. May 6

    Get Your First Calligraphy Engraving Job (Even If You're A Beginner!)

    Calligraphy engravers are in HIGHER demand right now than ever - and you don’t have to have YEARS of experience to get paid for it! In this episode, I’m breaking down the fastest, simplest path to landing your first paid calligraphy engraving job - even if you’re still a beginner (because people pay for alllll levels of calligraphy - not just master penman status work…). I’ve seen my students with just a few months of experience book real gigs… and I’m showing you exactly how they did it. This episode is for beginners learning calligraphy engraving, hand engraving on glass, and how to start a calligraphy business. Inside this episode, I’m breaking down: (4:35) 4 steps to your first calligraphy engraving job(4:54) Invest in yourself and in your tools(7:49) Practice on every surface you can find(9:18) Create your portfolio - not just from jobs, but from practice pieces(10:17) You know it - pitch yourself (even if its scary… because no one is coming to pluck you out of obscurity)(12:05) The perfect pitch formula (ep. 168 for more info!)(14:15) Beginners Guide To Calligraphy Engraving ON SALE NOW (link below)If you’ve been stuck overthinking your skill level, this is your sign to start. Because the hardest part of beginning a calligraphy business isn’t the calligraphy part, it's the follow through.  Take this step-by-step plan and USE IT to set yourself up for success! ✍️ Ready to move faster?  Get my Beginner’s Guide to Calligraphy Engraving (50% off for a limited time): https://crookedcalligraphy.lpages.co/skills/  FREE WORKSHOP: “How to Become a Calligraphy Pro” Educational WorkshopFOLLOW SHINAH:  Join our community of creativity-seeking souls over on Instagram:  @crookedcalligraphySUBSCRIBE: Love podcasts? Listen to The Shinah Show wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

    18 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
    181
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Creative Business Real Talk
  • Show Website
    Creative Business Real Talk

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