Calligraphy Biz Corner

Shaochen Wu

Have you been itching to turn your creative passion into a business? You're in the right place! I'm Shaochen, a full-time calligrapher and business coach who built my dream calligraphy business from scratch, and I'm spilling the ink on how you can too!    On Calligraphy Biz Corner, I'll help you navigate the maze of running a creative business, with real-life strategy and mindset magic. With years of experience working with wedding, luxury, and corporate clients, while mentoring hundreds of calligraphers along the way, I know what it takes to build a business that goes the distance.   I'm here to empower you to thrive as an artist and be confident as an entrepreneur. Let's uncover the business that supports the life YOU want and leave the overwhelm and imposter syndrome behind. Your solopreneur journey is about to get less lonely and more fun - welcome to my corner! 

  1. Oct 20

    43. Dubsado for Calligraphers: Simple Systems That Book More Clients with Kelly McCracken Co.

    Has setting up your customer relationship management (CRM) system been on your “someday” list? Dubsado specialist and client experience strategist Kelly McCracken joins me to make systems feel approachable even if you don't consider yourself tech savvy, and shares how implementing just the basic features of Dubsado can help you book more clients from day one.  We talk about:  The first thing to do for a successful set up (before even logging into the system!)Kelly’s top 3 Dubsado features to help calligraphers save time and get paidHow much aesthetics matter in the booking process New features in Dubsado 3.0 that will make customizations even easierKelly’s advice for balancing business while raising kidsAbout our Guest: Kelly McCracken is a client experience strategist and Certified Dubsado Specialist who helps service providers create thoughtful client experiences and simplify the work behind the scenes. A former teacher and mom, Kelly believes business growth should leave room for the life you want to live. Through strategic systems and automation, she helps entrepreneurs spend less time managing their businesses and more time doing what they love. She also leads the Boston chapter of Made for Mothers, bringing local moms in business together for connection and community, and is the host of The Kitchen Island HQ podcast. Links Mentioned in this Episode:  Freebie: Create your Dubsado Inquiry WorkflowFreebie: Dubsado 3.0 Scavenger HuntFree Dubsado Trial + 20% OffConnect with Kelly on Instagram: @kellymccracken.coWork with Kelly: kellymccracken.co The Dubsado link above is an affiliate link, which means we may earn a small commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. Support the show 👩‍💻 Learn From Me:  Start Your Profitable Calligraphy Business: Join Shaochen's Free MasterclassGet Hands On Support from Shaochen: Ascent 6 Month Coaching ProgramYour CEO Partner 1:1 Coaching AcceleratorApply for Business CoachingFreebie! Download my free tech guide for the programs you need to run your business👯‍♀️ Keep In Touch: Follow Calligraphy Biz Corner on InstagramFollow Shaochen on InstagramVisit the website

  2. Sep 22

    41. Future Proofing Your Business to Support the Life You Actually Want

    Only a fraction of small businesses make it past the five-year mark, so I wanted to break down some strategies and mindsets that have helped me stay resilient through the highs and lows of business ownership as I look forward to year 8. This episode is shared from the private podcast inside my Ascent coaching program.  Inside we talk about:  Making decisions like your future selfHow happiness isn't a constant - and why that can be a good thingRemoving the shoulds from your business How rest is not a luxury, but required Journal Prompts: What are some actions and decisions the future version of you running your ideal business would make, that you could apply to your business today? What “shoulds” are weighing on you? What can you do instead to achieve a similar outcome, in a way that feels more fun? What does “fully booked” mean to you? How does this translate to revenue and/or client goals? What are some boundaries you can put around your business to ensure that you have time for rest?🔗 Links mentioned in this episode: Ascent Coaching Mastermind for CalligraphersYour CEO Partner 1:1 Coaching ProgramCoaching Interest FormSupport the show 👩‍💻 Learn From Me:  Start Your Profitable Calligraphy Business: Join Shaochen's Free MasterclassGet Hands On Support from Shaochen: Ascent 6 Month Coaching ProgramYour CEO Partner 1:1 Coaching AcceleratorApply for Business CoachingFreebie! Download my free tech guide for the programs you need to run your business👯‍♀️ Keep In Touch: Follow Calligraphy Biz Corner on InstagramFollow Shaochen on InstagramVisit the website

  3. Aug 25

    40. Pivoting Into a Booked Out Business She Loves with Kristine Paeste of Kristine P. Calligraphy

    I'm so excited to have Kristine of Kristine P. Calligraphy on as our first guest interview in a year! Kristine's story is a perfect example of how a business can transform based on your interests, your physical wellbeing, and what season of life you're in. From chalkboard signs to digital templates to now running a full-service, large-scale wedding signage business, Kristine walks us through every pivot — including the moment in 2025 when she was ready to give up entirely, and how joining my CEO Partner 1:1 coaching program helped her completely reposition her business, leading to a booked-out 2026. In this episode, we cover: How Kristine's business evolved from a 2017 hobby into full-service wedding signage todayWhy hand pain and burnout led her to pivot into a passive digital template shop — and why that pivot didn't stickThe moment she realized large-scale signage installs were her true passion (and the family connection behind it)What we worked on inside the CEO Partner coaching program to rebuild her positioning, pricing, and clientele in just 12 weeksKristine's advice on whether a coaching program is worth it 🔗 Links mentioned in this episode: Connect with Kristine on Instagram @KristinePCalligraphyGetting married in Northern California in 2027? Kristine's books are open, inquire at kristinepcalligraphy.comApply for Business CoachingLearn about Your CEO Partner 1:1 Coaching (Kristine's Program) Learn about Ascent Coaching ProgramLearn about the Pro Wedding Calligrapher course that started Kristine's businessSupport the show 👩‍💻 Learn From Me:  Start Your Profitable Calligraphy Business: Join Shaochen's Free MasterclassGet Hands On Support from Shaochen: Ascent 6 Month Coaching ProgramYour CEO Partner 1:1 Coaching AcceleratorApply for Business CoachingFreebie! Download my free tech guide for the programs you need to run your business👯‍♀️ Keep In Touch: Follow Calligraphy Biz Corner on InstagramFollow Shaochen on InstagramVisit the website

  4. Aug 18

    39. Expand Your Revenue Through Live Event Artistry

    Clients and brands are seeking out live event artists like never before, creating a booming new revenue opportunity for calligraphers, engravers, and other creative entrepreneurs. If you're looking to add an income stream that can bring several thousands of dollars per month, this is it. In this training, you'll learn how to add take your calligraphy, engraving, bottle painting, watercolor portraits, or other art form from your studio, to performing in front of guests.  We'll cover: How to find and reach your ideal live event clients (including corporate clients, brand activations, and weddings)The best pricing strategy for live events, which increased my rates by 30% without losing bookingsThe steps to making your first live event a successWhether you're a calligrapher looking to diversify, an engraver wanting to break into events, or a creative entrepreneur exploring live art as a business, this episode will show you how to turn your artistic skill into a scalable, sustainable income stream. Download the Freebie: Live Events Supplies Guide Get the best deal when the Live Events Course launches: Join the VIP Waitlist Support the show 👩‍💻 Learn From Me:  Start Your Profitable Calligraphy Business: Join Shaochen's Free MasterclassGet Hands On Support from Shaochen: Ascent 6 Month Coaching ProgramYour CEO Partner 1:1 Coaching AcceleratorApply for Business CoachingFreebie! Download my free tech guide for the programs you need to run your business👯‍♀️ Keep In Touch: Follow Calligraphy Biz Corner on InstagramFollow Shaochen on InstagramVisit the website

  5. May 20

    37. I Booked an Engraving Gig Before Learning to Engrave - When to Say Yes to Something New

    Have you ever gotten an inquiry that you just knew you couldn't turn down, even though you'd never done that exact thing before? That's what happened when I booked my first live engraving event - without ever having touched an engraver.  In this episode, I'm sharing the full story of how I said yes to an engraving live event, learned to engrave in one week, and pulled off a wildly successful event. I'm sharing what that experience and other similar experiences have taught me about putting an idea into action fast for your business.  This isn't about winging it. It's about knowing when you have the skills to go for it, and deciding that you're ready. In this episode we talk about: How to confidently take on something new, without taking on too much riskWhy readiness is a decision, not a feelingThe key to booking jobs you've never done before🔗 Links to resources mentioned in this episode: Learn about Ascent 6 Month Coaching ProgramLearn about Your CEO Partner 1:1 Coaching AcceleratorDM me to chat about your businessAll the engraving supplies I purchasedFREEBIE: Live Event Supplies Guide (Including Engraving Supplies)Support the show 👩‍💻 Learn From Me:  Start Your Profitable Calligraphy Business: Join Shaochen's Free MasterclassGet Hands On Support from Shaochen: Ascent 6 Month Coaching ProgramYour CEO Partner 1:1 Coaching AcceleratorApply for Business CoachingFreebie! Download my free tech guide for the programs you need to run your business👯‍♀️ Keep In Touch: Follow Calligraphy Biz Corner on InstagramFollow Shaochen on InstagramVisit the website

  6. Apr 28

    36. The Messy Middle of Creative Entrepreneurship

    We’re back with a real, honest, and slightly emotional life + business update. This one’s going to feel a little different than our usual episodes, but these are the conversations that matter just as much as business strategy. If you’re in a season where your calligraphy business or creative business feels a little… unclear, messy, or like you’re outgrowing things faster than you can keep up with, this episode is going to resonate. We’re pulling back the curtain and sharing what’s actually been happening behind the scenes, why we took a break, and what this next chapter looks like for both of us. From big life changes to making those “I know this is right, but it still feels hard” decisions, this conversation is all about the real side of creative entrepreneurship—not just the highlight reel.  We’re diving into what it really looks like to grow and evolve a creative business, including stepping into the “messy middle” where things feel unclear, uncomfortable, and uncertain—but also full of potential. The part no one really prepares you for. Tune in if you’ve ever questioned your direction, felt pulled between multiple paths, or wondered how to create a business that truly supports your life. What we get into in this episode:  What calligraphy business growth actually looks like  The “messy middle” of creative entrepreneurship and why it’s actually a good thing  Making big CEO decisions in your creative business (even when you don’t feel ready)  Letting go of things you love so you can grow  Building a creative business that actually supports your life—not the other way around  Why not having all the answers is… kind of the whole point This episode is a reminder that calligraphy business growth and creative entrepreneurship aren’t linear. Sometimes the most powerful growth happens in the quiet, uncertain moments where you’re redefining everything. If you’ve been feeling like you’re in a season of transition in your creative business, you’re not alone - and this conversation might be exactly what you need to hear right now. Support the show 👩‍💻 Learn From Me:  Start Your Profitable Calligraphy Business: Join Shaochen's Free MasterclassGet Hands On Support from Shaochen: Ascent 6 Month Coaching ProgramYour CEO Partner 1:1 Coaching AcceleratorApply for Business CoachingFreebie! Download my free tech guide for the programs you need to run your business👯‍♀️ Keep In Touch: Follow Calligraphy Biz Corner on InstagramFollow Shaochen on InstagramVisit the website

5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Have you been itching to turn your creative passion into a business? You're in the right place! I'm Shaochen, a full-time calligrapher and business coach who built my dream calligraphy business from scratch, and I'm spilling the ink on how you can too!    On Calligraphy Biz Corner, I'll help you navigate the maze of running a creative business, with real-life strategy and mindset magic. With years of experience working with wedding, luxury, and corporate clients, while mentoring hundreds of calligraphers along the way, I know what it takes to build a business that goes the distance.   I'm here to empower you to thrive as an artist and be confident as an entrepreneur. Let's uncover the business that supports the life YOU want and leave the overwhelm and imposter syndrome behind. Your solopreneur journey is about to get less lonely and more fun - welcome to my corner! 

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