Keeping Up with the Calligraphers

Alex Hirsch + Cat Brown
  • 5.0 (17)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The first of its kind - Alex Hirsch of Signs of Our Lives and Cat Brown of Cat Lauren Calligraphy, two event calligraphers with a combined decade of knowledge and experience in the industry are coming together to share what they know for artists + industry professionals alike! Their values are rooted in collaboration and community above all else. Listen in to hear their honest conversations about the artist and event industries, and provide their insights on how we can collectively do better and be better in our creative communities. Expect lots of unfiltered sassy banter, sarcasm on steroids, and lots of laughter between these two fire signs.

  1. SEP 10

    Taking Your Wedding Calligraphy International

    In this episode, Alex and Cat discuss Cat's recent adventure providing live event calligraphy at a destination wedding in Spain. Listen in to hear how she landed the client, the logistics that went into the client experience, and the creative and intricate process of curating the wedding favors. And as always, nothing will ever go as planned. Cat goes into some of the  obstacles that came up (expected and unexpected) -- including going through customs with 100s of wedding favors, language barriers, transportation issues, and more; while reflecting and sharing on the lessons learned for future events. Also: a quick update on the status of the pod! Send us a text Support the show Follow us in all the places! Podcast, Keeping Up with the Calligraphers IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecalligs/ Alex Hirsch, Signs of Our Lives IG: https://www.instagram.com/signsofourlives/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirsch-engraves/ Website: https://www.signsofourlives.com/ Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlaurencalligraphy/ Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/

    39 min

  2. AUG 15

    Hot Takes: Working with Luxury Brands Isn’t Always It

    Alex, Hannah, AND Cat discuss the nuances of working with luxury brands in the creative industry, particularly as event calligraphers. Booking that household name can be a huge business milestone! AND there are some factors you may want to consider before working with your next luxury brand. Do the values align? What’s the pay rate? The payment terms are what now?! You want me to sign a who what? As always, there are pros and cons to each side of the conversation, helping you determine what your next move will be. Send us a text Support the show Follow us in all the places! Podcast, Keeping Up with the Calligraphers IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecalligs/ Alex Hirsch, Signs of Our Lives IG: https://www.instagram.com/signsofourlives/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirsch-engraves/ Website: https://www.signsofourlives.com/ Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlaurencalligraphy/ Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/

    30 min

  3. JUL 11

    Dress Coded, with Sylvia Wong of Via Calligraphy

    The episode you’ve all been waiting for… In response to a recent Instagram post 👀, Alex of Signs of our Lives and Cat of Cat Lauren Calligraphy chat with their guest Sylvia of Via Calligraphy about the nuances of professionalism, dress codes, and client communication. They discuss a brief history of “professionalism” in work places, the inclusivity (or lack thereof) of dress codes at retail and brand events, and how to balance personal style with client expectations, through curating the pieces in their wardrobe. Should artists just fall in line with corporate dress code standards? Or are there times when it’s ok to color outside the lines? Tune in to find out their thoughts.  Sylvia of Via Calligraphy: Syl's Website Syl's IG SomedayArtClub IG Someday Art Club / LuxuryLettering101 Syl’s Instagram Post About Dress Codes Other Resources + Links: Alex's Nuuly Link (for $30 off your first month) Cat’s LTK (LikeToKnowIt) Link Book a Mentorship Session with Alex via Patreon Title VII: Employer Dress Code Laws Send us a text Support the show Follow us in all the places! Podcast, Keeping Up with the Calligraphers IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecalligs/ Alex Hirsch, Signs of Our Lives IG: https://www.instagram.com/signsofourlives/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirsch-engraves/ Website: https://www.signsofourlives.com/ Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlaurencalligraphy/ Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/

    53 min

  4. MAY 20

    Contracts for Live Event Artists with Paige Griffith

    Cat of Cat Lauren Calligraphy and Alex of Signs of our Lives chat with Paige Griffith of The Legal Paige, contract lawyer and legal expert, about the importance of contracts for small business owners, particularly in the creative industry. Paiges emphasizes the need for clear, legally binding contracts to protect both the business and the client. The discussion covers when to implement contracts, how to modify them, and the role of AI in contract creation. Additionally, Paige shares resources available for entrepreneurs looking to enhance their legal knowledge and contract templates. [  The Legal Paige’s 40% off Mid-Year Sale is running from 5/19-5/22 ] Episode Links: Paige’s Contract Clause Checklist (free)Cat’s Affiliate Link to Paige’s Live Event Artist Contract -  use code CATLAUREN10 for an extra $10 offLive Calligraphy ContractPaige’s Links: Website Instagram Facebook Send us a text Support the show Follow us in all the places! Podcast, Keeping Up with the Calligraphers IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecalligs/ Alex Hirsch, Signs of Our Lives IG: https://www.instagram.com/signsofourlives/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirsch-engraves/ Website: https://www.signsofourlives.com/ Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlaurencalligraphy/ Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/

    48 min

  5. MAY 7

    Hot Takes with Hannah Holt: Stop Niching!

    “YoU nEeD to NiChE.” 🙅🏻‍♀️ NURRR. We’re sick of hearing this advice! When you’re first starting out, or when you’re ready to add or pivot your services, the whole “you need to be niching” thing is just NOT gonna work. You’re a multi-faceted artist and business owner! You owe it to yourself to create what you want to create, and explore what you’re curious about. You deserve the opportunity to have multiple streams of income. You and your art should be able to reach new audiences. Alex and Hannah discuss the reasons why it’s beneficial to diversify and stay open to different opportunities and art forms.  So throw that spaghetti at the wall. 🍝 Figure out what brings YOU joy, and what feels right for YOUR business and life. Link: Elizabeth Gilbert, The Curiosity Driven Life Send us a text Support the show Follow us in all the places! Podcast, Keeping Up with the Calligraphers IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecalligs/ Alex Hirsch, Signs of Our Lives IG: https://www.instagram.com/signsofourlives/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirsch-engraves/ Website: https://www.signsofourlives.com/ Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlaurencalligraphy/ Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/

    32 min

  6. APR 9

    Subcontracting 101: Hiring & Being Hired as Event Artist

    Thinking about hiring other artists or being hired for events? Alex + Cat dive deep into this controversial topic that's buzzing through the event artist / calligraphy industry right now - examining the honest pros and cons of both hiring other artists and being hired yourself. From what makes someone totally rehire-able (or not), to the weird gray areas around pay rates and social media posting, they share their experiences from both sides of the subcontracting relationship. Plus hear about that time Cat's engraver died mid-event and why Alex once turned DOWN subcontract work (but now loves it!). Send us a text Support the show Follow us in all the places! Podcast, Keeping Up with the Calligraphers IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecalligs/ Alex Hirsch, Signs of Our Lives IG: https://www.instagram.com/signsofourlives/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirsch-engraves/ Website: https://www.signsofourlives.com/ Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlaurencalligraphy/ Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/

    1h 11m

  7. MAR 3

    Hot Takes with Hannah Holt: Sharing Your Income Online

    In this new episode series, Alex Hirsch of Signs of our Lives and Hannah Holt of Tally Mark Calligraphy share their hot takes on sharing your income online.  With the underlying principles of “a rising tide lifts all ships,” they discuss how sharing your income online can be beneficial AND how it could be misleading to other business owners and artists (or give people the ick). Alex and Hannah talk about price transparency, revenue versus profit, and the nuances of why and how you should and shouldn’t share your income publicly.  Is six figures all it’s cracked up to be? What do you even want for your life and your business? Does the struggling artist stereotype need to be broken? Tune in for the *nuance!* FTC Laws Hannah Holt, Tally Mark Calligraphy IG: https://www.instagram.com/tallymarkcalligraphy/ Website: www.tallymarkcalligraphy.com Send us a text Support the show Follow us in all the places! Podcast, Keeping Up with the Calligraphers IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecalligs/ Alex Hirsch, Signs of Our Lives IG: https://www.instagram.com/signsofourlives/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirsch-engraves/ Website: https://www.signsofourlives.com/ Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlaurencalligraphy/ Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/

    34 min

  8. FEB 18

    Bringing Your Live Art to Weddings

    Live art isn't just for brand, corporate, and retail events, folks! It's coming in hot at weddings, and we're here to tell you all about it. Cat, resident expert on bringing calligraphy experiences at weddings, shares how weddings can be similar to brand events, but more importantly, how they can be entirely different from start to finish. Alex and Cat discuss expectations, client education, pricing, timeline, and other important considerations when working with the timeline of a wedding. Learn how to have your cake, and eat it too. Need more? Sign up for Cat's email list for when her tell-all insider course launches. Send us a text Support the show Follow us in all the places! Podcast, Keeping Up with the Calligraphers IG: https://www.instagram.com/keepingupwiththecalligs/ Alex Hirsch, Signs of Our Lives IG: https://www.instagram.com/signsofourlives/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hirsch-engraves/ Website: https://www.signsofourlives.com/ Cat Brown, Cat Lauren Calligraphy IG: https://www.instagram.com/catlaurencalligraphy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catlaurencalligraphy/ Website: http://www.catlaurencalligraphy.com/

    46 min
See All (21)

5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

The first of its kind - Alex Hirsch of Signs of Our Lives and Cat Brown of Cat Lauren Calligraphy, two event calligraphers with a combined decade of knowledge and experience in the industry are coming together to share what they know for artists + industry professionals alike! Their values are rooted in collaboration and community above all else. Listen in to hear their honest conversations about the artist and event industries, and provide their insights on how we can collectively do better and be better in our creative communities. Expect lots of unfiltered sassy banter, sarcasm on steroids, and lots of laughter between these two fire signs.

Information

  • Creator
    Alex Hirsch + Cat Brown
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Keeping Up with the Calligraphers
  • Show Website
    Keeping Up with the Calligraphers

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