Today we’d like to introduce you to Shinah Chang.
Hi Shinah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My creative business story started in 2013. I had just quit my prestigious job as a corporate attorney at a top international law firm. I was burnt out, and I KNEW I had creativity inside of me. So, I started exploring all sorts of creative fields, hoping to find a more fulfilling life.
In 2015, after trying woodworking, knitting, baking, blogging, figure drawing, you name it… I discovered CALLIGRAPHY. Something about it just clicked, and I started practicing every single day. After two months, I got good enough that I thought maybe I could make some money with my new skill.
So I started Crooked Calligraphy in January 2016. At first, I sold greeting cards that I designed, printed, folded & packaged in my bedroom. I went out to pop-up markets and networking events and started to get clients for custom calligraphy projects and design work.
But my business really blossomed when I started TEACHING calligraphy. I started out with nine students crammed into a tiny stationery shop. But, within months, I was teaching hundreds of students at craft fairs and workshops all over the Los Angeles area.
I decided to distill all my calligraphy knowledge into an online course: Modern Calligraphy 101
And that’s how I reach students all over the world today. Each month, 100-200 students join our online classroom and dive into the beautiful art of calligraphy. We have the most supportive student community and audience of almost 200K people across email and social media that turn to us for calligraphy knowledge & the inspiration to go after their creative dreams.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a wonderfully CROOKED road. I had absolutely no business knowledge or education, so I had to figure everything out myself: from how to ship artwork to what business insurance to buy to how often to post on social media.
I’ve made so many mistakes: ordering hundreds of dollars of inventory that never sold, getting ghosted by a client who owed me thousands of dollars, sending hundreds of paying customers the wrong link, having employees quit because they weren’t the right fit for my company.
Fortunately, I’ve also had so much support along the way. I’ve been working with a life and business coach for almost seven years now and she helps me to stay in the right frame of mind so I can grow from all my mistakes. I’ve invested tens of thousands of dollars into programs & masterminds that taught me how to scale my business to seven figures. And I’ve made some incredible business friends who I can vent to whenever I need.
Building a creative business has been the hardest and the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done in my life. And I can’t wait to see where it takes me next.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have a very non-traditional, non-elitist approach to calligraphy.
A lot of people think “calligraphy” is stuffy and formal and rigid. But I named my company “Crooked Calligraphy” because I believe modern calligraphy is all about self-expression.
When I discovered calligraphy, I was tired of doing what everyone else wanted me to do. I don’t have any formal art background, so I approached calligraphy like an outsider. I made crooked, expressive lines and wrote curse words.
I’ve gotten a lot of negative feedback because I embrace swear words. But, you know what? I’ve also attracted an audience of people who REALLY resonate with my message and authenticity.
Over the years, my calligraphy skills have continued to improve and I do have a beautiful, unique style.
But my proudest accomplishment is spreading the message that life is too short to tell yourself you can’t go after what you want just because you might fail. You have to be willing to embrace the messy beginning in order to get to the beautiful end result.
I’ve watched so many of my students do things they NEVER thought they could do: create beautiful art, put their creativity on display, even get paid to do what they love. The reason I’ve been able to build a successful business is because I’m teaching and selling MORE than just calligraphy. I’m offering a way to get back in touch with your inner, creative child, build confidence and self-worth and find true purpose and meaning in your life.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Good food, good cocktails, and good company. The kind where you feel like you can have an honest conversation that goes under the surface. Dancing. Singing karaoke. Walking on a perfectly warm and breezy evening in Long Beach.
Pricing:
- Modern Calligraphy 101 course: $497
- Modern Calligraphy 201 course: $497
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.crookedcalligraphy.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/crookedcalligraphy
- Facebook: facebook.com/crookedcalligraphy
- Youtube: crookedcalligraphy.tv
- Other: theshinahshow.com
Image Credits
Valerie Vogt
