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

Shinah Chang ·

🎧 Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts

Can a Calligrapher Generate Better Income than an Accountant?

In this inspiring episode of Creative Business Real Talk, I sit down with Laura Hess of Gertie’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 boss

Never 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!

Follow Laura:

FREE Newbie to Pro Calligraphy Challenge starts Jan 19!


Lessons in calligraphy + business, feedback from me, fun prizes, and a dope creative community.

Sign up free at crookedcalligraphy.com/challenge and grab your $15 starter toolkit today.

ABOUT CROOKED CALLIGRAPHY

Hey - I'm Shinah! A former miserable corporate lawyer turned sassy calligrapher and teacher. Ten years ago, I was WISHING I could create beautiful calligraphy but feeling really un-creative and LOST about how to achieve that... and now I truly believe that ANYONE can learn this beautiful craft - because I've already taught it to THOUSANDS of people, from all different backgrounds.

Calligraphy has given me a gorgeous life. It's helped my students find PASSION, PURPOSE, and a reason to JUMP OUT OF BED each morning. What could it do for you? =)