EPISODE 191 - How she got $9K of client work in just two years (w/ Melissa Ferrell)

Shinah Chang ·

🎧 Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts

"Why wait? You never know what tomorrow's going to bring." - Melissa, CC Alumni

Two years ago, Melissa was two months into learning calligraphy and had just landed her first paid job:  $140 for wedding envelopes. She was excited, a little nervous, and genuinely wondering if she could break into a market with other, more established calligraphers.

I'm re-airing that original 2024 interview today - and updating you on what happened next.

Join me as I share Melissa’s powerful update, how calligraphy has continued to shape her life a few years later, and what has driven her to build a successful business that she loves and continues to be proud of - all while STILL maintaining her full time job!

  • (2:00) Melissa’s intro and how she found herself drawn to calligraphy

  • (3:40) New calligraphers BIGGEST struggles & insecurities 

  • (10:45) Where Melissa sees her business going in the future

  • (12:35) How Melissa has utilized her courses and how they have helped her

  • (16:00) Update on Melissa and her business in 2026 (spoiler alert! Her jobs this year have  totaled over $5k and included Montblanc, luxury boutiques, and Christmas event calligraphy booked!)

  • (17:30) Melissa’s update in her own words, and how coaching, staying the course, and networking have become invaluable to her

Melissa's best advice? “Stay the course, it's a slow start sometimes… Even in this tech heavy AI world, there is nothing more special than a human made item because people really appreciate the tender loving care that it took to personalize something special just for them.”

Even if calligraphy is just a side job for you, it can create multiple streams of income in your life. It can set you up to retire, stay home with your kids, or just have the time freedom you desire. Don’t underestimate your gusto and drive - it can TRULY change your life, imperfectly.

Find Melissa At:

Sunshinecalligraphy.com 

If you want to pursue calligraphy as a business like Melissa, my signature courses are on sale now! Grab the Pro Calligrapher Bundle open through Sept 30 → crookedcalligraphy.com/courses

FREE CALLIGRAPHY CHALLENGE STARTS SEPTEMBER 14, 2026!

FREE WORKSHOP:

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? =)