We’re looking forward to introducing you to Shaochen Wu. Check out our conversation below.
Shaochen, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
I think you need all 3 because having just one will only get you so far, but when I read this question, Integrity immediately stood out. It’s a core value of mine both personally and in business – meaning that I hold true to my promises, strive to be authentic and honest, and act with my clients’ best interests in mind. Building trust is incredibly important to me, and that starts first with how I carry myself.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Shaochen! I’m a wedding calligrapher, live event artist, business coach for calligraphers, and co-host of the Calligraphy Biz Corner podcast. I’ve helped hundreds of calligraphers to launch and grow their dream businesses through my courses and programs. As a calligrapher, there aren’t a ton of education and resources tailored to our unique niche, so my mission is to equip calligraphers with the confidence and business expertise to elevate the entire industry and create more opportunities for everyone.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
In elementary school I was known as the “shy artsy kid”. Eventually I broke out of my shell and ended up an extrovert, but I also lost some of my artsiness along the way. I graduated with a business and psychology degree and dedicated my life to corporate America and tech startups for over a decade. But the artsy kid was always there, picking up new artistic hobbies, going to craft fairs, and playing music in community orchestras. Eventually I found calligraphy in 2019 as a way to merge my love for art and business, especially as I found my passion for coaching other calligraphers on building their businesses.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
On my business? So many times; the closest times were during the pandemic and after I had my first child, for very different reasons. But I’ve been through enough highs and lows to not make any rash decisions about shutting it all down. Whenever I hit a lull, I give myself several weeks and sometimes months to dig into what I could do differently and experiment, because ultimately, having my own business still gives me so much more freedom and control than if I were to work for someone else. But, I’m also open to the possibility that maybe one day, what’s most important to me is a steady paycheck from an employer, and that’s fine too.
“The businesses that succeed are the ones that keep going.” I heard this on a podcast and it seems so obvious, but resilience is really one of the primary factors of whether your business is going to keep existing or not. And sometimes in order to keep going, it requires asking hard questions like “Is this still business allowing me to live the life that I want?” “Is this still the work that I want to do?” “Do I need to change my business model to make enough money?” As business owners, we’re in control, and one of the most powerful things we can do is continue to evolve our businesses with our own growth.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
When I say I’m a calligrapher, most people ask me if I design wedding invitations and address envelopes. I actually do neither of those things! A lot of calligraphers feel like they have to offer what other people offer in their businesses, but I want to dispel that myth. You can have a successful business by focusing on what you love. You don’t have to design invitations and do wedding signage and be an engraver – if you don’t want to! Offering services you don’t actually enjoy puts you on the fast track to burnout and makes your business feel like a drag. Focusing on what you’re passionate about allows you to build a brand around that specialty and stay in your zone of genius – and your clients will notice the difference.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I think about this a lot and it’s one of the reasons I finally left the tech world, where I was climbing a ladder towards executive positions that I didn’t want. It’s one of the reasons I started my business, because I didn’t want to come to the end of my life and wonder what could have been. The truth is, I probably won’t be doing this for the rest of my life, and I fully expect that there will be a new chapter to explore, and my identity will shift again. Hopefully I’ll leave others with a desire to follow their curiosities, try the things that feel exciting but scary, and embrace evolving identities throughout their lives. After all, how boring is it if we spend our whole lives doing the same thing?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.calligraphyceo.com/, https://www.calligraphybizcorner.com/, https://monsteragold.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/monstera.gold
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CalligraphyBizCorner
- Other: Substack: https://calligraphyceo.substack.com/
Free Calligrapher Masterclass: https://www.calligraphyceo.com/masterclass?utm_source=interview&utm_medium=canvasrebel
Image Credits
Angelica Marie Photography
Diana Coulter
The Scobeys
The Iris Photography
